Tales From Medal Monday Volume 3 Chapter 21

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.

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Congratulations to all of our members who recently completed races

Steve Walters (MM338, DA5, HF21) -300 half marathons completed! A worked all year to get my 300th at the Holiday Half and there it is. A solid sub-2:00. I’m now in the 300/300 club (300 marathons & 300 half marathons).

Julia Garling (MM3960, DA2566, HF15262– medalmonday

I am still trying to find the words to articulate how amazing my weekend was;
My very short but poignant trip to Reggio Emilia Marathon was filled with so much love, friendship, sightseeing, delicious food, and sheer iron willpower
I have completed 317 full marathons and 225 half marathons and I can honestly say I’ve never been in such drastically severe weather conditions 🤦🏻‍♀️
More than half the field rightfully dropped out due to 21 mile an hour gusts of wind and a mixture of 100% rain , sleet, snow, as well as hail bullets
We crossed more than 10 rivers thanks to all the rain , some so deep my entire leg was swallowed, which left freezing from the knee down for hours
I didn’t feel my feet at all, they were frozen and I was on the verge of quitting at the halfway mark , but then I remembered who I was and I dug deeper, I willed my body forward despite the conditions, I kept repeating my mantra, I’m stronger than cancer, and it’s the hard that makes it the great. While it was slower than expected, I was one of only a couple of hundred people that finished the marathon and I have never been prouder of a medal in my entire life 🏅
I feel so blessed to have been a special guest and a speaker at Emilia and the town’s volunteers were truly next level amazing 😻 but the greatest gift was my friendships
Thank you 🙏 Astrid Sorriso for your amazing hospitality
You are a sister of my heart and sole 🏃🏽‍♀️🫶

Pascal Radley (MM2051)– Completed the Honolulu Marathon today. Great seeing so many running friends, marathon maniacs, and fifty staters.
3rd Honolulu Marathon. 8th marathon in Hawaii, now at 33 states for 50 states x8 and 487 total lifetime marathons

Rachel Ross (HF6506)– Santa to the Sea.

Half Fanatics at the Ft Worth Half

Heather Zeigler (MM3086)– I very much enjoyed the Ghost of Seattle Marathon today!! Beautiful views and wonderful temps made it fly by

Marathon #309 done!!!

Kip Eldridge-(MM7380) – Hanging out with the Duke after the Honolulu marathon. Beautiful day to try out my 5 month replacement knee for a walk in Hawaii. Lots of maniacs all over the course. thanks everyone for the shout back. Fireworks at the start were fun.

Maniacs at the Honolulu Marathon.

Gysel Parajon(MM8995) -Marathon #78; Long Distance Race #83
State #24
Marathon #15 in 2024
For the third time in 5 weeks I traveled to Missouri, getting to know the state in a different city each time. The first time my travel option failed me and I DNS a marathon in Kansas City. The second time I flew into Springfield to drive to AR for marathon there so I got to see some of the beauty of the Ozark Plateau. This last weekend I got to experience the gateway city to the west, St. Louis.
I wanted to do one more marathon this year to get to a total of 15, the most I have ever done in a year! And although this was planned at the last minute to make up for the one I missed I celebrated it as my birthday race.
It was held in Wildwood, just outside of St. Louis on the Ozark Plateau. It was as beautiful as it was challenging, run/hiking up and down hills, tripping on rocks covered by leaves, sliding through mud, falling a couple times, and maneuvering through sand next to the river. I also thought my left ankle and foot were healed from my double two weeks ago, but of course about two miles into the race my left ankle let me know it was upset followed by my metatarsals. And, my stubborn mentality is if it’s not broken the show must go on and it did!
I hiked more than ran the course with a full out run the last three miles swallowing the pain in order to finish the race in the allotted time. And I made it! The race director and other volunteers were there waiting for me, cheering me on. I am very grateful to my family, my son especially, and my friends for understanding this crazy passion of mine. Now it is time to take a true break, rest, and reevaluate my training and gear as I do have reoccurring injuries.

Carla Simon (HF13789, DA3133, MM14304) –

Back home from a busy weekend of racing at Clash Daytona! I completed the 5K on Friday night, the sprint triathlon on Saturday, and the half Ironman on Sunday. Unfortunately, the swim was canceled for both triathlons, so it was just the bike and run portions.

A reminder to all triathletes: there are athletes with less visible disabilities racing with guides on course. Please be courteous and kind. If I do something that you don’t like—such as not passing the way you expect on the bike—don’t shout at me. This actually happened during the half Ironman, but my guide confirmed that I did it the right way because it wouldn’t have been safe otherwise.

This message also applies to race referees. At almost every race I do with my guides, it seems like the refs aren’t properly trained to understand that guides can draft and stay with their athletes with disabilities. I wish more races would provide guide bibs and even bibs or vests for athletes with disabilities so that others can clearly see our unique needs. Autism, for example, isn’t a visible disability, but it still impacts how I race.

Julie Hirota-(MM15755)– Words alone can’t fully capture the depth of gratitude and emotion I felt running CIM.
There are probably simpler ways to bond as mother and daughter, but none could rival the inspiration and pride I experienced. My daughter absolutely crushed her first marathon, and her determination to achieve what she sets her mind to pushed me to do something I hadn’t done in over a decade: I shattered my 2009 personal record by 14 minutes. Now in my 50s, I was simply hoping to finish in under five hours—and thanks to her, I did. At mile 17, I watched her pull ahead, knowing she was about to experience that indescribable sense of accomplishment that comes with completing something as challenging as a marathon.

Anne Noble-(MM15938)- Medal Monday! Rehoboth Beach Marathon!

Jacqueline Conniff Lersch(MM3824, DA987, HF9803) – Rehoboth Beach Marathon-Amazing!

Stefanie McKinney-Holliday (MM14386, DA3313, HF17442) – What an absolute amazing experience!!! Why? Well, of course, we runners are in Hawaii. But, for me, it is the moments seeing fellow Maniacs and the camaraderie on a very hot/humid race for this Colorado girl. Truly a best experience ever, even though it took me way longer than my normal. Blessed to be a part of you all!!!
Stefanie McKinney-Holliday
Age 54
Honolulu Marathon 2024
6:15:10
No PR’s like Big Bear here 😂😂
🏃🏻‍♀️🌺🌴

Karin Evans(MM7466)

Santa came early this year. My finisher award arrived. I kept my eyes on the prize and earned the reward. Thank you to ALL who supported me on the “Adventure through the States.” It was 💯 percent a team effort! I’m very proud to be part of such a great club! 👟

Karen Murray Anderson (MM8075, DA576, HF5492) – 🏃‍♀️💨 it was an honor to run with Charlotte Corriher(MM3514) – — nothing like hearing “shitter’s full” to distract from the aches! 😂 Even a cop got in on the fun, saying we made his day. And her response? Pure gold: “And that’s why I do it!” 🎉 If you’re not following her on Facebook or Instagram, you’re missing out on some serious joy. Check her out and let her costumes brighten your days/runs! 🌟✨

Eric Tunquist(MM116044) – Palladium Level Achieved!
Marathon #21 of the year today in hot and humid Honolulu!

PALLADIUM LEVEL

38 – 44 Marathons within 365 days. OR

20 Marathons in 20 different US states, Countries, or Canadian Provinces (any combination) within 365 days OR

13 Marathons within 79 days.

Marathon Maniacs and 50 Staters in Honolulu for the marathon.

Sathy Gunawardhana(MM15385) -Rehoboth Beach Marathon 2024 in the books! Cold but sunny day, with a few chilly spots.

Lawrence Allie-(MM16034)- It was very hot and very hilly! I almost died! But I finished the Barbados Marathon. This is my sixth Caribbean Marathon!

Tina Torun(MM15672, DA3665, HF16109)– Honolulu Marathon, 85% humidity got the best of me, but I finished!

Paul Vining(MM15580, DA 3647, HF18444) – 3 Bridges Marathon, spent a great morning with a great guy Earnst

Glen Marumoto(MM7111, DA841, HF8781) – Honolulu Marathon, Maniacs 7111 and 13570.

Jun Ulama(MM12617) – St Jude Memphis Half Marathon

Sathy Gunawardhana(MM15385) – Maniacs running the Rehoboth Beach Marathon

Marathon Maniacs at Pearl Harbor

Gina Forestieri (HF18136, DA3808, MM16172) –No fulls this weekend but back to back halfs… Seattle ghost half yesterday and the Seattle half today… freezing cold but no rain yay.. and blue sky and sun!!! And even better, no injuries

Lea Reyes(MM13731, DA2891, HF16015)– ABWR half marathon quad. Santa Monica and Long Beach.

Natalie Passmore(MM16145) – Route 66 Marathon!
15th marathon! 1st time representing Marathon Maniacs! Honored to be apart of such a great group! Thank you for welcoming me in with open arms! Looking forward to more meet ups!

An Epic adventure at Route 66

Kynita Humphrey(MM14190, DA3090, HF16488) – Medal Monday. One of the hardest Marathons I’ve completed. Now to plan the next one. 😂

Stefanie Holliday(MM14387, HF17442, DA3313)- What an amazing Saturday at White River Marathon for Kenya!! What made it most special is hanging with Maniacs Joline Cox and #1 Maniac Keenan Haga plus Fanatic Becky (who assists in high school cross-country/track with my son who is a coach). Three of us placed 3rd in our age groups for the marathon. I just loved the camaraderie with everyone and hometown race support! Great race over all!
Oh, yeah…have to share! After the race, I headed to my Half Fanatic #18783 (Noah-the cross-country/track coach) son’s wedding! What a weekend!
Stefanie McKinney-Holliday
(MM14387, HF17442, DA3313)
White River Marathon
26.2
5:17:17
3rd in age group 50-54

Amy Lynn (MM9429) – Route 66 Marathon was a blast today. Glad I did the detour for the Center of the Universe. State 17 is done.

Tiffany Danielle Wilhite (MM16150, DA3799, HF18857) – My 6th time in Tulsa
Route 66 Marathon (I think) but first as a maniac and absolutely loved seeing everyone out and cheering evolution on the course!!!

Ronita Bland (HF8514, DA2131, MM12368) – Any other Maniacs in Curacao, South America today?? The temperature was 83 at the start with a real feel of 95 when I woke up at 2:00 this morning. The race started at 3:15am due to the heat. It was two loops with the HM’ers joining us on the course at 5:15. At the 2nd loop they gave the Marathoners the option to drop down to the half!! I didn’t come all the way here for a HM so I kept on going.
68th Marathon and another Continent checked off😊

Gilberto Sosa (MM7904, DA1598, HF12046)– Lifetime Marathon/Ultra # 177 and State #40 of my second round completed!! Nice little race in Louisiana!

Club photo for the Chartway Norfolk Harbor Race Weekend – Half Marathon, 10K, 5K. #HalfFanatics

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Photo and Post Credit Marathon Maniacs/Half Fanatics Facebook Pages and the individual members listed above.