FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Don Kern Grand Rapids Marathon Race Director
Phone 616 293-3145 cooladventure@aol.com
Alan Headbloom Grand Rapids Marathon Media Relations
Phone 616 892 3400 alan@headbloom.com
Grand Rapids Marathon Gains Registrations Following Chicago Heat Wave
Grand Rapids, Michigan, 09 October 2007. On October 7, Chicago sweltered in record-high temperatures and race organizers closed down the second half of the Chicago Marathon, forcing runners to walk the final miles to the finish line. “It was really like just a long training run [instead of a marathon],” said Jenison runner Mickey Marx, a physical therapist who was running his third Chicago Marathon. The unprecedented closure of the race has frustrated many runners who spent 4-6 months and hundreds of miles in training. Marx finished an hour and a half over his goal time of four hours.
All that frustration is good news to Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon (GRM) race director Don Kern. "People are signing up [for the GRM] like crazy, many citing the Chicago Marathon being cut short as their reason for coming. They're not willing to do all that training and then not do an official marathon." Of the 200 registrations which have come in over the past three days, Kern estimates that 150 of them are from runners who never got to finish Chicago. That number represents approximately 15% of the race’s total registration in half a week’s time.
With the rebirth of a marathon in Grand Rapids four years ago, the GRM has had steady growth in its numbers, offering a small-town race with a personalized touch. Its numbers are dwarfed by the size of Chicago’s field of over 30,000, but runners are discovering the ease and charms of a marathon run away from the crowds of Chicago. "Runners are coming to our website, reading the online comments, and wondering why they didn't decide to come here in the first place." Kern noted.
Runners wishing to register for the October 28 race, which is sure to offer temperatures lower than the 88ยบ of last weekend’s run through the Windy City, can be done online at www.grandrapidsmarathon.com.
Don Kern, Race Director may also be contacted by cell phone at 616-293-3145
-END
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
The Final Jeopardy Answer is...
1. It lasts for hours
2. You get a medal when finish.
3. EVERYBODY respects you in the morning!
Hey Everybody! It's my mom's favorite race director, fresh from a really beautiful and REALLY hilly marathon at Boyne 2 Boyne. I even finished in the top half of my age group, but that's probably because most of the fast guys weren't there.
Training with the staff this weekend--at 7:00 on Saturday, Francine will be leading a group from the Y, probably around 14 or 15 miles. Sunday I'm not sure of yet, but I'll post something later in the week if anyone will be out then.
A few of us are going to Chicago this weekend--Dr. Rick's pacing a 3:50 pace in Chicago, and I'm going along with a couple of our pacers Paul and Christina to pace people to a 5:15 marathon down there.
And, here's a special offer from one of our sponsors, Gazelle Sports:
Keep moving towards the finish line of your training in one of the cool new Grand Rapids Marathon technical training shirts. They come in short sleeve or long sleeve with an award winning design! You can purchase them in any Gazelle Sports location or online here.
Enjoy the cool fall weather. Eat right, train smart. It's MARATHON MONTH. Work your plan. Be amazing!
Oh yeah--the Final Jeopardy question is: "Why is the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon better than sex?"
OK, that's enough for now. See you next week.
and the adventure continues....
2. You get a medal when finish.
3. EVERYBODY respects you in the morning!
Hey Everybody! It's my mom's favorite race director, fresh from a really beautiful and REALLY hilly marathon at Boyne 2 Boyne. I even finished in the top half of my age group, but that's probably because most of the fast guys weren't there.
Training with the staff this weekend--at 7:00 on Saturday, Francine will be leading a group from the Y, probably around 14 or 15 miles. Sunday I'm not sure of yet, but I'll post something later in the week if anyone will be out then.
A few of us are going to Chicago this weekend--Dr. Rick's pacing a 3:50 pace in Chicago, and I'm going along with a couple of our pacers Paul and Christina to pace people to a 5:15 marathon down there.
And, here's a special offer from one of our sponsors, Gazelle Sports:
Keep moving towards the finish line of your training in one of the cool new Grand Rapids Marathon technical training shirts. They come in short sleeve or long sleeve with an award winning design! You can purchase them in any Gazelle Sports location or online here.
Enjoy the cool fall weather. Eat right, train smart. It's MARATHON MONTH. Work your plan. Be amazing!
Oh yeah--the Final Jeopardy question is: "Why is the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon better than sex?"
OK, that's enough for now. See you next week.
and the adventure continues....
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Runner Email 25 September 2007
It's FALL!! Still feels like summer, but we're getting a few leaves on the road and some pretty colors on the trees.
THANK YOU for coming out for our 20 mile (or thereabouts) training run on Saturday. We had around 120 people out running on the course. Nice job by our web-guy/start-finish line coordinator Rudy Malmquist, who took the lead on organizing the event along with the Gazelle Sports guys.
In case you're wondering, right now we have 868 people in the full and 547 in the half. We've got 20 relay teams too! And our kids marathon has about 400 kids!
Training opportunities this weekend--on Saturday, check out the half-marathon in Holland called Park2Park. Nice course, nice people. Info at http://www.neighborsplus.org/Park2Park2007.htm. And on Sunday, Dr. Rick & company will be at the YMCA at 7:15 for a 4 mile warmup run, then run the half marathon course at 8:00.
Meanwhile I'll be up by Petoskey, running the inaugural Boyne to Boyne marathon this weekend. I hear they have lots more hills than we have.
Plans are coming together well. Volunteers are coming in, stuff is being accumulated, runners are putting in their miles, and the finish line beer from New Holland is aging in the kegs.
If you're new to these emails, you might not know about marathonminute.com yet. Now you do. Check it out for your weekly motivation.
Step inside the YMCA sometime and you'll see the START / FINISH banner hanging up across the lobby. Imagine yourself running under it on race day. Picture your mom being proud of you, your friends being envious, your co-workers putting pictures of you on the bulletin board. We're just over a month out! You're getting ready for your last few long runs. You're gonna be awesome out there!
and the adventure continues....
Don
THANK YOU for coming out for our 20 mile (or thereabouts) training run on Saturday. We had around 120 people out running on the course. Nice job by our web-guy/start-finish line coordinator Rudy Malmquist, who took the lead on organizing the event along with the Gazelle Sports guys.
In case you're wondering, right now we have 868 people in the full and 547 in the half. We've got 20 relay teams too! And our kids marathon has about 400 kids!
Training opportunities this weekend--on Saturday, check out the half-marathon in Holland called Park2Park. Nice course, nice people. Info at http://www.neighborsplus.org/Park2Park2007.htm. And on Sunday, Dr. Rick & company will be at the YMCA at 7:15 for a 4 mile warmup run, then run the half marathon course at 8:00.
Meanwhile I'll be up by Petoskey, running the inaugural Boyne to Boyne marathon this weekend. I hear they have lots more hills than we have.
Plans are coming together well. Volunteers are coming in, stuff is being accumulated, runners are putting in their miles, and the finish line beer from New Holland is aging in the kegs.
If you're new to these emails, you might not know about marathonminute.com yet. Now you do. Check it out for your weekly motivation.
Step inside the YMCA sometime and you'll see the START / FINISH banner hanging up across the lobby. Imagine yourself running under it on race day. Picture your mom being proud of you, your friends being envious, your co-workers putting pictures of you on the bulletin board. We're just over a month out! You're getting ready for your last few long runs. You're gonna be awesome out there!
and the adventure continues....
Don
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
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
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
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
After the Deadline, Back to School
31 August 2007. The price goes up. All day long people are signing up like crazy. It's gonna be a fun race.
Here's a couple things:Accelerade & Endurox Deals--they have an online web page for us that allows a nice discount off their regular prices. Check it out on our sponsor page. Or link directly to www.accelsport.com/grandrapids
The kids marathon - This is cool. Gives our kids a chance to participate too. Might get crazy around the YMCA on Saturday, but we'll have a ton of fun.
Hats - people are crazy about them. Everyone wanted to know how to buy one! So, go to the web page, click on the Marathon Merchandise link. It's easy, it's fun, it's a technical material hat with some cool stitching (Ha! I didn't have to type the "E" word this time.), and the model is pretty good looking too.
Training run - Gazelle is hosting a 20 mile training run, on Sept 22 at 8:00 at John Ball Zoo. No, it's not a race, but you can sign up for it for $15 and get a technical training shirt (first 150 people). Course preview sometime around 7:30 by my mom's favorite race director. Check it out on the website.
Other training runs - Starting this weekend, your race staff will be doing long runs from the YMCA on the weekends. I'll be emailing you with details so if you want to, you can join us, get acquainted, run a few miles, and maybe grab a cup of coffee or something. Back to school. The kids are out of your hair now, you should be able to get a few more miles in.
and the adventure continues....
Don Kern
Here's a couple things:Accelerade & Endurox Deals--they have an online web page for us that allows a nice discount off their regular prices. Check it out on our sponsor page. Or link directly to www.accelsport.com/grandrapids
The kids marathon - This is cool. Gives our kids a chance to participate too. Might get crazy around the YMCA on Saturday, but we'll have a ton of fun.
Hats - people are crazy about them. Everyone wanted to know how to buy one! So, go to the web page, click on the Marathon Merchandise link. It's easy, it's fun, it's a technical material hat with some cool stitching (Ha! I didn't have to type the "E" word this time.), and the model is pretty good looking too.
Training run - Gazelle is hosting a 20 mile training run, on Sept 22 at 8:00 at John Ball Zoo. No, it's not a race, but you can sign up for it for $15 and get a technical training shirt (first 150 people). Course preview sometime around 7:30 by my mom's favorite race director. Check it out on the website.
Other training runs - Starting this weekend, your race staff will be doing long runs from the YMCA on the weekends. I'll be emailing you with details so if you want to, you can join us, get acquainted, run a few miles, and maybe grab a cup of coffee or something. Back to school. The kids are out of your hair now, you should be able to get a few more miles in.
and the adventure continues....
Don Kern
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Public Service Announcement for Kids Marathon
Grand Rapids Kid’s Marathon
Public Service Announcement
This is Don Kern, Race Director for the 4th annual Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon.
In an effort to encourage our kids to eat right and exercise regularly, the Grand Rapids Marathon is teaming up with Gazelle Sports, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation, David D. Hunting YMCA, and Girlscouts of West Michigan Trail to offer the first-ever Kid’s Marathon in West Michigan.
The steps to completing the Kid’s Marathon are as easy as 1-2-3!
1. Now through September 15th, parents can register their children for free either online or at one of our participating community partners.
2. Beginning September 1st kids run or walk one mile three times a week with a parent or friend. They track their progress on the Kid’s Marathon game board logbook that comes with each registration form.
3. By race weekend, they’ll be ready to run or walk the last 1.2 miles on the official Grand Rapids Marathon course, celebrating their accomplishments with family and friends. Kids who register by September 15th will receive an official race bib, a medal and finisher’s certificate.
For more information, visit: grandrapidsmarathon.com.
Join us for the Grand Rapids Kid’s Marathon…a big feat for small feet!
Public Service Announcement
This is Don Kern, Race Director for the 4th annual Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon.
In an effort to encourage our kids to eat right and exercise regularly, the Grand Rapids Marathon is teaming up with Gazelle Sports, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation, David D. Hunting YMCA, and Girlscouts of West Michigan Trail to offer the first-ever Kid’s Marathon in West Michigan.
The steps to completing the Kid’s Marathon are as easy as 1-2-3!
1. Now through September 15th, parents can register their children for free either online or at one of our participating community partners.
2. Beginning September 1st kids run or walk one mile three times a week with a parent or friend. They track their progress on the Kid’s Marathon game board logbook that comes with each registration form.
3. By race weekend, they’ll be ready to run or walk the last 1.2 miles on the official Grand Rapids Marathon course, celebrating their accomplishments with family and friends. Kids who register by September 15th will receive an official race bib, a medal and finisher’s certificate.
For more information, visit: grandrapidsmarathon.com.
Join us for the Grand Rapids Kid’s Marathon…a big feat for small feet!
Runner Email 29 August 2007
Here's a couple of items--
We're now over 1000 runners for this year's event! That's some pretty good growth over what we had last year at this point, and with the price increase coming up after the 31st, the registrations are coming in pretty fast at the moment.
Cap? Right now we've got lots of room in both races. So we probably won't hit the cap for a while yet.
Cap? Oh yeah! We have some embroidered (I seem to have a hard time spelling that word) running hats this year. They've got the guy in the leaf logo on the front. Pretty nice hats. They'll be for sale at only $15.00.
Sportwax, that all-natural anti-friction product that debutted at our marathon two years ago is still one of our sponsors!! They have a coupon for $2.00 off at Gazelle Sports good through Oct 29. It's at gazellesportwaxcoupon.pdf if you'd like one.
Oh! The Kids Marathon. It's a new thing. Big Feat for Little Feet!! Check it out on our website. Kids will run 25 miles throughout the school year, and on Saturday before our marathon, they'll run the last 1.2 miles on the marathon course to complete their 26.2. It's free for kids, and easy to sign up on line. Check it out on our website. Next week it'll be featured on the Marathon Minute as well - check it out at marathonminute.com.
Two months to go!
and the adventure continues....
Don Kern
www.grandrapidsmarathon.com
We're now over 1000 runners for this year's event! That's some pretty good growth over what we had last year at this point, and with the price increase coming up after the 31st, the registrations are coming in pretty fast at the moment.
Cap? Right now we've got lots of room in both races. So we probably won't hit the cap for a while yet.
Cap? Oh yeah! We have some embroidered (I seem to have a hard time spelling that word) running hats this year. They've got the guy in the leaf logo on the front. Pretty nice hats. They'll be for sale at only $15.00.
Sportwax, that all-natural anti-friction product that debutted at our marathon two years ago is still one of our sponsors!! They have a coupon for $2.00 off at Gazelle Sports good through Oct 29. It's at gazellesportwaxcoupon.pdf if you'd like one.
Oh! The Kids Marathon. It's a new thing. Big Feat for Little Feet!! Check it out on our website. Kids will run 25 miles throughout the school year, and on Saturday before our marathon, they'll run the last 1.2 miles on the marathon course to complete their 26.2. It's free for kids, and easy to sign up on line. Check it out on our website. Next week it'll be featured on the Marathon Minute as well - check it out at marathonminute.com.
Two months to go!
and the adventure continues....
Don Kern
www.grandrapidsmarathon.com
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Runner Email 8/18/2007
Greetings from Anchorage Alaska. Now you know why I didn't send out something in the middle of the week. Too busy getting ready to travel.
Tomorrow morning is Humpy's Marathon. I accidentally ended up on part of the course on a run Friday morning--pretty nice. The whole state is full of friendly people too--you'd love it. Plus, getting out of the heat for a bit is pretty nice.
Here's a couple training opportunities for you. These guys put on nice events, so go have a good time. First...
Somerset Stampede Half Marathon
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Somerset Center, MI.
Also includes a 5K Run/Walk.
Both event routes feature rolling country roads (paved and dirt) with the last 1.5 miles on smooth trails around Mission Lake.
Visit their website at www.somerset-run.com for more information and registration instructions.
AND...
The Milford Labor Day 30K.
If you're having a concern about a fall marathon, try an 18.6 mile warmup before you jump into the marathon season. It's a great roller-coaster ride in Milford, Michigan. The course is challenging, but you'll have a great sense of satisfaction when you get done! Info at www.laborday30k.com
Check out our website for info on our kids marathon. It's a new thing we're doing this year, getting the kids involved with the sport we all love so much.
I'm going to have lots more to tell you all when I get back. Meanwhile, keep training--October is coming up fast.
and the adventure continues....
Don Kern
www.grandrapidsmarathon.com
Tomorrow morning is Humpy's Marathon. I accidentally ended up on part of the course on a run Friday morning--pretty nice. The whole state is full of friendly people too--you'd love it. Plus, getting out of the heat for a bit is pretty nice.
Here's a couple training opportunities for you. These guys put on nice events, so go have a good time. First...
Somerset Stampede Half Marathon
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Somerset Center, MI.
Also includes a 5K Run/Walk.
Both event routes feature rolling country roads (paved and dirt) with the last 1.5 miles on smooth trails around Mission Lake.
Visit their website at www.somerset-run.com for more information and registration instructions.
AND...
The Milford Labor Day 30K.
If you're having a concern about a fall marathon, try an 18.6 mile warmup before you jump into the marathon season. It's a great roller-coaster ride in Milford, Michigan. The course is challenging, but you'll have a great sense of satisfaction when you get done! Info at www.laborday30k.com
Check out our website for info on our kids marathon. It's a new thing we're doing this year, getting the kids involved with the sport we all love so much.
I'm going to have lots more to tell you all when I get back. Meanwhile, keep training--October is coming up fast.
and the adventure continues....
Don Kern
www.grandrapidsmarathon.com
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
What's Your Story?
You've had them. Those minutes when the switch gets flipped and you KNOW things are going to get better. If you're listening to the Marathon Minute, you've heard some of the stories.
It happened to Becky, when her sisters met her on the marathon course and gave her "the wings to fly home."
It happened to Lynell, who turned her life around.
It happened to Denise who, starting with a 15 minute walk, lost over 130 pounds.
MAYBE IT'S HAPPENED TO YOU TOO!!
Did someone or something in YOUR life suddenly "Turn on your lights?" Did you find the motivation, the attitude, the resources you needed?
If you have a story to share? We'd love to hear it. Send me an email.
~~~~~~~
New topic--
Sometimes people miskey their email address and end up NOT getting all these emails. If someone you know is signed up for the marathon and is missing out, tell him or her to send me an email and I'll fix their address. (I was going to put something here like, "If you don't get this email, please let me know," but that would just be silly.)
Keep an eye on the countdown clock on our website. But don't get nervous. Get MOTIVATED.
and the adventure continues....
Don Kern
www.grandrapidsmarathon.com
It happened to Becky, when her sisters met her on the marathon course and gave her "the wings to fly home."
It happened to Lynell, who turned her life around.
It happened to Denise who, starting with a 15 minute walk, lost over 130 pounds.
MAYBE IT'S HAPPENED TO YOU TOO!!
Did someone or something in YOUR life suddenly "Turn on your lights?" Did you find the motivation, the attitude, the resources you needed?
If you have a story to share? We'd love to hear it. Send me an email.
~~~~~~~
New topic--
Sometimes people miskey their email address and end up NOT getting all these emails. If someone you know is signed up for the marathon and is missing out, tell him or her to send me an email and I'll fix their address. (I was going to put something here like, "If you don't get this email, please let me know," but that would just be silly.)
Keep an eye on the countdown clock on our website. But don't get nervous. Get MOTIVATED.
and the adventure continues....
Don Kern
www.grandrapidsmarathon.com
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Re: Did somebody say "Winged Monkeys"???
Yeah, that's right, it's hot!!
That's no excuse though. Beat the heat by running indoors, getting up really early in the morning, jumping in the pool after a run. Or you can just get some smug satisfaction by mentioning in an off-hand manner that "I just got done running 8 miles" during one of these 97 degree days.
OK, you guys in Arizona would think a 97 degree day was downright balmy, but then I hear yours is a "dry" heat.
No matter how much the weather sucks though, we're all in this thing together. And in October, we'll all get together and celebrate each other's victories here in Grand Rapids.
Check out this week's marathon minute too at marathonminute.com. There's winged monkeys in it, so it can't be all bad.
It's 97 degrees. I'm headed out for a run.
and the adventure continues....
Don Kern
www.grandrapidsmarathon.com
That's no excuse though. Beat the heat by running indoors, getting up really early in the morning, jumping in the pool after a run. Or you can just get some smug satisfaction by mentioning in an off-hand manner that "I just got done running 8 miles" during one of these 97 degree days.
OK, you guys in Arizona would think a 97 degree day was downright balmy, but then I hear yours is a "dry" heat.
No matter how much the weather sucks though, we're all in this thing together. And in October, we'll all get together and celebrate each other's victories here in Grand Rapids.
Check out this week's marathon minute too at marathonminute.com. There's winged monkeys in it, so it can't be all bad.
It's 97 degrees. I'm headed out for a run.
and the adventure continues....
Don Kern
www.grandrapidsmarathon.com
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