A Marathon is not Enough: Dean Karnazes to Run 100 Miles to L.A. and Then Run the L.A. Marathon
Running one marathon is plenty for most people, but not Dean Karnazes.
The 46-year-old ultra-marathoner who grew up in Southern California will return – on foot – to run in the 2009 Los Angeles Marathon next Monday on Memorial Day, May 25, by running approximately 100 miles from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles on Saturday and Sunday!
“I’m an L.A. native, so I feel a certain affinity for the L.A. Marathon and I so look forward to running it every year,” he said on a video posted on YouTube on May 9. “In fact, one of my fondest memories ever is my Dad running the L.A. Marathon; he ran the inaugural L.A. Marathon and I was there to watch him cross that finish line. It left an impression on me forever.
“So the weekend of the L.A. Marathon, I’m actually going to be staying in Santa Barbara. It’s about 100 miles from Santa Barbara where I’m staying to the L.A. Marathon, so I’ll take off about 24 hours in advance to run the 100 miles. I’ll run right down the Pacific Coast Highway, right along the coast. It will be extremely beautiful, so I look forward to that. I’ll run to the Expo, actually, on Sunday and I’m going to give a talk, so if anyone wants to come listen to me talk, I’ll be at the Expo on Sunday afternoon and then I’ll probably kick about and run the Marathon with everyone on Monday. It seems like a great weekend.”
Karnazes will appear at free-to-the-public Run/Ex/09 at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. to share his experience of running down the coast over the prior 24 hours.
“My earliest recollection of running was running home from kindergarten,” he noted. “I started running at six years old.” He recalled that he ran his first marathon at age 14, but then gave it up as he matured, graduating from San Clemente High School and then majoring in food science technology at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
“I found myself in a bar on my 30th birthday,” he remembered in the video. “I said to my buddies at 11 o’clock at night, ‘I’m going to go running tonight. I’m going to run 30 miles to celebrate my 30th birthday.’ And they said, ‘You’re drunk,’ and I said, ‘Yeah, I am, but I’m still going to do it.’ So I walked out of a bar at 11 at night and literally ran all night long.” That marked his return to running and he’s been on the roads ever since. “You really stretch the boundaries of the human spirit and human endurance,” he said, noting that he’s run as much as 350 miles non-stop.
Asked how many marathons he’s run, he replies that, “I stopped counting at 100; I don’t think I’ve quite run 200.” But he respects the distance and the effort required, “Completing a marathon is an incredible achievement; it’s something that 99.9% of people will never do.”
Karnazes, who lives in Marin County, isn’t planning on resting much after Monday’s L.A. Marathon, though. He’ll be on the road to race again in San Diego the next weekend.
For more information on the Los Angeles Marathon, visit www.lamarathon.com
For more information on the Acura L.A. Bike Tour, visit www.acuraLAbiketour.com
“We inspire athletes and connect communities. Anchored by the iconic Los Angeles Marathon, our three sporting events draw more than 25,000 athletes, 5,000 volunteers, and one million spectators along the route to sunny Southern California for the L.A. Marathon, the Acura L.A. Bike Tour, and our 5K Run/Walk, making race day one of the world’s largest days of participatory sport.”
~ Russ Pillar, President, Los Angeles Marathon
Source: L.A. Marathon
Full Calendar of Activities for 24th Los Angeles Marathon This Memorial Day Weekend
Runners, cyclists, fans and anyone interested in fitness will have plenty to see and do during the Memorial Day weekend leading up to the 24th Los Angeles Marathon to be held for the first time on Memorial Day, May 25. Coming up:
Saturday, May 23: Run/Ex/09
One of the largest racing expositions in the world, Run/Ex/09, will open in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. More than 140 exhibitors will offer innovative demonstrations and state-of-the-art products and services on running, health, fitness and lifestyle improvement on more than four acres of floor space. Saturday hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and admission is free.
Saturday, May 23: The Carbo Load
The traditional pre-race Carbo Load dinner will be held for the first time at the ESPN Zone at L.A. Live, a short walk from the Run/Ex/09 site at the Convention Center. Tickets are $25 per person and seating is extremely limited.
Sunday, May 24: Run/Ex/09
The final day of Run/Ex/09 is the last chance to register for the 2009 Los Angeles Marathon or the Acura L.A. Bike Tour (no race-day registration) or the Los Angeles Marathon 5k Run/Walk (for which there will be race-day registration). Sunday’s Run/Ex/09 hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission is free.
Monday, May 25: Los Angeles Marathon XXIV
The Los Angeles Marathon will be held for the first time on Memorial Day, with more than 35,000 participants expected to run, cycle and walk in the Marathon, Acura L.A. Bike Tour or the 5k Run/Walk.
Start times:
5:00 a.m.: Acura L.A. Bike Tour start
6:55 a.m.: Los Angeles Marathon wheelchair participant start
7:00 a.m.: Los Angeles Marathon hand-cycle start
7:07 a.m.: Los Angeles Marathon elite women’s start
7:24 a.m.: Los Angeles Marathon field start
8:30 a.m.: Los Angeles Marathon 5k Run/Walk start
8:50 a.m.: Springfield Kids Marathon start
9:45 a.m.: Awards presentation at the Los Angeles Central Library
Street closures in the downtown Los Angeles area will begin about 5:20 a.m. with all streets re-opened by 5:20 p.m.
Monday, May 25: Los Angeles Marathon Finish Line Festival
Beginning with a giant screen showing the live KNBC race broadcast, the annual Finish Line Festival will begin at 7 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m. at Flower and 3rd Streets in downtown Los Angeles. Live entertainment will be offered on the K-EARTH Stage beginning at 10:30 a.m., with the Michelob Ultra Beer Garden close by plus two dozen sponsor and exhibit booths, including the Family Reunion Area.
Admission to the Finish Line Festival is free.
For more information on the Los Angeles Marathon, visit www.lamarathon.com
For more information on the Acura L.A. Bike Tour, visit www.acuraLAbiketour.com
“We inspire athletes and connect communities. Anchored by the iconic Los Angeles Marathon, our three sporting events draw more than 42,000 athletes, 12,000 volunteers, and one million spectators along the route to sunny Southern California for the L.A. Marathon, the Acura L.A. Bike Tour, and our 5K Run/Walk for Charity, making race day one of the world’s largest days of participatory sport.”
~ Russ Pillar, President, Los Angeles Marathon, L.L.C.
Source: Los Angeles Marathon, L.L.C.
56-Year-Old Grandmother Heads to Antarctica to Run Her Seventh Worldwide Marathon in Under a Year
Compassionate Runner, Linda Quirk, Nationally Known for Her Quest to Raise One Million Dollars for Charity, Makes a Request for More Donations on www.Run7on7.com
At 56, Linda Quirk has undergone an amazing journey – seven marathons across seven continents in just under a year. She began her trek across the globe by running the Boston Marathon in April 2008 and has since gone on to run the Great Wall of China, Easter Island, Kenya (Safaricom), Reykjavik, and Melbourne marathons. Now she’s heading to Antarctica to run along its freezing glaciers on March 10, for what will be her seventh and final continent on her mission.
“I can’t believe it’s finally here,” says Linda Quirk. “This past year has been a whirlwind with national media, sponsorships and the support of so many incredible people.”
Linda’s goal has always been to help raise one million dollars for Caron Treatment Center’s addiction scholarship program that helps families in need get access to treatment at Caron. At close to $250,000, Linda has been able to reach a quarter of her goal, but in this economic climate, she sees this as a success.
“It’s been tough,” said Linda Quirk. “This is why we’re asking people to part with whatever they can afford, because even a little goes a long way. For example, the $250,000 raised thus far will help us put more than 20 people through Caron’s innovative treatment. People just like my stepdaughter Katherine who we almost lost to a methamphetamine addiction forever.”
Caron is a nonprofit addiction treatment center that helps those affected by alcohol and drugs and their families begin a new life. Linda’s stepdaughter, Katherine, began her journey from methamphetamine addiction to recovery at Caron Renaissance in Florida, something Linda is forever grateful for. In fact, five members of Caron’s staff have run alongside her to support this momentous initiative.
“We are honored by Linda’s efforts on Caron’s behalf,” says Missy Orlando, Executive Vice President, of Communications and Marketing at Caron Treatment Centers. “Linda’s worldwide mission, and her stepdaughter’s successful recovery, has been an inspiration to all of us.”
To document her mission, Linda launched www.Run7on7.com, a captivating Web site that has been following her adventure around the globe with video footage, media highlights and more while accepting the much-needed scholarship donations.
Linda’s been sharing the experience of helping a loved one overcome their chemical dependency on www.Run7on7.com and in public forums where she hopes to inform other families that addiction doesn’t discriminate but that there is hope for a successful recovery. Linda is also beginning the groundwork for a national recovery movement and will be making a special announcement about her plans to continue her mission to raise one million dollars for Caron sometime after Antarctica.
Physically, Linda is a far cry from your typical 56-year-old grandmother of three. She’s a trained runner who has participated in multiple marathons and triathlons around the world including Big Sur, Alaska and Berlin. She has also completed numerous extreme races including many Ironman full, half and Olympic distance triathlons, including: Ironman Florida, Long Course Worlds in Sweden, Ironman Lanzarote, Ironman World Championships, Kona, Hawaii and Ironman 70.3 Worlds in Clearwater, Florida.
To help get the word out and to support her mission, Linda has partnered with BP Products North America Inc. and SkirtSports. Currently, Linda – a member of BP’s “Team Invigorate” – is speaking on behalf of BP gasoline with Invigorate, a unique formula that helps cars run “younger for longer.” For more information about BP gasoline with Invigorate and Team Invigorate, visit bpinvigorate.com.
To learn more about Linda Quirk’s incredible story or to make a donation to her cause, log onto www.Run7on7.com.
John Hancock Financial Announces Top Contenders for 2009 Boston Marathon
2008 Chicago Winners, Olympians, and Additional Talent Join the Elite Team to Challenge Defending Champions
John Hancock Financial announced that the top contenders for the Boston Marathon this year include an elite group of Olympians, top Americans and international marathon winners. These athletes will challenge four-time winner Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya and defending women’s champion Dire Tune of Ethiopia at the 113th running of the race on April 20.
The top male contenders include 2008 Chicago champion Evans Cheruiyot of Kenya, Olympian and 2009 Houston winner Deriba Merga of Ethiopia, and top American and Olympian Ryan Hall.
Evans Cheruiyot ran to a 2:06:25 commanding lead in an unseasonably hot Chicago this past fall and in 2007 won the Milan City Marathon in his debut.
Merga shattered the 20-year-old Houston course record by more than two minutes in January, and he placed fourth in the Beijing Olympic Marathon.
Hall’s efforts last year included a 2:06:17 run in London and a tenth place in the Olympic Marathon. He is the American half-marathoner record holder and currently the fastest American marathoner.
Added to John Hancock’s elite team and chasing the trio are Daniel Rono of Kenya, with seven top-three finishes in international marathons, including third in New York City last year; Robert Kiprono (Cheruiyot) of Kenya, who debuted last year with a 2:07:21 course record in Frankfurt and Gashaw Asfaw of Ethiopia, who was first in Shanghai, seventh at the Olympic Marathon and fourth in Boston in 2008.
American Olympian Brian Sell will also challenge, as will American Jason Lehmkuhle. Sell has experience in Boston, having finished fourth in 2006, and Lehmkuhle brings potential with a fifth at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.
Additional men returning with experience are 2004 Boston champion Timothy Cherigat and 2007 third place finisher Stephen Kiogora, both of Kenya. Newcomers on the course include 2008 JoongAng Seoul Marathon winner Solomon Molla of Ethiopia, Lee Troop of Australia, and debut marathoner Abebe Dinkesa of Ethiopia.
In the women’s race, defending champion Dire Tune of Ethiopia will face 2008 Chicago and 2007 Boston champion Lidiya Grigoryeva of Russia, as well as her teammates Galina Bogolomova, the Russian national record holder (2:20:47), and Olympic steeplechaser and World Championships silver medalist Tatyana Petrova.
Also in contention for the win are 2009 Dubai winner Bezunesh Bekele of Ethiopia, seasoned marathoner and Olympian Salina Kosgei of Kenya, and leading American Kara Goucher. In New York City this past fall, Goucher ran the fastest American debut of all time recording a 2:25:53 over the challenging course. She also competed in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the Beijing Olympic Games, finishing ninth and tenth respectively.
Chasing these women are Helena Kirop of Kenya, third in Berlin the past two years; Atsede Habtamu of Ethiopia, runner up in her debut in Dubai this year; Alice Timbilili of Kenya and American and two-time Olympian Elva Dryer.
John Hancock, now in its 24th year as the major sponsor of the Boston Marathon, will announce its complete international elite team in March.
Source: John Hancock Financial Services
Registration Now Open for the Inaugural December 6, 2009 Santa Barbara International Marathon
Scenic Event Boasts Boston Qualifying Status and Mediterranean-Like Climates
The organizers behind the inaugural Santa Barbara International Marathon are pleased to announce registration is now open to the public and available at www.sbimarathon.com.
“This marathon offers a breathtaking, scenic course and the opportunity for runners from all over the world to qualify for the Boston Marathon’s 2010 and 2011 race seasons,” says Santa Barbara International Marathon, LLC., chief organizer Rusty Snow. “We couldn’t be more excited to launch this great event.”
Starting December 4-6, 2009 the Santa Barbara International Marathon has three incredible days planned, including: the Marathon, Children’s Festival, Corporate and People’s Relays, Lecture Series (featuring two time Olympic Marathoner Ed Eyestone) and a Health and Fitness Expo.
Located in Southern California and nicknamed “The American Riviera,” Santa Barbara has long been the home of world-class sporting events, including the AVP Pro Tour and the Tour of California. Voted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of 2009′s “Distinctive Destinations,” Santa Barbara boasts over 300 days of sunshine, Mediterranean-like climates and is considered a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
This inaugural event expects to draw 5,000 runners who will receive outstanding support from 1,000 volunteers and 15,000 spectators on a course peppered with exquisite scenery, Californian vistas, gorgeous mountains and a breathtaking coastline. Organizers of this event are confident it will become one of the top 10 marathons in the world within the next five years.
For more information or to register visit www.sbimarathon.com. For interview requests or sponsorship information contact Mitch Delaplane at mitch@pitchpointpr.com.
Source: Santa Barbara International Marathon