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.
Devesh Khatu(MM10488) – 7th Star! Finished my second Sydney Marathon and 157th overall. Fantastic race experience… completely different from 2015 when I first ran it. Then, less than 5,000 runners ran it; there were over 30,000 today. Scenic even if hilly course, terrific crowd support, and mostly excellent organization in the first year as a World Marathon Major. Weather was perfect, even though it got just a little warm towards the end. While I felt a little shy of my 4:30 goal, thanks to taking lots of photos, nevertheless was the best time in 9 races since Chicago 2024.
Gregory Rouson(MM12723, DA2354, HF8068) – Lifetime marathon #27 and Abbott World Marathon Majors #7…DONE!!! Not gonna lie, this one was absolutely brutal. I started off strong but petered out after mile 19. The jetlag coupled with off-routine eating made for a tough day but I got it done. 😎🏃🏿♂️⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Samuel Z. Lafaye(MM14775, DA3342, HF15562) – Completed my 5th Abbott World Major, the Sydney Marathon.
Lisa Kahn Samuels(MM13516, DA2764, HF14639) – Ran the Sydney Marathon on my 40th Wedding Anniversary with my sole mate. Running the world with him.
Ed Del Favero (MM11749, DA2901, HF18611) – Debbie Del Favero(MM16104, DA3782, HF18611) – Medal Monday. Dawn to Dusk Endurance Ultra.
Dusk to Dawn Endurance Ultra on the Bonneville Salt Flats near Wendover UT. Run as many 2 mile loops as you can from dawn till dusk the next day. Approximately 11 hours. Race start was delayed 1.5 hours due to a truck fire on I-80 which delayed runners coming in from SLC. Make up time was added on in the morning. This race course was unique and challenging because of running in pitch darkness and the salt ridges. A head lamp is required and absolutely necessary. The ridges are challenging , but they are mostly soft and wear down as the race goes on. Race directions, coordination and timing were great. Very cool race experience. Try it, you’ll like it!
Paul Nigel Addicott (MM15822) – Sydney Marathon 2025
On 31st August 2025, I took part in the Sydney Marathon. This was the inaugural event as a World Marathon Majors, as Sydney joins: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City as the 7th World Marathon Major. For many Marathon runners, who like to travel, the World Marathon Majors offer fantastic events around the world. Sydney has been long anticipated, and for those who wish to continue collecting their stars, this was the first opportunity in Sydney (apart from the championship event last year where runners got a prospective star).
On race morning the pacers had to meet at 5am, which meant leaving the hotel at 4am, so I set a 3am alarm. I struggled to get to sleep, and then was worried about not waking up, so was pretty much awake the whole night.
Race morning was cold. Really cold. We had to wait around for about 2.5 hours and I struggled to stay warm. But it was dry, and cold mornings make for the best race conditions, and it really was perfect running weather.
After a long wait, it was finally time to start. All pacers ran alone, with the 120 pacers spread amongst the waves and runners. With 35,000 runners this was a big increase for Sydney, which I think they managed incredibly well. I had a huge group of runners with me, and I spoke with them at the start to get to know them and start motivating them.
The start of Sydney Marathon is fast, its all down hill, and it felt faster than the start of Boston Marathon. As a pacer it is hard to control pace with such descents. But our brief was to keep it even pace throughout and not go out to hard, so I had the brakes on and took in the fantastic surroundings, including crossing over Sydney Harbour Bridge, which is the first incline of the course.
Honestly, the course profile looks hard, but as someone who doesn’t like hills, I found it to be really mild. New York Marathon and Boston are significantly harder in my opinion. This course is constantly rolling, but all hills are gentle and the down hills keep you going fast. I would argue that this could be a reasonably quick course.
16k was supposed to be the first hard hill. I was chatting to runners, and also a little tired, but genuinely didn’t notice an incline. To the point that I was waiting for it, and it never came.
The course was very windy, but this worked well for spectators as it was really busy and full of support. We had a lot of out and backs, so we saw runners coming in other directions on numerous occasions which was nice. Water and powerade was given out in cups regularly and I never struggled to get hydration.
Towards the end of the race it was getting a little warm, but there was a lovely cold breeze, which kept body temperature down. As we approached 38k it was the first challenging part of the course for me, but this was because of congestion, not elevation. The section was narrow with runners running both ways. I slowed slightly at this section, but again, whilst there was an incline, I did not find it particularly challenging. After 40k it was all down hill. I encouraged runners to pick up the pace and many of my group went ahead, and I picked up more runners on the way.
The finish line was one of the most beautiful in the world, as you run towards the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Harbour Bridge to your side.
My official finish time (according to the app) was 3:59:51, but my watch was 3:59:41. I am not sure why there is a 10 second discrepancy, but considering I was aiming for 3:59:45 I’m pretty happy with the result.
Afterwards it was time to party. Beer, pizza, laughs with friends… more beer and pizza. It was a great after party and then I went for a walk and more pictures with Marco.
There is more to say, and I will cover more in my blog about my family trip, but for now, I am about to board for a 27.5 hour flight home. It’s been a long day, but an incredible adventure.
Stefanie McKinney-Holliday, (MM14386, DA3313, HF17442) – Stefanie: What proved to be a very difficult 50k today here in my home state of Colorado – Rock Hawk Ultra by Aravaipa – I was actually the OLDEST female at age 55. Placed 2nd in division-the difficulty was not the 6,500’ elevation (I live at 11,000’), nor the 3500’ in climbs-what made 27 people DNF the 50k was the ankle deep mud from the rains. Ooof, I am sore as all get out, but I finished, falling only once, which is big for me. Lol!
This was a great race outside the mud…we need rains terribly in CO!
Two ultras in 13 days… 🏃🏻♀️⛰️
Sadie Smith(MM12709) – Pocatello Marathon! Beautiful but challenging course with the nicest volunteer and management crew. 1st female finisher ❤️
Dn Shown(MM8045, DA565, HF4557) –Sydney Marathon. Warm day, hilly course, but AWMM 7th Star done ✅
Debby Cannon(MM15148)– Sydney marathon! My first world major!
Deo Jerome (MM22) – TCS Sydney Marathon . My 4th Sydney , 6 🌟 major (need tokyo) and 604 marathon/ultra
Karen Hohertz-Jacobs (MM15430, DA3716, HF18668) – Sydney!!
Shani Waite(MM15806, DA3483, HF17863) – Had the privilege of running a wonderful race at the Santa Rosa Marathon last Sunday, August 24, 2025. It was my first time running on a course that took us through several of the wineries in wine country 😬
Before hitting the starting line, we always try to snap a ‘Family Photo’ when possible. The Marathon Maniac and Half Fanatic running family—spotted at races nationwide—grabbed a few quick group shots ahead of the Anchorage RunFest in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 18, 2025.
Rebecca Bishop(MM6301) –Completed my first international marathon in Reykjavik this past weekend. Absolutely had a great time and the weather, while not ideal, could have been a lot worse so I took it in stride. It is Iceland, after all, and their motto is something along the lines of, “If you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes.” Had a better than expected finish time at 4:06 and it really motivated me for my next race. Hope to see some of you at Steamtown!
Claire Gladstone(MM12421) – medalmonday is here!!
A beautiful day spent Friday at Rockland Lake State Park in New York.
Several Marathon Maniacs were there and 50staters too!
I love this event for several reasons.
~It’s close and I can sleep in my own bed and drive to the start.
~It’s under $100(and way less if you sign up early).
~It’s well organized and has great support, hydration & food. The volunteers are lovely.
~The park is very pretty and there is ample parking.
~there are several musicians that set up around the course and support you through music.
~generous 7hr cutoff.
Best of all, it’s an August race- and those are hard to find!!
136 done✔️
Lesson learned: you need to run between marathons, or you get #crushed
Amy Michele Lambert(MM12758) – Marathon or greater #198 Saturday at the North Country Trail run.
Perfect day, awesome trail, 4th in my age group. Stuck around and walked the half with my husband the next day. He got 2nd in his AG so we brought home 3 of these enormous medals and two AG awards.
Ronita Bland(MM12368)- Iceland!!! 26.2 completed.The cold weather wouldn’t come to me(Carolinas) …So I just went to the cold weather😉🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
John Shangin(MM15948)– This morning in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I completed my 21st state at the Millennium Meadows Marathon . The race was exceptionally well organized.
Carla Champ Marie Simon (MM14304, DA3133, HF13789) – I ran and finished the Strider Half Marathon this morning in Milwaukee. At the start, I was questioning my decision, and my brain and body weren’t sure about running. Today, it took a while for them to wake up; because of that, I decided to do run intervals today, and it worked out okay, as my time in today’s race was pretty close to Wausau’s Half Marathon six days ago, as I finished today in 2 hours, 26 minutes, and 41 seconds.
Jun Ulama(MM12617) – Alaska 50th State Finish X 4
Finished running a marathon in all 50 states for the fourth time today at the Anchorage RunFest! It’s my second consecutive year finishing at the Humpy’s Marathon, and my 3rd time running this awesome event! Superb race, well-organized, and we even got lucky this year to have such a beautiful weather!
I’m deeply grateful to my 50 States Marathon Club and Marathon Maniacs friends who were around to witness and support, like Karen, Glen, Tina, Julia and Shane, among other friends. Thank you!🙏
Congratulations to all half, marathon and 49K ultramarathon finishers, and to all the other 50 States finishers today!🇺🇸🎉
Marathon #30 YTD, #291 total
Sue Stevens(MM12891, DA2452, HF8593)- Lovely to run in cooler temperatures this morning at the Passport to Adventure Half Marathon in Orting. Pop Up Races do a great job with their events. Fun and friendly as ever. Huge thanks to Kandi Lowry, Rob Lowry and Veronica Ronni Boyer and all the team!
Michelle Migneault Cox(HF17353) – This #medalmonday is a combo! On Aug 2nd I did Galloping Gertie on Tacoma. It was an ehh race and they ran out of medals so I just got it in the mail on Wednesday. The weekend was good because I got to meet a new cousin and hang with my cousin Dan (we met his niece). Then this Sat I do the Nebraska State Fair Half. It was my 132nd half and my 6th time doing the race. It’s always a tough one being at the end of Aug, but this weekend was the best weather of the 6 I have done! It was a pretty perfect day! Happy Medal Monday and look at that huge medal!! State Fair always does great medals!!!
Karen Johnson Derrick(MM12849, DA3640, HF18426) – Completed the Run With the Horses marathon in Green River, WY on Saturday. We enjoyed a great experience and took advantage of the cooler western temperatures. Having Bret join me made it an even more enjoyable event. Marathon number 217. Wyoming marathon number 4.
Karen Murray Anderson(MM8075, DA576, HF5492) – Glen Anderson(MM2674) – After seven marathons and a 50k in Alaska, I took a step back for my recovery to embrace my first half marathon in this stunning state. It was the perfect opportunity to cheer on Glen as he finished his 11th Alaska, and to celebrate Jun Ulama on completing his fourth round of completing a marathon in every state Huge congrats to both! 🎉
Connecting with fellow Marathon Maniacs and 50 States Marathoners — Julia, Shane, Aaron, Michael and finally meeting Tina Torun in person made it even more special. Here’s to chasing dreams and supporting each other along the way! 🌟🏃♂️🏅
Julia K Garling(MM3960, DA2566, HF15262), Shane Garling(MM3400, DA2588, HF15341) – Half marathon 232 was the Mercer County half marathon. It was my 7th half for the year and I am grateful I got to pace this race again. Thank you Beast Pacing for the trust. It was lovely to have a newbie pacer: Jessie as my co-pacer, she did a great job. We had a father/son duo from PA who ran their first half together in our group, what a lovely way to make memoires. It was a beautiful morning, a perfect weather day, and Shane and I both got to pace and enjoy the morning helping to make dreams come true.
Gina Forestieri(MM16172, DA3808, HF18136) – Lifetime half 117 done! It was sunny and warm, not as warm as Arizona, but pretty darn warm for Washington! Tacoma narrows, half marathon, only knew one other person running and saw her after the race, and saw Patti along the way before we got on the bridge cheering people on! Yay, Patti!! there are definitely more hills than I remember in Tacoma, I have never done this race, but I have done two races over the narrows Bridge before and people have said they’re hilly but I just didn’t remember! I did manage to squeak out third in my age group with a 206, now I just need to get through one more half marathon tomorrow! Luckily, I am hanging out with my daughter and her boyfriend at a lake today and they are kind of lazy so I can just chill🥹 oops I didn’t say they were lazy🤣🤣 the race was kind of cool. It started and ended in Cheney Park in Tacoma. I guess they are a minor-league team? I wore my Chicago Cubs shirt, since they are the only true baseball team, ha ha, major or minor league.
Mark Jacobs(MM15983)- Edmonton (Canada) “Bear of a Challenge” marathon immediately followed by 5K.
Cool and flat, this is a great race if you just want something uncomplicated to run. But by far the best part was the timing and layout of the multiple races. The marathon starts at 7 and runs a quarter marathon out and back, then another (different) quarter out-and-back; the half itself starts later and is identical to the back half of the full course. The 10K starts later still, and is basically just half of the half-marathon course. The 5K starts 4½ hours after the full and, yet again, is on the same course as the rest of the races. The result is that the ENTIRE TIME, one is running with other people. Instead of winding up alone and isolated if you do, say, a 5-hour marathon, you wind up coming down the home stretch right along with the slowest half-marathoners, a host of 10Kers, and some 5K runners. The overlapping sections are on the city’s BIG downtown thoroughfare – some 7 lanes wide – so there’s no crowding or getting trampled. Instead, you just have a constant, all-morning flow of thousands of runners of all shapes and sizes and the livelihood and excitement and energy stays with it right the way through noon. It does wind down quite a bit after the 5-hour mark; the tiered starts mean that the slower runners from all groups end up together and by 5½ hours into the marathon, most everyone is done. But up until that point, it really is a great way to keep the whole marathon atmosphere buzzing. I loooooved it.
Re. the challenges:
With the widely-staggered start times, runners could do as many races as their speed allows. Most challenge participants did the half marathon and 5K… faster ones did the half and the 10K. One woman did the half, the 10K, and the 5k. I’m only aware of 3 of us who did the full and then the 5K. To do that, you have to be able to run a sub-4:30 full. There’s one general challenge medal for anyone who takes on multiple races. Actually the medals are all the same and only the lanyards differ, but whatever. I had a lot of fun.
Aaron Stevens (MM14304) – This morning I paced the Anchorage Runfest Humpy’s Marathon. This was a very nice course along two paved bike/multi-use trail, with incredible views of mountains across the Turnagain Inlet. We spotted one moose in the woods but he wasn’t super photogenic. The runfest was extremely well organized and well supported.
The 49th state was my 42nd state. This was my 2nd ever marathon in the month of August (first ever was last week in Wisconsin), my 53rd time as a marathon pacer, my 14th marathon of 2025, and my 96th marathon overall.
Tina “Luvs-Torun” Lam (HF16109, MM15672, DA3665) from Anchorage, AK
I was never a runner. I remember running in 5th grade and in junior high, doing a few cross country races, but I finished in last place. Running was not fun. A college friend was running the 50 states, which I thought was crazy and another friend started to train for her first marathon. I started running to lose weight. In 2008, I ran my first half marathon, the Mayor’s half; my 2nd half marathon, Anchorage Runfest Half (previously Skinny Raven half is my PR for a half marathon (2:17:53); and ran my first full marathon, the Honolulu Marathon. I was very proud to finish the marathon because my friends and family were surprised that anyone would willingly choose to run 26.2 miles/42.2 km. I was training to get faster, but ended up having plantar’s fasciitis in 2010 and did not run for a few years because it was too painful. I was still running a couple races a year, but it all changed in 2017. I was in Austin for a conference and saw on the news that they were having the Austin half/full marathon that weekend. I had been training for the Rock n Roll Dallas half marathon, which was the next month. It was the first time that I went to a race expo and registered for a race the next day. After running in Austin, Dallas, and San Francisco, a friend informed me that I qualified to join Half Fanatics from running 3 half marathons in 90 days.
In 2021, I ran the Equinox Marathon and Kenai River Marathon on back to back weekends and finally became a Marathon Maniac. I never thought that would be possible, but I always dreamed of becoming a Double Agent because it sounded cool! Anything is possible as long as you set your mind to do it.
In 2023, I went to the Marathon Maniacs 20th year reunion and ran 3 races in Tacoma City that weekend. Great reunion and met up with more Marathon Maniacs in the running family. Shortly after that reunion, I became the Alaska Ambassador for Marathon Maniacs/Half Fanatics. I am very involved in the local running community. I am in the Anchorage Running Club and volunteer on the Anchorage RunFest race committee doing their social media. I am in the Raven Run Club, volunteer with Team RWB Anchorage as the Athletic Director, on the Gold Nugget Triathlon race committee, and in the 100 Half Marathon Club.
I run to stay active and healthy. Running is a stress reliever. I enjoy going on “runcations”, seeing new places, meeting other runners, and finally decided to combine my love of travel to run in all 50 states, running either a half or full marathon. I have run in 36 states, 86 half marathons, 16 full marathons, and numerous other races, including 5ks, 10ks, my first sprint triathlon in 2018.
One of my runner friends calls me “Miss Alaska.” At races, I introduce myself as, “I am Tina from Alaska.” I am known for taking pictures, taking selfies, dressing up for races, smiling, and having fun at races. Thank you for the opportunity to share my runner’s story. I hope to continue to inspire others to run. I am a runner!
Runner Mike Hk(MM3347) – i have never had so many fans cheering me in a marathon before…seems many of the medics and volunteers in sydney marathon were hong kong students probably at sydney universities…whenever they saw my Hong Kong tee they all screamed HONG KONG…..
Photo and Post Credit Marathon Maniacs/Half Fanatics; Facebook Pages, Instagram Pages, threads pages and the individual members listed above.
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