Medal Monday highlights remarkable achievements from members of the Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics, showcasing inspiring stories shared on social media. Notable mentions include Deo Jerome’s four marathons in a week across Southern Africa, Glen Anderson’s adventure in a unique Yellowstone Trail Marathon, and several members completing various marathons and half marathons despite challenging conditions. The excitement extends to new limited edition gear for summer and personal milestones, such as completing marathons in new states and achieving personal records, fostering a sense of community.
Category Archives: Half Marathon
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.
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.
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.
Chasing the Iconic Prince Medal at Summer Camp
Tahira Bland participated in her 85th lifetime half marathon as part of Mainly Marathons’ Summer Camp in Minnesota, motivated by a Prince-themed medal. This marks her third race in Minnesota, occurring about an hour from Minneapolis, and is the first of a four-race series celebrating the end of the season. The course featured scenic views on crushed gravel, with ample shade. She enjoyed the camaraderie with fellow runners and appreciated the event swag. Tahira looks forward to her next race, the Madison Mini-Marathon.
Nothing Flat About This One! RiverRoad Half Marathon
Tonisia Billups discusses her experience at the Hatfield & McCoy Half Marathon in West Virginia. Traveling from Jacksonville to Matewan, she notes logistical challenges, especially with limited hotel options near the race. Despite the heat, humidity, and hilly terrain, she enjoyed the race, choosing the RiverRoad Half, which was unexpectedly tough. The race offers fruit at fuel stations, which helped her during hotter moments. While there was minimal spectator support, she recommended the race with caution and appreciated the message at Pikeville University before her return.
Scenic Lake Superior to Shaded Winnipeg: Amy Sea’s Cross-Border Half Marathon Double
Amy Sea recapped her memorable weekend of running, completing two half marathons in the USA and Canada. She participated in Grandma’s Half in Duluth, MN, which celebrated its 50th anniversary with great organization and scenic views of Lake Superior, achieving her first back-to-back sub-3 hours finishes since 2021. The Manitoba Half in Winnipeg, while less iconic, was also well-organized and fast, providing a friendly atmosphere for runners. She recommends both races with some logistical considerations for participants.
From Rolling Hills to Grilled Cheese: Stillwater Scenic Half
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 wasContinue reading “From Rolling Hills to Grilled Cheese: Stillwater Scenic Half”
Beautiful Lake & Superior Views at Grandma’s Half
Tonisia Billups shares her experience participating in the Grandma’s Half Marathon in Minnesota. She flew from Orlando to Minneapolis and highlighted the need for caution regarding airport logistics. Staying in college dorms proved convenient, and the pre-race expo catered to 24,000 runners, featuring a spaghetti dinner. The race began at 6:00 AM, showcasing picturesque Lake Superior views, with manageable elevation changes. Despite some challenges with post-race food and shirt availability, she recommends the event but advises early planning.
Tales From Medal Monday Volume 5 Chapter 10
Medal Monday highlights numerous achievements from the Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics members, shared via their Facebook pages. Notable activities include group photos taken at various race events and individual accomplishments, such as Heather completing her 49th state and Maricris participating in her 138th half marathon. Many members shared their experiences at iconic races like Grandma’s Marathon and the Hatfield McCoy Marathon, each reflecting the camaraderie and dedication within this vibrant running community.