Eight Days to the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon

Tomorrow your marathon staff will be running the course in what I like to call our "Dress Rehearsal." Some will run the full, some the half, some will just be out there for a normal weekend run.

It's part of the preparation--making sure everything is just right for all of you. We might have a little wrinkle--it seems they're putting an off ramp near the 13 mile mark, also known as the turnaround spot at the Grandville treatment plant. So there's a possibility we'll adjust the course by a few feet there. Don't worry! We'll add it back on somewhere else! It's all part of the adventure, you know.

I talked to a video guy today. He's going to get a big-screen so we can show you the Kibo Productions video of last year's event at our expo. It's a pretty neat production by my friend Nelsen Petersen of Kibo Productions, and finishers will get a copy of it in the mail. No, it doesn't cost $52.95 or something like that. It's free. Of course if someone would like to sponsor it, I'm cool with making everyone sit through a short commercial on it or something. :-) Even if it's a used car dealer.

Anyway, Nelsen first filmed me on the way up Pikes Peak a few years back. He's also been to the North Pole Marathon where he was waiting with his camera when I crossed the finish line. Nice video work. He's back with us for the third year.

And, you probably noticed the "Metro Health" title on the Grand Rapids Marathon. We have a sports medicine team that's second to none. Our aid stations all have real medical professionals, not just volunteers with crosses on their backs. Now I really don't recommend NEEDING their services, but if you do, I can assure you you're in the best of hands.

Just over a week away! See you all then.

and the adventure continues....
Don