Medal Monday brings many stories of achievement for our members. Here are recent stories from the Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics, as told by you, as posted on the Marathon Maniacs/Half Fanatics Facebook pages.
Nick Polanowski (MM16057) – 🚨 PR ALERT 🚨 I DID IT!!! 🚨 PR ALERT 🚨
Bass Pro Shops Marathon was an AMAZING Event and was so well coordinated.
The goal was to break 3:50 and that got CRUSHED!!! I finished with a 3:46:38. Not only did I PR, BUT…I also placed 3rd in my Age Group. Took 3rd in the 45-49 Age Group Class. I went out there today and just felt so energized. I started with the 4hr Pacers and no more than .5 mile in I knew I just had to GO 🏃♂️
I was very STRONG through 24 miles. Between mile 24-25 I started to gas a little. It was my slowest mile and after that I just dug down DEEP and found that inner strength and picked it back up.
Finished pacing at a 7:13/mile. I left NOTHING out on the course today. There was definitely NOTHING left in the tank.
I’ll round out the year in Tulsa for the Route 66 Marathon on November 19th. I’m definitely looking forward to hopefully finishing in under 3:45. Then…it’s into a couple months of no races but intense training and hitting the gym for some serious strength training.
Brittany Anton (MM15275) – Me Kirk Anton and our son did Charlotte
Lori Joas (MM15495) – Marshall University Marathon, Huntington, WV
Stefanie Holliday (MM14385, HF17442, DA3313) In between marathons/ultras, a fun (and hilly) Alpharetta Women’s Half-Marathon for a great shakeout training run!! I loved the course’s beauty in Alpharetta, GA, great cause, support, and all the ladies I met along the way -I’d definitely recommend this half! In my half-marathon finish-line count, this would be #45. I didn’t try to PR just due to an ultramarathon next week! 2:24:16 for 13.1 miles. ❤️🏃🏻♀️-
Khder Hernando (MM15808) – 2023 Duke City Marathon at Albuquerque, NM
US State #12 / Marathon #14
It was awesome run with my US Army buddy, who I have not seen in 14years. Catching up on life while running 26.2 miles.
Maurice LaFond (MM13498, DA3749, HF18743) – Maurice won his age group at the Charlotte Marathon!!!🎉
He said he had our Moms’s Angels on his shoulders until mile 18 where mine was kicking him in the butt up the hills.
Gregory Rouson (MM12723, DA2354, HF8068) – I met MM#1 this morning at the Dash to the Finish Line 5K!
Maniacs took over Time Square again! Awesome to have Steven Yee in NYC!
Ran Roper Jr. (MM15769) – Mission accomplished
Dailyn Valdez (MM15916, DA3732, HF18660) – Loved the course, the fall colors,runner support, and crisp weather in Indiana. Such kind people live there🫶My 26.2 was dedicated to the @rangers @rangers.nation for getting to the World Series 💪🏼⚾️ & to beloved Grandparents who I dearly miss🥲may they RIP🙏🏼💙❤️ Let’s Go Rangers 🙌🏼#doubleagent #marathonmaniacs #halffanatics #medalmonday🏅 Congratulations to all who participated👏🏼🎶 #bemonumental #cnoindianapolismarathon #50statesmarathonclub
Gregory Rouson (MM12723, DA2354, HF8068) – Lifetime marathon #19 and TCS New York City Marathon #3…DONE!!! With this, my marathon season has come to a close. Three Abbott World Marathon Majors in less than 2 months. Yeah…I’d say I deserve a drank or two (or three!) after today. 😁😵💫🫠 #MM12723 #DA2354 #Roustance #runnyc
Eddie Hahn (MM184) – The 19th time I ran marathons on back-to-back days.
The Mt Umunhum Trail Marathon (5:49:33) Saturday, and the Zombie Halloween Run Coastal Trails today (3:49:30) (3rd male 50-59) . (Both events in the greater San Jose California US area).
Marine Corps Marathon 48 Maniacs photo dedicated to David Larson.
Pascal Radley (MM2051) – Marine Corps Marathon in the books. 5th time completing this event and overall lifetime 449th marathon.
Tough day for runners and medics due to high humidity. I saw five runners down along the course. There likely were more. At some point, runners were diverted and not allowed to run the whole distance. I believe I had just finished when that occurred.
Lisa Brookover Moore (HF9134) – medalmonday Completed a half marathon in all 50 States at the Canyonlands Ultra Half Marathon in Moab, UT. I had a great support group as my family completed the event with me. It was a tough trail course with elevation, hills, sand, and rock in a figure 8 course, 2 aid stations featuring fruit, Gatorade, water, candy, cookies and 1 porta potty on the course (more at the start/finish). Post race offered soda, seltzer, hot enchilada casserole, cookies, candy. 5 minutes after we finished the heavens opened up and we had pea sized hail, thunder and lightning, and then a double rainbow. Bling included a medal which is also a belt buckle, trucker hat, and a short sleeve cotton t-shirt.
Sivabalan Pandian (MM13150) –
Dear well wishers ,
THIRD TIME , I was lucky to get a chance to run and finish BMW BERLIN MARATHON on 24 Sept 2023 at the age of 65 .
The results of my Berlin Marathons is as follows.
2015 – Finish Time – 6:05:50
2021 – Finish Time – 5:53:15
2023 – Finish Time – 6:11:05
I was a last runner to finish Full Marathon at Hyderabad on 28 Aug 2023 with poor timing and a little worried about my running improvement.
This time I was accompanied with Mr.Tukaram Naik in Berlin and he had suggested some techniques to run with better timing .
Thanks a lot to Mr. Tukaram Naik Sir who made me to run happily throughout 42.2 K with the Indian Flag in my hand at Berlin Streets with a smile on face.
Mostly all Indian Runners took pictures and videos while running and spectators were shouting ‘INDIA INDIA’ which motivated me .
It was a great surprise that during the 200 meter near to finish line , THE ORGANIZER PUT PUNJABI INDIAN SONG after seeing the Indian Flag in my hand .
Now I have ( GOD BLESSED MARATHONER ) touched 733 and gained confidence to touch 1000 marathons ( Full and Ultra ) soon .
I just need some motivation from you all, to complete1000 before the end my life, which is my ultimate goal .
Happy Running Full and Ultra Marathons
Jun Ulama (MM12617) – I’m coming back for yah! Oorah!💪🏽 #ProudNavyDad #MCM3Xfinisher #missionaccomplished #runwiththemarines #marathonmaniacs #50statesmarathonclub #gratefulthankfulblessed #medalmonday #BeActive
Pascal Radley (MM2051) -Completed the Melbourne Marathon for my 6th marathon continent and lifetime marathon #448. Great seeing my Aussie marathon maniac friend Jane Sturzaker on the course and cheerleader Donna Lilmiss Pktrkt several times along the way. With cool temps and overcast skies, it was a great day to run a marathon!
Runner Mike Hk (MM3337) – kanazawa japan
Glenn Richardson (MM14162, DA3076, HF16007) – Racing and pacing. Haunted Trails of Waverly Hills 10k Friday night and paced the 5:30 group at Monumental on Saturday
Marion Breeze (NN15601) – Dublin Marathon
Lawrence Allie (MM16304) – Dublin Marathon
Aaron Stevens (MM14034) – Marine Corps Marathon
Charlotte Corriher (MM3514) – Delirium Ultra 24 Hour Endurance Race
Jon Pontius (MM15134) – Yumegahama seaside marathon, Tottori, Japan They dont give medals but heres the bib
Hank Lopez (MM14004, DA3029, HF16561) – Ocean State Marathon
Photo and Post Credit Marathon Maniacs/Half Fanatics Facebook Pages