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Sponsors I mtcmarathon.org I December 2008
In this Issue:
Beyond the Obvious Gift for Your Favorite Runner Freestyle Production Makes It Possible to See Runners Finish! Volunteers Recognized With Annual Awards 150,000th Marathon Finisher Completes the Goal February 7 Kids Track Meet Registration Now Open! Life Time Fitness Trainer Runner Profile: Setting Records at 80 Years Young Shoestrings Future Races
"Real" Gift Ideas for Runners This Season
The good news, despite the economy, is that runners, unlike shipping magnates and hedge fund managers, tend to be fiscally conservative... frugal even and creative. And this is the "Year of The Thought That Counts". Why not weave a good yarn around the year's most momentous race or adventurous run? Include photos, use fancy colored ink, race numbers, ticket stubs or any of the unimaginable tiny doodads you never knew they made until you went to Michael's. Get familiar with a hot glue
gun. Embellishments and details help the runner relive the glory. Home made morsels are always a treat. If you happen to have a killer cookie recipe or awesome salsa know-how, get busy and whip it up. Put the finished treats in a basket lined with a kitchen towel, accompanied by a suggested accompaniment (cookies + milk if not lactose intolerant, chips for the salsa, horseradish for the beef jerky, you get the idea). Include the recipe if you care to reveal. Here's a stocking stuffer, or singlet stuffer, as the case may be. NipGuards. That's what it is, that's what it does. While your dear chafed runner may feel uncomfortable asking for them, he will be much more comfortable running with them, to say nothing of the public service performed for all the shocked and nameless marathon spectators. They are ostensibly for men. They're 10 pairs for $8.95 at Running Room, TC Running in Eden Prairie and Duluth Running Company, or get serious with a 100-pack at www.nipguards.com for $84.95 with instructions or $82.95 without instructions. You know those oval car stickers that declare in three letters where the car has been? Now is the chance to be every bit as inscrutable with 26.2, 13.1 or RUN in the white oval. Runner humor, very dry. $3.95 at www.gifts-for-runners.com. At this time of year, it's dark, seemingly all the time. Someone may suggest the day-glo slow moving vehicle triangle to alert drivers of dark doing-it runners. The Nathan Micro Clip-On LED Safety Strobe is every bit as sensible and a thousand times more sensitive. The flashing light is so light, the runner will hardly notice it, especially in light of all the other gear they're wearing. Drivers will see the light up to 2500 feet away. Lighten up, it's only $6. Support the economy and support our sponsor retailers including Marathon Sports and Running Room, both of whom feature Brooks shoes and apparel, or Target Stores, featuring C9 apparel for both men and women. Run out and heat up the credit card. Whatever your holidays hold, may they be surrounded with the ones you love, runners or spectators. To a wonderful new year, from everyone who has had something to do with Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. this year! Thank you.
Freestyle Productions, Inc. Helps Make Runners Look Great Crossing the Finish Line
If you're like most runners, you glance at the video technology with a smile and continue
through the shoot. After all, TVs and live broadcasts are a normal part of most sporting events. Thanks to Freestyle Productions, Inc., Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. (TCM, Inc.) is able to bring you live coverage at the finish through what took months to prepare. A lot of behind the scenes work in put in ahead of time to bring the video technology to the finish line on race weekend. In the "off-season" Freestyle Productions meets with TCM, Inc. staff 6-7 times to coordinate race weekend logistics- from audio, to arrival times to air time, coordination is the absolute key. "I really enjoy working with the Twin Cities Marathon staff," said Chris Tahti, vice president of sales at Freestyle Productions. "The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is one of the most organized events we do all year." With the addition of Allied Audio, Freestyle Productions and TCM, Inc. integrated audio into the visual by forming a "tv studio" setup used at the finish line by our announcers. In all, more than 21 video and audio technology staff team up to provide what you see and hear at the finish line, and everyone involved works closely together to ensure a successful broadcast . The many cameras and speakers capture video from the cathedral to the finish line, to broadcast the sound and pictures, truly connecting people at the finish line to those runners still on course. Freestyle Productions just completed their third year with the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and is already looking for new ways to include technological advances for a great 2009 production. The most visually obvious part of race weekend is that huge LED board at the 27th Mile broadcasting runners as they cross the finish line. That board is busy from April to Thanksgiving making stops at events such as Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, U of M sporting events, the Iowa State Fair and the Minnesota State Fair before reaching it's way to St. Paul. The board is 12' high by 16' wide, weighs 6,000 pounds and requires 800 feet of fiber optic cable to operate. It's held up by a truss system, the same way a football goal post stands tall. The LED board separates into 45 pieces and travels by truck across the country, built back together for each event. The board is pieced together on Friday of race weekend and remains at the capital for the duration, with security keeping it company overnight. Twin Cities Marathon Inc. would like to thank Freestyle Productions for all their hard work and additions to race weekend events. If you are interested in learning more about Freestyle Productions and the services they offer, please visit http://www.freestyleproductions.com/main.html.
Congratulations Volunteer of the Year and Rookie of the Year Award Winners
Behind the scenes, Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. organizers rely on hundreds of year-round volunteers to ensure that events go smoothly. In 2004, the Jerry Wilson TCM, Inc. Volunteer of the Year award was established to recognize volunteers who do just that. The criteria for the award mirrors the contributions of long-time Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. volunteer Jerry Wilson: reliable, friendly, supportive, passionate and enthusiastic, with a can-do attitude and the ability to go above and beyond the call of duty. This year's winners are a very visible part of Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. kids' events like February's Track Meet, May's Cross-Country Run, and the Medtronic TC Family Events and TC 5K on race weekend in the fall. Jeremy and Tonya Beuch don the costumes of Harry and Shelly, the legendary Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. mascots. For four years, the Beuchs have promoted the marathon at community events throughout the year. In addition to the Volunteer of the Year award, Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. staff created a new "Rookie of the Year" award this year to acknowledge a first-time TCM, Inc. Association member who exemplifies the organization's mission and spirit. The award's first recipient, Ed Whetham, tackled a unique set of challenges. He took over his position without assistance from an outgoing committee member and filled the role without guidance from a seasoned volunteer. "Whetham fit right in," said Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. executive director Virginia Brophy Achman. "He recruited key volunteers in an effort to maximize the race-day experience for runners, and his dedication erased any doubts about a rookie taking over." And he's already brainstorming ideas for 2009.
A Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Milestone: 150,000th Finisher
Roy Bodayla, of St. Louis Park, MN began the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon on October 5 with one goal: to finish. He had trained for marathons in the past, but had always fell victim to injury. This time around he registered for two marathons, tweaked his training, and made sure to listen to his body. It paid off. Not only did Bodayla finish both marathons, but he improved his time by 15 minutes from one to the next. Unbeknownst to him, Bodayla also became a part of marathon history. Finishing 5,154th in 2008 in a time of 4:37:46, Bodayla is the 150,000th finisher in Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon history, guaranteeing marathon entry for life! Bodayla told race organizers "the most memorable part of the race was running by the lakes of Minneapolis," where he said he spent most of his time training. Bodayla said that he is "definitely coming back".
Kids Indoor Track Event Registration is now open!
Gather the kids and come out for the 2nd Annual Kids Indoor Track Event at the University of Minnesota Field House on Saturday, February 7. The track "meet" offers a mile and half-mile timed run using the same 200 meter track as the Big Ten athletes use for their Indoor Championships. Click here to register. Even if you can't join us on Feb 7th, check out the latest training resources on the Medtronic TC Kids Marathon site to keep your kids active this winter. You'll find creative suggestions for coolweather running, including tracking sheets to log ongoing activity and generate parent reports, running techniques and safety tips, warm-up and cool-down activities, running games, details about rewards and incentives, and links and resources about eating well. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Sandy Unger at 763-287-3888 ext. 120.
Life Time Fitness Trainer:
Quote of the Month: "Even the latest finishers aren't back-of-the-packers. They're the back of the front, still among the elite 0.10% of Americans who can and does finish marathons." -Joe Henderson (from The Quotable Marathoner) Ready for a New Year? Our tips are simple and quick for this month. Enjoy the holidays! This is your permission to enjoy cookies, cake, cordials and cocktails this holiday season. Just enjoy in moderation. You have done the work this year. You deserve it. Write down your top 3-10 accomplishments done in 2008. Put this in your running log. It's important to reflect on what you did well this year. Write down your top 3-10 things you thought could go better in 2008. Put this in your running log. Perhaps you did not get your best 10k, or you disliked the weather for this year's marathon. Make a note of that. Write down 3-5 goals you want to accomplish in 2009. Include at least one time goal and one new race you plan to enter.
Within 14 days, the world gets a fresh start for a new year! Take advantage of it! Life Time Fitness is a proud sponsor of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. Since 2003, Life Time Fitness has been the official health and fitness company and the official marathon-training program. The Life Time Fitness Running Club provides group runs, training classes, social activities, triathlon training, team atmosphere, state-of-the art strength & cross training equipment, running information, and loads of fun and challenge throughout the year in 16 states across the country. For more information, feel free to see our website www.lifetimefitness.com and click "Activities" and "Run Club".
Runner Profile: Jerry Johncock Sets Records at 80 Years Young
Settled in Shelbyville, a small town outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jerry Johncock not only holds the US men's 80-85 age group record but is also the first American over 80 to break the four hour mark in the marathon. Johncock finished 2,505th at the 2008 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, clocking 3:59:12. The record-setting masters runner gives his two sons credit for getting him started with running. When Johncock was 50 years old, they both came to their father wanting to run an 8mile race at the local high school. They wanted him to join them. Johncock told his sons he was too old to jump into a race, but that he would start training. After a few months he began racing. Thirty years later, Johncock is still going strong and races 25 to 30 races each year. Johncock's personal best in the marathon is 3:01, which he did when he was 61 and at his peak. He has slowed down since then, but enjoys going after US records. This month, Johncock will be trying to break the 50K record at a race in North Carolina. Lloyd Young also set a US men's marathon age group record in the 85-90 year old age group at the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon this year. Young was the 6,388th runner to cross the finish line with a time of 5:00:35.
Shoe Strings - Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. Info You Should Know
Missed the Chance to Purchase Great Marathon Gear on Race Weekend?
All Remaining Brooks Technical Gear and Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon weekend gear is now 50-70%! The Holiday savings continue. Check out the remaining '08 inventory at great savings. Visit mtcmarathon.org to check it out the most recent reductions! You can still pick up last-minute holiday gifts if you stop by TCM, Inc.'s office.
Medtronic TC 1 Mile Registration Opens Friday, March 13
Mark your calendars and look for details on the 5th Annual Medtronic TC 1 Mile in January!
There's Still Time to Participate in the 2009 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Poster Contest!
Deadline for materials: January 15 The 2009 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Poster will be designed by you, as part of our poster contest event. The poster is a reflection of our race and community and is a piece that is sold year-round and at the expo on race weekend (October 2-4, 2009). For your efforts, your name will be listed on the poster as artist and you will be invited to autograph a limited number of special edition posters. Email kristine@mtcmarathon.org for details.
Save these 2009 Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. event dates!
Saturday, February 7: Medtronic TC Kids Marathon Indoor Track Meet, University of Minnesota Field House, Minneapolis Thursday, May 7: 5th Annual Medtronic TC 1 Mile, Downtown Minneapolis Saturday, May 16: Medtronic TC Kids Marathon Cross Country Meet , Como Park, St. Paul October 2-4 : 28th Annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Race Weekend and Expo
Future Races
Resolution Run and Walk Wednesday, December 31 Maple Grove Click here to register New Year Resolutions Challenges Races - Indoor Track Races Thursday, January 1 Bethel University, Arden Hills Click here for more information Securian Frozen 5K and Half Marathon Saturday, January 24 St. Paul Click here to register Valentine's Day 5K Saturday, February 14 Lake Harriet Bandshell, Minneapolis Click here for more information
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