Before the race began, the Marathon Maniac and Half Fanatic running family captured a ‘Family Photo’ at the Hogeye Marathon and Half Marathon in Springdale, Arkansas, on April 11, 2026. This tradition occurs whenever possible, highlighting the camaraderie among participants spotted at races across the country. The photograph was credited to Christabelle Sapphire Carpenter, showcasing the community spirit and shared passion for running within this vibrant group of enthusiasts.
Tag Archives: marathon maniacs
From Dusk to Dawn: My 1007th Marathon Completed
Sivabalan Pandian(MM13150) To My Valued Supporters, I am delighted to share that I have successfully finished the DUSK TO DAWN ULTRA 50K on April 5 , 2026 at Padubidri Beach, located in a picturesque coastal village in Karnataka state( between Udupi and Mangaluru) , India. The beach, certified by the Blue Flag for its impeccableContinue reading “From Dusk to Dawn: My 1007th Marathon Completed”
Earning Her 2nd Sun Status: Jennifer Durenberger
Jennifer Durenberger has achieved Sun Status for the second time at the Mainly Marathons Riverboat Series on April 13, 2026. To attain this status with the Half Fanatics, runners must complete either 52 half marathons in 365 days or 30 half marathons across different locations within the same timeframe.
Earning Her 12th Sun Status: Lisa Rice Seidel
Lisa Rice Seidel has achieved Sun Status for the 12th time at the Mainly Marathons Riverboat Series, held on April 14, 2026. To attain this recognition with the Half Fanatics, runners must either complete 52 half marathons within a year or finish 30 half marathons across different locations within that same timeframe. Lisa is also approaching her 700th half marathon, with an impressive 210 of those completed in Washington. For more details on the criteria for Half Fanatics, visit their website.
What We Do for a Country – Vatican Express Marathon Story
Alexis Davidson participated in the Vatican Express Marathon, walking in chilly conditions between 43-62F. Starting at St. George Square, the course included 13 loops along the Tiber River, totaling 423 ft elevation gain. Despite feeling under the weather and fatigued from the previous day, Alexis aimed for a time under 6:30. Struggling by the seventh loop, she pushed through, finishing 15th out of 18 participants. Acknowledgment was given to fellow participant Alexandra Molina for her support.
6 States Down, Plenty of Hills Conquered
Pascal Radley (MM2051) recently completed marathons across six states in the Mainly Marathons Appalachian Series, discovering the challenging hilly terrain of Appalachia. While he felt satisfied with six marathons, some runners managed to tackle eleven in eleven consecutive days across eleven states. Radley has decided against participating in more marathons in March but has five scheduled for April, including events in Salisbury, Lexington, Charleston, Jersey City, and Oklahoma City, demonstrating his dedication to running.
Rome Marathon Pacer Story: Balloons, Shawarma, Beer & World Record
Paul Vining(MM15580) – Late post, but been busy.Friday: Arrived in Rome, picked up race packets, attended pacer technical briefing, walk around a bit, went to bed a bit early to recover from jetlag. 27,500 stepsSaturday: Ran a 5k Fun Run in Rome, kind of a shakeout run, lots of families, kids, dogs, and all sortsContinue reading “Rome Marathon Pacer Story: Balloons, Shawarma, Beer & World Record”
LA Marathon 2025 Race Report – Why I’ll Always Run the LA Marathon
Lea Reyes(MM13731,DA2891,HF16015) – 132 marathon. #15 consecutive LA. #3 consecutive 5k. Let’s talk about it. 5k on Saturday. Almost missed it. Planned on getting up at 4:30 but was so tired from travel, woke up 10 to six. Quickly left the house, arrived at 7:25, parked and ran to get my bib. Whew!I always getContinue reading “LA Marathon 2025 Race Report – Why I’ll Always Run the LA Marathon”
Rome Marathon Revisited
Deo Jerome shared his experience running the Rome Marathon for the second time, having previously participated in 2003. He reflected on the beautiful scenery of the city, mentioning that it remains an enjoyable course despite the challenging cobblestones. He emphasized the perfect running conditions during the marathon while also acknowledging how the race has become more difficult over the years. The post was accompanied by a photo, credited to himself.
Meet Merry Mullins, MM 15936
Merry Mullins shares her journey of turning grief into strength by starting to run marathons at 48 after the death of her mother. Despite lacking proper training or equipment, she completed her first marathon to cope with her loss and began a quest to run in all 50 states. Over 32 months, she faced various challenges but learned that persistence and the will to continue were key. Her experiences taught her that it’s never too late to start, emphasizing that every step counts, regardless of the pace.