Last Breath of Winter VA 5K – Dayton OH – 03.10.2007

This race was the first opportunity for my husband and I to run an event together, and even more exciting…it was his first race ever. We both went out with modest goals-me to use it as a training run for an upcoming half, him to finish with a sub 30 time, which we both did. The course of rolling hills was through the VA medical center park and memorium in Dayton, OH- a fun charity event to support the local VA. I ran for my late father who served in VietNam and my grandmother who was hospitalized at the time and is still ill. I couldn’t be happier for Andy who has battled running in the past but is striving to improve since his job (US Navy) requires it. He ran hard, finished strong, and didn’t kill me along the way for all the stupid motivating things I kept spouting at him! At the end of the day, he finished 3rd in his age group and I finished 2nd in mine…both of us coming in in the middle of the pack. We’re both a bit like Steve at Phedipp[idations]….just middle of the packers out there for the experience! Thanks to everyone for their support, it was a great run and we’re both looking forward to the next one!

Race Bib Info
Last Breath of Winter VA 5K
5k Road Race
Dayton, OH
March 10, 2007

Your Official Time: 28:41 (for us both)
Was this a Personal Record (PR)? : No for Sam, Yes for Andy
Did you win an award? : Yes…Sam-2nd in age group, Andy-3rd in age group

submitted by Samantha Simons

Walt Disney Marathon – Orlando FL – 01.07.2007

Running Bib Info:
Walt Disney World Marathon
Marathon – 26.2 miles
Orlando, FL
January 7, 2007

Official Time: 5:47:26
Personal Record (PR)? Yes (1st marathon ever)
Did you win an award? A Mickey Mouse head medal and a strong feeling of accomplishment for finishing my first marathon.
I have been training for the marathon since July 2006 and blogging on my training experience since August 2006. The journey has been nothing less than incredible. You can read about the race on my blog at: http://marathonchris.blogspot.com/2007/01/today-i-became-marathoner.html

Submitted by marathonchris.

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

Chicago Marathon – Chicago IL – 10.22.2006

You can see my Chicago running bib in the middle of
the picture, 32828

Running Bib Info

La Salle Bank Chicago Marathon
Chicago Illinois
October 22, 2006
Official Time: 4:17
Personal Record (PR)? yep – I improved by 38 minutes from
last year and am STILL psyched!
Did you win an award? you kidding?

Details on my blog at: http://petraruns.blogspot.com/2006/11/marathon-is-behind-me-but-buzz-remains.html

Submitted by Petra Duguid

Back Cove Weekly 5k Race Series – Portland ME – 2006

It is a 19 week series that ran from May through September on the Back Cove path (a mostly gravel/crushed stone path) in Portland, Maine.

Overall results are included in the picture for the last event. My times varied from low 17s to mid 22s depending upon the workout I was doing – I didn’t actually race every time. I usually did quarter or half mile repeats over the race course so that I would have people to chase.

I won the race a few times and was usually in the top 5. The race number in the picture was used for 16 of the 19 races. I did not race once (it was the day I got back from my honeymoon and I felt lazy) and I forgot my race bib in my truck or locker at the gym on two different occasions. Otherwise, I used the same race bib every week.

I had originally written emergency contact info on it the first week, but that rubbed off during the race and I never bothered putting it back on.

Running Bib Info:
Back Cove Weekly 5k race series
May through September 2006
Portland , Maine, USA
Official Finishing Time: 17:25 (for one of the races)

for more details on the race series click the links below:

http://news.runtowin.com/2006/05/10/back-cove-5k-race-series.html
http://news.runtowin.com/2006/05/31/back-cove-5k-race-series-or-how-to-run-a-5k-3-days-after-your-marathon.html
http://news.runtowin.com/2006/06/14/back-cove-5k-race-series-week-6.html
http://news.runtowin.com/2006/09/13/2006-back-cove-5k-race-series-final-results.html

Submitted by Blaine Moore at Run to Win (news.RunToWin.com)

Alpharetta Half Marathon – Alpharetta GA – 10.23.2005

I highly recommend this race for the organization. The course is rolling hills, with the toughest hills at miles 6 and 12. Great race!

(Like my turtle magnets? I think they’re really appropriate for my race bibs… )

Running Bib Info:
The Alpharetta Half Marathon
October 23, 2005
Alpharetta, Georgia, USA
Official Finishing Time: 1:50:35
Personal Record (PR)? Yep, first half marathon

submitted by Kevin Hicks, Columbus, Georgia

Walt Disney Marathon – Orlando FL – 01.08.2006

I got a finishers medal! I wasn’t sure I would get that when my left calf cramped at mile 6. I slowed down some and was able to finish the race.

Running Big Info:
Walt Disney World Marathon 2006
Orlando, Florida
Jan 8, 2006
Official Finishing Time: 4:30:24 (chip time)
PR? Yes! (First marathon, so I left room for improvement.)

submitted by Kevin Hicks, Columbus, Georgia

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)