Category Archives: Marathon

Indy Classic Marathon Canceled, Again

It is being reported by the Indianapolis Star that the Indy Classic Marathon has issued full-refunds to participants:

The first Indy Classic Marathon, already postponed once, is all but canceled after spokesman Brian Meyers said today refunds have been given to all runners for the scheduled Nov. 3 race.

Meyers said the marathon lost “several hundred” volunteers within the past week to 10 days.

“Something’s out there, negative,” Meyers said. “Our volunteers are e-mailing or calling and saying they can’t make it.”

Meyers declined to elaborate, except to say organizers will put on the race for free — for runners who didn’t request a refund — if they get enough volunteers by the end of this week. He said 13,000 runners were expected to participate in the marathon, half-marathon and 5K, although for months running experts have scoffed at various claims made by marathon organizers.

The experts characterized the organizers as inexperienced and said administration of the event has been bizarre.

The ICM website says that:

If ICM secures enough volunteers within the next few days the investors have decided to allow all those who have received a refund to run this race for free, 2007 only. (Does not pertain to those who have requested a refund on their own, but only to those who ICM voluntarily issued refunds to).

Given their past history, having already postponed the race once, it seems this could (hopefully?) be a fatal blow for the event. I first wrote about this on August 21 and then again on August 23.

The organization claims that 15,000 people were registered for the event and that they received requests from an additional 10,000 “due to a recent early shutdown of a major marathon.” The same page says they are looking for help with 13,000 runners. This only adds to the earlier speculation about the overall event and its management. With 10 days before the event I say steer clear for a few years and see if they can get the bugs worked out.

Were you planning on doing the Indy Classic Marathon?? Tell us about your experience so far and what you plan to do now.

Marathons and Race Directing

There has been some recent news about where Chicago Marathoners might re-try a marathon. One is the Denver Marathon which is actually this Sunday (Oct 14) but they have waived the entry fee for Chicago runners. Another as reported in the Indy Star is the Indy Classic Marathon, they have expanded the entries and re-opened registration. I have some hesitations about suggesting this for anyone because of their past history. I’d recommend the Indianapolis Marathon on October 20, but the registration ends today.

Blog Land! Attention Race Directors

I was recently encouraged by this article to write about the blogs I read and share why I read them, with you my readers. So here it goes!

As an avid runner I enjoy participating in well run (no pun intended) races and other running events. There is nothing worse than going to a race and it is poorly run. Whether its no water on the course, poorly marked course, or messing up the awards race directors have a lot to think about.

After directing 3 5K races I have experienced both sides of it and commend race directors and their teams (paid and volunteer) for all the hard work. I found the Association of Running Event Directors while working on my first 5K and added their blog to my RSS feed so I can stay up on what they have to say. I never actually became a member, because that would cost money!

They have a lot of good resources for the first time event or even new ideas for the old tried and true. Many race directors would spare lots of hard work and agony of trying to establish a quality event by checking this site out.

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Last Minute Marathon Tips

This past weekend we saw the launch of the fall marathon season with the hot and humid Chicago Marathon. Prior to the event Chicago Athlete’s weekly newsletter included 12 tips for a successful marathon. I think the experience at Chicago makes these very timely, for any race.

It included the obvious:

  • No Big Changes – do everything the way you have done it through all your training
  • Drink up – stay hydrated all weekend long
  • Expedite the Expo – stay relaxed and off your feet, get to the Expo before everyone else!
  • Start slow – don’t go out too hard due to all the excitement and hype!

Some not so obvious:

  • Dress Rehearsal – jog the last few miles
  • Chow in the Afternoon – Eat your main pre-race meal in the mid-afternoon instead of the at night.
  • Pick a meetup spot – pick some place to meetup, and if they have signs using the alphabet, use your own last name not Z or Q
  • Get Moving Again – walk or jog the day after to get some of the kinks out!

See the full list at Chicago Athlete.

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Race Results from October 6

I could probably keep writing lots of stories and keep you updated about the latest news out of Chicago, but since the focus of this site is Central Indiana I won’t. Unless I get race reports from you or some other major news comes. So send me race reports! A final note I found out that the man who died Chad Schieber, of Michigan, was a 1994 graduate of Anderson University.

Tuxbro’s weather report for the day said:

85 degrees, unseasonably warm, humid, downright hot!

Sheridan Harvest 5K Run/Walk was won by John Parson, 25 of Indianapolis, in 16:12 (5:13) 12 seconds ahead of second place Mitch Novy. Laura Farley, 23 of Indianapolis, won the female division in 18:05 (5:49) almost 2 minutes ahead of second place and 9th place overall. 194 participants finished this event.

Monster Mash Dash 5 Mile Run/5K walk was won by Dustin Smith, 25 of Indianapolis in 30:19 (6:03) about 2 minutes ahead of second place. Heather Murdoch, 21 of West Lafayette, won the female division in 32:45 (6:33) just over 3 minutes ahead of second place and 3rd overall. 152 participants finished the 5 Mile event. Janet Higbie won the 5K Walk in 32:47 (10:33) and Michael Bird won the male division in 33:21 (10:44). 25 participants finished this event with 6 DQs.

Race for the Cure – Wabash Valley was won by Chad Smith, 32, in 17:44 (5:42) exactly one minute ahead of second place. Emily Cotterman won the female division in 20:25 (6:34) about 2 minutes ahead of second place. 199 participants finished this event.

Mel Henry 5 Mile Run was won by Dave Nordhielm in 30:06 (6:01) 6 seconds ahead of second place. It looks like Jolene Freeman won the female division in 40:22 (8:04) placing 11th overall. Twenty-eight participants finished this race.

5th Annual Freedom Run 5 Mile Run/3 Mile Walk was won by Don Baker and first place female was Leslie Muse. 50 participants finished this event.

4th Annual Evansville Half-Marathon was won by Jeffrey Powers in 1:13:21 (5:35) about 3 minutes ahead of second place. Tanya Hitch won the female division in 1:37:29 (7:26) 15 seconds ahead of second place and placing 60th overall. 1,626 participants finished this event with an average time of 2:32:20 (11:37).

Tell us how you raced in the comments section or send me a full race report.

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Chicago Marathon Pictures

Here is a link to my photo album of pictures from volunteering at the Chicago Marathon. I’d also like to hear your stories and see your pictures. Leave them in the comment section or e-mail them to me at running at teamcrossworld dot com.

Chicago Marathon

Hope you enjoy them!

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