Rocks!! members William and Tawnecia Tai expanded their running horizons when they journeyed to Huntington Beach, California to compete in Surf City's distance events. Will took on the marathon while Tawnecia represented us in the half marathon (results here). Both performed admirably and apparently in somewhat iffy conditions. From the Organizers:

Congratulations Surf City Runners!

Thank you for participating in the 2008 Surf City USA (or should we call it "Soak City"? ) Marathon, Half Marathon, or 5K! Our largest field ever included runners from all 50 states and 15 foreign countries. Despite the challenging conditions, 27 runners qualified for the Timex Time to Beat Half Marathon Speed Bonus, with 4 men breaking last year's course record! Congratulations to all runners who competed on this unusually wild weather day!

Congratulations Tawnecia and Will

Sudbury's Third Hypothermic Half - February 2, 2008

by Vince Perdue

Sudbury can be a tough place to run in the winter. It can even be a tougher venue to attempt to organize a successful running event in this season of ice and snow. The last three years have proved that old man weather will do his darndest to dissuade the faint of heart from outside endeavours.

Sudbury Running Room's first attempt at running a 1/2 marathon in Sudbury in the winter was almost thwarted by an overnight blizzard that left roads just about impassable with high winds and over 40cm. of white stuff on the ground. At the store Vince, Lise and Donna were getting ready to cancel the day when runners began appearing at the door - and they were ready to run. A quick scout of the area revealed the only plowed surface to be found was a local mall parking lot. Year one for the Hypo half was ran there with participants doing multiple laps until all decided it was time for the "all you can eat" brunch which was included in the race package.

Our second attempt was just as eventful with overnight temperatures plunging to the -30 mark not including that dreaded windchill. Enthusiastic runners dressed like the Michelin Man attacked the frozen course and they were greeted at every turn by equally frozen marshals. If you wanted a drink it was bound to be a very icy one - usually in solid form by the time it reached lips. But all starters finished with bragging rights going to those with the longest icicles in their headgear. Hot drinks went over well at the buffet.

This year we thought we got a break. Mother Nature had kicked Jack Frost in the butt and temperatures overnight were not too far below 0 and on the day they rose a bit. Unfortunately there was a bit of snow overnight which added to the accumulations waiting to be cleared from the course streets and trails. In a word it was SLIPPERY. One step forward included a 1/2 step slip back on the Loach's Trail and on the sidewalks. Runners and walkers were not deterred. And extra marshals provided great motivation and direction as we slipped and slided by their stations. We even had speedsters out in both male and female categories . Check out all results here. The buffet was extra special this third time out as the Buzzy Browns allotted us their full dining room and the food choices were upped from last year.

Yes, Sudbury can be a tough place to run in the winter. But it sure doesn't appear to discourage any of us. Running Room's Hypothermic 1/2 has now fully gained a footing and is an event that runners unafraid of unusual conditions await with anticipation every February.

See you next year for Running Room Sudbury's 4th Annual Hypothermic 1/2 Marathon.