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I had heard about the Tupelo marathon and half-marathon for
years, but
wondered who would ever want to run such a race in late August
or early
September in Mississippi?
Apparently many people from all over the country think it is a
grand
idea; in fact, if my math is correct, the Tupelo Marathon is the
largest marathon in Mississippi with nearly 400 runners toeing
the
starting line in the pitch black darkness at 5:00 a.m.
Renee' and I realized a few months ago that we could work the
half
marathon (14.2 miles) into our training for the Marine Corps
Marathon
in October, so we signed up, figuring that the heat training
would be
good for us. We ran conservatively and had a great time. In many
ways the atmosphere of this race is more like an ultra with
people
chatting the whole way, sharing email addresses and recipes and
telling war stories about past races. We loved it and will be
back
again I suspect.
Many runners from other parts of the country choose this race
because
they can use it to knock off Mississippi from their 50 state
goal
list. The other Mississippi marathons come at times when it is
easier
to find marathons in other parts of the country.
There are many things to love about the Tupelo Marathon and 14.2
mile
half-marathon. The 5:00 a.m. start is great for us since we
begin
almost all of our runs at that time. That being said, getting up
at
3:30 a.m. is interesting, to say the least. But running an hour
in the
dark is one of life's great little pleasures, and, no, we don't
use
flashlights, although many runners do. The race is run on very
rural
roads, but the support is great. And who couldn't love a race
that
gives you a tee shirt with a skull and crossbones on it with the
motto
"Trample the Weak and Hurdle the Dead."
The medals were fantastic---full medals to the marathoners, and
half a
medal to each 14.2 mile finisher!
Chuck Engle (36) won the marathon in 2:37:45 with our own
Leonard
Vergunst (51) taking second in 2:51:08. Carolyn Koszalka (43)
led all
women in 3:18:18. If you don't think those times are amazing for
September 2nd in Mississippi then you haven't been spending
enough time
outside!
Race Report by Dow Ford
Pictures
1. Chuck Engle and Race Official
2. Leonard Vergunst has still got the wheels
3. Carolyn Koszalka won the women's race
4. The heat made some "adjust" their gear
5. Ike and Tina Turner after trampling weak runners and
hurdling
dead ones.
6. Tupelo runners take it seriously!
7. Loot and half medals |
