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.
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 Mainly Marathons New England Series in Simsbury, CT on June 8, 2026.
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 Hatfield McCoy Marathon Weekend in Williamson, WV on June 12-13, 2026.
Heather Zeigler(MM3086) – State #49 at our 49th state for my second round of the 50 States!!! Plan to finish round 2 at the Maine Marathon in October!!
Steve Walters(MM338, DA9, HF21) – Completed the Strawberry Fields 50k today for my 596th marathon/ultra. A race day for a trail run. Managed the race pretty well coming in a few minutes faster than last year. Finished 9th overall and 7th male (2nd in my age group).
The sign behind me says “Stevenson” but the second half is covered by another pop up tent. The Stevenson HS cross country help organize the race.
Gysel Parajon(MM8995, DA3751, HF18751) – Late Medal Monday. It’s been a while since I ran a half much less a double half. But, I’m in training for my first 100K in a month and these were great for training plus an overnight sweeping stint at the Tahoe 200! Valley Half Marathon Saturday and Rock Tahoe Half Marathon Sunday.
Margie Carr(MM14040, DA3026, HF12737) – Grandma’s Marathon Duluth MN 6/20/26 Recap. Goal Race for 2026 as 70 yr old. 12th full marathon. This race sold out in an hour last October. Booked hotel walking distance to expo/bus last July. I got in for the full and Bob for the half as well as several Ohio running friends,. Races said to have 20,000 in total for 50 th anniversary.
Went Thursday to Expo. Place was hoppin. Friday met with group for pre-race vittles at Grandma’s. Saturday up at 2:30 AM to get ready for Bob off to the bus for the half. My bus was at 5:30 and took us to the start at Twin Harbors. Daylight is much longer in this area so a bonus of not being in the dark. Weather was perfect at the start and got warm half way. Corrals were crowded, but all friendly. After the National Anthem, what a surprise to see a fly over of two military jets. Just added to the awesomeness of the start. Started out with the 5:30 pacers and stayed with them for quite a while Jeffing with others before the the heat came. The course took us along Lake Superior….breathtaking views for miles. Spectators all along the course were so supportive. This town loves the race. Had fiddle groups, singers, and the Scots with bagpipes at Lemon Drop Hill at mile 22. The course was stated to be flat, but seemed a lot of rolling uphills…. Aid stations every 2 miles, then every mile closer to the end. Excellent volunteers and safety crews. My goal time was 6 hours and I came in at 6 hours 8 minutes. Goal really was just to finish and did with no soreness or blisters. Thankful for running coach Brandon Colon for all the training guidance and all family and friends encouragement. Made the switch to Asics good choice thank you David Jacobson (Achilles Running) and wore Marathon Maniacs jersey. Someday I’ll log in all my races as a Double Agent. Fueling is always an issue of what will work on race day. Peppermint Drops from Willoughby’s Jeff’s Candy helped a lot.
After Burning River trail marathon next month I will retire from fulls. Training 18 weeks in all weather takes discipline and a lot of time of which I’m running out. It’s a mental and physical commitment but so necessary to allow for the best chance of a successful outcome which I had with no soreness post race. Will there be another opportunity to feel the thrill of the the crowds along the course and coming in to the finish of 26.2? I’ve been fortunate to be able to tackle hard things starting in my late 50’s when it was thought that it wasn’t physically possible. I’ll keep racing the half marathons in as many states until my check engine light comes on and maybe…in another ten years…a 26.2 will return. So for now, when asked what distance are you racing? I’ll be saying “just the half”. #marathonmaniacs #14040 #grandmasmarathon
Maricris Lu(HF10592, DA2188, MM12438) –138th Half Marathon today at the Presidio Half Marathon! Thank you, Pay It Forward Pacing Team for the opportunity! Thank you Lord for the strength to do this!
It was great to meet and see wonderful pacers today! Peter Chan, Dorothy Leo, and my partner in crime doing the 3 hour pace, Elizabeth Heinberger! I am so blessed and inspired by them! Today was a beautiful day! It was overcast and we had a nice breeze from the bay as we ran the Golden Gate Bridge! There were hills… but it’s San Francisco! Best of all, my baby Joseph was at mile 12 and accompanied me to the finish line! He also had his race today at the Crissy Field for Father’s Day.
I am grateful to cross that finish line even if I had to deal with some respiratory issue.
Congratulations to everyone who did a race today! 🎉🎊🎈🎉
Tonisia Billups(HF10011, DA1998, MM12110) –MedalMonday… Grandmas (Gary Bjorklund) Half Marathon
Minnesota ✅
𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁/𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Direct (Sun Country) flight from MCO (Orlando) / MSP (Minneapolis) then a 2 1/2 hr drive to Duluth, Minnesota
𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥:… be careful! MSP has 2 Terminals separated by the Metro line (light rail train) don’t accidentally ride the train outside the airport, into the city 🙄
𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹/𝗹𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴: College of St Scholastica Dorms which were very accommodating 2 bedroom apartment style rooms with shuttle access for race morning.
🚨 Price gouging is REAL!
𝗣𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼: 24K runners= big expo with lots of vendors! All you need and more… Plus a pre pay All-you-can-eat Spaghetti Dinner available from 11:00AM-9PM😋
𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗲: 6:00 AM start (7:45AM start Full)
This point-to-point race required shuttles to the start line for both the Half and Full! The logistics were a little hectic, but they made it work herding 24K runners on buses between 4AM-6AM! 🚌
As for the course, the Lake Superior views along the route were BEAUTIFUL! I can’t put my finger on it, but their water looks like it’s so calm. It doesn’t appear to be moving at all, even though it is. #beStillandKnow 🤲🏽
Elevation was fairly flat with subtle downhills and a couple of climbs at mile 9 and 12
Good running weather in the mid 50°s
Good fuel stations throughout…
Oh of interesting note as well, you only receive your race (finisher) shirt post race at the finish line, NOT during packet pick up.
That said, by the time I finished, the size I ordered was all gone 😏
𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞: the post race food was limited but there was beer 🍻 and entertainment until 11:45PM along the riverfront at the DECC for those that would like to make a full day out of a race experience.
I would definitely recommend this race, WITH CAUTION! ⚠️ Plan EARLY, including registration.
State #42 ✅
Sivabalan Pandian(MM13150) – 💐Dear well wishers ,
SIVAGIRI MARATHON OF 42.2 KM successfully finished on 21 June , 2026 at a small town – Sivagiri – Erode Dist , Tamil Nadu – INDIA .
Excellent organization with modern approach and taking care of all runners with supporting good aid stations which was full of drinks and eatables .
More than 100 Volunteers and Cyclists as well as bikers were helping the runner with ice cubes .
Also they arranged 2 water spraying chambers which made me cool when the hot sun was on my head at 9.30 AM . A great relief for me.
The course is only one loop , road running and covering all Country side with practically no traffic after 25 K .
As you know, I ran many marathons in India but Sivagiri marathon was a special like Tata Mumbai Marathon with all supporting positive vibration to the runners .
They also had ice bath arrangement at the finishing area for the finishers with good food arrangements
I was surprised that in a small village , how such a wonderful marathon could took place and fully satisfied eventhough I was last batch of runner .
Now happy to touch 1011 Full and Ultra marathons and want to count more at 67+ age .
Thanks once again to the organizers of SIVAGIRI MARATHON with excellent volunteets .
Happy Running at country side with practically no pollution.
Cyd Antang-Plotkin(HF18867, DA3802, MM7715) – Ran my 110th half marathon in San Francisco. Great weather.
Carla Champ Marie Simon(HF13789, DA3133, MM14304) – I ended up taking 2nd place overall female in the Six Days at the Dome 72-hour race with 142.18 miles.
Having autism and dyspraxia, I sometimes feel like I’m not even human — yet being able to run and walk this far is an incredible gift I’ve been given. I will definitely keep using it, whether I’m doing these 100- to 200-milers or tackling an Ironman
Scott Pearson(HF18577) – It was a great morning for a run. We still don’t quite have the heat wave. Like 60 to start. 70 at the end. This was a nice scenic course. Light rolling hills throughout for about 500 foot of elevation change, but nothing really nasty. Overall I felt pretty good This was a well run smaller race. I have run a couple from this company and they do a good job. Plus the Stillwater area is nice and scenic. A good choice for a race in either Minnesota or Wisconsin. Several of their races start or finish across the border. They do a race series with roughly one race a month all summer. And of course when visiting Wisconsin you have to have some deep fried cheese curds. And a grilled cheese with dill havarti and pickles. The shop was literally in the middle of nowhere. Surround by hills and corn fields. Half 75 in the books.
Amber Alexander(HF18932, DA3829, MM2035) – Medal Monday!!! Gary Bjourkland half. Duluth, MN
Sloan Dinkelkamp Taylor(HF3348, DA3346, MM14791) –MedalMonday !
Half Marathon #131
Waterford Viking Half Marathon in Ireland!
Sue Lawlor(HF11482) – Completed The Endurance Classic Half Marathon at “The Duke” yesterday. Lifetime half #70.
Robert Manon(HF3646, DA431, MM6700) – Medal Monday.
Summer Solstice Half and La Llorona Half Marathons for my 742nd and 743rd Lifetime Half marathons.
My son joined me for the La Llorona race. 1st in Age Group both days for the bonus bling
Judy Laufman(HF17502) – Mayor’s Midnight Half Marathon in Anchorage – state #49, LTHM #77. Gorgeous, cool weather; beautiful course along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail; lots of friendly runners and volunteers. Grateful beyond words. Next up: Kauai Half on September 6th
Amy Sea(HF18410, DA3652, MM15648) – It was a USA & Canada weekend! Saturday was Half #220 Grandma’s Half in Duluth, MN and Sunday was Province #9 Half #221 Manitoba Half in Winnipeg, MB. Both races were flat and had perfect weather and as a result this was my first weekend with two back to back sub-3 hours finishes since 2021!
Grandma’s was a pretty epic race celebrating its 50th and the entire town of Duluth was celebrating. Really fun race with tons of spectators. It was well organized and scenic with views of Lake Superior. It was mostly flat with 1 hill around mile 8. It has a “3 hour time limit” but they let all the half marathoners finish you just need to go to the side to allow marathoners to pass. Would recommend this for Minnesota though logistics can be complicated and if you want to do this race sign up the second registration opens and book your lodging early
Manitoba was also a nice race. It was not as iconic as Grandma’s but was still well organized and had a good amount of crowd support. Scenery was a bit boring but it was nice and shaded for a lot of the course. This was also one of the flattest and fastest half marathons I’ve done and I managed to be slightly faster than Grandma’s even with tired legs. It has the same time limit as the full marathon so it’s back of the pack friendly. I wouldn’t call it a must run but I’d recommend it if you are doing the Provinces or live fairly close to Winnipeg.
Amy Ahrens(HF18946) – Garry Bjorklund Half at Grandma’s in Duluth!
Loved this course…it’s the perfect mix of running thru beautiful country along Lake Superior and in city streets lined with cheering spectators. As a bonus, the weather was perfect! I got a chance to meet Brian Johnson at the expo which was great! They have this race so dialed in…race day went perfectly. Several universities hosted runners since the hotels sold out quickly, and that worked out really well too. This one gets all the stars.
Jennifer Clark(HF16743,DA3643,MM15623)- So, this is a late Medal Monday! And a wordy one, too!
Last Medal Monday I shared the 5 races of the Mainly Marathon Impendence Series with Half Marathons in, running Half Marathons starting Wednesday (last week) in MD, DE, PA, picked up David in Philly and I finished the series with NJ and NY ending on Sunday June 6 (and David picked up NJ and NY 5Ks)
But wait… there’s more… (inside Mainly joke)
Monday, June 7, we started the New England Series and for the next 6 days I did a Half AND a 5K in CT, RI, MA, VT, NH and Maine!
This was the last series of 13 that I needed to make Loony Legend and along with that, 3rd round of 50 States, 50 States with Mainly, 100 races with Mainly, bringing my total Half Marathons to 422!
The last day was awesome with a short Loony Legend ceremony led by Pam Whittington Begnaud and Nancy Timm Shoemake! There was a Congratulatory cake for all and some cool handheld signs and posters by the trailer and on the course !
David ( The Cowbell Guy) also got his Little Loony Legend as well for meeting the Looney requirements of all 13 series (75 races) and 25 additional doing 5Ks.
Lots of pictures for Medal Monday so bare with me!!! The Belt Bucket that you see is for doing the two series back to back… called Running Ragged Series or Challenge
Lisa Wilkins Wiedower(HF16946) – Medal Monday! Half #90, State #49. Jackson Hole Half Marathon. Beautiful weather and scenery.
Tonisia Billups(HF10011, DA1998, MM12110) – MedalMonday… Hatfield & McCoy (RiverRoad) Half Marathon
West Virginia ✅
𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁/𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: JAX (Jacksonville) / TRI (Tri Cities) 2 1/2 hr drive to Matewon, WV
𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥: note that this is a small airport with limited vehicles.
𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹/𝗹𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴: Hampton INN in Pikeville
If you are a Bonvoy member like me, don’t waste your time trying to find a property at all within a 50mi radius of this race. And absolutely nothing along the 2 1/2 hr drive from the TRI airport (that didn’t take you out of the way) either. 😒
𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗲: 7:30 AM start (7:05AM start Blackberry Mountain Half)
There was the Full Marathon that started @ 7AM
To sum up this race, it was HOT 🥵, it was HILLY ⛰️, and it was HUMID = it was HARD 🥴
What is unique about this race is that it carries on a feud tradition between the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s. That said, you have the choice of running either the Blackberry Mountain Half for the Hatfields (the 1st 13.1 miles of the Full) or the RiverRoad Half for the McCoys (the 2nd 13.1 miles of the Full). Either race choice I believe can be counted towards either Kentucky or West Virginia which is pretty cool!
I personally chose the RiverRoad Half for West Virginia blindly because well….., it sounded flat compared to the BlackBerry Mountain ⛰️ lol
Let’s just say, there’s NOTHING flat about either one, but thank God I didn’t choose BlackBerry Mountain. 😮💨
Apparently the river bridge this route is known for crossing was washed away recently in a flood, so the course was different than usual for those that have run it in the past.
Anyhow, if you’re afraid of dogs, definitely be aware that there are A LOT of barking dogs along this route; however, I only noticed one 🐕 unfenced and unchained.
But he sat in his yard watching runners go by wagging his tail and seemingly unbothered by it all lol 🤣
Also, this point-to-point race has no spectator support other than the volunteers at the fuel stations really, so it’s tricky if you’re along any stretch of the course alone because the back end goes off road at a point that’s not real obvious.
Honestly, speaking of fuel, as much as I wanted to complain in general with all the logistics, I think I actually enjoyed elements of this race, including the fresh fruit at every fuel station with the peeled oranges 🍊 , bananas 🍌 and watermelon 🍉 wedges! I ate at least 5 🖐🏽 wedges 🍉 on course and several more at the finish! They saved the day, cause BA-BAYY that heat was NO JOKE and I managed to run out of fuel in my camelback around mile 11, so I was on the struggle bus!! 🤤
All that said, I would definitely recommend this race (with a lil caution) ⚠️🙂
𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞: this was a turn and burn essentially since there was so much driving to get there and back so I didn’t do much!
Pikeville University was near my hotel, sitting HIGH upon the hill, so I did stop there for a few pictures before my 2hr drive back to the airport!
LOVED their school message:
“𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙪𝙥 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨, 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥. [2] 𝙈𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙊𝙍𝘿, 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝” ~ 𝑷𝒔𝒂𝒍𝒎 121:1-2 KJV
State #41 ✅
Mark Jennings(HF13602) – States 47 & 48 knocked out a week ago. Finally just finding time to post about it. It was a 4000+ mile road trip with family and dog from Wisconsin to the East Coast. Acadia National Park and other stuff included. Races were Portland Maine on Saturday, followed by the Covered Bridges Half in Woodstock Vermont on Sunday. 3rd time I’ve doubled up on a weekend. I finished 17 seconds faster on Sunday, but it was an easier course. Next up #49 Chickamauga in Georgia in November. Then planning on finishing (#50) in January with Maui Oceanfront!
Jolanta Thorburn(HF18464, DA3742, MM15959) – 🏅 Medal Monday 🏅
Yesterday, I earned this medal at the Comrades Marathon in South Africa – the Ultimate Human Race.
The race changes direction every year. This year’s Up Run took runners from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, covering 85.777 km (53 miles) and nearly 1,800 m (5,900 ft) of climbing, including the legendary Big Five hills: Cowies, Fields, Botha’s, Inchanga, and Polly Shortts.
The hard part is what makes Comrades special.
Today, I’m sore, tired, grateful, and happy to call myself a Comrades finisher
Jorgina Sanders(HF16456) – Texas Sun Showdown
Half #176
3rd in AG
Brian Johnson(MM8807,HF7287,DA707)- And then this happened today
Marathon 66
State 33 (and still holding)
The Hatfield McCoy Marathon .
Today was brought to you by the 3 H s. Hills, Humid, and Heat.
It was dun to just do the race today and not be pacing/working it.
I had a run plan. That derailed early.
It was 70 degrees and 90% humidity at 7am.
At 3pm it was 85 and 50% humidity.
So I walked alot.
Slightly brutal day, but i got it done
Nicole Newton(HF18977) – Well…today was a HOT 🥵 one… 82* w 91% humidity here in Louisiana!
Bigfoot productions Red White and Blue Freedom Half run…Shreveport La, when you literally do it for the medal!! Was excited… got 1st in my age group too!
Pam Whittington Begnaud(HF18927)- Mainly Marathons New England Series 6 half marathons, 6 states, 6 days.
Photo and Post Credit Marathon Maniacs/Half Fanatics; Facebook Pages, Instagram Pages, threads pages and the individual members listed above.
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