Tiberias Marathon – Tiberias Israel – 01.04.2007

This was the 30th annual Tiberias International Marathon, which runs from Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee around the southern shore to En Gev which is on the opposite shore, and back. It runs past the traditional Baptism site of Jesus on the Jordan River as well as military relics from the 1967 6-day war. It is unique in that it is the only marathon in Israel, and is entirely below sea level. It is mostly flat but this year (2007) we faced ferocious winds off the Golan Heights on the eastern shore of the sea. It was certainly the most memorable marathon that I have run. Mal James (gazarunning) was kind enough to let me ride along with him to the Tiberias International Marathon, 4 January 2007. That was only possible because we met through Phedippidations.

The two blue stripes on the ribbon reflect the national flag of Israel (this is the only marathon held in Israel and it is a point of pride for them), and they represent the two bodies of water that Israel lies between, the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River (Mal told me this). This isn’t a political statement or anything, it’s just the only example I can remember of a race medal where the ribbon actually had symbolic meaning and I thought that was interesting.

Running Bib Info:
Tiberias Marathon
Municipality of Tiberias (Israel)
January 04, 2007

Official Time: 4:04:01 (unofficial, at this point)
Offical Race Website is at: http://www.tiberias-marathon.co.il/en

Read more at Mal’s Race Report on his Blog: Point 1 of 1 percent

Submitted by Russ Johnson

Nutre y Mueve Tu Vida 5k- Mérida Yucatán México – 12.09.2006

This last weekend I ran a 5K race at a local sports complex. It was a
exercise/nutrition event put on by the state university in town. Along
with the 5K race there was also an aerobics class and health screenings.
I was glad to get a very good report on all counts in the health screening.

The event was “Nutre y Mueve Tu Vida” (Nourish and Move Your Life). This
was the first event at that venue. They hope to make it an annual event.
Though the race was new, this group from the university is not and they
have co-sponsored other local road races.

This took place at the Salvador Alvarado Stadium in Mérida, México and
we ran down the beautiful Paseo Montejo Avenue for which the city is
well known.

My official time was 27:29. The event never claimed to be an official 5K
distance. I later measured with Google Earth and found it to be .12 Km.
long. That would mean a 5K race of 26:50 (based on overall pace). Though
that is not official, that does mark a 14 second PR for that distance.

Running Bib Info:
Nutre y Mueve Tu Vida “Nourish and Move Your Life”
Supposedly 5K, but really 5.12 Km
Mérida, Yucatán, México
December 09, 2006

Official Time: 27:29 (Well, if the course had been accurate, it would have been a true 5k PR!!!!)
My race report is at: http://www.mythoughtspot.com/2006/12/09/5k-pr/

Submitted by David www.mythoughtspot.com

Okinawa Marathon – Okinawa Japan – 02.26.2006

This race meant a lot to me for several reasons:
1) I dedicated the race to my wife, Kaori;
2) the time was a PR time of 3:12:57;
3) the time was also a BQ (Boston Qualifying) time (3:20 was needed).
Running Bib Info:
Okinawa Marathon
February 26, 2006
Okinawa, Japan
Official Finishing Time: 3:12:57 PR & BOSTON QUALIFIED
For more detail and photos on the race, check out Paul’s Okinawa Marathon page

Submitted by Paul Sminkey

Midnattsloppet 10k – Stockholm Sweden – 07.2001

This was the Midnattsloppet (Midnight Run) 10k in Stockholm, Sweden, in July 2001. It had been 12 years since I last ran in a race and I decided I needed a really cool race to motivate me to get back into running. This worked out well. Despite the name, the race started at 10 p.m., but it was huge, both in runners and fan support. The entire route was lined with cheering, screaming fans, including children, chanting something in Swedish, which I don’t speak a word of, but it didn’t matter. I think there were about 25,000 runners. That run through the streets of Stockholm that night was something I’ll always treasure. I still have the T-shirt, which cost extra, but there are no sponsor ads on it, just the race logo. Best of all, it did motivate me to get back into running, and five years later I’ve completed 6 marathons and a whole bunch of shorter races. The Midnattsloppet started it all.

Submitted by Russ Johnson (PerfesserR on the Phedippidations Forum)

Carrera Atlética – Mérida Yucatán México – 02.19.2006

This was my first road race. I had only started running in early January. Though I had gone out and run once every couple of weeks before January, I had not started running seriously until then.

I found out about this race about 4 days before it was to run. The announcement said to be there an hour early so that we could register. No one showed up to take registrations until 30 minutes before. I was there with a friend sitting on the curb wondering if there really was a race that day.

The race itself was non-spectacular other than it was a first for me. It was supposed to be an 8 Km race. Later I found out it was only 7.75 Km. Which is typical of races here. They are not too exact on the distance. I have run a 5K that was really 5.5. A 10K that was only 9.2. And worst of all was the 5K that was only 3.3 K.

I came in pretty much last. There was a 70 year old lady and a guy in a wheel chair that were behind me, but for all intents and purposes, I was the last one who was seriously running. And I ran, or shuffled, the whole way.

Running Bib Info:
Carrera Atlética “Athletic Race” (David’s Comment: Good original name)
Supposedly 8K, but really only 7.75 Km
Mérida, Yucatán, México
February 19, 2006

Official Time: 49:42 (PR!!!!)
Did you win an award? A good bit of pride.

Submitted by David ww.mythoughtspot.com