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Baltimore Running Festival: 10-Timers Share Memories, Advice
By Brenda Barrera
September/October 2010
A decade. It's a milestone. When you start running, the word "ten" is association with 10-minute miles or ran a 10K and conquered 10 miles. For race organizers, 10 years marks a major accomplishment of staying afloat in radically changing times both financially and with new technology. We salute not only the race organizers, runners, and countless volunteers who have made the Baltimore Running Festival a success, and wish them well in an event that is sure to flourish in the years to come.
To have the bragging rights to say, "Oh yeah, have run all 10 Baltimore marathons!" is quite a coup. Once you become a member of this select club, it's not only an honor but also presents a challenge---who wants to write in his logbook the streak ended? The 10-time marathoners noted below have no intention of stopping their streak. Read on as they share some special memories and helpful advice---after all, tackling this race 10 consecutive years means they know what they're talking about.
GARY ANDERSON (Spring Grove, PA)
This was my first marathon and I have been hooked ever since. The first year was a rather tortuous course, especially for a neophyte like me. I knew I was never going to win, but wanted to prove I could finish. Each year is always a pleasure and for fun I run in a kilt and am motivated by the cheering spectators, "Go kilt man . . . go Braveheart!"
HUGH SKIPP CARR (Westminster, MD)
I began running about 20 years ago as a means to stay fit and keep my weight in check. I ran the race the first year with my father, Hugh Carr Sr. and we both did pretty well. Each year we looked forward to see the old "characters," like the guy in the tiger suit near mile 20 who dances on top of a car with "Eye of the Tiger" booming from a stereo . . . and the two "Hon girls" who dress in colorful outfits with the beehive hairdos . . . and the guys who set up the beer stand featuring Baltimore's own National Boh. I always take the time to stop for those.
MATT GROOM (Laurel, MD)
Prior to deciding to run the first Baltimore Marathon, my farthest run had been the 10K Constellation Classic in 1990. I did the marathon thanks to a challenge from Mike Dee, a former Marine. We were at a neighborhood party and I asked how far a marathon was to which he responded "26.2 miles." I asked how someone could run that far. Mike's response was to get in my face and say, "It's not that hard, you just keep on running!" I was intrigued. He showed up at my door the next day with "The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer" and as he handed the book to me he said, "No pressure." The challenge was on. There was no way I was going to have the neighborhood Marine calling me out at every gathering as the big sissy who decided not to try.
My goal is to run as many of these in a row until my body can't make it anymore. I always remember the phrase "No pain, no gain;" but the USMC's, "Pain is weakness leaving the body," is always an encouraging mantra. When it comes to keeping a streak alive, training is optional, but finishing is mandatory.
GINA KEATING (Annandale, VA)
What keeps me coming back each year is that my best friend Kathy Sulik is committed to doing it with me. So, my advice to others is to find a good friend to train with and make running together at least once a week a priority.
About five years ago during this marathon Kathy and I were running together when I told her to go on ahead because I needed to go slower and be by myself. She did not want to leave me, but I did not want to hold her back. She was mad that I kept insisting to go ahead. Kathy never swears but she swore at me; yet, before moving on, she handed me a baggy with care-kit supplies (ibuprofen, tissues, etc.). I never come prepared with the right things and Kathy always has all the right supplies and made sure I had this if I needed it. I am so very lucky to have her as my best friend and have grown to care about her through our mutual love of running. We have run a number of other marathons, but we love Baltimore the best.
JIM LAPOINTE (Wilmington, DE)
Each year, I run the race with my good friend Joe Goodrick. It has become a tradition. Although finding the time to train is difficult, neither of us wants to be the first to throw in the towel. We encourage each other during training and the congrats we share at the end of the race are a true symbol of our friendship.
Here's a funny memory from 2002. It was a horrendous run due to limited training. I was walking near mile 16 or 17 when a woman sitting on her porch called out to me (in a wonderfully raspy Kim Carnes voice), "Come on #1299, there is no walking on this street." That got me moving.
My Advice:
1. Do not start counting the number of miles to go until it is single digits. Just run. Although I have my 4-hour goal, I don't look at my watch every mile.
2. Stay calm as you run through the Inner Harbor at mile 6/7 and mile 13. Yes, the cheering feels great, but you still have a ways to go. Don't go overboard. Save your kick for when you leave Camden Yards.
3. Smile and thank the fans and police as you run.
DENNIS MCGINLEY (Arnold, MD)
When I heard that the Baltimore Marathon was going to happen in 2001, I immediately knew that I wanted to run it. I also vowed at that time to run every year for as long as I could, to see if I could outlast everyone else from that inaugural year.
If you ask anyone who ran in 2001, the course was about as difficult as you can imagine. Since then, adding the finish down Eutaw Street through Camden Yards was probably the best decision, along with adding Fort McHenry. The biggest difference over the past ten years is the crowd support. There are not many places along the course where there are no spectators and the numbers increase every year, particularly along the finishing stretch through Lexington Market all the way down Eutaw to the finish line.
JANET NOVAK (Linthicum, MD)
(Ed note: Janet, who is the Senior Director of Volunteer Management for Special Olympics Maryland, has been the Volunteer Coordinator since 2001)
Over the past 10 years we have enjoyed an increase in volunteers from all walks of life and life stages. Volunteers from the immediate Baltimore City vicinity become engaged to help promote the city to runners and their families. Family members of runners have also become involved as volunteers, enabling them to truly become part of the Baltimore Running Festival experience.
PETER O'NEILL (Lutherville, MD)
I have two distinct memories that stand out. In one of the earlier races, my wife taped my name (Pete) on my singlet. As I came near a group of cheerleaders, they launched into a cheer and dance of "Go Pete, Go Pete, Go Pete!" The other memory was from 2005 toward the last couple of miles, near Howard Street. I noticed the light rail train slowing to a stop. The door opened and my wife was with my 1-year-old daughter and son. They yelled to me to keep going. The doors shut and they met me at the finish line. What are the odds of that happening? The timing was perfect.
For new runners, I would just counsel patience. It takes 16 weeks of work to get you to the start line. For the guys---don't forget band-aids for your nipples.
CLAY SHAW (York, PA)
(Ed note: Clay has not run the race all 10 years, but he's been the elite athlete coordinator)
When I started in 2001 as elite athlete coordinator there was a modest amount of prize money and one of the sponsors, Fila, would bring in a couple of their sponsored runners. It started as a handful of journeymen Kenyan marathoners and locally based women elite marathoners.
Since Under Armour has become a sponsor, the elite purse and elite fields have deepened immensely. Nowadays, I turn away three times as many elites as I accept. I am proud of the way our elite fields have performed over the past few years, yielding Maryland records, course records, and the marathon is recognized internationally, and makes for good TV on WBAL.
MICHAEL SHILLING (Perrineville, NJ)
I ran Baltimore in 2001 because I got closed out of the Marine Corps Marathon. The 2010 edition will be my 56th marathon, having run in 37 states. This race is a streak for me and I plan to do it as long as I can---last runner standing or, shall I say, running.
The first Baltimore Marathon was held just 30 days after the World Trade Center crumbled to the ground, the Pentagon was pierced, and heroes brought down a 3rd stray flight in Pennsylvania. If you look at the inaugural shirt, an American flag logo is on the front. I wear this shirt every year to the Expo to remind me of the inaugural run and those that died on September 11.
CORY SORICE (Towson, MD)
When this race started, I wanted to break a personal goal of sub 4-hours, which seemed to be the split between a serious marathoner and the rest of the pack. I did reach that mark.
My advice for first timers is to find a training program and talk to people about this course. Baltimore might be considered as a hard course, but for those that are interested in running around the harbor and seeing this great town, it is a worthy event.
KATHY SULIK (Burke, VA)
Every marathon is slightly different, but Baltimore offers its own experience. The hills are tough, but the crowd support is wonderful. The police force that monitors the course is the best that I have seen in any marathon--friendly and supportive. Another 10-timer is my best friend, Gina Keating. Her support during our training runs and the marathons has been invaluable. Training together helps me get through the long hours on the road. Advice I'd give for first timers is train for hills, but have fun. This is about finishing not necessarily finishing fast. Everyone who completes the race is a winner!
BRUCE SWANSON (Baltimore, MD)
Baltimore will be my 111th marathon. It is the only marathon that I have run a number of times and continue to do so because it is my hometown. What is different from 10 years ago? I am probably in a small minority, but I really liked the course the first year the best.
MIKE TROTT (Joppa, MD)
I started doing the marathon as a dare from my mother-in-law. I hadn't done one since the 1987 Marine Corps Marathon and then "someone" made a comment that I couldn't do them anymore. Well, big mistake. I like a challenge so I started training. In addition, I had lost my brother, Garry, several years before to a brain tumor. I felt that all the pain and preparation to run the marathon was nothing compared to what I had seen him go through. After finishing the first year I set a goal to do each one for as long as I felt comfortable doing them.
The biggest improvement, in my opinion, has been the Fort McHenry loop. The shirts have greatly improved also, from the old cotton Comcast to the new technical Under Armour shirts.
Brenda Barrera is the Managing Editor of Washington Running Report: The Runner's Source for DC, MD and VA. Look in the Nov/Dec issue for race coverage.