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 completed an event this month!
Marathon Maniacs & Half Fanatics at Boulderthon
Karin Herzmann(MM7466) – Berlin, Germany 
Marathon #104
I did it! I attained my second 
in the Abbott World Majors! It was super awesome to see my summer efforts pay off today. For the last four months, a great amount of effort was put forth to be prepared for this and what is to come. Let’s see if I can do a repeat performance next Sunday at the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.
I came to Berlin a marathoner. I’m leaving as part of the Berlin Legend! And that is something I’m extremely proud of 
This year I had three athletic goals. The first was accomplishing my 100th marathon in Denmark last May. The second was done today…earning my second star. The third will happen on 10/19 as I complete my 50th state. Make goals and go after them. Dreams really do come true
Luther Hill (MM9045, DA1429, HF7963) – Fairbanks Alaska state #47 Equinox marathon. Oh what a trip! Weather that day at the base of the Ester dome was rainy and trail run muddy and technical for this street runner. At the top after a grueling several miles uphill in snowy conditions we were rewarded with passage through a snow covered elms that formed a frames.
After playing in the mud with the locals some wearing shorts and teva sandals to do this crazy mountain course we headed to Cena hot springs north of Fairbanks followed up with a day in Denali National Park. Although the steets at the base of the entrance had rolled up for the end of the summer season, we managed to see a fox and a porcupine. Views of Mt McKinley and others were stunning.
Though we did not get to see the northern lights a bummer due to low cloud cover and overcast conditions, we did happen to see them from the return trip passing over Canada.
Kandi Lowry-(MM12227, DA2069, HF13600) – Half marathon lifetime #255, Idaho (not a new state) Mainly Marathons Northwest series. What better way to spend a Wednesday. Managed to get 2 new quilt shops, a whacker burger at a local Lewiston restaurant and a first time trip to Palouse falls. #ropedkrissinagain #mainlymarathons #LoonyBin
Julia K Garling (MM3960 DA2566, HF15262) – A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action steps makes your dreams come true.
Berlin’s 50th anniversary marathon weekend was a HUGE success. I do love Big City races so much, it’s such a fun party to feel the energy of the crowd, the excitement is palpable. There is something very special about anniversary races, it was a weekend of pure joy! Even mother nature blessed us with fantastic weather this year .
I had the honor of pacing the 5:00 group with my dear pacer friends Arjanne van Heijningen and Tom Perri from MN and we had another Pacer friend, Aaron Stevens, join the party as well. What a fun group we had, we all worked well as a team staying consistent throughout the race and helping runners along the way; Our Split speak for themselves:
HM 1 02:29:42
HM 2 02:29:37
Encouraging runners in the end of the race to not give up on themselves is my mission in life. I feel so lucky I get to do this; I enjoyed every step of every kilometer through the special city of Berlin.
I’ve had a love affair with this race ever since I first ran it on the 40th anniversary in 2014. I always knew I’d be back one day and I am so grateful I got a second chance this year to Pace it, on the 50th birthday/anniversary! This was a celebration race for my birthday as well and the BEST was having many friends come and celebrate this giant milestone with me from all over the world, sharing in our mutual excitement for the big day.
I’m a gypsy in my heart, I love to travel the globe and running marathon is my favorite way to see a city, but what I love best about my lifestyle: meeting all the amazing people we get to meet along the way. Spending time with like-minded people who get you and who celebrate you and your accomplishments, that is the true fuel behind this sport/hobby of mine!
Help someone achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours. Thank you: Berlin Marathon, Thank you: German pacing team, thank you: pacer friends, thank you: universe, I feel so grateful that I get to do this. I still have to pinch myself, 50-50-5:00. This trip was EPIC on so many levels. I feel like the luckiest pacer in the world!
9th marathon of the year, ✅
26th world marathon major , ✅
311th lifetime marathon, ✅
Celebrating with good friends all weekend, priceless
Steven Yee (MM1, HF1, DA1) – It was a struggle today with quite a bit of walking involved while completing the Boulderthon Half Marathon…possibly my worst ever time in a road half. But well worth it as we all flew down to Colorado to help celebrate Patti’s big birthday bash.
Brenda Bonnie- (HF14979)– LTHM #15- I did the Hometown Half Marathon -Tulsa this weekend, and I’m really digging the Bodies Race Company races. And how back of the pack friendly they are, and look at that medal!!!!
I was the volunteer turtle for this one. ( PS they give you free races for volunteering!!)
My upcoming races are (half marathons)
- 2024
- Spooky Half -OK (Oct)
- Salina Crossroads-KS (Nov)
- Route 66 -OK (Nov)
- 2025
- Lousiana Marathon -LA (Jan)
- Galveston Marathon and Half Marathon -TX (Feb)
- Running from Yeti- MO (March)
- Lake Vian Half trail -OK ( March)
- OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon -IN (May)
- Kalamazoo Marathon-MI (May)
Congratulations to Heather Zeigler (MM3086) on completing the Fox Valley Marathon in St. Charles, IL on September 22, 2024 as a pacer this weekend!. Great job!
From Heather, “I had a great time pacing the Fox Valley Marathon this morning. It’s always fun to help newbies and even though the weather was tough, they powered through!! Also, I have now done all 15 years – keeping the streak alive!!! #marathon #foxvalleymarathon #running #pacing”
Marathon Maniacs & Half Fanatics at the Battle of Salado Creek Half Marathon,
Robert Manon(MM6700, DA431, HF3646) – 582nd Lifetime Half Marathon completed on Saturday at the Witch Run Half Marathon in Utah. 8th overall, 4th male, 1st Age Group for me.
Congrats everyone who ran!
- Gilberto Sosa(MM7904, DA1598, HF12046)
- Debbie Del Favero(MM16104, DA3782, HF18611)
- Liz Gmerek(MM3413, DA383HF382)
- Kevin Brosi(MM94)
- Ed Del Favero(MM11749, DA2901, HF16046)
At the Patriot’s Run!
Something like 2700 marathons/ultras completed by this group!!!
Marcus Carmicle (MM15632, DA3648, HF17428) – I needed a long run today, so I decided it was better to do a race. I ran the 30K Downtown Doubler 30k/15k/8k/4k. I did achieve a person best for that distance. It was very hot and humid from the start, but I was able to get a 02:34. Also, took 1st place in my age division. I feel pretty good with that time in those conditions. Up next, Portland Marathon as another long training run before my goal race this fall.
Aaron Stevens-(MM14034) – I had a great time running the Berlin Marathon today. We had great weather, and I ran with my friends Julia K and Tom Perri who were pacing 5 hours. This was my first Berlin marathon and my 5th World Major Mararhon, my 11th Mararhon of 2024, and my 77th marathon overall.
Tim Mullican(MM7665) – I had a good run this weekend at the Goose Bumps 24 hour run at Goose Island County Park near La Crosse, WI. My hip held up well and actually felt better during the last half of the race. The weather started out warm, then a cool night, and alternating sunshine/clouds with thunder/sunshine in the morning. It stayed dry the whole 24 hours though, which may have been a first for me for this race. I slept for about 6 hours during the night, but still managed 51.4 miles which is the longest run of the year for me. I also was awarded a 200-mile patch for accumulating over 200 miles during the 5 times I’ve run this race. Unfortunately, so many runners reached 200 miles that they ran out of patches, so they are going to mail it to me. I didn’t take any pictures this year, but there was a photographer out on the course who will be posting photos later. The moonrise over the water last night was beautiful (photo below by Briana Louise).
Half Fanatics at the start of the Willamette Valley Half Marathon
Jacqueline Schreiver(HF17811) – Great Miami Riverway Half! It Got Hot!!!
Got 2nd for my age group!!
Marathon Maniacs & 50 Staters at Revel Big Cottonwood.
Tina Torun(HF16109, MM15672, DA3665)– Late post- August 18, 2024 was the Anchorage RunFest- United Physical Therapy 49k Ultra, Humpy’s Marathon, Humpy’s Marathon Relay, Skinny Raven Half Marathon, and RunFest 5k. I ran the Skinny Raven Half Marathon that day. As the Alaska Ambassador for Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics, I was excited to see so many Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics attending this race. This race is put on by the local Anchorage Running Club, non-profit organization and run entirely by volunteers. I am on the race committee and help with their social media. I took tons of photos on race day, but these are the ones particularly of MM/HF. The race is from downtown to the Coastal Trail and Chester Creek trails. The half marathon is out and back, while the 49k and full go further out on the Coastal trail, before reconnecting with the half marathon route. It was lightly sprinkling in the beginning, but then cloudy. The wind seemed to pick up on the last section and then it rained after I finished the half. The cooler weather allows for some to hit Boston Marathon qualifying times. This is the Alaska race that I do every year, so hopefully I will see more run family here. They do special certificates for those completing their 50th State! Jun Ulama got a special certificate for completing his 3rd round of 50 State Full Marathons. #HF16109 #MM15672 #DA3665
Nadia Ruiz(MM1791) –TCS Sydney Marathon done for my 40th birthday pacing my dad!! It was his fastest marathon in his 60s in 4:30!! It’s a challenging road course with +1000’ gain and up to 40mph gusts. I’m so proud of how much he dug in the second half. What an awe inspiring finish line. My dad cried and he made me cry tears of joy. I wouldn’t have wanted to celebrate my 40th birthday any other way—running a marathon with my dad. Running truly is a never ending gift of life. What is my why? My dad.🥹
Dad – Marathon #83
Me – Marathon #157
Sheri Fulton Camp (HF16294) – Completed my 206th half marathon at the Willamette Valley Half Marathon in Salem, OR, today. I enjoyed this race so much last year, came back to do it again. It did not disappoint. Even though it was humid, it was so much better than running in Arizona. I had the perfect running skirt on, plus the best bib number (see picture below). Gary even manage to find me out on the course this.
Sadie Smith (MM12709) – It was an absolutely gorgeous morning to run down a mountain! Big Cottonwood is one of the most beautiful courses that I’ve run, and it was fast and incredibly fun for 20 miles…. Those last six (when the course not only flattened out but went uphill, FFS) were killer, though! My 1st mile was a full 3 minutes faster than my 25th 🤦🏻♀️ I enjoyed getting to hang out with Jeffrey Hill, who also had a great race, and seeing some cool people up at the start line. Three weeks until we do this again!
Gysel Parajon(MM8995) – The past few days I embarked on a journey to go run a marathon in Jackson, WY. Because it is quite an expensive place to visit I decided to drive and camp along the way, staying in a hostel with sleeping pods the night before the race. But wow, what a town, and by and large in speaking of Teton Valley, what a place. It is absolutely beautiful. Fall is in full effect there.
Saturday, the day of the race I met a few runners that are also Manics and 50-Staters. I started off with one but her pace was faster than mine. I needed to start slow and so I started running with someone else who made me think of my dad, if he were a runner and a more compassionate person. And yes, I do love my dad… I think because of his fatherly nature I felt drawn to him and wanted to keep running with him, and make sure he made it to the finish.
We ran conservatively as we both were coming back from having plantar fasciitis and he let me dictate our speed and our run/walk intervals. When the day became warm I kept checking with him to make sure he was ok and doused him and myself with water until we reached the finish line, tying for second to last. And when the last runner came in we cheered for her as it was her first marathon! It was truly a special day. 🙂
Afterwards I sat around talking to more runners, which was great, I went to visit the one person I know in Jackson who took me to see the Teton range as the sky had cleared by then, got myself some food, and got back on the road. Thank you to the volunteers, the sponsors, and the organizers for putting on such a great race!! This completes my 18th state, 77th overall long distance race, and my 72nd marathon!!!
Michael Worrell (MM15140, DA3639, HF18425) – I ran into some other Maniacs today. Mary Harvey Eric Johnson and Michael Swanson
ETA: This was a PR for me, so it was a great day!
Lea Reyes(MM13731, DA2891, HF16015) – Monument Marathon, Nebraska. State 21. Marathon #105. What started out as a nice and cool morning run turned into a very hot but yet enjoyable experience. Went downhill for a few miles and then a lot of flat with some tiny rolling hills. At one point I felt like Forrest Gump just running along long flat roads with cornfields and fields on both sides of me. Very easy run the first half. Mile 11 or so the temperature was rising. We made a turn on Oregon Trail Road leading into Scottsbluff National Park and from there, I knew I was going to slow down, walk, take photos, and enjoy the surrounding beauty. A vacation run for me. Mile 16 we had a steep hill. From there we had miles of absolute beauty. This marathon takes you along a route that is not open to the public and only open one day a year for this race, so I got to see many parts of the national Park that are not visible along the Oregon Trail Road. Once exiting the park, we had some more rolling hills and the last mile we finally had some shade for a minute with a little wind, but it was still 87°.
This race was well organized and put together. The expo was nice and they had a pre-dinner. I stayed in Scottsbluff with a 10 minute drive to the finish for parking. It’s a 10 minute shuttle ride to the start. There are many aid stations and the volunteers were phenomenal. Even hit a Taylor Swift aid station on the back end giving out little bling bling bracelets. There were lots of bikers riding along the course with aid checking on the runners. That was comforting, considering it was very hot. After the marathon, the Scottsbluff YMCA allowed marathoners to shower up, which was really nice considering I had a 6 o’clock flight to catch. Nice run, great views, and well put together.
Craig Smith(MM3822)- Tick To k 12 Hour, Lakeland, Fl. This bar is just where we happened to be when we remembered about the pic!!
Patrick J. Ritsko(MM15207) -Boulderthon 26.2 (3:30 Pacer) – Boulder, CO
Marion Breeze(MM15601) – Loch Ness Marathon
Lawrence Allie (MM16304) – My official Oslo Marathon photos with me wearing my MARATHON MANIACS shirt! This was a hard event for me but I had a great time. 🇳🇴
I knew I would never find all of the Marathon maniacs/Half Fanatics.
So…a different version of the Run Family At the Air Force Marathon/Half Marathon
Patrick J. Ritsko(MM15207) When you inadvertently recreate the MM logo on your latest finish. Happy #medalmonday!
Dailyn Valdez (MM15916, DA3732, HF18660) –What an exhausting and very fulfilling weekend!😅We ran @ Vacation Races Mt Rushmore half in SD on Saturday. Fantastic race! Then drove over 5 hours to ND to run the Bismarck Marathon half on Sunday 💪🏼Got to see our dear friend Hank ! Also, got to meet some amazing 50 States HALF Marathon Club OFFICIAL MEMBERS ONLY Group peeps😍 Congratulations 🎉 to all 🙌🏼 #DoubleAgent #50statechallenge #marathonmaniacs #halfmarathonclub #medalmonday #liveyourbestlife Philippians 4:13🙏🏼💕 — feeling wonderful with Marshelle Alexander Meeks and Hank OnThe Hill.
Sivabalan Pandian(MM13150) – Dear all well wishers ,
With the great support from Jollyboys – Ranipet, Pandians Marathon Academy could plan first time TEMPLE RUN-1 in India .
This Temple Run -1 was TIMED EVENT started from MARUTHAMALAI to Kurnchi Andavar at Kodaikanal Via PALANI was conducted in 2 days ( 7 and 8 Sept ,2024 )
Race Day1, had all 50 , 75 ,100 ,110 and 161 K runners started from MARUTHAMALAI at 4 AM on 7 Sept,2024 and all CATAGORIES finished on the same day except 160 K runners who were forced to take rest after finishishing 110 K near to Palani because of restrictions of forest dept at the base of Kodaikanal hill to run at Mid Night .
Race Day- 2 had 51 K and 42.2 K along with remaining 51 KM by 161 K runners started at 6.40 AM only at the base of Kodaikanal Hill on 8 Sept,2024.
Thus there were in all 7 CATAGORIES – 50 K , 75 K , 100 K ,110 K , 161K , 51 K and 42.2 K .
https://results.sporthive.com/events/7238168346720946944
The above results lonk show
A) 12 finishers in 161K ,
B) 8 finishers in 100 K
C ) 7 Finishers in 50 K
D) 1 finishers in 75 K
E) 1 finisher in 110 K
F) 1 finishers in 51 K
G) 1 finisher in 42.2 K
I was lucky to finish 50 K on Race Day 1 as well as 42.2 K on Race Day 2 .
I also did good job as Volunteer and Organiser without any tiredness at all.
Also thankful to Pollachi runners who gave support for about 25 KM to our runners.
ALL RUNNERS RAN HAPPILY AND FINISHED SUCCESSFULLY THE LONG DISTANCE RUN.
WE ARE PLANNING IN TOTAL TIMED 12 TEMPLE RUN SOON IN INDIA BUT ALL ARE FULL MARATHON AND ULTRA MARATHON DISTANCES ONLY .
I am once again thankful to Mr. Rajavelu sir of Jolly Boys who put all efforts to made this Temple Run 1 to be memorable Ultra RUN in India .
Next Temple Run 2 will be soon on Indian Roads for long distance Runnrs which will be TIMED ONE again .
WE ( ORGANISING TEAM, VOLUNTEERS INCLUDING CYCLISTS AND RUNNERS ) MADE IT THIS GREAT TEMPLE RUN .
HAPPY RUNNING.
In amazing company. With Keith Collingwood, Steve Walters, Kendra U Gene, Pelicano Monte Pascual, Sue Stevens and Lisa Rice Seidel.
Steve and Monte are in the Marathon Maniacs Hall of Fame, and
Lisa, Keith, Kendra and I are in the Half Fanatics Hall of Fame.
Sue Lawlor (HF11482) – A soggy race at the Jersey Shore Half (Lt half #56). It’s a small-ish race, pancake flat, 2 loops at Sandy Hook Beach Park. Long sleeved shirt and nice medal. Crowd support was decent at the finish despite the weather. Photos credit to my awesome friend Desiree Martin Del Campo. #medalmonday
Gregory Rouson (HF8068, MM12723, DA2354 ) Lifetime half marathon #228 (and first Hokie Half Marathon)…DONE!!! This was a VERY well-run race and a VERY challenging course. The swag was off the chain and the course support was top notch. 10/10 would recommend. 😎🏃🏿♂️ #HF8068 #MM12723 #DA2354 #hokiehalf
Half Fanatics at the Inks Lake Trail Run/Ruck 13.1 in Burnet, Texas
Photo and Post Credit Marathon Maniacs/Half Fanatics Facebook Pages
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