Post by kevinspradlin on Apr 26, 2008 17:19:37 GMT -5
Anybody ever considered coordinating a marathon in Allegany or Garrett counties (or a combination thereof)?
I know it'd be an ordeal, but ... wow, what an opportunity to show off some of the aesthetically pleasing views in the area. Fall, of course, might be the best time to show off those views.
While top flight runners such as Jaron, Dave, Jeremy & Jim commit annually to other competitive endeavors, I wonder what interest there might be in having one "for the rest of us?"
Before I entertain the idea of moving forward with this in 2009 or beyond in the first of an initital race committee meeting, let's talk here a bit about:
1. Has it been done before? If so, why'd it stop?
2. Has it been considered before? If so, why'd it never happen?
3. What would be some pitfalls you could think of to have a Western Maryland marathon?
4. What are some draws, or advantages or benefits, to have such a race?
5. Would it make sense to include 1 or more of the following, for a festival-type environment? - half-marathon, 10K, 5K, kids run.
6. Do you feel it'd be more of a draw if the race had a "cause" that it would benefit?
7. When to schedule it. Wouldn't want to conflict with the fall marathons (if a fall event) such as Marine Corps, Johnstown, Baltimore or NCR Trail marathons. In Spring, wouldn't want to conflict with National (in D.C.), Frederick (early May), among others, or the JFK ultra the third weekend in November. So, what's a good time?
For those concerned about a lack of interest, consider local history. The first JFK 50-miler (www.jfk50mile.org/HistoryStuff.htm) started in neighboring Washington County in the SPRING of 1963. There were only 10 hearty souls at the starting line and only 4 made it to the finish.
Forty-four years later, the race is the only original Kennedy-inspired 50-miler around. In November 2007, the race celebrated its [glow=red,2,300]largest number of finishers yet: 1,079[/glow].
I know it'd be an ordeal, but ... wow, what an opportunity to show off some of the aesthetically pleasing views in the area. Fall, of course, might be the best time to show off those views.
While top flight runners such as Jaron, Dave, Jeremy & Jim commit annually to other competitive endeavors, I wonder what interest there might be in having one "for the rest of us?"
Before I entertain the idea of moving forward with this in 2009 or beyond in the first of an initital race committee meeting, let's talk here a bit about:
1. Has it been done before? If so, why'd it stop?
2. Has it been considered before? If so, why'd it never happen?
3. What would be some pitfalls you could think of to have a Western Maryland marathon?
4. What are some draws, or advantages or benefits, to have such a race?
5. Would it make sense to include 1 or more of the following, for a festival-type environment? - half-marathon, 10K, 5K, kids run.
6. Do you feel it'd be more of a draw if the race had a "cause" that it would benefit?
7. When to schedule it. Wouldn't want to conflict with the fall marathons (if a fall event) such as Marine Corps, Johnstown, Baltimore or NCR Trail marathons. In Spring, wouldn't want to conflict with National (in D.C.), Frederick (early May), among others, or the JFK ultra the third weekend in November. So, what's a good time?
For those concerned about a lack of interest, consider local history. The first JFK 50-miler (www.jfk50mile.org/HistoryStuff.htm) started in neighboring Washington County in the SPRING of 1963. There were only 10 hearty souls at the starting line and only 4 made it to the finish.
Forty-four years later, the race is the only original Kennedy-inspired 50-miler around. In November 2007, the race celebrated its [glow=red,2,300]largest number of finishers yet: 1,079[/glow].