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.
Tag Archives: Running community
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tales From Medal Monday Volume 5 Chapter 11
Medal Monday showcases inspiring achievements from Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics. Recent highlights include Tahira Bland running her 85th Half Marathon in Minnesota, Amy Sea completing her 225th Half amidst challenging air quality in NY, and Pam Whittington participating in a series across seven states. Dr. Bryon Solberg completed his 50th state milestone and was inducted as a Mainly Marathons Legend. Each runner shared personal stories about their experiences, races, and the supportive community, celebrating both personal and collaborative accomplishments in running.
Run Family at the Mainly Marathons Heartland Series
Before starting a race, the Marathon Maniac and Half Fanatic running community often captures a ‘Family Photo.’ During the Mainly Marathons Heartland Series, they managed to take a group photo in Hicksville, Ohio, and Niles, Michigan, on July 11 and 12, 2026. This tradition highlights the camaraderie and spirit of the running family, which is frequently seen at races across the nation, fostering a sense of unity and shared passion among the participants. Photo credit goes to Brian Johnson.