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.
Congratulations to all of our members who ran last weekend!
James Waddell(HF4476).– Joplin Memorial Run 2024. This will be the last year for this race I am so glad I did not Miss it. This is the 13th Anniversary since the Joplin Tornado. The banners with the names all down mile 1 represent the 161 people that lost their lives. Mile 7 to 12 was actually in the path of the Tornado. Very well ran Race everyone took very good care of us. Made it one to Cherish and Remember for a long time. Joplin Memorial Run Missouri Historic Route 66
LeeAnn Williford Meltzer (HF6084) – Finished my 50th State in Hawaii at the Hibiscus Half Marathon!
Randy Riley (MM14470, DA3218, HF16432) –Cleveland Marathon Half. Lined up with 5000+ runners including both full and half. Saw Laurie Weiner at the start corral. It was a beautiful sunny day and this race features many dramatic views of the city: all 3 stadiums, the flats, the Rock Hall of Fame, Tremont including the Christmas Story House from the movie, glimpses of Lake Erie and runs across the Guardian Bridge. I stopped long enough to take a selfie in front of the iconic Cleveland Sign that has the entire city skyline behind it but as you can see in typical fashion I missed both the sign and the skyline 😀.
On a side note I was curious about how many half marathons it would take to run across the country. I had Apple Maps begin at the starting line of the NYC Marathon at the Verrazano Narrows Bridge on Staten Island to the finish line of the LA Marathon (I’ve run both). I thought it would be a nice goal to race enough half marathons to cross the country but turns out I already passed it. The number was 215 and today was #226 for me.
Steve Walters (HF21, DA9, MM338)– Solid finish at the Capital City Marathon in Olympia Washington. It’s my 250th marathon finish in under 4:00! Despite being a hilly course I ran a solid 3:33 with negative splits of 1:47/1:46. Consistent pace with my fastest mile of 7:48 and my slowest mile of 8:26. Beat last year’s time by 20 seconds.
Scott Pearson (HF18577)– If your dreams don’t scare the heck out of you, you need to get bigger dreams. I am living one of my dreams. April 2018 I ran my first half marathon at the race that would become the Sioux Falls Skedaddle. May 2024 I ran half marathon number 50 at the Sioux Falls Skedaddle. When I was younger never in my wildest dreams would I run 1 half let alone 50. In that time I have run a half in 19 different states and Washington DC. I have also made so many friends. Some are online only, but so many of them I have been able meet in person. All of you have made my life so much more complete. Especially those of you who talk me into and go with me on the next crazy adventure. My running group the RUNNING BANDITS is such an awesome chosen family. It was a beautiful day for a race on a great course. I was able to run the first 3 miles with my friend Sarah Lynn Waltner . It was fun chatting those first miles away. I was concerned coming into this race as my foot has been bugging me, but everything went well today. It very much reminded me why I love to run. Dream big and chase those dreams. Who knows how far they can take you
Aaron Stevens (MM14034) –
- Karen Murray Anderson (MM8075, DA576, HF5492)
- Glen Anderson (MM2674)
- Hank OnThe Hill Lopez (MM14044, DA3029, HF16561)
- Penny Martin Wilbanks(MM15295, DA3642, HF18435)
- Bob Strauss(MM7421)
A new state! Today I paced the Colfax Marathon in Denver Colorado. It was a nice course and very well organized but warm (temps rising to feel like low 80s by 11am). Despite the altitude and temperature I came in right on schedule at 4:59:13. I had a large group with me at the start but many dropped off due to the heat. Two 50-staters stuck with me all the way to finish strong.
I also had the great pleasure of reuniting with several friends and co pacers who I have met through previous marathons and from the 50 States Marathon Club for dinner on Saturday.
This was my 7th marathon of 2024, my first in Colorado (my 38th state), and my 72nd marathon overall.
Laurie Weiner (HF9266, DA3668, MM15681) –Today I ran my 15th marathon at Cleveland Marathon. Today brought challenges with hills and heat. I am surprised that there was no accommodation for the marathon runners as the temps soared into the 80s. Much of the last 10 miles was in direct sun without shade. I saw most runners came prepared with extra hydration and I saw no runners down on the side of the road with medics. I was hoping for some relief of cold sponges or cooling towels along the way, but no were offered.
Peter was such a BIG help as he caught up to me in several areas, but the biggest help was he found me around mile 14 with dry socks, Coke and grapes. These helped tremendously!
I saw Richard and Melisa Milisa Fabian Strain along the course. Randy Riley found me before the start. My biggest surprise and motivating moment was around mile 25 Tim Patton was blasting music and Peter saw him first and I immediately hugged him and felt his strength which helped me finish strong!
This was not my fastest marathon, but it was my fastest in my new age group of 60- 64. Now to rest and get ready for Eagle Up Ultra 50 miler in 2 weeks.
Charlotte Corriher(MM3514) – 3 Days at the Fair by the numbers..
144/74/48/24/12/6-hrs of races open
72-hours my race lasted
1-miles each lap was (ALL asphalt)
151-miles I ran
32-miles over last distance PR
12-hours I slept
6-miles my GPS added while I slept
(WTF Garmin)
16-age of the youngest runner to buckle (202 miles)
7-age if the youngest marathoner
12-hours my drive home now is
Glenn Richardson (MM14162, DA3076, HF16007) – I was super excited crossing the finish line in first place at the Mudskipper Trail Run at Deam Lake. It was a nice morning for a run and the trails were fun and I got to clear the cobwebs since I led the race. Only a handful of us showed up and it was basically a fun run but a win is a win. I had four big ole ticks on me after my run. Thanks to Chris Livers for having just a trail run with his swimrun and thanks to Bigfoot Timing (Josh and Kim) for the timing and the pic.
Gysel Parajon (MM8995, DA3751, HF18751)-HAPPY MEDAL MONDAY!! Each and every single one is special to me but this past Saturday I earned an extra special one!
On Saturday, 5/18/2024, I embarked on an epic foot journey on the trails NW of Reno to test my endurance to race again on Tahoe Rim Trail in a couple months. It was my first time running the 50K distance, the shortest of all ultras. I knew this course was not going to be easy but I didn’t expect it to be as challenging as it was. I ran, hiked, hobbled, and at times dragged my right foot to complete the journey of the Silver State 50/50.
I started the race late, 11 minutes due to issues but luckily the symptoms did not persist beyond the morning. I ran my heart out until the heat got me so I had to hike. After stopping at the second aid station I felt immensely better. I consumed some food, carbs, loaded my hat with ice as well as the back and front of my bra. On I went and hiked to the highest point on the course, Peavine Summit, rather swiftly. I passed a handful of people, stopped at the aid station momentarily, and then charged down this crazy, gnarly descent through a rock covered trail. Of course a mile before reaching the third aid station my right pinky toe gave me all the indications that it had grown a blister. I had preemptively wrapped my pinky toes in bandaids to prevent this from happening but it backfired. I stopped to tend to it, and kept on going, albeit slower. Of course I was passed by everyone I had passed.
I took a break at the next aid station before heading back to the Peavine Summit aid station again. I was at this point 7 hours into the race feeling tired and sore, but I was committed to running as much as possible. I kept going, feeling mostly good until that same blister decided to let me know how angry it was. Despite the pain I persisted until I decided to run down another hill. And the pain at that moment was indescribable.
The sweeper who had caught up to me again, he was with me earlier, somewhere around 7-8 miles to the finish was truly a godsend. It became apparent that my shoe needed to be cut, although my shoes were fairly unused, but it needed to happen, and he cut it! And what a relief it was! I made it to the finish, hobbling my way there, but I made it!! I was DFL within my distance but I too earned that spot!
Thank you to the RD, volunteers, my family, and the sweeper, @grandparunsalot!
Karen Johnson Derrick (MM12498, DA3640, HF18426) – Cleveland, you’ve been marathon-ed! 🏃♂️ I completed the Cleveland Marathon Challenge Series – 5k (3rd in age group) and marathon. 🏅 #179 full marathons and still kicking! 🏃♀️ #3 Ohio marathon finishes and counting! #29 on my third round of marathoning the 50 states and it’s still an incredible journey! 😍 Had a blast with my running crew and met some amazing new ones! 😁 It was great seeing my cousin Scott and Barbara – it’s been too long! 👍
Casey Kilduff (HF #18860) – Welcome to the Half Fanatics Casey! Casey qualified by completing 3 half marathons in 90 days with the final qualifying race at the Capital City Half Marathon in Olympia, Washington on May 19, 2024!
From Casey, “Third half in 90 days! Joining the cool kids club now! Today was the Capital City Half Marathon!”
Welcome Casey!
Corinne Balmerchick Milligan (HF11336) – What a weekend! Made even more amazing with my friends! 6-states with Crystal… my second time running in Iowa with @oneknitaway and brunch with @saltairhoney !! On to the next! #hometownhalfmarathon #goodtimes #friendship
Chris Ellenwood(MM11471, DA1647, HF3934) is with Sue Stevens (HF8593, DA2452, MM12891)– and Pelicano Monte Pascual.(MM438, DA32, HF99) – So, after 3 years, I finally ran another 1/2 marathon. Tacoma City did not disappoint. The route took us over the Narrows bridge. It was so very windy! My skirt and shirt were up around my neck! 🤭 I expected to be out there over 4 hours but was very happy it only 3:22! Even with the wind and damn hills! Happy to see some running friends!! P.S. I may never move again!!
Karen A Flynn(HF1043, DA158,MM4024) – MedalMonday #MotivationMonday from my 83rd lifetime marathon at the Denver Colfax Marathon @runcolfax Sunday 05/19/24! I got some extra bling for their “Double Marathon Challenge” awarded for completing at least one other marathon since January! The altitude & the heat were no joke but what an awesome event this was exploring Denver on foot, even running through a firehouse & Empower Stadium x2! Apparently this event was the biggest in the history of the race with over 25,000 participants in several races over the course of the weekend! It was fun repp’ing the Hyland’s brand along the course as I was able to share some Leg Cramps samples to some ailing runners along the way!
Karen Murray Anderson (MM8075, DA576, HF5492)- Had a blast running through Denver with Penny as she conquered her 49th state! The altitude and heat definitely made it tough, but the course was amazing – running through a firehouse and Empower Stadium 2x was so cool. The spectators made it fun! 🏃♀️🔥
Sivabalan Pandian (MM13150) – Dear well wishers ,
Participated – Maratona della BATTAGLIA 2024 held at Curtatone – Italy on 12 May 2024 with
Finishing Time- 6:38:12 organized by Super Marathon Club of Italia.
Excellent arrangements with More than 30 Indians were offered volunteers service to controll of
traffic and made stress free running to runners .
These Indians were locally live there and they gave best services to the runners till end of race .
Most of them from Punjab region and worked with Super Marathon Club of Italia in order to make this event successful.
I was running with Indian Flag through out 42.2 K and cheered by Indian Volunteers .
First time , I could find Indian volunteers supporting the Marathon in overseas.
Also Indians volunteers surprised to see an Indian was running with Indian National Flag on Italian soil in the countryside.
Thanks to Mr.Paolo Gino who had invited me to run this event.
Very Happy and ran as hero .
Dailyn Valdez (MM15916, DA3732, HF18660) – We conquered just about 42 miles in 13 hours and 46mins. Nice temps at start at 38 degrees which is perfect ! Dry heat is no joke. My mouth felt like sandpaper the whole time. Yikes. Just felt like the impossible on the first 5 miles of climbing our first Ultra. We originally signed up for the 50k. Saw the map that it was going to loop again towards the end. Decided last minute to change over to the 60 k so we could see the last full canyon all around Thought to ourselves “what have we done”?. @vacationraces Bryce Cannon gave us an epic experience🫶🏼.The trails are well marked.The volunteers are super kind. The aid stations are so yummy. The shirts and medals are always high-quality. Had no idea that this ultra is rated a level 5. 😅 We started around 4500 and then we climbed another 4700 so we ended up like at 9000 in elevation. This course is shade and then not it is super technical, with dust, wind ,sun , inclines, dissensions, lush forest, sand, rocks, gravel,flowers,plants, shrubs, large and small trees of all sorts, streams, red rocks, red sand, and then boom the icing on the cake! The gorgeous Bryce Canyons ! Never had we been so humbled, so peaceful ,so happy so scared, and so surprised all at once. Both felt the strongest and biggest confirmation that God is so real. His divinity is real. The sanctity of his all his creations🙏🏼is all so magnificent! This was a life changing experience for us. We felt almost ever human emotion possible out there. If you think you’re trained and think that mentally physically emotionally you can do this. Go train some more but know you will not do this on your own. That’s where that higher power comes in. God, the almighty gave us all the strength and grit that we needed to be able to accomplish this insane goal. As always it’s Phil 4:13 and in him we are so grateful #MedalMonday now Tuesday lol #doubleagent #halffanatics #marathonmaniacs #50stateshalfmarathonclub #50statesrunning and now #ultrarunner
Eddie Hahn(MM184) – Nanny Goat Ultra Marathon 6/12/24 hours and 100 miles, Riverside CA US.
I was in the shortest category, the 6-hour section.
I was subconsciously honoring my dad, I have a collage of dozens of pictures entitled “embracing life” where he’s photographed with arms outstretched.
Distance personal record for 6 hours, 35 miles.
Last attempt at 6 hours was 28.6 miles.
A decade ago. Lifetime marathon or further, 309
Other useless statistics:
o 22 of my marathon finishers are slower
o My 50K “split”(5:07) was 28 min. faster than my 50K PR (5:35)
Maniacs after the Sri Chinmoy 13 & 7 Hour Race in Seattle
Brenda Folkerts (MM15695, DA3674, HF18068) -Pigtails Challenge 50K
This is it! I’m hitting my last week of long runs before my 1st 100K in June. One more to go next weekend. 😀
MM #15695
DA #3674
HF #18068
Lorinda Hagstrom (HF13328, DA1981, MM3865) –Calgary Marathon! Cold, wet, windy! But another BQ! Stephanie did the half but they ran out of medals!
Lawrence Allie (MM16304) – I did two events this weekend. I ran the Memorial Day Half Marathon on Saturday May 25th in Fort Hamilton Army Base Brooklyn NY, and the Forest Park 4 miler on Sunday May 26th in Queens NY
Badhri Chakravarthy (MM11055) – Sorry this is a long post…
At the finish line of Go! St. Louis 2024marathon. My 100th marathon in 10 years!
Thank you to my core team – my 2 sons, Vikram & Varun, my daughter in law Natasha and my wife Pramila who made this accomplishment of 100th marathon possible after a health setback in Dec. 2023.
I signed up for this marathon one year ago but I did not sign up for the brain tumor. Involving multiple surgeries, chemo and radiation..hanks to my co workers and friends who contributed to the meal train.
Special Thanks to the continuous encouragement from my doctors/oncologists with my walking/activities.
My intent during treatment was to see if I can do all the activities – eating , sleeping, walking – post treatment – can I get my life back. I was able to do all these, then I started simulating long distance walking – many 10 milers, Half marathons, including a 20 miler..can I walk inside my house for 6 hours to build endurance then I realized that I can walk the entire course in 8.5 hours, getting up at 1:30 AM. Starting my race at 4 AM.
I want to give my special thanks to the race coordinators for their flexibility as well as keeping us safe during the event. Thanks to all my A&T&T supervisors with their constant support during my marathon runs! #lifeatatt
…also thanks to my legs that stood by me (no pun intended) covering 41,600 miles run/walk in the last 10 years (average 80 miles walk/run per week) and to my parents who created them. I will also run these Thank you contents by AI and see if it generates a better version.
Here is my interview with Fox 2 News: https://lnkd.in/gPUXrknQ
Bottom line there is hope and life after severe sickness.
Keep Moving and Happy Walking!
John Shangin (MM15948) –I traveled down to Ogden, Utah and ran the Ogden Marathon yesterday. This is my 17th overall Marathon and #12 U.S. state!🇺🇸 1,142 feet of net elevation drop🏔. It was cool seeing a few friends from the maniacs club there! Someone even had pancakes 🥞 and bacon 🥓 for runners at mile 23!🤣👌
Robert Manon (MM6700, DA431, HF3646)– Medal Monday
Nanny Goat 6 Hour was my 283rd lifetime Marathon/Ultra.
Running for the Rescues was my 551st lifetime half marathon.
Laguna Hills Memorial Half was my 552nd lifetime half marathon and I relieved a bonus medal for running this race 5 times through the years.
Michael Neff (HF18434) – Half Marathon 166 is in the books The Georgetown Memorial Half – Extremely hot and humid. (86° with 80% humidity) The finish line looked like a disaster area with many EMTs and multiple ambulances. Adding to the misery, is it rained the night before and the dirt/gravel trail was muddy in many places.
Gregory Rouson(HF8068, MM12723, DA2354)-Cleveland Half Marathon and lifetime half marathon #220…DONE!!! This was a great event from start to finish. The warmth and generous inclines whipped #YaBoi’s legs like cake mix but I got it done. #HF8068 #MM12723 #DA2354 #CLEMarathon
Amy Seagroves- (HF18410, DA3652, MM15648) –Half #134 Buffalo Half Marathon! This was my third time doing this half marathon and it is an excellent race. One of my favorites in NY state. It has a nice course, great production and is very convenient being downtown. Only issues was there was a bunch of jerk drivers who ignored volunteers and police…grrrr. Not really the races fault as the volunteers and police tried their best. Overall I’d definitely recommend this one.
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