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Experience the Lower Potomac River Marathon
By George Banker
Piney Point, MD
January 24, 2012
For the Washington Running Report
Going into year eight the Chesapeake Bay Running Club and the Paul Hall Center will present the 8th Lower Potomac River Marathon on Sunday, March 11, 2012 with a start time of 7:15 a.m. The race course will close at 1:00 p.m. (A time limit of 5 hours 45 minutes, 13:10 per mile pace). The marathon relay has been eliminated.
The certified race course (out and back, loop) will start at the Paul Hall Center, Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship. The course offers a variety of flat and rolling hills (second half of course) with views of the Lower Potomac River from St. George Island and Piney Point. The race is a Boston qualifier. The race is a benefit for the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and the Chesapeake Bay Field Lab.
Registration through January 31st is $50, February 1-15, 2012 is $55, February 16-29 is $60, March 1-9, 2012 is $65, and race day (if available) is $70. Each runner will receive a commemorative wicking t-shirt and finisher’s medal. There will be a first class post race hot buffet to all runners provided by the culinary staff at the Paul Hall Center. Showers are available at the Center. There are NO pets allowed in the Center.
Daylight saving time starts at 2:00 a.m. on March 11th so do not forget to advance your clocks by one hour on Saturday, March 10th before you turn in for the evening. We want to see you at the start on time.
Packet pick up will be held on Saturday, March 10th at the Paul Hall Center, Harry Lundeburg School of Seamanship 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Race day pick up will be 6:00 – 7:00 a.m.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers (male and female) overall: $250-$150-$100
Full race details: http://www.cbrcmd.org/
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Liza Recto at lizalasagna@hotmail.com or by phone at 301-863-8431.
The St. George Island Inn and Suites is the official host hotel. The waterfront hotel is located on St. George Island, just over one mile from the start. Visit their Web site www.stgeorgeislandinnandsuites.com or call 301-994-1234.
The event records:
Open
2010 Paul Riley-28 2:31:28 Madison, WI
2011 Karen Meraw-25 2:58:25 Shelby Township, MI
Master
2007 John Piggott-41 2:33:05 Williamsburg, VA
2006 Julie Porter-46 3:19:56 Natrona Heights, PA
Top 2011 Winners:
Open
Michael Wardian-36 2:34:56 Arlington, VA
Karsten Brown-36 2:41:49 Front Royal, VA
John Piggott-45 2:44:20 Williamsburg, VA
Karen Meraw-25 2:58:25 Shelby Township, MI
Rebecca Jo Gallaher-36 3:20:03 Gambrills, MD
Lindsey Hein-27 3:24:05 Indianapolis, IN
The top three winning female times in the history of the race
2011 Karen Meraw 2:58:25 Shelby Township, MI
2009 Danielle Hochschild 3:09:24 Raleigh, NC
2010 Lindsay Wohlers 3:13:45 Hyattsville, MD
Runner comments from MarthonGuide.com
“The course has a lot of waterfront scenery for the first 10 miles before it goes inland up some noticeable hills. The layout allows you to see faster and slower runners multiple times. I gave it 4 stars because I would have preferred getting the hills out of the way first and to enjoy the scenic portion for the end. It had rained a few days prior to the race, so I was a little concerned when I saw some of the roads flooded on St. George Island the day before the race. The fog was bad the day before the race as well, so I wasn't sure how much of the surrounding country I would get to see. Medal is a nice design. Post-race meal was excellent (pasta, jambalaya, salad, cookies - I really enjoyed the sweet tea and went back for several refills). And the ability to take a post-race shower was heavenly, with plenty of hot water. Soap and towels were available,” stated D.P. of Brookfield, WI. (2010).
“The race couldn't have been much better. The course was particularly nice during the first half of the race - along the water for parts of it. Registration was quick and efficient. The t-shirt, the finisher's medal, the ability to take a shower afterwards, and the post-race meal were all excellent perks. I emailed the race director, Liza, and her response was prompt and informative. Thank you to Liza for putting on such a great little race! For those folks looking to do 50 states, add this one to your list. It was cool seeing a new world record in person. The winner of the race ran a 2:36 with a Spider Man outfit on... mask and all. For a race this small, there was a good mix of racing abilities. This one is not to be missed. A special thanks to the folks at the Paul Hall Center and Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship for their hospitality to all the runners and spectators,” stated S.K. of Sterling Heights, MI (2011).
The Chesapeake Bay Running Club displays that small marathon atmosphere which gives the runner the opportunity to concentrate on running and having the support required to make it an easy run. You get the winner treatment for just crossing the finish line. Special thanks to Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship, St. Mary’s County Recreation and Parks and our sponsors, Michelob Ultra, 42 Lines, and others.
Hope to see you on the start line. Full race details: http://www.cbrcmd.org/