A Runner's Marathon

The Lower Potomac River Marathon was the smallest marathon that I have run. There were 155 finishers. It is a runner's marathon. I certainly have nothing against runners/walkers of all abilities taking part in any running event. In actuality, our society needs more of this. I am a mid-pack runner myself. However, there was something intimate about the LPRM. There was no hoopla, no rock 'n roll, no spectators, no goodie bags, no event merchandise, no bus rides to the start and no $19 pictures for purchase (volunteers took photos and posted to a Flikr site.) It was a marathon for runners who love to run, who love the purity of the sport. This is not to say that these folks are elite runners but more to say that they are committed runners (or maybe runners who should be committed!) Running a marathon is not a checklist item, it is a way of life for most of them, marathoners who see each other on the "circuit." They are people who have made friends running, get to share stories, and discuss the best and worst of marathons. Many of them are marathon maniacs and 50 staters. I had more chats and interactions during this marathon of 155 than I did during Phoenix's Rock 'n' Roll whose numbers were in the 35,000 range. The other difference in intimacy of the marathon is in directorship. Obviously, in the larger marathons the race director cannot respond with a personal message to each runner. Even in some of the smaller marathons, this doesn't happen. I was surprised to see a personal greeting and even an exchange of emails with the Race Director of the LPRM. During registration and post-race, she even remembered my name. Most of my favorite marathons have been smaller, intimate races held in tiny towns typically with great community support sometimes more than in the big cities. The views and courses have been genuinely wonderful as well. The LPRM was no different with views of the wispy inlets of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. The post-race buffet of pasta, salad and desserts prepared by the Paul Hall Center, Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship, Piney Point, MD was the best meal I have had after a marathon. A couple of my other favorite small marathons are the Adirondack Distance Festival in Lake Schroon, NY, Clarence Demar in Gilsum-Keene, NH and Cape Cod, MA. The LPRM will be added to this list. I don't mean to downplay the larger marathons because there is great energy and fantastic participation at these events even in poor economic times. I read an article in Runner's World that running appears to be recession-proof. The numbers have not appeared to have decreased with races still closing out to capacity. Whether the race is small, medium or large there is an uplift in the economy in and around the venue. When running in Birmingham, AL the restaurants that had been slow prior to the marathon had to put on extra staff during marathon weekend. Not only is there an uplift in the economy but I notice a genuine uplift in people's spirits during these events - the smiles, the laughter, the struggles, the joy of finishing. Maybe this is why the movie "The Spirit of the Marathon" is so appropriately titled.

So, now I sit in Atlanta Georgia amidst thunder and lightning awaiting the start of the ING Georgia Marathon tomorrow, my 6th this year, 27th state and 40th marathon overall and on my way to my 50th marathon on my 50th birthday at the Mardi Gras Marathon in New Orleans next February. The weather is going to pass and tomorrow will be another perfect day for running 26.2 miles with a spirited group of runners, volunteers and spectators. Yes, this is a big city marathon but the spirit still lives in the runners, organizers and sponsors whose money benefits multiple charities.