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Marathon Reports. What would a marathon board be without the war stories that come after every heroic effort? They entertain, inform and inspire us. We want to hear from you and your marathon. You can embellish on everything but your time.

Whether you're running your first one or your 100th, each marathon is an interesting story. There's a super hero inside each and every one of us yearning to be heard.

You can see more marathon reports on our LVM21 Message Board under the "Race Reports" forum.

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ING New York City Marathon
November 5, 2006
Reporter: PGOG

PGOG's New York Marathon Report

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Twin Cities Marathon
October 1, 2006
Reporter: Ginger26.2

Ginger26.2's Twin Cities Marathon Report

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Quad Cities Marathon
September 24, 2006
Reporter: Lite Horse

Lite Horse's Quad Cities Marathon Report

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Pikes Peak Marathon
August 20, 2006
Reporter: Lite Horse

Lite Horse's Pikes Peak Marathon Report

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Rio Marathon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
June 25, 2006
Reporter: Ginger26.2

That's Rio de Janeiro, folks. Not Rio, Texas. I wonder if Ginger wants to adopt me to take someone on her world trips.

Ginger reports a very hot and humid race day (80'sF) on a course that had to be one of the most beautiful courses in marathoners' memories. Not only did she have to cope with running the challenging weather and course but a series of events that sounds like a soap opera befell our heroine even before the race. A cab accident on the way, stomach blahs, wild dog attacks and small armies of homeless men added to the fun. It's the first time I've ever heard of spectators taking AWAY water from runners. An indifferent and sparce spectator "crowd" made things just a little more intimate although course and orgaization were good.

In Ginger's last marathon she left the start line for a pit stop and returned to find they had started the race without her. "Like sands through the hour glass, so go the marathons of Ginger's life". Good show!

Ginger26.2's Rio Marathon Report

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Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, San Diego, California
June 4, 2006
OCG clangers: Elephant (Albert) and Surf City (Dennis)
Reporters: Donaldaz, Hannah's Dad, DOGMD

Ah....San Diego. Often called "America's Finest City." A dozen major beautiful beaches, Balboa Park (home of the San Diego Zoo), SeaWorld, Home to Professional Football, Baseball, Basketball and the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon.

There are aquatic parks for windsurfing, picnicking or flying a kite. It's a volleyball, fishing, golfing, sun worshipping paradise on Earth. The perfect place for a 26.6 mile run, right? Guess again. Except for a partial "marine layer" of haze for some of the race the R'n'R was Hot, Humid and Hilly.

Some of the members met pre and post race to enjoy the city. They came from all over, even by train. (Lecitrus) Marathon runs are never easy but some reported that there were some pavement and traffic proximity problems on the course to add to the hilly challenge (Fabrice and LVRunner). FimFam reports the margaritas are still the best and his wife, Jean did not bust his bankroll at the casinos. Donaldaz was welcomed at the Native American casino as a brother after his radiation-like sunburn from the beach. Toya (DOGMD) ran with an injury and MattHut toughed out some sore knees to finish. These folks and Stuboat1 and OLGA proudly carried the banner through the finish line.

It was the finest hour for the "Official Cowbell" as Elephant and Surf City gave everyone a reason to 'press on' at mile 21. Mother Teresa has nothing on you guys! Well done, you Masochists!! Here are their reports:

Donaldaz's San Diego RnR Marathon Report
Hannah's Dad's San Diego RnR Marathon Report
DOGMD's San Diego RnR Marathon Report

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Mississauga Marathon, Mississauga, Ontario
May 14, 2006
Reporter: Canadian Runner

Perfect weather, good training, beautiful scenic marathon course and Donna (Canadian Runner) realizes she forgot her shoes after arriving. Well, the Ghost of Abebe Bikila would have smiled down when he saw what she did. Rummaging through her van she found a pair of old, worn out, grass stained gardening shoes and pressed on. Three toenails and lots of hugs from the family later she cruised through the four hour barrier anyway. Way to go, babes.

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Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon
May 7, 2006
Reporter: Prince George Old Guy, Drew

10 C/50 F Rainy, late breaking sun/humid
Flat course with rolling intermit. hills

This race was run through the picturesque parts of Vancouver, B.C. amid a great turnout of enthusiastic spectators and around 1,800 volunteers. Through places called Gastown, Stanley Park, English Bay Kits Beach and The Steam Clock, Brian Tuson (PGOG) reported that of his seven marathons this was his best time ever. Running as a pace partner to his niece, Violet, he coaxed her to a fine time of 5:12 despite a hard go of it at 20 miles due to her right leg cramps. A festive atmosphere with a great personal support crew partly made up to the absence of the wayward Cowbell and rainy weather.

Drew ran his usual stellar time of 3:56 and reported a fine time stopping to talk to people along the way. Good show, guys.

Prince George old guy's Vancouver Marathon Report

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Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
May 7, 2006
Reporter: Napper

The Napper reports that the Cincinnati Flying Pig lived up to it's reputation for being a fast course with great terrain and cool, dry weather. He finished in a personal best of 3:22:24 in only his second marathon. He recorded a 6:31 final mile! Napper did not run Vegas last year due to a nagging injury but he's a comer this year, trust me.

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Ogden Marathon, Ogden, Utah
May 6, 2006
Reporter: Shane

Rugged terrain and breathtaking views marked this "training run" by Shane. This was one of those races where you probably should be altitude trained. The temperatures hovered near freezing at the start but the organization and course were good. (Maybe could use a few more porta pottys.) Tapering off in the last few miles he ran a great 3:56:54. Starting off downhill the first few miles the course winds through some beautiful foothills scenery.

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Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
April 30, 2006
Reporter: Okie Hillbilly, Tulsaman, Ginger 26.2

Jean (Gonnafinish) was on hand with the Cowbell at mile 21 as two days of rain cleared up at race time for a clear, dry day of marathoning through the Capitol. 168 seconds of silence for the victims of the OKC terrorist disaster preceded the race. Nobody reported their times but Okie used excuses #41 and #156 ("got aholt of bad Asian food" and "drove all the way from Tulsa in my pick-me-up truck").

As if that's not enough Department:

Ginger also ran the Fargo Marathon on the 21st, Vermont City on the 28th and will run in her 42nd state at the Sunburst Marathon in South Bend, Indiana on June 3. She also has a nagging hamstring (you whineybabies) and plans to run her 100th by the end of the year.

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Nashville Country Music Marathon
April 29, 2006
Reporter: Donaldaz

Well, the buildup for Donaldaz's run in the Nashville Country Music Marathon was, well, climatic. For months we stared at a picture of the finisher's medal that Don vowed, in his avatar, "would be his". He decided recently that he is hell-bent to run a marathon in all fifty states. After looking at this race from many angles Don prepared us with weather forecasts weeks ahead of the race, elevation changes, proximity of his accommodations to the course, and Nashville landmarks, etc, etc., he anticipated seeing. Members pitched in with good advice except for the suggestion that he visit "Graceland" on his visit (in Nashville, duh!). Well the weather was inclement but Don prevailed and was kind enough to submit this terrific report. 3 down and 47 to go!

Donaldaz's Nashville Country Music Marathon Report

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The Big Island International Marathon, Hilo, Hawaii
March 19, 2006
Reporter: HiloRunningCouple

Only 51 women and 96 men navigated one of the most scenic and challenging of all marathon runs this year. It down poured 6" of rain from 8PM the night before to race time at 6 AM and delayed the start fifteen minutes. For a well organized and staffed race few spectators lined this "Run thru' the Jungle". Even tee shirts as well as finish medals were handed out to finishers only. Unbelievably, John and Debbie Hansen (HiloRunningCouple) ran personal bests of 5:42:51 and published a fascinating report for our members. They were edged by the famous "Cowman" by 13 minutes. Mahalo, you guys!!

HiloRunningCouple's Big Island International Marathon Report

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