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 this past weekend!
Laurie Weiner(mm15681, DA3668, HF9266) – Today is one for the books! I ran 18th Annual Burning River Endurance Run & Relay marathon. The weather was perfect. I ran hard and it paid off. I took 25 minutes off last years time which is a PR for trail marathon distance. I also placed 3/10 in my age group! I was so excited I actually jump up and down and screamed with joy when I found out. I also had to wait for over 2 hours for the results to be final. I can’t thank Peter Weiner enough for supporting and cheering for me at various points!
Gina Forestieri (HF18136) – Half 84 done, Washington again, Mt Ranier vacation race.. it was pretty but holy hilly and a LOT of trail running… somehow with over 70 registered “60-64” year old ladies, i managed to get an ag award of 5th, (usually races just award top 3 not 5) which i did not stay and get, i figured with a crappy 2:22 and over 70 ladies it wouldn’t be a thing! Anyway things picked up even better, after getting 2 hours sleep last night because i kept checking delta flights to get an earlier one out, even checked in the race parking lot and nothing! When i got back to the hotel after the race a315pm spot opened up, no extra charge and assigned me a seat!! I was over the moon happy…
Steve Walters (MM338, DA9, HF21) – Second Snoqualmie tunnel marathon of the year completed. I knew beating the 3:22 from last month was probably not going to happen, so my goal was a sub-3:30. I got off to a bit of a slow start, but found speed in the second half. Finished the Jack & Jill Marathon in 3:25:45. Even managed negative splits (1:43:35/1:42:10). Pacing was pretty consistent (8:02 slowest mile, 7:28 fastest mile). A solid day!
Gysel Parajon(MM8995)– It has been a dream of mine since I started running races to run a 50-miler and this last weekend I did!!
I started the race on Saturday with stomach and gut problems on top of having my period but I promised myself I would see where my body could take me. I vomited before the race, which made me feel better and climbed to the first and second aid stations up 4,200 ft to the highest point on the course. I couldn’t eat so I drank water, electrolytes, soda, and pickle juice and continued on running whenever possible and hiking the rest of the way.
While on the course I met some amazing runners and had the pleasure of sharing miles with them. @run_san_run and I were having similar stomach problems and ran together for about 12 miles. It was really great to run with her. I had finally been able to eat some rice and chicken broth at the Tunnel Creek A/S but she could only drink fluids and still kept going and kept me on my toes! I don’t I could have been able to run as well without her! Thank you!! At Diamond Peak we parted ways, I took a long break, and then began the grueling climb up the resort with another runner, Simi, and her pacer. We ran together to the next two aid stations until she realized she couldn’t go on. I kept going and ran in the dark.
I had initially been scared to run overnight but there were so many 100-mile runners on the course at this point that I felt ok. It wasn’t until after leaving the second to last aid station, Hobart, that I was alone for the next few hours. This next section contains the switchbacks I hate, the same ones that killed me last year on the 55k course. But I finally made it to the last aid station. They said they were waiting for me as I was the last 56-miler. It was a little after 5am and they asked me if I wanted to sleep. I had been ready to drop at this point, with my legs aching, my feet and pinky toes now blistered up so this sounded good. I woke up, had my feet tended to, and I continued on to finish the next 7.5 miles. I became emotional as I got closer to the finish and then cried when my good friend and running partner @dirtandtears surprised me at the finish line!! ❤️
Total miles = 59.2 in 28:23:35.
Of course Instagram has a word limit but I also wanted to thank my fellow runners, the amazing and wonderful volunteers, the RD, George for putting on a great event, my friends and family, and especially my son.
Congratulations to Amy Seagroves (HF18410, DA3652, MM15648) for reaching Sun status this past weekend. She reached sun by completing 52 Half Marathons in 365 days at the Shoreline Half near Rochester, NY. on July 20, 2024. Congratulations Amy!
“Amy Seagroves (HF18410, DA3652, MM15648) – I did it!! I completed 52 half marathons in 365 days to make Sun Level with Half #140 Shoreline Half near Rochester, NY. I am very happy this ended up being the race that brought me to the Sun as it is a special race to me and also the race that started my half marathon obsession.
I was lucky to run this race in summer 2020 since I signed up before the pandemic and it was a trial run to see if they could safely hold races by the race company only for those who signed up early. It was my 7th half marathon back when I was a newbie on Neptune. It was my first road half marathon after the pandemic and I loved it so much I decided to sign up for as many half marathons as possible and hope at least some of them would happen. During Fall of 2020 about half the races I signed up for happened and I did about it 1 to 2 half’s per month. I did the same in winter and spring and by spring almost none got canceled and I ended up running a half almost every weekend I had off and did my first double which made me realize how much I could do. Since I first did the Shoreline half 4 years ago I have now completed 133 more half marathons! Not sure this would have happened if I didn’t run this race in 2020 so it was the perfect race to get to the Sun with
Also it is a really nice, fast course and I finished my first sub 3 hour half this year!”
To learn more about the Half Fanatics Level criteria and how to level up click the link below.
https://www.halffanatics.com/fanatic-criteria
Run Family at the Mt. Rainier Half and 5K
Sivabalan Pandian (MM13150) – Dear all well wishers ,
I happened to finish in AUSTRIA at BAD BLUMAU 5th time 10 in 10 ( 2018,2019,202121, 2022 and 2024 ).
In this year 2024 ,it was held from 28 June to 7 July 2024 .
This year from 7 countries around 30 runners took part in all 10 days. I WAS HAPPY TO REPRESENT FROM INDIA .
All 10 in 10 runners were provided ( in thier last lap of last day of the event ) their national flag to hold while running.
It was timed event and results can be seen in the following link.
https://my.raceresult.com/264621/results
DAY 1 – Finish Time – 6:53:31
DAY 2 – Finish Time – 6:48:32
DAY 3 – Finish Time – 6:43:22
DAY 4 – Finish Time – 6:35:39
DAY 5 – Finish Time – 6:31:18
DAY 6 – Finish Time – 5:54:42
DAY 7 – Finish Time – 6:30:41
DAY 8 – Finish Time – 6:46:19
DAY 9 – Finish Time – 6:48:10
DAY10 – Finish Time – 6:48:58
This BAD BLUMAU is the place where any one can run back to back marathons since it has beautiful route with practically nil pollution. There is an advantage of taking in pool with unique experience in THERMAL water which is minimum cost for runners .
THIS IS ONLY SERIES OF MARATHONS IN THE WORLD WHERE CHILLED BEERS ( Alcoholic and non Alcoholic ) WERE SERVED EVERY 2.3 KM including other energy drinks. Fruits , cakes etc .
I AM VERY HAPPY TO FINISH TO 826 OFFICIAL MARATHONS ( FULL & ULTRA ) AT THE END OF THIS SERIES .
Love to run again and again marathon series around the world so that in 2026, I can easily touch 1000 mark in just less than of 13 years of my marathon journey. .
Happy Running Back to Back Marathon Series all over world.
Lea Reyes(MM13731, DA2891, HF16015) – ABWR Quad Half marathon challenge. Four days complete.
Day 1 – felt good even though I hadn’t ran a race since RNR San Diego 6/2. Work travel in June was out of control and I had no time to run. #146
Day 2 – a little slower, but that’s expected. #147
Day 3 – brutal. Quads and calves and hamstrings were burning. Stiffness, and I walked a lot. Went home and did compression, ice, sauna, and rested. #148
Day 4 – much better. I slept great, legs felt great, and I was much faster. It was an awesome freaking day. #149
So exciting to see all my friends and the regulars who completed the quad. Congratulations everyone.
Next up, race in a couple weeks and then San Francisco marathon at the end of the month.
Karen Murray Anderson (MM8075, DA576, HF5492)& Glen Anderson (MM2674)– Well, well, well, who knew a little FAA outage could turn into a marathon of its own? 🏃♂️ After some flight shuffling and a spontaneous road trip, we made it to the beautiful and well organized Mesa Falls Marathon! Huge shoutout to Karin Herzmann for being a total rockstar on her 49th State run. Running with you was a blast!
Hank “OnThe Hill” Lopez (MM14044, DA3029. HF16561) – I AM LEGEND! (wait that was a movie)
I AM LOONY LEGEND!!!
Mainly Marathons Alaska Series Day 4 – last day) Completed every series, all 50 states with 104 races) Today Half Marathon #227. Eagles hanging out on every other street lamp post and salmon in spawning phase. Foggy cool and getting races done. Many thanks to RD Jesse Rueckert and wife Katie Lou for Loony antics and associated shenanigans!!!
Randy Riley (MM14470, DA3218, HF16432) –Presque Isle Half Marathon Presque Isle is a peninsula that begins in Erie, PA and juts into Lake Erie. This is one of the nicest flattest courses I have run in a long time. The race directors and volunteers did an excellent job. The lanes of the road were closed to traffic, there were lots of portas on the course and 12 well staffed water tables along the way, most with optional sport’s drink. It’s a simple straightforward course that loops from just inside the state park to the top of the peninsula and back down the other side. No way to get lost. Quality medal and award plaque. It was a warm clear, sunny day with plenty of humidity just like it should be in July.
It was fun to meet up with some other Half Fanatics Margie Carr in the red, white and blue shirt who is racing Burning River later this week and Andrea Kempner Blake from Michigan who I haven’t seen since before Covid. Plus as I was driving away from race check in last evening I passed Jennifer of Dennis-Jennifer Strohmeyer in her Half Fanatics shirt walking to her car. We were able to spend some time catching up then unfortunately she woke up this morning sick and was not able to run. Running 13.1 is very demanding no matter how many times you’ve done it. Cheering for her to feel better.
1st place AG. YTD Half #10. 100 Half Marathons Club Half Fanatics. #medalmonday.
Gregg LeBlanc (HF4564, DA2537, MM13039) – As I’d done so many times, July 4th started with a 4 AM alarm to head out to run the Foot Traffic Flat Half around Sauvie Island.
We had a fun group of pacers out to support the 1,000 runners. With a full crew, I was able to float along with the 2:15 pace group. So much fun getting to encourage new runners as well as runners that I’ve paced before. Great Time!!
Lifetime Half #252
Half Fanatics
100 Half Marathons Club
Vicki Sue Merry (HF67, DA23, MM888) – I did the Christmas in July half in Atlanta, GA on 20 July. Course was on a greenway with only one road crossing. But there was confusion because the turnarounds in one direction were late. In the end it all worked out and I covered all the area I was supposed to do. Bonus was 2nd Grand Master female pins! And I love how my capris match the lanyard.
Katina Green(HF12236, MM15380, DA3564)– MedalMonday…..Knocked out HM #93 at the Sri Chinmoy race event on Sunday. The event was held at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, in Queens, NY and included scenic views of the area, including the beautiful Unisphere (stainless steel representation of the Earth that was designed for the 1964 NY World’s Fair). The race facilitators were very nice, supportive and motivating throughout the course. Also, it was great to meet a couple of half fanatics at the event, though I forgot their names 😉. HF#12236, MM#155380, DA#3564.
Stefanie McKinney-Holliday (MM14386, DA3313, HF17442) And another marathon complete! Aspen Valley Marathon-I’m just going to say, no race to me ever compares to running in Colorado (Native), that includes the biggies (World Majors) I’ve run. I’m a Rocky Mountain girl born and raised, and the rugged beauty will always be my favorite. The mountains, the rivers, the peace. ❤️🏔️
One favorite part was meeting an awesome fellow Maniac (Sam) who also lives and races in CO. We finished within minutes of each other.
3 weeks ago, I ran the Great Bangor Marathon in Maine, two TOTALLY different races. Maine pelted me with torrential rain for 21 miles. I will say, I found that less painful than when the high altitude sunshine, as beautiful as it was, arrived full force today with 85° by mile 15. I didn’t have issues today with altitude, as I live in Breckenridge at 9744’ elevation which helped me in this 7,700’ elevation race, but OOF, that sun/heat was the hindrance for me!
I am still happy with my time at 5:39:03 as every marathon over the next two months (5 more scheduled) is all but training for the BMW Berlin Marathon in September!
Next up:
Mesa Falls Marathon in Idaho next Saturday!
Stefanie McKinney-Holliday
Age 54
Mom of 5
Grandmother (Mimi) of 8
Aspen Valley Marathon
26.2 Miles
5:39.03
Sameer Khurana (HF15807, DA2835, MM13642) – San Lorenzo River Trail Run – Half Marathon in beautiful Santa Cruz, CA With total elevation of 2175’. 13th Half Marathon of 2024 and 92nd overall. I was not expecting but pleasantly surprised to receive 3rd in my AG!
Carla Champ Marie Simon (MM14304, DA3133, HF13789) – Busy race weekend for me but I lived up to the challenge of doing both the Door County half ironman today and the Door County sprint triathlon yesterday finishing them both. Today’s Door County half ironman finish marked my 5th lifetime half ironman finish now the run today was hot was 81 when started the run and humid so mostly was a trot/walk for me and lots of stops for ice and kept a water bottle handy. Glad to have had two great guides racing with me over weekend had one for the half ironman today and another one yesterday for sprint with My Team Triumph.
Tim Mullican(MM7665) – I ran 32 hard-earned miles on a painful hip at the Pinetum Mind Games Endurance Run in Dixon, IL in the 24-hour run on Friday night and Saturday. I should have been able to go a lot further due to the ideal clear and cool weather, but it was just not in the cards this week. This was my 7th ultramaratlhon of 2024.
Robert Manon(HF3646, DA431, MM6700) –
Mainly Marathon Alaska Series: Day 1
A rainy cold day in Alaska. 1st place overall today in the half marathon. As the race progressed, the trail got pretty slippery. I didn’t take too many pics because of the rain. Hopefully it’s better weather tomorrow. New state for me, my 11th state for half marathons.
Mainly Marathons Alaska Series: Day 2
Day 2 of the series was this morning. I wasn’t sure if I should run the marathon or a half today. I decided to stick to a half. There was no rain today and the trail wasn’t as muddy and slippery as yesterday. My legs felt good and off we went. When I finished I was about 8 minutes faster than yesterday and finished with a time of 1:45. I was once again 1st place overall. It was a great day for a run. Congrats to everyone!
Mainly Marathon Alaska Series: Day 3
Today was day 3 of the series. I decided to run the marathon and finally cross off this state. When the race started I was running at the pace I’ve run the last 2 days. I had a hard time slowing down. By the time I got to the 6th mile I was able to get it down to what I wanted. When I hit the 15th mile I took about a 6 mile walk break and hung out with Karen. Since the course is an out and back course, this was possible. When she was done with her half, I still had 3 more loops to go, so I started to run again. The legs did not want to cooperate. It was a struggle running again. I was glad to finish the race. Congrats to everyone out there. It was great seeing many friends on the course this morning. This was my 29th state to run a marathon in and 285th lifetime Marathon/Ultra.
Mainly Marathons Alaska Series: Day 4
4th and final day of the Mainly Marathons Alaska Series. I ran the half marathon this morning and finished the 4 day event strong. I finished with a sub 1:50. I ended the series with 3 half marathons and 1 marathon completed and was fortunate enough to come in 1st place overall all 4 days. We only truly had ugly weather on the 1st day. Today started with light sprinkles, and it was a but chilly but nothing too bad. It was great seeing old friends and making new ones. This was my 569th lifetime half marathon. Congrats to everyone who completed the series, and Congrats to those who ran just a race or 2, and getting it done.
Karen Flynn (MM4024, DA158, HF1043) & Dan Delino (HF1058, DA161, MM4059),- MedalMonday #MotivationMonday from my 11th YTD & 209th lifetime half marathon at the Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon & Rosé 5k on Sunday 07/21/24! We ran this race 10 years ago & wanted to come back again this year for the 20 year anniversary of the race. Good times, great wines & a 2nd place in age group bonus to round out the weekend!
Paul Vining(MM15580, DA3647, HF18444) – Great time running the San Francisco Marathon today, finally met Eddie Hahn , and helped motivate a bunch of people along the way, 4 beers, 4 shots of fireball, some watermelon, some grapes, enough water to float a boat…
Katie Applegate(HF18527) – I’ve been pacing for a few years now and I’ve never had anyone stick to me like these 2 ladies did (which one was only 14!) While I had a good group hanging with me until mile 5 or so, they stayed right in with and I got us in under 2:30. Some days pacing I feel like I’m just a moving target for people to keep an eye on and know where they are but this was a different experience to have them stay with me for the entire time. It was a toasty one out there. Now to run a 10k tonight at the midnight run!
Jun Ulama(MM12617) – Hawaii Kai Marathon done! It’s a small, multi-looped race in Honolulu with lots of hills, and the hot and humid Hawaiian summer temp made the race experience not so Mahalo.
But I’ll take it as a win and count it as my 49th overall state for round 3 of my 50×3 States quest!
Amy Seagroves (HF18410, DA3652, MM15648) –This weekend I went to PA for double half marathons with half #141 Conquer the Canyon Half and half #142 Run for the Elk Half. These were laid back out and back half marathons and were part of a challenge where you got an extra shirt for doing both. I had done Run for the Elk before but it was my first time with Conquer the Canyon. Conquer the Canyon was beautiful but very hilly. Run for the Elk was flat but kind of boring and no elks. Overall they were solid races and both very back of the pack friendly. Not my favorites for PA but not bad for a summer option and the weather was beautiful and not too hot
James Waddell(HF4476) – St. Croix Crossing Half Marathon. 10.5 Miles in Wisconsin 2.5 in Stillwater Minnesota. 97% humidity at the start 85 degrees when done. Hillier than I expected. Overcoming these obstacles made for a memorable race. Tri-State Running Company Running after 60 group Garmin Running Half Fanatics St. Croix Crossing Half Marathon.
Darlene Schuman(HF17507)- Half #128 done after being sick for 2 weeks.. Praise God He kept me strong..even placed 3rd in my age group and yes it was that small of a race😃
Aaron Stevens(MM14034) – I had a great time pacing Jack and Jill’s Downhill Marathon (day 2). I just love this marathon! The weather was great again, I got to run with Ellen Sullivan Banthin and Joseph Winwood, and we encouraged and pushed many runners along in the last 5 miles. We were pacing 5:15, and came in 5:14:00, right on schedule. This was my 8th time running and pacing Jack and Jill, my 8th marathon in Washington, my 10th marathon of 2024, and my 76th marathon overall.
Debbie LaFond, “Bragging moment on my husband, Maurice LaFond. (MM13498) – Yesterday he won his age group, 70 to 99, at the Burning River Marathon and had an hour and ten minutes PR and won by almost an hour and a half!!! Also this is the first time he has run any distance (100 miles, 50 miles, or marathon) in the last five years that it has not rained. This us a trail race and he also was successful in not falling!”
Photo and Post Credit Marathon Maniacs/Half Fanatics Facebook Pages
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