Before the race, the Marathon Maniac and Half Fanatic running family captured a ‘Family Photo’ at the Galloping Gertie Half Marathon in Gig Harbor, WA, on August 1, 2026. This group shot, taken to commemorate the moment, highlights their camaraderie and shared passion for running, as they are often seen at races across the country. The post is credited to Gregory Rouson, who shares this memorable experience with fellow enthusiasts.
Author Archives: Maniacs Fanatics Madness
Medal Monday Magic: Sri Chinmoy Half
Julia K Garling shares her experience of completing her 10th Sri Chinmoy half marathon in Queens, NY, where she placed third in her age group. After a 5-week break to heal, she enjoyed a slower race in the typical summer humidity. Garling expressed gratitude for this event’s convenience compared to longer travel for races and highlighted the joy of reconnecting with an old friend. She emphasized the essence of running as a personal journey rather than just competition.
48-Hour Stadium Run Success: Trance Loops At Ranikhe, India
Sivabalan Pandian(MM13150) – Dear all well wishers48 HOURS STADIUM RUNFIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, TOOK PART 48 HOURS STADIUM RUN AND SUCCESSFULLY FINISHED WITH FULL SATISFACTION AT THIS AGE OF 67+ YEARS AND GAINED CONFIDENCE OF RUNNING FURTHER .It was 48-hour stadium run at TRANCE LOOPS AT RANIKHET , Uttarakhand, India, located in the HimalayanContinue reading “48-Hour Stadium Run Success: Trance Loops At Ranikhe, India”
Bad Bass Half Marathon Recap: “Probably Killed a Few Toenails”
Lynne Kilirnr recently completed the Bad Bass half marathon, a challenging course featuring steep hills. To meet two crucial checkpoints, she started early, taking her time to enjoy the scenery despite suffering from sore knees and some toenail damage. Prior to the race, she had been helping her mother recover from a fall, which contributed to her own back pain. Ultimately, she enjoyed running alongside her friend Chau Smith and participating in the event after volunteering to help set up.
Leveling up to Venus
Congratulations to Donna Sarasin for achieving the Half Fanatics Venus Level at the Town & Country half marathon in Newburyport, MA. She accomplished this remarkable milestone by completing 13 half marathons within 79 calendar days, marking her 155th half marathon overall. This accomplishment highlights her dedication and commitment to long-distance running. For those interested in the criteria for leveling up within the Half Fanatics organization, additional information can be found through the provided link.
Fueled by Fine Wine Half: Vines, Views & 2,100 Feet
Gregg LeBlanc celebrated his 12th participation in the Fueled By Fine Wine Half Marathon on July 12, 2026, having first run it in 2012. While he appreciates the race’s beautiful vineyard scenery, he admits a dislike for trail running due to its rugged terrain, which features over 2,100 feet of elevation gain. Despite the challenges, he enjoyed sipping rosé at the fueling stations and reconnecting with fellow runners throughout the event, capturing the essence of this love-hate relationship with the race.
44 Miles of Grace at the Mulberry Mile
Melissa Thigpen(MM11161, DA1293, HF9945) – Saturday Miles….Ultra Marathon #5 (Marathon or higher #12) (March 28, 2026)Saturday I ran the Mulberry Mile 12 Hour Endurance Race! I didn’t hit my goal 🥺💔 and I crashed 3x 😭🙄 but…..I did it! 😉💪🏽😁It was a cool start and very windy. We started with the Star Spangled Banner thenContinue reading “44 Miles of Grace at the Mulberry Mile”
From “I’ll Never Run a Marathon” to 250th Marathon
Bob Strauss(MM7421) – Would my 250th marathon feel any different? Would it be any easier? A majority of the Maritime Marathon miles are run right along Lake Michigan. Pelicans were out in force as were families enjoying some beach time. Lovers of nature consistently rate this as a beautiful course and I agree.I had theContinue reading “From “I’ll Never Run a Marathon” to 250th Marathon”
At the Sri Chinmoy Midnight Marathon
Alexis Davidson celebrated an eventful 80th birthday by participating in the Midnight Marathon during the Sri Chinmoy 24HR/12HR/M/HM event. This marked her first June marathon with Sri Chinmoy and sixth overall at Rockland Lake. Despite initially feeling sleepy, she maintained consistent lap times and completed the run on a flat course with a sub 5:47 finish. The experience was enhanced by good weather and the excitement of learning about the Knicks’ win afterward. Overall, it was a fulfilling marathon experience.
Mad Marathon Mastery: Grabbing State 40 the Hard Way
Rick Albanese completed the Mad Marathon in Vermont, a race he had long anticipated. Endorsed by Chuck Engle, the atmosphere was enhanced by a wonderful pre-race dinner and camaraderie. Despite feeling underprepared due to a brief training cycle, Albanese relied on his experience and resilience from overcoming cancer. The challenging course, featuring steep ascents and descents, tested him, particularly as the heat affected his performance. Although he lost his sub-5-hour goal, he finished strong and felt proud of his accomplishment.