Jun Ulama congratulates his friend Glen Anderson for completing the 50 States Marathon challenge for the 11th time in Montana on August 1, 2026. The Yellowstone Trail Marathon, featuring a challenging 6,600 ft elevation on ski trails, was a unique experience. Glen’s wife, Karen, participated, marking Montana as her 49th state in her eighth round. Ulama also completed his fifth round with Montana as state 38. The event required competitors to carry bear spray due to wildlife. The day ended with the three enjoying their first rodeo together, celebrating a memorable experience.
Tag Archives: Trail Running
Tales From Medal Monday Volume 5 Chapter 12
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.
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.
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.
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.
No Bull Around 24 Hour Ultra Race Report: 32 Miles in the Rain and Cold
Tim Mullican participated in the No Bull Around 24-hour ultra from April 25-26. Despite cold weather and rain, he aimed to complete as many miles as possible. After reaching 20 miles, he took a break, changed clothes, and faced knee stiffness that hindered his performance. Despite the challenges, he achieved his goal of 32 miles and unexpectedly placed first among men due to a small participant pool, enjoying the camaraderie of fellow runners.
Tales From Medal Monday Volume 5 Chapter 6
Medal Monday highlights recent achievements from members of the Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics. Notable successes include Lisa Rice Seidel reaching Sun Status for the twelfth time and completing her 700th half marathon, while Jennifer Durenberger achieved the same status for the second time. Sivabalan Pandian completed the Dusk to Dawn Ultra 50K, marking his 1007th ultra marathon. Other members celebrated various milestones, races, and personal achievements, emphasizing community and encouragement within the running family.
DNF at Rattlesnake Dick 50k: Embracing the Struggle
Gysel Parajon shares her experience at the Rattlesnake Dick 50k trail race in Cool, CA. She aimed to push her limits beyond a marathon distance, attracting her to this local event with a generous 10-hour time limit. Although she started strong, the heat affected her pace, and fear of encountered rattlesnakes led her to slow down. Ultimately, she missed the first cutoff by four minutes. Despite not finishing, Gysel enjoyed meeting fellow runners and volunteers, and plans to return next year.