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.
Steve Walters(MM338, DA9, HF21) – Seattle Ghost Marathon completed. The first of two marathons this weekend in the Emerald City. A solid time after resting a sore hamstring the last couple of weeks. Ran a pretty even pace the whole way (2:05/2:08 splits). This was my 15th time running the Seattle Ghost (4-50k, 10-marathon, 1-half marathon). Tomorrow I’ll be running my 20th consecutive Seattle Marathon!
Tony Phillippi(MM3, DA3, HF3) – Yesterday I ran marathon number 312. It was the fastest marathon time I’ve had in 6 years. My personal best times are long behind me but at 64 I’m happy with my time of 3:13:39. My training consists of easy runs with mixed in speed work. My peak week was 75 miles 3 weeks out from the race. Seattle Marathon has a new course, it’s still challenging but I believe it’s the fastest version as of late. Trust the process. Right on 👊
Kim Michaux(MM15963, DA3744, HF16698), Woody Michaux(MM15923, DA3736, HF18452) – Space Coast Marathon & Half Marathon in Cocoa, Florida! Super fun race with a huge medal at the end. Also pancake flat which we needed after Route 66! 😅 lots of friends on the course – I wish I had taken more photos of everyone!!
Thanks to Kathy Fleming & Bob Raichle for helping push Woody! It was great seeing so many friends on the course!!
Eric Tunquist(MM16044) – A beautiful and chilly fall day in Philadelphia for today’s marathon! The course, crowd, shirt, medal, and banana were all exemplary!
Sadie Smith(MM12709) – Route 66 Marathon finisher photos! What an incredibly fun weekend. I am absolutely delighted to check off sub- 3 state #41 and also walk away with the win. There were so many cool things about this race and this weekend:
- This is, hands down, one of the most fun marathons in the country. The organizers and residents of Tulsa really go all out. (The amount of alcohol given out on the course is astounding 🤣) Such an incredibly positive, friendly atmosphere from start to finish. One year, I will absolutely come back and “do this course right.”
- I LOVE how the race rolls out the red carpet for Maniacs and 50 staters. The pre and post- race amenities are fantastic.
- On a personal note, it was exciting to run this race 30 minutes faster than in 2019. I had three bikes with me the entire time, and I picked up a motorcycle around mile 19 (and a second one at 23 ❤️) First race with a motorcycle lead, and that was pretty bad- ass.
- I also loved that the second place female ran a sub- 3 as well and was 48. Here’s to strong masters runners!
- Perfect weather and a wonderful course. I like rolling hills, and the flat section in the middle made for some fast miles.
A few maniacs in Athens, Greece for the Athens Authentic Marathon 2025
Pascal Radley(MM2051) – Team Radley finished the Philadelphia Marathon! Very proud of my son Seth for completing his first marathon! We ran together the whole way – Seth was very kind to slow down to Dad’s pace.
Gregg LeBlanc(MM13039, DA2537, HF4564) – A few years ago I had the opportunity to run this half marathon in Eugene. I ran it again when Danielle was still at U of O. Then 3 years ago, i happened to reach out to see if there was a pacing opportunity.
This year was my 3rd consecutive year pacing for Run Hub Northwest, this time supporting the 2:20 group, this year with Rachel. So much fun getting runners across the line.
Good time seeing a few of my Eugene area running friends as well as those that headed down to #TrackTownUSA
Lifetime Half #276
Half Fanatics
100 Half Marathons Club
Alexis Davidson(MM926) – Walked the Marathon International du Beaujolais yesterday. 22-34F windchills with 10mph winds. Unseasonably cold, so winter gear and vest. In spite of cold, many wore costumes and some were outstanding . Course was point to point starting at Fleurie and ending at Villefranche-sur-Saone. Asphalt with 25% hard pack in vinyards. Rolling hills and 1085ft elevation gain as per Strata. This was one of those French vineyard marathons AKA bi-pedal wine tasting tours. Great food at the aid stations. Had to remember to not drink the purple “Gatorade”. 😃 3604 finishers with time limit of 7:30 and DFL of 8:48. Course was crowded at start and we slowed down at the narrow points and at all water/wine stops until around 24K. Half/full at 3:05/5:46. This was a huge 17:56 negative split. Mostly due to less stopping in the second half. After 21K, the wine stops were wider and easier to bypass without slowing down much. Big hill in the 34th K and I thought I was done. At 34K, we merged with the half and the density went back up. Grrrrr. Really focused on the last 8K and was able to maintain normal K times in spite of crowds. Even more food and wine at the finish. Had a great dinner and got on the shuttle bus back to hotel to pick up luggage and then to the train station. This was an easy train ride from Lyon. #marathonmaniacs.
Hank OnThe Hill(MM14044, DA3029, HF16561) – Hello Arkansas! White River Marathon #119, state #40 for Round 2 of 50 states. Second time at this race. Epic day! Celebrating 5 year friendaversary with Shelly Jones-mack at this same race 5 years ago! Mile 23 had an all star team of my Mile 23 veterans! Over 2,200 combined marathons between us. Angela Tortorice, Carol Fenelon Earles And yes, I am the rounding error. Can’t forget the race timer Brian Agee who is also a software developer that created the system for this race and many others.
Jun Ulama(MM12617) – I am grateful and blessed to have completed the Mainly Marathons Southwest series in the company of extremely awesome, inspiring, and supportive running friends, and I am so stoked and really honored to become the newest member of the prestigious World Mega Marathons Club!😎
300+ marathons ✅
6 marathons in 6 days in 6 states (New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada & California)✅
Meet Club Member: Tonisia Billups
My Name is Tonisia AKA Toni :-)(HF10011, MM12110, DA1998) – After years of being a sedentary taxi mom, I began to refocus on my personal FITness, mentally, and physically after becoming an empty nester in 2012. Slightly overweight and out of shape, I began to run early mornings after being introduced to a local BGR! run group by another track mom, who has since become my mentor and friend! If it wasn’t for her invitation to meet up, I’m not quite sure what my FITness journey would look like today! So I am and will always be eternally grateful to her!
In the beginning, I couldn’t run light pole to light pole without being totally out of breath! I remember thinking, who the hell does this!? As a sprinter, you emptied that tank for 100M/200M and then you recovered! And OCCASIONALLY you may run a 400M, which was like death! Lol 😆 So distance running was SO FOREIGN to me and to be running again in my late 30s seemed to be ridiculous… The competitive spirit in me though watched morning after morning, as those ladies would seem to run for miles without stopping. So I kept showing up, until I was able to keep up! 🙂
After pushing to run my 1st 5K that November (2012), I realized how much of a challenge this distance running thing was. But the challenger in me wasn’t intimidated nor afraid! That experience led to my 1st 15K that following March (2013), which led to my 1st Half Marathon in April (2013)! Then once I realized I COULD run the distance, for me it became all about the pace! Setting goal after goal, I began to chase that next PR and the ultimate Sub 2 Half Marathon by November (2013)!
To date I have completed numerous 5Ks, 10Ks, 15Ks, Half and Full Marathons. I’ve also completed a 200mile RAGNAR relay both in the Florida Keys and then again in Hawaii on my 40th Birthday (2016).. Yes!!! I designed and ran my own “40 to 40 Challenge”, completing 40 races the year I turned 40, with RAGNAR HAWAII being my 40th race ACTUALLY ran ON MY 40th Birthday! It really couldn’t get ANY better than that, RIGHT!? And to run the anchor leg made it even MORE SPECIAL, as all of my team AND traveling friends helped to run me to the finish singing happy birthday! #PRICELESS
But my most recent accomplishments include becoming an official Seven Continent (Marathon) Finisher (March 2024) and Six Star Abbott World Majors Marathon finisher (April 2024)! Always asked which race was the best, I’m not sure I have a “BEST”, but I think Zimbabwe (Africa) and White Continent (Antarctica) were probably tied for the most adventurous, as you could imagine!
As for running clubs, I became a Half Fanatic in Dec 2014 (qualified in 2013). I then became both a Marathon Maniac and Double Agent in Dec 2015 after completing 2 Full Marathons within 6 days of each other, the same year I had just ran my very 1st Full Marathon! I can truly say, my running adventures really took off from there.. So meet HF #10011, MM #12110, DA #1998 🙂
The reality, for me at least, is that running hurts! During the run, I often question WHY I’m running, BUT I never question WHY I RAN at the end! So I guess you can say, I RUN TO FINISH! Finish lines bring such a high level of accomplishment and gratification. Especially in such a crazy world and time as today, I’m reminded that it’s the one thing I can CONTROL and CONQUER.
Now, in my quest to run all 50 States (27 remain), I recently resumed running after a confirmed labrum tear in my hip last year (Nov 2024)! Talk about taking a MAJOR mental and physical hit, this really forced me to change my goals. Running is no longer “all about the pace” for me. I’m learning to accept my NEW normal of slow and steady in an effort to remain moving forward on the tear! So, after being sidelined for several months with PT, I recently returned to the scene of the crime, completing my 1st Half in over a year at “The Race”, which BTW is the race thought to be what ultimately caused the labral hip tear (or revealed it), a year ago. I’ve since completed both the Detroit Free Press International Half and AZ48th Half this past weekend in Chandler/Phoenix, Arizona. Follow me to 50!
2025 Marathon Maniacs Hall of Fame Inductee Eddie Hahn
Congratulations to Eddie “Formerly Fast Eddie” Hahn (MM184) for being a 2025 inductee into the Marathon Maniacs Hall of Fame.
Congratulations and welcome to the class of 2025!
He reached Hall of Fame Eligibility by completing 333 – Lifetime Marathons / Ultras.
The criteria to be eligible for the Hall of Fame can be found here
Eddie Hahn (MM184)– About 41 years after marathon 1 at Portland OR, I finally achieved 333 lifetime finishes at Mainly Marathon SW, Laughlin NV, day 5 (my 3rd finish on this course) and 33rd Nevada marathon.
This was an “alibi” for Revel Big Bear, which was cancelled and moved to a half marathon only last Saturday. (Mudslide/ road collapse)
When your dreams and years of hard work, planning and sacrifice finally come true, you enter the Marathon Maniacs Hall of Fame Class of 2025, with friends who inspired you to get there. We achieved the dream together.
Congratulations to Jennifer Saunders(HF18911) on completing her first Medal Monday as a Half Fanatic!
Jennifer Saunders(HF18911)-“My first Medal Monday as a Half Fanatic! Had a great day at the Cypress Half Marathon in Cypress, TX. Ran into another Half Fanatic there! The weather was beautiful and it was a great race.”
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 quick group shot ahead of the Norfolk Harbor Half Marathon in Norfolk, VA on November 23, 2025.
2025 Marathon Maniacs Hall of Fame Inductee Sherry Gottlieb
Congratulations to Sherry Gottlieb (MM497, DA471, HF4225) for being a 2025 inductee into the Marathon Maniacs Hall of Fame.
Congratulations and welcome to the class of 2025!
She reached Hall of Fame Eligibility by completing 333 – Lifetime Marathons / Ultras.
The criteria to be eligible for the Hall of Fame can be found here
Brad Bond– “November 9th Sherry Gottlieb ran her 333rd Marathon in Athens, Greece the home of the original marathon. This qualified her for the Marathon Maniacs Hall of Fame. This club has over 16,277 members world wide.
Now she can relax and take her half marathons from 267 to 333 to get Famous again.
She had to get up at 5:10 a.m. to get the bus to the town of Marathon, then wait about 1.2 hours for the start and it rained. The weather was very humid, which drains your energy.
But she had local cheerleaders to support her. Sherri and Roy Collins along with myself.
Congratulation Sherry, your tenacity, perseverance and commitment are amazing!!!
Leah Fischer- “Today is a milestone day 🏃♀️ In Marathon, Greece, my dear bff Sherry Gottlieb of nearly 3 decades ran her 333 marathon 🏃♀️ and now she’s inducted into the global Marathon Maniacs Hall of Fame.
22 years ago she introduced me to my first running event and it was right around the same time she was training for her first marathon….thats an average of over 15 marathons a year since then.
Sher, you’ve inspired me for over half my life — not just to run, but to keep showing up through life’s challenges and finish lines. Congratulations to you”
Eddie Hahn- “Can you please give a shout out to our newest Hall of Fame inductee, my friend Sherry Gottlieb, Sherry achieved HOF status through completing 333 lifetime marathons, and celebrated by finishing her most recent, the Mother Marathon in Athens, Greece.
Sherry and I have been sharing the roads for the last decade and a half on the Southern California Marathon circuit, leapfrogging on total number of marathons. So happy to be in the class of 2025 with her.”
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 Route 66 Marathon/Half Marathon in Tulsa, OK on November 23, 2025.
Thank you all for making 2025 a great year!
As an end-of-year reminder:
- If you haven’t joined yet, please reach out to one of the regional ambassadors. They may have a discount code for you.
- Don’t forget to log your races. The final leaderboard will be pulled early on January 1, 2026.
- If you are unable to log into the club websites, please request assistance from the home office before December 24th.
- Don’t forget to order your club gear in time for the holidays.
If you wish to join the team for Revel Big Bear, here is the link. Be sure to use the code BLLACKFRIDAY to get an even bigger discount on your registration
https://www.runrevel.com/rbb/register?team=1498976
Natalie Passmore(MM16145) – Rocked the Route yesterday at the Route 66 marathon! I grabbed a minute and seven seconds PR on my half marathon time! Such a wonderful race! If you haven’t done it, I highly recommend it!
Joline Cox(MM15462, DA3619, HF18373) – Warmer the normal weather in Cotter Arkansas Got to wear shorts for this one. Ran the White River Marathon. This is one of my favorite races. Small River town along the white river. First mile down hill and the rest flat. Met a couple maniacs and had a great time. I feel so blessed to be able to run marathons and be a part of this great club.
Frank Lombardo (MM16192) – NCR Marathon complete! Marathon #29 and State #12 🙂
Ilse Werner Berube(MM15708, DA3702, HF18609) – Medal Monday Space Coast Marathon & Half Marathon State 50…. Mission Accomplished! My heart is so full with all the outpouring of love and support. Not just for yesterday but for the last 14 years of this journey. 🏃🏻♀️I love you all ❤️ (more photos to follow)
Christina Rivera(MM14407, DA3179, HF16945) – Philadelphia Marathon ✅
Philadelphia Half Marathon ✅
Philadelphia 8K ✅
What a weekend in Philly! My stepson ran his first marathon. My husband and I paced him to get him under 5 hour (4:55).
Being a kidney, egg, and liver donor has only made me stronger. Love what the human body is capable of. ❤️
Time for sustainable, relaxation, and recovery as I embark on my first 50-miler next year.
Shani Waite(MM15086, DA3483, HF17863) – Had a wonderful fall run at the Gobbler Grind Marathon in Overland Park, Kansas today. Another state checked off, and now half way closer to my 50 state goal.😬😝
Claire Gladstone(MM12421), Colette Chaintreuil Madison(MM7553) – Double the Maniacs, Double the fun!
12421 ClaireBear lifetime#138, 7553 Coco lifetime #59
Finished the Every Woman’s Marathon in Scottsdale AZ! Happy #medalmonday from Taliesin West Franklin Lloyd Wright
Amy Michele Lambert(MM12758) – Lifetime marathon or longer #201
Hallucination 34 hour trail, 100 mile finish, buckle and first overall female of the 34 hour. Beautiful 2.6 mile trail loop in Johns Island County park.
Brigitte Fasciotto(MM16221) – Gobbler Half Marathon for me (Lexington, KY), 3rd place AG! My son and granddaughter did the 10K and finished 1st in their respective AG! I am a proud mom and grandma!
Kristen Toppin(MM15697)- Philadelphia half marathon, 8k, and full marathon! 🥵
Tiffany Danielle Wilhite(MM16150) – Route 66 Marathon for #7 this year
Brenda Folkerts(MM15695, DA3674, HF18068) – Rocked the Route 66 Marathon this weekend! New state for me
Aaron Stevens(MM14034) – Philadelphia marathon
Paul Vining(MM15580)– Paced a 5k, and was the sweeper for the Route 66 Marathon , some guy named Brian Johnson was hanging out with me all day 🙂
Patrick J. Ritsko(MM15207) – Route 66 Marathon – Tulsa, OK – 3:30 Pacer
Brian Johnson(MM8807, DA707, HF7287) – And then this happened
Marathon 63.
State 32 (new state oklahoma)
Route 66 marathon
Tulsa, Oklahoma
It was a long day but I felt good at the end.
I spent the afternoon hanging out with one of my run friends who was today’s sweeper.
Last marathon of the year.
One more half and a couple of smaller races to go
Photo and Post Credit Marathon Maniacs/Half Fanatics; Facebook Pages, Instagram Pages, threads pages and the individual members listed above.
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