Virgin London Marathon 2011: 35 new Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, the official authority on record-breaking, confirmed that 35 new Guinness World Records were achieved at the 2011 Virgin London Marathon; more than at any time in the event’s history. 150 runners were provided with on-the-spot verification as they attempted to break records ranging from the Fastest Marathon Juggling a Football to the Most Rubik’s Cubes Solved Whilst Running a Marathon.
Superman, AKA David Stone from Exmouth in Devon, flew through the finish line in a time of 2 hours 42 minutes and 46 seconds, smashing the record for the Fastest Marathon Dressed as a Superhero in the process. Hot on his heels was Sheffield’s Jon Morgan who, dressed as Fred Flintstone, recorded a time of 2hours 46minuted and 59seconds breaking the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Marathon Dressed as a Cartoon Character.
Male runners wearing ‘female nurse’ uniform always go down well with the marathon spectators, but Kevin Harvey, a 36 year-old physiotherapist from Birmingham, proved no laughing matter with a finish time of 2hours 52minutes and 26seconds, breaking the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Marathon in a Nurse’s Uniform. Arguably the most impressive run on the day came from Carl Creasey who attempted the Fastest Marathon Carrying 60 lb pack. A Sergeant serving in the Royal Marines, Carl from Ipswich achieved an agonising new record in a time of 4hours 50minutes and 56seconds.
Marathon stalwart John Sandford Hart from Mudeford achieved two Guinness World Records with Fastest Marathon Completed on Crutches – one leg (6h 24m 48s) and Most Marathons Completed on Crutches (6). Read more
Philadelphia’s Get Your Rear in Gear Registration Booming
The Greater Philadelphia Region is looking forward to more than twice the attendance at Philadelphia’s third annual Get Your Rear In Gear, presented by the Stop Colon Cancer Now Campaign, new 10K and 5K Run/Walk to be held in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Martin Luther King Drive (AKA West River Drive) on Sunday, March 20, 2011. To date, more than 2,000 participants are registered and the number is growing daily.
Organized by Mount Laurel, NJ resident and PCVB Sales Director Maria Grasso, this annual event is part of awareness and fund-raising efforts during March, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Both survivors and those lost to colorectal cancer will be honored. Grasso lost her own father and grandfather to the disease and hopes that more people will get the message how early detection can make a difference in survival.
“Statistics tell us that more than 150,000 are diagnosed every year and 50,000 do not survive,” said Grasso. ”Many of those people are from this region. We want to change those numbers.”
Stop Colon Cancer Now, a community of 200 outpatient surgery centers and more than 700 physicians specializing in digestive tract treatment, including the prevention of colon cancer, also returns as presenting sponsor. The centers are affiliated with AmSurg Corporation, America’s leader in specialized outpatient surgery centers.
At the event, those visiting the StopColonCancerNow.com tent to talk with doctors of Main Line Endoscopy Center West and Main Line Endoscopy Center South to get answers to questions about digestive health, colon cancer risk factors and the importance of screening. Visitors to the tent will be invited to schedule their screening. StopColonCancerNow.com has a goal of scheduling 100 at risk individuals for screening during the race. Former Philadelphia Eagle and colon cancer survivor Vince Papale will also be at the tent from 7:30-11:30 a.m. Read more
Honda LA Marathon Announces $4 Million Charity Challenge
Edward Norton, Crowdrise join effort to push race-related fundraising to new heights; Runners utilize social networking platform to raise money for charity
Marathon officials today unveiled an aggressive charity fundraising campaign designed to raise $4 million in connection with the March 20, 2011 Honda LA Marathon Presented by K-Swiss. Through a new partnership with Crowdrise, an innovative fundraising website launched in 2010, the Marathon is making it easier than ever for runners to support the charity of their choice as part of the largest fundraising effort in the Marathon’s 26-year history.
“Crowdrise is all about giving people the right tools to raise money for their favorite cause in a new, fun and compelling way,” said actor and activist Edward Norton, who founded the online platform. ”The Honda LA Marathon is an event that truly connects the entire city, and it has the potential to be an incredible fundraising force as well. We are thrilled to be on board this year to help unite the entire LA Marathon running community.”
The $4 million fundraising target would double charitable totals from the 2010 race – which was already the largest in the race’s first 25 years. The expanded charity program is in line with the vision of Marathon Owner Frank McCourt, who directed Marathon staff to make the charitable component of the race a much higher priority.
“The marathon is not only a great running event, it is a civic asset for all of Los Angeles, and an opportunity to do a lot of good for our community,” McCourt said. ”This partnership moves us one step closer to the day when every participant will raise funds for the charity of their choice.” Read more
70 Years Old and Still Running Strong
Dr. Joe Maroon, Neurosurgeon to Pittsburgh Steelers, Competes in Ford Ironman World Championship
70-year-old neurosurgeon Dr. Joe Maroon, MD, competed in the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii this past weekend, finishing in 15:40:31, cutting 17 minutes off his 2008 time. This was the 7th Ironman for Dr. Maroon, who credits his endurance to a healthy Mediterranean diet supplemented with D-Ribose, fish oil, resveratrol, COQ-10, alpha lipoic acid and Longevity Factor multi-vitamins, all available at GNC.
“I have been using D-ribose, green tea and grape seed extract in my water bottles for years,” says Dr. Maroon. “In addition to the COQ-10 and alpha lipoic acid, they restore cellular energy, respiration, cardiac and skeletal muscle function, particularly with high intensity workouts.”
Bioenergy markets the only patented brand of D-ribose, found in many energy and athletic performance functional foods and beverages. Bioenergy RIBOSE® stimulates the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the essential energy compound found in the body. Bioenergy Corvalen with D-ribose is available through professional experts nationwide.
Dr. Maroon, who performs about 450 operations per year, has noticed an improvement in his professional ability due to his diet and high level of physical activity. He explains, “This lifestyle enhances my surgical ability. Neurosurgery is an endurance event, too. There can be very lengthy operations that can take hours at a time.”
In addition to his work with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dr. Maroon is medical advisor to GNC and Nordic Naturals and ResVitale, and a member of the board of directors for Mylan Laboratories.
On Pace to Race: Injury Prevention for Marathon Runners
Orthopaedic surgeons offer safety tips just in time for major marathon in Chicago
On the brink of Chicago’s popular marathon, 45,000 marathon runners from all 50 states and more than 100 countries will turn corners and pick up their pace for the big race in October. But training for a 26.2-mile race is no easy feat, which is why it is so important to take precaution and keep your body in tow to prevent injury before, during and after the race. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) urges runners to follow a running regimen that suits their activity-level and to not overlook aches and pains, no matter how minor they may seem.
“Completing a marathon is a huge accomplishment, but what many people don’t realize is that just getting to the starting line is half the battle,” said Ron Noy, MD. “Many common overuse injuries, such as tendonitis, shin splints and stress fractures, which take runners out of the race, can be prevented. Have at least a year of consistent running under your belt before beginning marathon training and then find a progressive program that matches your skill level.” Read more