In 2008 we had the first running of the Rocky Mount Marathon. Quite honestly, participation was marginal at best. Probably 10 folks toed the starting line. In the end, Arthur Bennett finished the 1/2 Marathon with the best 13.1 mile time, and I managed to hang on and cross the finish line of the 26.2 mile event in first place.
Okay . . . Arthur was the only one to complete the 13.1 mile event . . . and I was the only finisher of the 26.2 mile event. Still, crossing the finish line first is a win!
(Picture shows the crowd going wild as I cross the finish line for the win!)
Fast forward to 2009 and the second running of the Rocky Mount Marathon. Excitement was high, as there were at least twice as many starting the race as in 2008.
For 2009 we opted to not have a 1/2 marathon event. But we did add a 50k event. With temperatures remaining in the high 30s or low 40s, runners had a terrific day for running. In the end, Dave Lavely managed to eek out the marathon win and yours truly finished first in the 50k.
Okay . . . Dave was the only runner that braved the cold conditions to finish the marathon and ditto for me in the 50k. Still . . . the way I see it . . . if you cross the finish line first . . . YOU WIN! (Notice we have not mentioned finish times here. Since the event was not "chip timed" we opted to ignore times totally . . . if you can't be accurate, then say nothing!)
Okay, move now to 2010 . . . the dawning of a new decade.
We opted to vastly increase the marketing of this event. Since the Saturday before, snow forced the cancellation of the Myrtle Beach Marathon and the local Sweetheart 5k, the race committee (me) voted unamiously to go to great lengths to notify others of this year's Rocky Mount Marathon and 50k. Plus, we opted to add back the 1/2 marathon option. At this point, the committee has mixed feeling about slow registrations for 2010. On the negative side, the committee hoped for more interest and excitement about this low-cost option (cost being $0!). But on the positive side we are excited that likey the course won't be too congested and hamper the effort of yours truly to finish as a winner for the third consecutive year.
Stay tuned . . .
the way I see it . . . if you cross the finish line first . . . YOU WIN! (Notice we have not mentioned finish times here. Since the event was not "chip timed" we opted to ignore times totally . . . if you can't be accurate, then say nothing!)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely 100% agree with that philosophy, (especially the bit in bold). ;)
Thanks for putting it together Frank, great company and a great way to spend a Saturday.