Runner Email 18 September 2007

It's a cool week in Grand Rapids. Race registrations are WAY ahead of last year. Our kids marathon has about 400 kids signed up, and we still have to collect forms from some of our partners.

I got a surprise letter in the mail today from people at the Saint Mary's Wege Institute. People on their staff got together and chipped in a few dollars each just to lend their support to the Kids Marathon, and sent us a donation of $372!!! THANK YOU!!!!

Staff members Melissa Chillag and Jen Crowley are taking the lead on the project, and it's been an overwhelming success so far. Kids are out all over town running a mile at a time, logging 25 between now and marathon weekend. Then on Saturday the 27th, they'll do the last 1.2 on the course to finish their marathon. Big Feat for Small Feet!

On to this weekend. Our 20 Mile Training Run is Saturday, cosponsored by Gazelle Sports. You can sign up online for fifteen bucks, and get a really cool IN TRAINING shirt. Or come out and run anyway. We'll have some course support (though keep in mind this isn't a race, it's a TRAINING RUN--you might have to fill up your own water glass). We'll meet at John Ball Park, course talk at 7:30, then run at 8:00.

If you're busy Saturday, we'll be meeting at the Y on Sunday morning to do 20 then too. Dr. Rick and a few others on the staff will be out at 8:00 on Sunday. You don't have to do the full 20 if you don't want to, but come and have some fun anyway.

Somebody emailed me back last week and said, "What, you're not trying to sell any hats this week?" Harassment. I love it.

Oh yeah--Alan from Running Circles has worked out a deal with New Holland Brewery so we'll have some MHGRM beer glasses for sale too. They'll be at the Running Circles booth at the expo. And yes, New Holland will be providing us with some "refreshments" for the finish line too!

39 days on the countdown clock.

and the adventure continues....Don Kern