Rocks!! off to Boston 09

Looking at the entrant list from the Sudbury Rocks!! Running Club plus local communities I see we have a few runners heading to Boston this year. I believe most are first timers but there are 2 seasoned veterans in the pack in Stephanie Koett and Steve Fessenden. There's also a bunch going from North Bay and one from Parry Sound. I've included our information below if you wish to track an athlete during the event. The race will go off next Monday, April 20 at 9:30 am for the elite ladies, 10:00 am for the elite men and marathon first wave and 10:30 am for the marathon 2nd wave.
Live Race Day broadcast and online coverage is available at : Local Boston TV – WBZ-TV; National TV – Universal Sports; Online – www.universalsports.com. I don't think local cable covers the race but satellite viewers may get a Boston feed. Go to the Boston website at
http://baa.org/BostonMarathon/Default.asp . for tracking and run details.

Good luck to all the runners

6380 Fessenden, Steve 43 M Sudbury ON CAN

19337 Koett, Stephanie C. 46 F Sudbury ON CAN

15536 Winters, Jesse 55 M Sudbury ON CAN

19215 Fransen, Kirsti M. 41 F Oakville ON CAN

10868 Toth, Laurel 26 F Little Current ON CAN

5310 Ledingham, Peter 34 M Naughton ON CAN

717 Del Missier, Sonia C. 53 F Sudbury ON CAN (BAA 5k)
1420 Hansford, Matt 35 M Sudbury ON CAN (BAA 5k)

The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world's most prestigious road racing events. The Boston Athletic Association manages this American classic, which is sponsored by John Hancock Financial Services. The Boston Marathon has distinguished itself as the pinnacle event within the sport of road racing by virtue of its traditions, longevity and method of gaining entry into the race (via qualification).

The historic course starts about 26 miles to the southwest of downtown Boston in the small town of Hopkinton. The run proceeds from there through various towns on its way to Boston. Ashland (4 miles), Framingham (6 miles) and Natick (10 miles) are first up. The college girls have made the 12 mile mark in Wellesley one of most famous points of the day. Runners will be accosted by literally thousands of screaming young ladies as they pass the college. This is probably the loudest cheering section that you will ever encounter. Kisses are also available for those who don't mind squandering a few seconds out of their precious run time. A long steep downhill brings participants to Lower Newton Falls at the 16 mile mark. That sharp decline does no favours to the quads for the upcoming hills of Newton which unofficially stretch from here to the well known 'Heartbreak Hill' at 21 miles. It's all downgrade from Newton through Brookline and on into Boston. Runners know they are getting close when they view the giant CITGO sign at the 25 mile mark. The John Hancock Tower has been in sight for a few miles now and runners make for its shadow as they run down Boylston St to the finish line at Copley Square.

This year, the B.A.A. will also host a 5K timed road race in place of the traditional Freedom Run. The B.A.A. 5K will take place the day prior to the running of the 113th Boston Marathon. The race will offer a fun and competitive course for athletes and - for those who have always dreamed of crossing the Boston Marathon finish line - a 'non-qualifying' chance to do so.

 

The Sudbury Rocks!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes

- an event for all ages and abilities

Our upcoming Sudbury Rocks!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes being held on May 3 is an event for all ages and abilities. From the “FREE” 1km Kids run, on up through the 5km, 10km, ½ marathon and finally the marathon there is definitely an opportunity for everyone to be challenged within their abilities and therefore reach their goals. Ages range from the almost brand new in the 1k right across the spectrum all the way out to fully formed diamonds in the other events.

The 1km “FREE” Kids Run
This event is designed to get the young folks involved in the sport in a safe and friendly environment. Parents are enthusiastically invited to run along with their young charges though the downtown streets. Baby joggers are absolutely welcomed. The Kids get to experience a professional start/finish setup and all the positive energy of a real race environment along with lots of boisterous spectators. All finishers are rewarded with medals and goodies.

The 5Km Walk/Run
The fastest growing race today is the 5km. This “FUN” distance is doable by all ages and fitness levels. It’s also a great outing for those into bonding with other like-minded individuals. The 5km distance is also a great first step on one’s path to longer distance running. Many long distance runners continue to use 5km road races as high-speed training sessions for their longer distance events. There are t-shirts and finishing medals for all plus winning and placing prizes as well as medals for age group wins and placing's. This is also the 2nd year that we have hosted the very popular 'Celebrity Challenge' in the 5k. Come out and cheer on or run with your favourite media participants as they vie for top dog bragging rights in the community. Last year Persona's Randy Pascal took the Celebrity crown.

The 10km Walk/Run
With reasonable training, most people can complete a 10km. You don’t have to train too long for the event and you recover quickly. It can be a “FUN” time or a step up from the 5km distance or a real test of your running abilities. It is also a stepping stone on the path for those pursuing longer distance events. As in the 5km there are t-shirts and finishing medals for all plus winning and placing prizes as well as medals for age group wins and placing's.

The ½ Marathon
The ½ marathon is a friendly distance. Beginners who have gotten their introduction to road running in a 5km or 10Km can look to the half as the next step upward. Experienced runners like half marathons, because racing 21 kilometres requires somewhat less time commitment than does a full 42 kilometre marathon. And they can recover more rapidly.
The Sudbury Rocks!! ½ Marathon is one of our best attended events. The course is one full loop of the marathon route running through the flatter parts of the city. There is prize money and medals for the speedsters and medals for the age group placers. Of course, all registrants get t-shirts and all finishers get medals.

The Marathon
One of the ultimate running challenges is the marathon. It requires both mental and physical stamina well beyond what is required of shorter events. Training for the marathon will probably change your outlook on things. Done properly, both in your training and completion of the distance, you will be rewarded in so many positive ways that are hard to explain to the uninitiated.
The Sudbury Rocks!!! Marathon is comprised of 2 loops through the flatter parts of the city starting and finishing in front of the Sudbury YMCA on Durham St. The course is walker friendly. Note, walkers start fully 2 hours early (6:00am) due to time limitations on the roads. New for 2009 is our '8 Person Marathon Relay'. Teams of up to 8 people will run or walk approximately 5km each to collectively complete the full marathon distance.

All Events
All events in the Sudbury Rocks!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes are in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association. Proceeds and pledges from the Sudbury Rocks!!! Race, Run, Walk for Diabetes will support research and local programs of the Canadian Diabetes Association.

For information on the Sudbury Rock!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes please go to their website at:
http://www.sudburyrocksmarathon.com/

On Saturday May 2, The SudburyRocks!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes will be holding our annual pre run Pasta Dinner This year diners will be doubly entertained. Sarah Craig, a local musician with her own unique jazz style will warm up the crowd with a few of her latest selections. Our keynote speaker is Ray Zahab, an extraordinary adventure racer and explorer. He will regale the audience with tales of his latest quest to the south pole in world record time. Everyone is welcome to the all you can eat pasta dinner. You won't be disappointed.

Where: Palladium Ballroom at the Radisson Hotel

When: 6:00 p.m. Saturday May 2, 2009

Price: $25/ person

Purchase online through registration, or by calling Lori at (705) 670-1993 x7. E-mail: lori.rudzki@diabetes.ca. (You do not need to register for an event in order to purchase tickets).

Patrick Lepage, 15, and his mother Leah, will be running for a second time in the Sudbury Rocks Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes. Patrick will compete in the half marathon while Leah will run the 10 km race.

Diabetic youth gives his all in Sudbury Rocks half marathon

Date Published | Apr. 13, 2009
Posted by Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Laurel Myers

Patrick Lepage is the epitome of athleticism, and can run a half marathon in two hours flat. And he has Type I Diabetes.

Patrick, 15, takes four insulin needles a day and tests his blood sugar levels eight-to-10 times daily.

For the second year, the Grade 10 student at Lively District Secondary School will be participating in the Sudbury Rocks Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes, raising funds for a cause that has forever changed his life.

Sudbury Rocks is the largest distance event in northern Ontario and features a full marathon, half marathon, 10-km, 5-km, free 1-km kids’ event, and team marathon relay. This year’s event will be held on May 3 in downtown Sudbury....
Read the full article at: Northern Life.ca