Free Gifts

I was still catching my breath from our fifteen-mile run last Sunday when someone commented on the ear buds dangling around my neck. They’re blue, with earpieces that are sort of elongated — not round like the ones Apple sends out with its iPods. I prefer them on account of they fall out less when I’m running.

“Where did you get them?” my fellow trainee wanted to know.

I thought for a minute, and then laughed at the irony: They were actually a gift of the Parliament cigarette company. I quit smoking back in October after ten years as a smoker and one long summer of fits and starts. [Full disclosure: I’ve actually fallen off the wagon a couple times since May, but these were momentary indiscretions and regrettable.] Parliament used to send me all kinds of crazy free gifts. Earbuds, cool cigarette cases, CD organizers. Once they sent these flashing blue electric LED lights shaped like ice cubes. I’ve never actually been to a party where I thought carrying a glowing blue beverage would up my cool factor, but they work really well for lighting a dark tent.

I always told myself that I’d quit smoking when it started affecting my ability to do the things I like to do. Which is pretty moronic, when you think about it, because how would I know? Not long after quitting, though, I found myself doing things with relative ease that used to be a lot tougher — things like biking all the way up Pattee Canyon and tasting my food. So training for the half-marathon seemed like the next logical step. Of course, it’s since become much more for me than just another non-smoking challenge — it’s the culmination of months of work, as well as something convivial, a kind of big aerobic street party celebrating a town that I love.

I do miss the periodic monthly surprises from my peeps at Parliament, though. Finding an unexpected, icy blue package in the mail every couple of months was always a nice surprise. To console myself, a short list of fun things I’ve acquired thanks to my marathon training:

* Sweet Run Wild Missoula shirt, upping the number of non-cotton articles of running-wear in my possession to two.

* Boxer briefs. As a lifelong boxers man, I’d never before shimmied myself into a pair of these bad boys until running-shorts season came around. It’s like having an Ace bandage wrapped around your crotch.

* Blisters. I’ve always said that it’s good to really toughen up your feet early in the summer — lay down that nice, thick layer of calluses. At this rate, I’m gearing up to walk across a bed of hot coals sometime this August.

Not a bad haul, all things considered, and I’ve still got a couple of weeks to go. Maybe next year, Run Wild Missoula will consider handing out ear buds.

- Brian Kevin

Missoula Marathon Takes Big Strides In Becoming A Greener Race

The Missoula Marathon, since its inception, has tried to be conscience of the environmental impact is has on the communities through which its routes pass. For this year’s race, those efforts of becoming a more environmentally friendly race were drastically increased.

Being already the largest Marathon in Montana, the Missoula Marathon, even as it grows larger, will continue to improve on its carbon footprint and the environmental impact a race of such a magnitude can create.

We are working diligently to make improvements, and this year, we proudly introduce true, ECO friendly, high-end, technical shirts for our finishers made of bamboo charcoal and/or recycled polyester. The bamboo was grown and the t-shirts were dyed and printed in the U.S.A. So, as a fun fact, instead of finding your plastic bottles in the landfills, you now will be able to wear super soft, “10 2-liter plastic bottles” during your next training run or race. We didn’t stop there. The dye for the shirts and the ink for the print are environmentally friendly as well; they are water-based, non-toxic, lead-free, and contain no heavy metals.

The same applies to our official posters and fliers; those were printed on 100% or partially recycled post consumer waste paper, and printed with soy-based inks.

Also starting this year, we will separate garbage from recyclable materials at: the Expo, the Half and Full Marathon Starting Lines, throughout the courses at every aid station, at the finish area, the food area after the finish, and at Caras Park, at which the Medal Ceremonies and other post-race activities will take place.

A big thank you goes out to our post-race food provider, The Good Food Store, by providing: cups, plates, bowls, and any other plastic or paper ware that is made out of bio-degradable corn-based plastic and/or recycled paper.

Our race bags are also made out of partially recycled plastic and are re-usable.

The three leaders of the Half and Full Marathon will be accompanied by bicyclists, not motorized vehicles.

All of the port-a-potties which you’ll find before, during and after the races are free of formaldehyde, and provide an ECO friendly hand sanitizer.

The Runner’s Edge is starting a recycling program for your old running shoes. This program not only takes your shoes so that they don’t end up in the land fills, but will also benefit great causes by either recycling the materials for various projects or by distributing the shoes to individuals in need of a running shoe.

We will not give out plastic bottles which cannot or should not be re-used. However, we will provide filtered and treated drinking water at the Expo, before, definitely during, and after the races. We encourage you to bring your own re-usable water bottle/s to the Expo to stay hydrated.
Our volunteers will be provided with “green” shirts, similar to the finisher shirts, and with re-usable drinking bottles – made out of recycled plastic and are PBA-free.

Be so good and do your part of making the Missoula Marathon an enjoyable and green race experience for yourself and those around you. Please dispose of any gel wrappers, bottles, or any other garbage you may want to shed yourself of during the race at any of the many aid stations throughout to race. Keep in mind, volunteers will pick up your garbage, and it will become more than cumbersome if the volunteers have to collect those items farther than in their immediate areas of the aid stations. Also, we are privileged to be able to run through many neighborhoods, so let’s not trash the front yards of those friendly people who will wave at and cheer for us and have their water sprinklers running for us.

We hope you’ll enjoy our efforts of creating a more environmentally-friendly Marathon race experience for you.

The Missoula Marathon is wishing all of you runners, friends and families a fantastic race and a fun-filled marathon weekend, and is certain that you’ll leave with many great impressions of our beautiful state and city.

Thank you for choosing the Missoula Marathon as one of your races this year!

Vo von Sehlen
Director, Green Efforts
Missoula Marathon

HuHot Mongolian Grill and Referee Photo Team Up to Provide Photos for Missoula Marathon

The Missoula Marathon, HuHot Mongolian Grill and Referee Photo have combined efforts to provide a free photo to every finisher of the 2009 Missoula Marathon coming up Sunday, July 12.

“We wanted HuHot to become a sponsor of the Missoula Marathon because the corporate headquarters are here in Missoula and we view this as a healthy event for the community,” explained Mary Halloran, VP of Creative Development and one of several partners in the family-owned company. “We wanted to do something creative that the athletes would appreciate – something that fits and is unique to the Missoula Marathon.”

Rick O’Connor of Referee Photo had the idea of providing a photo to every athlete that finishes the Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay or Kids Marathon. “All we needed was the right sponsor,” said Jennifer Straughan, Race Director. “I was very hopeful when Mary called and said she wanted to find a way to work with us that the photos might be a possibility.”

When athletes cross the finish line they will have the option of stopping at the HuHot photo booth. Referee Photo takes the photos and has the ability to print them out right there on the spot, so the athlete can take the photo at that time. Marathon and Half Marathon participants will receive individual photos, Marathon Relay teams will have a team photo, and Kids Marathon participants will have photos taken in groups.

Athletes will also have the option of purchasing any other photos from Referee Photo as they are posted on-line after the event.

Missoula Marathon Registrations Span 5 Countries & 42 States

The Missoula Marathon will have runners and walkers from 42 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a couple dozen runners from Canada and one each from Belgium, Bermuda, and England (Cambridgeshire, to be exact).

As you might expect, the majority of entrants are from Montana, but Washington has at least 175 entered, and other western states are well
represented: Idaho, Oregon, and Colorado.

Interestingly, several states, including Illinois, Florida, New York, and Virginia, all have more runners entered - at this point - than closer states like Colorado.

What Time Do the Walkers Start?

Not surprisingly, there is some confusion as to what time the walkers start for both the Full and Half Marathons. This is the first year we’ve done Marathon Walkers on the full course, so it’s added a little twist to things. I’ll tackle it one at a time and see if it helps.

Half Marathon Walkers start at 6 am just like everyone else doing the Half Marathon. There is no early start of any kind for the Half Marathon. You don’t even need to register as a “walker” for the Half Marathon because everyone starts at the same time. Everyone in the Half Marathon has 6 ½ hours to finish the course.

Marathon Walkers start at 5 am. Marathon Walkers MUST REGISTER as Marathon Walkers because that’s how we know you’re starting at 5 am. Why do you care? Because if you don’t register as a walker, and you start at 6 am like everyone else, and you finish in 7 ½ hours which is 1:30, the finish line will be closed… shut down… gone… and you won’t get an official time. When you register as a Marathon Walker, you will need to be there right at 5 am because whether you start at 5 or 5:10 or 5:20, you will be marked down as starting at 5 am.

We are very excited about having the course open long enough for the full marathon course this year, and are thrilled to have so many trainees and people participating as walkers, whether it be the Half Marathon or the Full Marathon.

Thank you for walking the Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon!

Brian's Blog: Dead Air

A terrible thing happened to me last week. Because of a month-long Wednesday night commitment, I’ve been running our Wednesday distances all by lonesome on Thursdays. I’d gotten a late start, and I was running on the bike trail towards a killer Missoula sunset when suddenly, my whole world ground to a halt. My iPod shut off. Silence. No batteries. No music. No blinky blinky.

I can’t remember if I stopped or just slowed to a crawl — it’s all kind of blurry now. I don’t think I cried, but I began hyperventilating almost immediately. Oh my god oh my god oh my god, I thought. What do I do now? There’s no way I can keep running. Is it even physically possible for one to move one’s legs in a jogging motion without the Hold Steady blaring in one’s eardrums? Will a person’s footfalls actually coalesce into some kind of steady and predictable pattern without Yo La Tengo cranked up to eleven and setting the pace? I had heard these things were possible, but the reports always seemed to me about as credible as a Bigfoot sighting.

When I talk to friends and acquaintances about marathon training these past few months, I’m repeatedly asked, “What’s your pace? How fast are you running?” Answer: My pace is exactly as fast as the song currently playing on my iPod. When TV on the Radio pops up with an uptempo number, I speed up. When the shuffle gods give me Aimee Mann, I slow down. Once I accidentally dialed up a Bonnie Prince Billy ballad, and I almost had to sit down in the middle of the Kim Williams Trail.

Music is absolutely essential to running, as far as I’m concerned. Actually, one of the things I like most about our Sunday morning run is that it gives me a couple hours each week where I can really concentrate on listening to music. When everything’s clicking — when I hit the zone on mile seven or eight and things are going really great — then running feels less to me like an athletic pursuit and more like linear dancing. I sing along — mostly silently, I think. I play air drums. Shamelessly. Music, as far as I’m concerned, is as essential a fuel as carbohydrates, water, or that neon slime that comes in the tiny, bright envelopes.

What I learned last Thursday is that A) it is indeed technically possible to run without the Hold Steady, but it’s not much fun and I wouldn’t recommend it, and B) I make some terrible and disgusting noises while I’m running. My god. Never again do I want to hear all that panting and snorting and whatever the hell that was I was doing with my throat. I’m repulsive! So no more leaving the iPod in the car. No more forgetting to plug the dock in the night before. The French composer Claude Debussy said that music is actually the silence between the notes. Obviously, Debussy was not a runner.

Missoula Marathon to be Capped at 30,000

Alright it’s true: We don’t have 30,000 runners, nor do we expect 30,000 runners, but we’ll be very pleased when we have 3,000 runners (please notice we’re missing one entire zero here). After all, Missoula Montana is the kind of place you have to really want to get to. We don’t have flights zooming in and out with non-stops all day and night. We’re not particularly close to anything else, unless you call a 3 hour drive to Spokane with two passes “close.” If you go north you have to hit Calgary before you have anything really worth commenting on in regards to size, south it’s Salt Lake City, and east the biggest thing happening is Billings, Montana before traveling for days and eventually staggering into Minneapolis.

Now of course that’s also the appeal. Sure – we’re hard to get to. Just ask Lewis and Clark. They had to consume 7,000 calories a day just to get here. But once they did get here they liked it so much they left a few monuments and named some things, like the Lewis & Clark Taverns and Great Falls. Plus Lewis & Clark noticed – and you will too – that we’ve got hot springs all over the place out here. Very pleasant. You’ll like them. Not to mention Glacier National Park and the grandfather of them all – Yellowstone.

If you like driving, we are a direct line along I-90. If you just ran Boston you can start there and work your way this direction, never wavering far from the big fat I-90 line that ends in Seattle.

So back to our future race cap: our race numbers for the Missoula Half Marathon are more than double at this point, and the Marathon is 1 ½ times more. This does not put us in danger of reaching 30,000 runners yet, but we’re enthusiastic anyway.

Thank you for registering for the Missoula Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay or Missoula Kids Marathon! We look forward to seeing you this summer!

-Jennifer Straughan

Brian's Blog: The Neighborhood Dogs Can Smell Your Fear

Last Wednesday, I saw a medium-sized brown dog do a pretty amazing thing. I was somewhere near the middle of the pack as we headed up Greenough Drive. I don’t know what it is about the dogs along that street — if they’re just unaccustomed to pedestrian traffic or what — but you’d think we were all dressed in bacon. They go absolutely nuts. I was coming up on a split-level with a big, green yard. Behind a chain-link fence, two dogs sprinted back and forth, barking like their lives depended on it. I didn’t register the breeds, since I wasn’t paying much attention and have never been real good at it anyway. One of them was white, the other was brown, and both were roughly the size of a piece of carry-on luggage.

Suddenly, the brown dog executed a move that I’ve previously only seen in the Street Fighter II video game, a sort of bouncing leap that brought him briefly into contact with the side of the house before kicking off of it and somersaulting over the seven-foot fence. This happened just as I was passing the yard. And then he was out on the lawn, staring at me at me and my imaginary bacon shorts like a desperate convict who knows his time on the lam will be brief.

I think I said, “Oh shit.” Probably rather loudly, since my iPod’s usually cranked to 11 and I have little concept of the volume of my voice. But it happened right as I passed! I’m the kind of guy who gets excited when a streetlight goes on or off at the exact moment I walk underneath it. I assume, naturally, that the event had something to do with me. So surely there was some reason this dog vaulted the fence just as I came into his sight.

Then I remembered how the wolves in Yellowstone peruse the elk herds at chow time, scanning the whole group before identifying the weakest link, and only then taking off in pursuit. That was it, I thought. I’d skipped running the previous Friday to go to a reading and reception, skipped it Saturday to nurse a hangover, then skipped it Sunday on the pretense that it was Easter (though I actually spent the morning alone in my apartment, drinking coffee and reading magazines). This brown dog knew I’d schlepped off over the weekend, and now he’d picked me out as the weakest link I was about to be culled.

Turns out, though, that the dog was less like an escaped convict and more like a wimpy kid who sneaks off the playground at recess — suddenly liberated, but totally clueless as to how to handle it. The poor pooch just ran back and forth in place, barking at his partner on the other of the fence, oblivious to me and the other runners passing by.

It was a wake-up call all the same, though. A reminder to get back on my game. When the time came for us half-marathoners to peel off from the marathon crowd, I opted to follow the longer route instead. Turns out blending in with the marathoners is kind of easy — you just have to wear a look of steely determination all the time. It’s tough to get it across with an emoticon, but it would be something like: :>| And those extra few miles were just what I needed. I was already feeling more confident as we ran the last mile down Monroe Street, and sure enough, the neighborhood dogs didn’t even look up.

One Step At A Time

Read Gwen Florio's story in Missoula.com Magazine about Mayor John Engen's weight loss triumph by participating in the Missoula Marathon:
http://issuu.com/tadhmmm/docs/april-may_09_missoulamag48/42?zoomed=&zoomPercent=&zoomX=&zoomY=&noteText=&noteX=&noteY=&viewMode=magazine

Get the Kids Involved in the Missoula Marathon

Wow - April 1st has come and gone and it's already time to start logging miles for the Missoula Kids Marathon. Registrations are slowly coming in, so if you haven't sent yours in yet, please mail it or drop it by The Runner's Edge. Most area elementary schools are participating by helping kids log miles through running clubs and some teachers are running with their classes. Ask about this at your school.

Remember, you can log miles by running, walking, hiking, swimming, or any continuous physical activity. Fifteen minutes of physical activity equals one mile! Mile tickets are online at the Missoula Marathon website and you can print them off and give them to your coaches to fill in to help you log miles.

Look for the schedule for "Moving with the Mayor" runs at local parks in the Missoula Parks and Recreation brochure recently distributed in The Missoulian. This will be a fun way to meet the mayor, log miles, and get to know your neighborhood park!

Run, Have Fun, Be Healthy!

Brian's Blog: New Habits, Old Friends

Editor's Note: This is the first post of Brian's Blog, by a participant of the Missoula Marathon Running Training Class. Brian will update you on his training until the Missoula Marathon on July 12, 2009.

I’m new to this. Not to running, per se. In fact, some of my earliest memories involve running-- on playgrounds, in department stores, away from the larger boys in middle school. But I’m new to organized running, to running in a strategic fashion that involves calendars and clinics and routes that have actually been planned in advance.

Six or so years ago, I signed up for a 5K fun-run in Minneapolis, a race dedicated to the memory of a recently passed uncle who was a devoted marathon runner. The following year I made a trip to International Falls, Minnesota, to write a magazine article about a 10K that bills itself as the coldest race in the continental US. (It turns out there’s some controversy over that claim, but at -43 degrees on race day in 2005, I gave them the benefit of the doubt.) Thereafter, I started running sporadically and without any real goal. Until signing up for the training class last month, I’ve always thought of running like I think of going to the movies or playing Monopoly—it’s just something to do, and if you do it more than four or five times a month...well, that’s just kind of weird.

It wasn’t until the third time I signed up for a short run that I actually wore shoes. At my uncle’s memorial 5K, I had worn Teva sandals, because they were the only footwear I had that weren’t boots. In International Falls, I wore the boots, because there were twenty-five inches of snow on the ground. Last year, I threw out a beloved pair of four-year-old, second-hand Reeboks on the grounds that, according to my ex-wife, they were both used up and ferociously ugly (for the record, they were neither). I bought a pair of Teva sneakers on eBay because they looked like the sort of thing I could both run in and wear out to dinner. Now I’ve been told it’s a bad idea to wear one’s street shoes during an intensive running program.

Which I don’t get. Training for a marathon (or in my case, a half-marathon) is both profound and personally demanding. And for something like that, you want an old friend by your side, right? Not a new friend. Not some friend who just came out of a box and smells like leather treatment. Buying new running shoes while training for a marathon seems like inviting the new kid to your lunch table right as you’re discussing whether to publicize your crush on Lori McBrier from algebra class. I mean, look buddy, you seem real nice-- and sure, maybe you are a better fit for my gait cycle-- but this is an important conversation, and right now I need to be with people I can trust.

So I guess I’ve got some things to figure out over the next couple months as the training class gets more intensive. What I do know is that I’m really enjoying it, much more than I thought I would. I’m even running the recommended distances on our non-meet-up days, which I had just planned on lying about. I think I’ll tough it out with my old pals the Tevas for the time being, but who knows? If I can learn to love running five days a week, maybe I can be coerced into making some new friends.

Where Do the Missoula Marathon Registration Fees Go?

Those of us associated with the Missoula Marathon are often asked about the registration fee and "where the money goes." I got asked again the other day, and decided to post my reply.

The Missoula Marathon has many causes that it supports. First and foremost, the Missoula Marathon is put on by Run Wild Missoula, the local non-profit 501(c)3 running club, and it is a fundraiser for that organization. The mission statement for Run Wild Missoula is to support walking and running for all ages and abilities, and the Missoula Marathon helps fund much of those efforts. Run Wild Missoula puts on many events for the community where we break even or lose money, and we also create events that are fundraisers for other non-profit organizations. The running club also does community projects, such as posting mile markers along running trails in Missoula. Run Wild Missoula also donates money to Missoula Youth Track, another non-profit organization, and other running related causes such as the Boston Training Group.

Additionally, the Missoula Marathon gives a percentage of the profits back to non-profit organizations that help us out on race day, including HARC the ham radio operators, Red Cross of Montana, Camp Mak-a-Dream and Opportunity Resources. Above and beyond that, we supported Missoula Youth Homes in their efforts to utilize our event as a fundraiser for their non-profit organization. They raised $40,000 last year and are excited about improving upon that this year. We encourage other non-profit organizations to do similar activities with our event.

We are only going into our third year and we have been very relieved and proud that our event has been able to cover its costs and have enough to get us going again the following year. A lot of this is because of the tremendous support this event receives community wide, as it is viewed as a community event -- not a running club event.

When you run the Missoula Marathon, please feel good about everything in this community to which you have just contributed.

Jennifer Straughan
Race Director

Registration Up 28% for Missoula Marathon

The Missoula Marathon Committee is excited to announce that registration is up 28% over this same time last year. We've got 27 states represented and Bermuda! Yes, it's true that marathoners and especially half marathoners tend to wait until the last minute before committing with a registration form, but now that the Missoula Marathon is in its 3rd year, we're developing a respect for percentages. Percentages are how we calculate how many shirts to order, how much beverage to obtain, how many medals are needed, how many marathon athletes we will have in comparison to half marathon, and all the other questions that, the first year, were pretty much big fat guesses. Events that have been around forever must revel in their statistics, placing their orders well in advance of race day with confidence and accuracy. What's more, events with statistical history can observe trending, such as the growth of half marathon numbers. So thank you all for considering and even registering for the Missoula Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay or Kids Marathon. We're looking forward to another great year and growth!

Run Wild Missoula Training Class

Sunday, March 8th was the first day of the Run Wild Missoula Training Class for the Missoula Marathon or Missoula Half Marathon. Over 130 people signed up and ran their first training miles. This is the 3rd year of the class, sponsored by Runner's Edge, and it's grown every year. The first year there were 61 registrants, the second year 103 registrants, and we're still waiting for the final numbers, but there are currently 130+ registered for 2009. Many of the registrants are return trainees, which speaks to the excellence of Coach Anders Brooker and the training program. If you're looking for camaraderie, excellent information and motivation to train for the Missoula Half or Full Marathon, contact Anders at Runner's Edge, runners_edge@hotmail.com or call 728-9297. Or you can stop by the store in downtown Missoula, 327 North Higgins Avenue. Run Wild Missoula is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization.

Missoula All-Women's 5K is a Success

Run of the divas: Women take part in annual 5K By JAMIE KELLY of the Missoulian

For many participating in the Diva Day All Women's Run on Saturday morning at Fort Missoula, it was all about the costumes. Around 350 runners signed up for the run to honor women.

Pink bunny ears flopped around in damp autumn air, feather boas flapped in the breeze, and tutus bounced along as divas, prom queens and ballerinas put their best feet forward at Fort Missoula on Saturday morning.Nearly 350 women didn't let a fall drizzle dampen their spirits at the Missoula All Women's 5K run, an annual tradition formerly put on by the Blue Mountain Clinic.Now organized by Run Wild Missoula, the five-kilometer run this year was dubbed “Diva Day,” and the divas came out in their best colors, running to the beats of Blondie, the Talking Heads and Abba.

“It's good to have a friend to run with, to help push each other,” said Brenda Gagner, her face still damp with perspiration after an exhausting run. Gagner, of Missoula, ran with her friend Jennifer St. Goddard, both of them bank employees looking for a healthy diversion.Gagner sported a feather boa, as lavish and colorful outfits were encouraged - but not required - at the run.“It makes me feel beautiful,” said Gagner. “I don't get to wear it to work.”Not everyone was dressed with such flash. Many of the girls and women wore the distinctive Missoula attire of Patagonia and North Face vests.But for Theresa Noonan and her young daughter Zara, both running their fourth year in the All Women's 5K, the occasion was a perfect time hop to a different beat.So, both sporting bunny ears, mom and daughter skipped, bounced, walked and ran the route.“We did a little bit of everything,” said Theresa. “I love the spirit of all these women and girls coming together, getting exercise and being outside and having fun.”It was Zara's idea to put on the rabbit ears. Zara has a trunk full of outfits and costumes.“This is what she pulled out of her trunk,” said Theresa. “She's the fashion guru today.”

TOP 5 FINISHERS1. Megan Lerch, Missoula (19:37.9)2. Mary Thane, Missoula (19:38.6)3. Jenny Newton, Missoula (20:09.3)4. Rye Palen, Missoula (20:13.1)5. Lindsey Diefenderfer, Bozeman (20:27.5)

Find all the results at www.perfect-timing.org

The Missoula All Women's 5K

The Missoula All Women's 5K
Saturday Oct 4, 2008. Be a Diva for a Day.
Women - of all ages, generations, fitness levels, running enthusiasts, walkers, wheelers, strollers -can all benefit from the coming together to encourage each other, celebrate and enjoy a grand day for themselves. The grandmothers can inspire their granddaughters, the young ones can hop, skip and jump their way to a finish, mothers and daughters can cheer and run side by side for support. Memories are made in company of friends, colleagues, family and our 'competitors.' Blue Mountain Women's Run graciously passes the torch to Run Wild Missoula. This is the day for all of the women to be Divas, for fitness, for health, for the pure enjoyment of being out and on the move.

Women: Come and celebrate your strength, your future and your past with your friends, daughters, mothers, grandmothers, nieces, all welcome!

5K Schedule 8:00 - 9:30 am Race day registration at the start, and packet pickup. Come early!9:45 am Call to the starting line, warm up stretch.10:00 am 5K start11:00 am Free Family Walk (no t-shirt, kids will create something to take home)11:30 am Fashion Show by Runner's Edge with fitness apparel, great giveaways12 noon awards9-noon: Health and fitness activities and information in and around Heritage Hall. 9-10:55: Create your Family kids project for the Family Walk.

lots more info, downloadable registration form, online registration, etc at: allwomensrun.org

We Couldn’t Do It Without You!

Thank you to all our Sponsors for Making Sunday, July 13, 2008 a Great Day!
We Couldn’t Do It Without You!

Media Sponsors: They Got the Word Out and HOW!
KECI
Cherry Creek Radio
Missoulian

In-It-Knee-Deep Sponsors: It Took A Lot of Time, Money and Energy to Put This On:
Alpine Physical Therapy
Dana Gallery
The Good Food Store
Southgate Mall

Training & Information: The Hub
The Runner’s Edge

To Your Good Health Sponsor:
Community Medical Center

You Know All That Professional Traffic Control? Couldn’t Have Paid for It Without These Guys:
Missoula Bone & Joint

There Before Anybody Else Believed Sponsor:
Gold’s Gym

Understanding that Frenchtown is the Next Hopkinton Sponsor:
Clark Fork Valley Bank (located in Frenchtown)

8 Easy Ways to Register:
First Security Bank (in 8 Locations)

Understand What Really Counts Sponsors: Even with All the Great Local Cooperation, It Still Cost Money:
Montana Ace
Break Espresso
Missoula Downtown Association
Rocky Mountain School of Photography

Volunteer Organizations : Did They Have to Do This? Heck No! But We’re Glad They Did!
American Red Cross
Opportunity Resources
Camp Mak-a-Dream
Hellgate Amateur Radio Club

In-Kind Sponsors: Every Time We Didn’t Spend It, It Cost Us All Less, So Thanks
Garlington/Lohn/Robinson
www.runmt.com
Turner Sign Arts
Big Sky Brewing
Coca Cola
PowerBar
Saucony
DoubleTree
VW Ice
Allied Waste Services
Axmen
BioLife
Culligan
Exact Image
Mountain Line
Badlander
ABC Rental

Kids-R-Us! Special Supporters of the Missoula Kids Marathon:
St. Patrick’s Hospital & Health Sciences Ctr.
Devlin Design
Kettlehouse Root Beer
Big Dipper Ice Cream
Missoula Sunshine Rotary
Advanced Litho Printing
Carousel for Missoula
Missoula Parks & Rec

Off to a Great (Loud) Start:
ROTC Cannon
Ted Soldowski, Cannon Hobbyist

How to Make People Feel Welcome:
Mountain Line

Makes Us Look Great:
Rattlesnake Studio


What’s a Marathon Without Aid Stations?
Montana Preferred Properties
Bronc Brew
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
El-Mar Estates Homeowners Association
Garlington, Lohn, Robinson
Partners In Home Care Inc.
Sullivan, Tabaracci & Rhoades
UofM Track & Field
Sentinel Cross Country
Blue Mountain Clinic
Sapphire Physical Therapy
Southgate Mall/Caffe Dolce
Community Bank
Camp Mak-a-Dream/BioLife
Hellgate High School
Missoula Catholic Schools
Big Flat Neighborhood
Hellgate Football


Special Forces:
Missoula Rural Fire Department
Missoula City Fire Department
Frenchtown Rural Fire Department
Missoula County Sheriff’s Dept.
Missoula City Police
Montana Highway Patrol

It Takes A Village, or TWO!
SPECIAL Thanks to Frenchtown and the City of Missoula!


Volunteers: Thank YOU!!
SPECTATORS: THANK YOU!!

The Videos & articles about the 2008 Missoula Marathon.

• Video from 2008 Missoula Marathon
  Watch the super > Missoulian video By: Letty Hingtgen of the 2008 Missoula Marathon
  
  YouTube Video of 2008 Missoula Marathon Start (email me if you have your own You tube videos of the race and I'll link to them. steve@missoulamarathon.org)
  
  KPAX TV Video of 2008 Missoula Marathon

Two more YouTube Videos (added July 17) YouTube Elvis at the 2008 Missoula Marathon & Run the 2008 Missoula Marathon with Van from CA, Racer No. 17, YouTube video.

Missoulian & Sponsor of the 2008 Missoula Marathon Race Articles:

Monday July 14, 2008

• Race redux: Cool morning start, turnout aid marathon's second year
• Marathon is one stop on Australian couple's 8-race, 8-country journey
• It's better the second time around: Missoula's Bassett, Kalispell's Schuster win second Missoula marathon
  
  Sunday July 13, 2008
• 2008 Missoula Marathon: Running on full - Race organizers learn, grow from last year's inaugural event
• Green team hitting the streets to honor brother, friend
• Local man takes first place in Missoula Marathon; Kalispell teacher is women's winner
  
  Saturday July 12, 2008
• MISSOULA MARATHON: Anyone's guess in predicting winner
• 2008 Missoula Marathon: Svelte mayor kisses 102 pounds goodbye
• 2008 Missoula Marathon: Youth Homes hoping for $42,000 in pledges

More 2008 Missoula Marathon Pics

2008 Missoula Marathon First Pics

What a great day for the 2nd Annual 2008 Missoula Marathon. Here are some amateur pics from today Marathon Start and near Mile Marker 4. I'll be adding more photos to the race day photo page as they come in to me from our pro MM photographers.

Three hours left to sign up....

Get on down to the final three hours to sign up for the 2008 Missoula Marathon and pick up your race packets at the Missoula Marathon Expo at Caras Park. Pics are from the Expo this morning.

One of the cool things about the marathon are meeting the folks who have come a long way to run our marathon. Here are a group of runners waiting for the tour bus for the Missoula Marathon. Chicago, NY, Texas are where some of these folks hail from. The gal in the middle is only 5 away from completing her 50 states marathons, for the second time... fellow on her right is at 26th state marathon.

Course Director Courtney Babbock ready to board & lead the Tour of the Missoula Marathon Course earlier today..

2008 Missoula Mile Markers on display at Expo and available for purchase after the marathon.

http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

One Day to Go....

Weather Saturday, Tonight, clear. Lows in the mid to upper 40s (which means race start time). We moved the start up this year so it would be cooler. Well, it's gonna be cooler... . Your warmup clothes will be transported back to the finish line. (instructions in your race packet)

Great race weather..
Sunday, sunny. Highs near 90. (Not from Montana? it will not hit 90 until around 5 pm. )


Pick up a copy of the today's Missoulian for great Missoula Marathon articles or read online at http://www.missoulian.com/:

• 2008 Missoula Marathon: Svelte mayor kisses 102 pounds goodbye Missoula Mayor John Engen has lost 102 pounds since February. Engen will walk as much of the 13.1-mile half-marathon as he can Sunday morning. By BETSY COHEN


• 2008 Missoula Marathon: Youth Homes hoping for $42,000 in pledges When the Missoula Marathon and the Missoula Half Marathon get under way on Sunday, among the thundering herd of 1,100-plus racers will be 42 people running to improve the lives of Missoula's neediest children. By BETSY COHEN

Last Day Registration at the Missoula Marathon Expo along with your race packet pickup. See blog entry below for more info..

So come on down to the Missoula Marathon Expo in Caras Park and sign up today for the Missoula Marathon, Half Marathon or Marathon Relay before 6 pm. Take the tour bus of the MM course at Noon, only $5.00. Also run our RWM Hellgate Village 5K at 5 pm today.

http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

The 2008 Missoula Marathon Expo & Hellgate Village 5K

The 2008 Missoula Marathon Event Expo

Saturday, July 12, 2008 from 8 am - 6 pm

Packet Pickup and last day to register for the Missoula Marathon on Sunday... No Race Day Registration..

Come and see displays unique to the Montana experience, including retailers, trainers, and more in downtown Missoula at the Caras Park Pavillion. Click for map (in Adobe pdf format) of the Expo and Finish Area or Google interactive map on the Missoula Marathon Expo Page.

___________________

Hellgate Village 5K • Saturday Late afternoon: Start Time 5:00 p.m. an informal family fun run 5K, the night prior to the Missoula Marathon, Start and Finish at Tent @ Caras Park, Percent of proceeds will be donated to the Missoula Alzheimer’s Support Group In memory of Anne Hayes. Entry Fees: Run Wild Missoula Member - $13.00 Family - $40.00 - Non-Member $15.00, Family - $45.00 All finishers receive a prize! First male and female finisher receives a framed print of Missoula. Race Director: Carol Brooker. Download the registration form or signup at the Expo.

http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

Still Sitting on the Fence?

Still trying to decide to run one of the Missoula Marathon events?

It's time to jump off the fence and run on over to one of our Missoula signup locations: Southgate Mall, Runners Edge, First Security Bank & REI. (Today and Friday)

Or just a mouse click away at active.com

Or sign up at the Missoula Marathon Expo & Packet Pickup on Saturday, July 12, 2008 in downtown Missoula at the Caras Park Pavillion.

Late Registration fees on Saturday so signup today or tomorrow and save $5.00.

http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

Running for Relationships 8 Marathons, 8 Countries, 8 Weeks, 1 couple, Every Step Together

Australian couple Sue and Andrew O’Brien are setting out to run eight marathons in eight countries in eight weeks. The journey with legs in six continents commences with the gruelling 89 km ultra Comrades Marathon in South Africa on June 15th 2008 and concludes with the Townsville marathon in Australia on August 3rd.


The MISSOULA MARATHON is proud to be the USA marathon they picked to run, number five of their eight marathons in eight countries.


The website http://www.partnerunning.com/ was launched on June 10th and includes a blog to report on progress, pictures, tips from the O’Briens forthcoming book on partner running and a link to Oxfam to encourage donors around the world as the O’Briens tackle the running, health, travel, logistics and other challenges associated with running every step of every marathon together on their journey which includes:

June 15th Comrades Marathon, Durban, South Africa
June 22nd Flic en Flac to Port Louis return, Mauritius
June 29th Rio De Janeiro Marathon , Brazil
July 6th Calgary Marathon, Alberta, Canada
July 13th Missoula Marathon, Montana, USA
July 20th Pattaya Marathon,Thailand
July 27th Swiss Alpine Marathon, Davos, Switzerland
August 3rd Townsville Marathon, Queensland, Australia


Check out their progress at their blog and give them a G'Day welcome on Race Day!

http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

Missoula Marathon Merchandise Galore!

Merchandise Galore!

This year the Missoula Marathon is proud to offer a great variety of Marathon Merchandise! We have expanded our line to provide something for everyone from our younger marathon enthusiasts to our seasoned participants. We offer a great selection of apparel for the whole family including embroidered hats and visors and ladies' hoodies to fun novelty items.

Embroidered totes, picnic blankets and aluminum water bottles will be on display. This year make sure you don't miss the Missoula Marathon Merchandise booth at the Expo...

See you there!

------------------------------------------------
Weather for Race Day: 85°/ 49° Clear .....WOW!!

to http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

Manning the Missoula Marathon Aid Stations

Manning Your Aid Stations: Thank These People on your Way By

Sapphire Physical Therapy
Garlington Lohn & Robinson
Hellgate High School
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Community Bank
Blue Mountain Clinic
Camp Mak-a-Dream
Southgate Mall/Caffe Dolce
Partners in Home Care
University of Montana Athletic Dept.
Tabaracci, Sullivan & Rhoades
El-Mar Estates Homeowner’s Association
Bronc Brew
Hercules Mortgage
Montana Preferred Properties
Sentinel High School

Looking for Pasta?

Looking for Pasta?

The following restaurants are all located in downtown Missoula:

• Ciao Mambo: Italian Restaurant 541 South Higgins Ave, 543.0377


• Scotty's Table: Creative American In the historic Wilma Theatre, 131 South Higgins, adjacent to Caras Park, 549.2790


• Front St. Pasta and Wraps: Casual, 247 W Front St, 728.6655


• MacKenzie River Pizza: Also Pasta, 137 W Front St, 721.0077

Missoula Marathon Sponsors of the Week

Team Effort Brings Runners Post-Race Beer

In the complex world in which we all live, and with rules and regulations being what they are, in our Inaugural event last year we were unable to offer our athletes a post-race beer. Being as our race is smackin the middle of the summer, in Montana, where it's virtually guaranteed to be hot, sunny and dry, we were disappointed about that. This year, with the combined support of Big Sky Brewing and Badlander Pub, athletes may have a free beer at the conclusion of the race!

Big Sky Brewing brews its Moose Drool and other favorites right here in Missoula, Montana, but you can find their products nationwide. They are supplying freshly brewed beer for the athletes. Badlander Pub has offered to set up shop in Caras Park on marathon day, pass out a free beer to race participants (of age), and also to sell beer to spectators, friends and family taking in the event. So if a nice, cold beer and hot summer sun go hand-in-hand for you, it will be waiting for you in Caras Park on Sunday, July 13th. Thanks again to Big Sky Brewing and Badlander!

http://www.bigskybrew.com/
Badlander Pub

back to www.missoulamarathon.org

Race Day Weather is looking Fantastic

As any Missoulian will tell you the last 5+ years in the middle of July have been down right HOT, 95+ degrees.

But check out the long range forcasts for Missoula Marathon Race Day & Sign up now.
Missoula Forcasts:

Mostly sunny with high in low 80s on Sunday... 52 degrees at 6 am race start...

• The Weather Channel


• National Weather Service


• Weather Underground


• The Missoulian

to Missoula Marathon Homepage

2008 Confirmed Registrations for Marathon, Half Marathon & Kids Marathon

Here is the latest list of confirmed registrations in from Vic

Click to view 2008 Registration (in Adobe pdf file format)


"All Active.com registrations through July 3rd are included here; as usual, paper registration takes longer to process.
92 are signed up for the Kids Marathon, 336 for the marathon, and 510 for the half marathon.

There are also three relay teams.

If your name does not appear, is spelled incorrectly, or if age or gender are incorrect, please let me know: vic@runwildmissoula.org

46 US states and the District of Columbia, as well as Canada (17 entrants), Scotland, France,
Australia (2), and Indonesia are represented. The youngest half marathoners are 12 (two of them), The oldest is 70.

The youngest marathoner is 20; the oldest (two of them, born two weeks apart) are 73."

~ Vic Mortimer


to:> The Missoula Marathon Homepage

Small Alteration in Course Made

Small Alteration in Course Made

Hello Runners! In order to have the start and finish precisely where we want them to be located, we have made a small alteration in the course. It affects both Full and Half Marathon participants. We have posted the revised map, the course will be well-marked, and we’ll have volunteers at all the key junctures, so don’t be concerned about going off-course.

For those of you who have the course memorized, the change is in the Bonner Park area:

Travel south on Ronald. Do NOT turn left on E. Sussex.
Turn left one block past E. Sussex, on South Ave.
Turn left on Hilda as before.

> Course Map < (in Adobe pdf file format)

If you have questions, please email the Course Director, Courtney Babcock, at courtney@runwildmissoula.org

to: Missoula Marathon Home Page

Port-a-Potties on the Course

Port-a-Potties on the Course

This is one of our most Frequently Asked Questions so Port-a-Potties is getting it’s blog entry. Yes, there are Port-a-Potties on the course. They are located at each and every aid station. The first aid station after the respective Full and Half starts each have TWO toilets, so people who didn’t quite have time at the starting area have another chance. There are a total of 18 aid stations, 17 for the full marathon (initially two miles apart, eventually 1 mile apart) and 11 for the half marathon.

Guided Tour of the Missoula Marathon Course

Guided Tour of the Missoula Marathon Course

Are you one of those people who like to be completely familiar with the course? Are you the kind of person who does not believe in relying on the line of people in front of you and the knowledge that, no matter what, it’s 26.2 miles to the finish so what does it matter? Are you one of those people who are winning so you MUST know the course? Well, then you might want to take the bus tour.

First of all, please know that this is the MARATHON course, beginning in Frenchtown. However, if you are running the HALF Marathon, you will see about 10 ½ miles of your course, too, you just won’t see the beginning 2.6 miles, where it’s impossible to get lost anyway.

Your Tour Guide is Course Director Courtney Babcock, who does know every bump. She’s a professional runner, so there is no question you can ask about the course that she won’t know, because she’s thought about it all. In spite of the fact that your guide is a professional runner (In the 2004 Olympics, no less, and going for 2008) the cost is only $5, which is probably a mistake since fuel prices have tripled since we established that price and now breaking even is not a remote possibility. Cheap gas AND listening to an Olympian for just $5 – what a deal!

It is first come first served. Some of you have already registered on-line. The rest of you can pay at the bus as you board.

The bus leaves at noon, Saturday, July 12th, from the Parking Garage located on Main St. between Higgins Ave. and Ryman. It’s notated on the Finish Area map; the map is on the website. (The parking garage is the same place where the bus shuttle will be leaving on Sunday morning.) Bring your fan because it’s a school bus and we don’t air condition our school buses in Montana. It’s not humid enough. Just hot.

Thank you for running the Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon!
Are you one of those people who like to be completely familiar with the course? Are you the kind of person who does not believe in relying on the line of people in front of you and the knowledge that, no matter what, it’s 26.2 miles to the finish so what does it matter? Are you one of those people who are winning so you MUST know the course? Well, then you might want to take the bus tour.

First of all, please know that this is the MARATHON course, beginning in Frenchtown. However, if you are running the HALF Marathon, you will see about 10 ½ miles of your course, too, you just won’t see the beginning 2.6 miles, where it’s impossible to get lost anyway.

Your Tour Guide is Course Director Courtney Babcock, who does know every bump. She’s a professional runner, so there is no question you can ask about the course that she won’t know, because she’s thought about it all. In spite of the fact that your guide is a professional runner (In the 2004 Olympics, no less, and going for 2008) the cost is only $5, which is probably a mistake since fuel prices have tripled since we established that price and now breaking even is not a remote possibility. Cheap gas AND listening to an Olympian for just $5 – what a deal!

It is first come first served. Some of you have already registered on-line. The rest of you can pay at the bus as you board.

The bus leaves at noon, Saturday, July 12th, from the Parking Garage located on Main St. between Higgins Ave. and Ryman. It’s notated on the Finish Area map; the map is on the website. (The parking garage is the same place where the bus shuttle will be leaving on Sunday morning.) Bring your fan because it’s a school bus and we don’t air condition our school buses in Montana. It’s not humid enough. Just hot.

Thank you for running the Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon!

back to www.missoulamarathon.org

Missoula Marathon Pace Groups

The Missoula Marathon pace groups are coordinated by Team Stampede, the local Missoula triathlon group.

The goal is to have pacers for the following times:

3:30 (8:00 mile pace); 3:40 (8:22 mile pace); 3:50 (8:44 mile pace); 4:00 (9:07 mile pace); 4:15 (9:42 mile pace); 4:30 (10:17 mile pace) 4:45 (10:52 mile pace); 5:00 (11:26 mile pace)

Please remember our pacers are volunteers, with their own potential injuries, and they aren’t professional pacers. If someone pulls a hamstring the day before, he/she won’t be there. And if it’s absolutely positively critical that you achieve a certain time goal, that’s your responsibility. We will do our best to live up to these pace times. Last year for our Inaugural Event we had each and every pacer make it to race day and finish on time!

RacePhotos.net

RacePhotos.net
Official Missoula Marathon Photographers
_________________________________________________

Maybe you’ll see us, maybe you won’t….. either way we’re there capturing the photos that tell the story of your day. You can find us in the neon green shirts in several places along the course and at the finish line to capture your moment of triumph. Give us a smile, give us a wave and we’ll give you our best shot!

View your photos online…. We’ll have the photos posted online by Tuesday after the race and finding them is easy…simply go to our website and type in your name. Finish line photos will be readily available and non-timed photos throughout the course will all be manually identified by midweek.

More than just photos….. we offer a wide variety of products, so much more than just a picture. A finisher plaque, travel mug, perhaps a deck of playing cards or even a life-sized Sport Stik….all embellished with a photo from your race day! See us after the race or at the Expo to check out what we can do with your photo.

RacePhotos is a division of Referee Photo Inc. in Spokane, Washington. They are proud to be the official photographer of Bloomsday for the past 23 years. They also serve the ChelanMan and Grand Columbian triathlons, National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships and fulfill the Portland Marathon events. Their Referee Photo division handles a wide variety of sports in both team & individual as well as Action Shots! for leagues, teams, clubs, schools and others….if you’re looking for something different and want a quality photo day experience, give us a call or see us online!

http://www.racephotos.net/ http://www.refereephoto.com/

back to www.missoulamarathon.org

25th Annual RWM SUNDAE RUN sign up now.

This weekend is the perfect time to train for this Fridays 25th Annual RWM Sundae Run. Run to the Dairy Queen on Higgins Ave to drop off your application to guarantee a super looking t-shirt and grab an ice cream treat. My type of training run. You can download an application or just fill one out at the Dairy Queen.

July 4th, 2008, Friday

25th Annual Sundae Run • Missoula, GREENOUGH PARK, 1 mile Kids Run and 4 mile run, “Without ice-cream, there would be chaos and darkness” SPONSORED BY: DAIRY QUEEN & Run Wild Missoula, COURSES: Start and finish for both races is located at the covered picnic area on the northeast side of Greenough Park. PACKET PICKUP AND LATE REGISTRATION, 8:00 a.m. 1 Mile Race starts at 9:00 a.m. 4 mile race starts at 9:20, Age Groups, Awards and All participants will receive a certificate for a free sundae at the Dairy Queen. Entry fee is $14.00 with T-shirt or $7.00 without T-shirt. PARTICIPANTS WANTING A T-SHIRT MUST PREREGISTER BEFORE 6:00 p.m. ON SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2008. , Race Directors: Dalene & Dennis Normand 406-626-4012, 2008 Sundae Run click for > downloadable application.

Missoula Marathon Sponser of the Week

Missoula Marathon Sponsor of the Week

U of M ROTC

There’s nothing like starting with a “bang”, and the ROTC Cannon offers the best of that for the Missoula Marathon. The cannon gained its local notoriety for firing at the U of M Grizzly football games. The cannon first started shooting at Griz games around 1965. It was donated to the ROTC in 1970. The cannon is a black powder muzzle loaded 3-inch bore cannon. The ROTC uses about 3 ounces of black powder or pyrodex powder, packs it with one sheet of newspaper, and sets it off with a shotgun shell primer. If produced just right, they can get a smoke ring for the end of the National Anthem. (Rumor has it that it will launch a golfball above the top of the “M” on Mount Sentinel, but the man in charge claims to have no proof of that.) The history of the cannon itself is obscure: Nobody knows who manufactured the cannon and there is no date stamped on the barrel. In fact, there are no markings whatsoever on the cannon. The cannon is fired for each touchdown, each good field goal, and at the end of the game “win or lose”. That’s because firing is the only way to unload the cannon.

Now the tradition of shooting off the cannon at the beginning of the Missoula Marathon is underway. Thank You to the ROTC Cannon Crew.

For the Missoula Half Marathon we needed another cannon. Race Director Jennifer Straughan lives next door to cannon hobbyist Ted Soldowski. Building cannons as a hobby is not an easy fact to disguise: When Ted tests his cannons you can hear it all around the Nine Mile Valley. When asked, Ted was happy to participate as the cannon start for the Half Marathon. Ted was so enthusiastic after the Inaugural Missoula Marathon, that he has produced a brand new (and larger) cannon just for the Second Missoula Marathon. He’s been testing it and it’s certainly working.

So put in your earplugs and get ready for the start of the Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon, Sunday July 13th, 6 am.

back to: http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

"I'll Be Back!"

No, The Terminator is not coming to the Missoula Marathon but ....

The Marathon Maniacs are coming back and they are bringing more of them...

So far 37 Marathon Maniacs are listed on their website www.marathonmaniacs.com/ as attending the Missoula Marathon.

Are you addicted to running marathons?
Have you run marathons on back to back weekends? Or better yet back to back days? Have you run a marathon as a training run? Or just to pace a friend? Well if you answered yes to any of these questions, you just may be a Marathon Maniac !!

You'll be able to spot them with their unique bright yellow Marathon Maniacs shirts.

Aid Stations & New Course Map

There will be 18 aid stations along the Missoula Marathon & Half Marathon courses.



Each aid station will have water & PowerBar Endurance Drink. (and Porty Potties)



PowerBar Energy Gels will be given out at two aid stations for the marathon runners:

1. Mile 15.6 River Pines at Big Flat Road


2. Mile 23 Brooks & Beckwith/Caffe Dolce

PowerBar Energy Gels will be given out at one aid station for the half marathon runners:

1. Mile 10 Brooks & Beckwith/Caffe Dolce

Medical teams will be at the start, along the course and at the finish line.



CLICK for the new > Course map with aid stations locations.



Back to > http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

Missoula Marathon Sponsor of the Week

Mountain Line Offers Free Bus Service

In honor and support of the Missoula Marathon, Mountain Line, the local bus service, is offering free transportation all day on Saturday, July 12th. Mountain Line doesn’t have bus service on Sundays (after all, this is a small town), but they are more than happy to help out on Saturday, the day of the Expo when all the athletes must come into Caras Park Pavilion to receive their packet. Mountain Line has a limited number of days they are allowed to offer this free service, so we are thrilled that they are using one of them for our event.

No matter who you are: runner, non-runner, friend, family, spectator, Missoula resident, visitor – it doesn’t matter. All bus rides are free! To find out the bus schedule, log on to http://www.mountainline.com/. Mountain Line is based out of downtown Missoula, close to the location of the Expo on Saturday. Getting around Missoula should be easy for you without a vehicle.

This one way our community has of saying, “Welcome to Missoula! We hope you enjoy your stay and come back soon.

Thank you for supporting those who support the Missoula Marathon!
________________

Would you like to become a Missoula Marathon Sponsor?
Contact Race Director: Jennifer Straughan 406 626-4055 racedirector@missoulamarathon.com for details.

Go to > http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

Weather looks great for Pengelly Double Dip this Sat. June 14th

I just received at 5:43 am this morning the following email from the RWM club's weather gal who also doubles as the club Prez: "The weather forecast is beautiful for Saturday."

So Sign up NOW!

June 14, 2008, Saturday,

Pengelly Double Dip • Missoula, starts at Univ. of Montana, Riverbowl Field, 5th Annual Epic Trail Run of Elephantine Proportions Single Dip: About 4.6 miles up the M trail, down the fire road, and back to campus. Double Dip: About 12.5 miles. Up to the M and beyond, to the university beacon, the top of Mt. Sentinel, down the Hellgate Canyon trail and along the Kim Williams Trail. Age Divisions. Also the U of M's Monte Mile for kids which is a out and back on the Kim Willams Trail. . . Registration Fees: Double Dip $30 (No increase for day-of-race registration) Single Dip $20 (No increase for day-of-race registration) Monte Mile FREE (no shirt for the Monte Mile) Packet Pick-up and Day-of-Race Registration begins 7:30 am. Start Times: Single Dip and Double Dip 9 am; Monte Mile 9:15 am Sponsored by Run Wild Missoula.

More info Click> pengellydoubledip.org

Tonight... Last Pre-Race Good Food Store Seminar

The Missoula Marathon & The Good Food Store presents:

“Formulating Your Race Strategy for the Missoula Marathon”

June 9 , 2008 Monday at 7 pm at the Good Food Store classroom.The Good Food Store will once again be hosting these FREE monthly seminars, PLUS providing the fabulous food for marathon runners at the Missoula Marathon.

Speakers: Tom Raunig, Head Cross Country and Track Coach at the University of Montana, former All-American and 2:12 marathoner;

Courtney Babcock, professional runner with Mountain West Track Club and 2004 Olympian.

You've done all the training. You've tested all your gear. You've perfected your nutrition. Now the big day is coming up: the Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday, July 13. What should you do on race day? How should you pace your race? Should you "bank time"? Start conservatively and speed up if everything is going well? What do you do to recover? We're very fortunate to have these two top caliber athletes in our community. Take advantage of what they know and come to this seminar. Space is limited and we frequently run out of room for this series, so come early.

The event is free, but seating is limited to 40-50. The Good Food Store is located at 1600 S. Third St. W., Missoula.

http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

Missoula Marathon Sponsor of the Week

Break Espresso

While hanging out in Missoula on the weekend of the Missoula Marathon, be sure to stop in to Break Espresso for a great cup of coffee or espresso, exceptional pastries, quiche, bagel sandwiches, fabulously beautiful pie and more. Break Espresso stepped right up before anyone knew what the Missoula Marathon was and became a sponsor of the event. We are extremely grateful for them believing in us right from the beginning. Unfortunately for us, they don’t have a mobile cart, so they can’t be present at Caras Park either at the Expo or on Race Day. What this means to you is an extremely pleasant stroll straight north to 432 N. Higgins (yes, this is right downtown). If you’re coming from Caras Park at the Clark Fork River, it’s on the right-hand side of the street. They have lots of seating and you’ll want to take a Break and spend some time there.

Thank you for supporting those who support the Missoula Marathon!

http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

Missoula Marathon featured in Missoula.com Magazine

Check out the Missoula Marathon featured in the June 2008 www.missoula.com magazine.

www.missoulamarathon.org

Flights In and Out of Missoula

Flights In and Out of Missoula

Flying directly into and out-of Missoula is marvelously convenient and you’ll love our small airport, located only a few miles from downtown Missoula. It is easy to get a shuttle, taxi, or of course a rental car, from the airport to your hotel.

However, if you wish to check your price options do what Missoulians do: consider flying into and out-of Spokane, WA. (Airport code is GEG). Airfares can be substantially less since it’s a much larger metropolitan area. It is only a three hour drive from the Spokane airport to Missoula, crossing beautiful country and two striking mountain passes.

http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

Save some $$, Sign Up Now!

Early registration for the Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon ends on Saturday, May 31, 2008



Entry FeesMarathon -early registration $60.00 thru May 31, 2008
Half Marathon - early registration $45.00 thru May 31,

Go the Missoula Marathon Registration Page for a downloadable application or to sign up online.

Missoula Marathon Sponsor of the Week

Spotlight on Alpine Physical Therapy

Alpine Physical Therapy is the yearly and exclusive physical therapy sponsor of the Missoula Marathon. This prestigious sponsorship puts us face-to-face with runners of all skill levels, giving us opportunities to provide consultation to all participants and to present numerous training seminars for area marathoners.

Our team of seven physical therapists provides both pre- and post-race massages for all Missoula Marathoners. In addition, we offer free injury consultations both before and after the race.


We offer a unique service for all runners called The Runner’s Clinic. The Runner’s Clinic is overseen by expert physical therapist, Angela Vap, DPT. Angela is the only Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapist in the state Montana. As such, she is an expert diagnostician, particularly as it relates to sport biomechanics associated with high-mileage running.

Participants entering The Runner’s Clinic undergo 2-D video analysis of their stride, along with a comprehensive body and movement examination. Integrating the 2-D video analysis with the clinical exam provides an exacting assessment for identifying running faults that can contribute to injury and impact performance. The results of the examination form the basis of specific corrective exercises that you’ll begin learning and doing on day one! For more information on The Runner’s Clinic, be sure to visit our website at http://www.alpineptmissoula.com/,
and click on Programs and Specialties.

Gaining knowledge about your injury and what you can do to resolve it puts you ahead of the pack. We invite you to peruse the Runner’s Clinic section of our website for information on various injuries common to runners. Gather additional information by clicking on the Patient Resources section of our website for news and information on these and other conditions runners face. And finally, we invite you to get updated information on running and other items on health and fun in Missoula by regularly visiting our blog at http://www.healthandfitness101.com/.

We have two locations in Missoula.

Alpine Physical Therapy, North
Our newly opened clinic is located in the North Reserve Business Center, Suite I-3, just behind Johnny Carino’s. 406-541-2606.
Alpine Physical Therapy, South
We are located in the Peak Health & Wellness Center on the corner of Highway 93 South and Blue Mountain Road. 406-251-2323.

If you’d like to schedule a free injury consultation or schedule to participate in the Runner’s Clinic, call us at 406-251-2323.

Back to www.missoulamarathon.org

RWM Pengelly Double Dip

An Epic Trail Run of Elephantine Proportions.
The RWM Pengelly Double Dip is June 14, 2008

Location: University of Montana, Riverbowl Field, Missoula, Montana
Distances: Double Dip - 13 miles
Single Dip - 5 miles
Monte Mile for Kids
More info pengellydoubledip.org

Good Food Store MM Seminar - this Monday night

The Missoula Marathon & The Good Food Store
presents:

“Eat Right While Training and Running the Missoula Marathon ”
May 12 , 2008 Monday at 7 pm at the Good Food Store classroom.

The Good Food Store will once again be hosting these FREE monthly seminars, PLUS providing the fabulous food for marathon runners at the Missoula Marathon.

Speaker: Carla Cox, Ph.D., RD, Sports Nutritionist

Endurance Sport Specialist, mountain climber, marathoner and Iditarod researcher Carla Cox knows all about fueling for the long haul. If you're wondering what to do to achieve your optimum performance for the Missoula Marathon or Half Marathon, this is a seminar you won't want to miss. Learn what fuels are best for the body (fats, carbohydrates, protein) and when to eat them. How does that change with the heat? What about fluids and salts? Should you be drinking energy drinks pre, during, post?, Ask all the questions you want. She can answer them.
The event is free, but seating is limited to 40-50. The Good Food Store is located at 1600 S. Third St. W., Missoula

Back to www.missoulamarathon.org

2,008 in 2008, Sign up now!!

The Missoula Marathon and its partner Southgate Mall are hoping to get 2,008 race participants to enter and cross the finish line in the 2008 races this July. As an incentive to achieve this goal and to encourage early registration, the first 2,008 racers to sign up for one of the Marathon events will be entered into a drawing for $2,008 in Southgate Mall Gift Cards. The first 2,008 people who enter the Missoula Marathon, Missoula Half Marathon, Marathon Relay or Missoula Kids Marathon are eligible for the drawing. All 2,008 names will be placed in a bowl and the winning name will be drawn at the awards ceremony on July 13th.

“Athletes have a tendency to wait until the last minute to register,” explained race director Jennifer Straughan, “and we’re very excited about reaching our goal of 2,008 participants this year, so we thought we’d give people extra motivation to register earlier than they would normally. All a person has to do in order to be in the drawing is be among the first 2,008 registrants in any of the races associated with the Missoula Marathon.”

Southgate Mall hosted the Southgate Mall Super Aid Station last year, but the course is altered this year to take advantage of the trees and shade in the residential areas. “This is a great way for Southgate Mall to show its support of the Missoula Marathon and its athletes,” said Tim Winger, general manager of Southgate Mall. “We’re glad to be part of the event and look forward to seeing the Missoula Marathon reach its goal of 2,008 participants. Plus we’ll still be doing our aid station, it just won’t be located at the Mall.”

The winner of the drawing can spend the gift cards at any of the Southgate Mall stores, which is over 100. For a complete list of Southgate Mall stores, log onto www.shopsouthgate.com.

Additionally, the price of the races goes up on June 1, so athletes who sign up early can avoid the increase by registering now. The Missoula Marathon fee goes from $60 to $70 on June 1st, and then $75 on July 12th at the pre-race Expo. The Missoula Half Marathon fee goes from $45 to $55 on June 1st, and $60 on July 12th.

Members of the Missoula Marathon Committee, Missoula Kids Marathon Committee, Run Wild Missoula Committee, Run Wild Missoula Board of Directors and their relatives are not eligible to win, and their names will be excluded from the drawing.

The winner’s name will be drawn on Sunday, July 13th during the awards ceremony at the Missoula Marathon. The winner does not have to be present to win. Chance of winning is 1 in 2,008.

back to www.missoulamarathon.org

Check out May 2008 Running Times Magazine

The Missoula Marathon

Finishing Kick: A Marathon Runs Through It
The last best place for a race

By Rachel Toor

As featured in the May 2008 issue of Running Times Magazine < click

to www.missoulamarathon.com

Missoula Marathon Sponsors of the Week

Root Beer Floats for the Missoula Marathon Kids: Missoula Style

What do you give to a kid who has steadfastly ticked away 25 miles on his marathon log and then finished the final big 1.2 miles on race day? Sure a medal – and yes a shirt, but better yet – how about a particularly special root beer float? Last year at the Missoula Marathon Inaugural Event, Big Dipper Ice Cream volunteered to supply their home-made ice cream and Kettlehouse Brewing their home-made root beer, so the Missoula Kids Marathon Committee could reward each and every finisher with a root beer float on race day. How nice was that? Very – because nobody knew how many kids would RUN the Missoula Kids Marathon! That’s pretty generous to support an event that could have any number of participants.

In the end we had 200 participants and 200 root beer floats. In 2008 we’re hoping for 400 participants, and Big Dipper Ice Cream and Kettlehouse Root Beer will once again be waiting for the runners at the finish line. The Missoula Kids Marathon Committee will serve them up and our young marathoners can go home with a smile on their face knowing they accomplished their goal, and a smile in their tummy as well.

You, too, can thank these sponsors for supporting the Missoula Kids Marathon. All you have to do is eat the ice cream and drink the (root) beer. They’re both located just south of the Higgins Ave. Bridge. Big Dipper Ice Cream is at the corner of 5th and Higgins. Then swing by KettlehouseBrewing at the corner of 4th and Myrtle (okay if you’re under 21 don’t stop there).

Back to > The Missoula Marathon Home Page

RIDE The RWM Bloomsday Bus

Sunday May 4, 2008
The RWM Bloomsday Bus •
Run Wild Missoula is organizing a bus to the Spokane, Bloomsday Race. Coordinator: Jennifer jen@runwildmissoula.org or call 626-4055

Deluxe Beach Liner Bus to Spokane for Bloomsday

Departs and returns to the downtown parking garage in Missoula.

Cost: $50 for RWM members, $60 for non-members. Click to download more info and > application or register online at http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1513849&assetId=bbcab778-637e-461a-9b00-2ded8c6274a1

Back to www.runwildmissoula.org

Missoula Marathon Sponsors of the Week

Missoula Marathon Sponsors of the Week

The Axmen and First Security Bank

How do you find a sweep vehicle that doesn’t take up the whole road, conserves gas, is capable of picking up a stray runner here and there, and keeps the person in the vehicle happy and shaded? Axmen! Axmen carries golf carts, and cheerfully not only loaned theirs, but filled it with gas, dropped it off AND picked it up! Then they agreed to do the same thing in 2008! You should really make a point of going out there and thanking them, as you look around, and perhaps purchase something. They’re at Highway 10, past the airport just before you hit the WYE interchange.

Then who do you find to DRIVE the vehicle? Someone willing to sit in a golf cart for a minimum of six hours, make sure no stray runners need assistance, notify the aid stations that, yes, this is the LAST runner, and follow the last person into the finish line. Last year Barb Callahan of First Security Bank said, “I’ll drive the golf cart!” Were we ever delighted. She was especially great because the golf cart became the catering vehicle for a small group of women who had given up on running and walked to the finish. This year, Barb is planning to run the Missoula Half Marathon, but First Security Bank says they are sure to have another driver ready for the Axmen golf cart. Thank you to First Security for filling this important position at the end of the race!
__________________
Would you like to become a Missoula Marathon Sponsor?
Contact Race Director: Jennifer Straughan 406 626-4055 racedirector@missoulamarathon.com for details.

back to www.missoulamarathon.org

River Bank Run this Saturday.....

YMCA River Bank Run

Not to be missed by any runner or walker and especially recommended for Missoula Marathon Kids Marathoners.

April 26, 2008,_ Saturday
Riverbank Run • Missoula; Mile, 5K, 10K or run all three for a Trifecta or Corporate Challenge. Starts near the Carousel and finished at the Boone and Crockett building on the river trail. 10K at 9:00 am, 5K at 10:30, Mile at 11:35 (or 11:25 for Trifecta and Corporate Challenge). http://www.ymcamissoula.org/

back to www.missoulamarathon.org

Missoula Marathon Sponsors

It’s great being in a University town. The Health and Human Performance Dept. at the University of Montana has been supremely helpful in our efforts to put on a first class marathon. We can’t thank them enough for their interest and participation.

Carla Cox, PhD., RD, designed a nutrition program for our Inaugural Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon Trainees. She’s given a number of talks at seminars to make sure people are fueling properly, and has then gone on to design another nutrition program for our Missoula Half Marathon Walking Trainees. She has also galvanized her students to help our Walking Trainees embrace the program. Carla herself is an accomplished endurance sport veteran, including marathons.

Brent Ruby, PhD., last year assisted Medical Director Eric Kress, MD., with data that helped with our risk management assessment. This year he is designing testing that will gauge the effects of running the marathon on the human body, again with the intent of helping the Missoula Marathon manage the risk component of athletes competing, in potentially warm temperatures, over the 26.2 or 13.1 mile distances. Brent is also an amazing athlete, and has completed the Kona Ironman.

Thank you to Carla Cox, Brent Ruby and the rest of the Health & Human Performance Dept. at the University of Montana for helping to make the Missoula Marathon an event operating with the most advanced scientific data!

Missoula Half Marathon Walking Training 2008

Run Wild Missoula brings you the:
Missoula Half Marathon Walking Training Class

The 12 Week Training Program begins Saturday, April 19 to Wednesday, July 9 and the Missoula Half-Marathon is on Sunday, July 13th.
Registration Fees:
Run Wild Missoula Members: $30.00

Non-Run Wild Missoula Members: $45.00

What you get:

Encouragement, coaching and practical suggestions by veteran marathon walkers, Bill and Barb Samsoe

Comprehensive Training Program

Twice Weekly Group Meetings

Speakers on Various Training Topics

Nutrition Plan

Hat

Fun People to Train With

First class meets at Community Medical Center, Conference Rooms I & J, at 8 am. Come ready to walk! Dress for the weather.
Download the application > Walking Training 2008 Application

Back to http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

Missoula Kids Marathon - Good Food Store Seminar

The Missoula Marathon & The Good Food Store presents:
Good Food Store Kids Marathon Seminar
Event Date: Monday, April 14th
Where: Good Food Store
Time: 7 pm
Cost: FREE!

Now that the beverage section at the grocery store consumes multiple aisles, how do you decide what to drink? Caffeine, sugar in countless forms, vitamins, minerals – what do you and your family need? Come to the Missoula Kids Marathon free seminar at the Good Food Store, where registered dietician Denise Zimmer will tell you exactly what you need to know. Race Director Sidney Hahn will also tell you how the Missoula Kids Marathon can help keep your family healthy, strong and active – don’t miss this free seminar!

The event is free, but seating is limited to 40-50. The Good Food Store is located at 1600 S. Third St. W., Missoula
Back to http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

“Walking the Missoula Half Marathon” Good Food Store Seminar

The Missoula Marathon & The Good Food Store presents:

“Walking the Missoula Half Marathon”

March 10, 2008 Monday at 7 pm at the Good Food Store classroom.The Good Food Store will once again be hosting these monthly seminars, PLUS providing the fabulous food for marathon runners at the Missoula Marathon.

In Run Wild Missoula’s mission statement we talk about promoting running and walking. We have finally found a great way to get that walking message across through the Missoula Marathon and promoting walking on the Half Marathon course.

• 
  Speakers: Courtney Babcock, Anders Brooker & Carla Cox
  

Walking the half marathon requires all the same elements one recognizes that goes with runner training: a smart training program, motivation, persistence, the proper nutrition, correctly fitted shoes, injury prevention and more. This will all be addressed at the free seminar. If you or someone you know might enjoy the challenge of walking 13.1 miles, make sure you come to this seminar.

The event is free, but seating is limited to 40-50. The Good Food Store is located at 1600 S. Third St. W., Missoula

Back to www.missoulamarathon.org

Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon Training Program

Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon Training Program 2008
Starts: March 8, 2008

Get ready for the Missoula Marathon or Half Marathon with Run Wild Missoula’s training program for anyone. You don’t have to be a semi-professional athlete, former track star, 5% body fat, or logging 30 miles a week to participate. All you have to be is someone who wants to complete the half or full Missoula Marathon on Sunday, July 13, 2008.

The course starts with distances as low as 2 miles, but how fast you run absolutely does not matter.

For beginners, there is even a run/walk option. Beginners who have not run a step as of the first day of class will be encouraged to set the Missoula Half Marathon as their goal. (Yes, you can do this. You have six hours to complete the Half Marathon course and you have 4 ½ months to train.)The program begins conservatively but you’ll find the miles start adding up quickly, even if you’re a more advanced runner. By the end of this course you will be ready for race day.

With the Training Program participants receive:

• Coaching by Anders Brooker, Cross Country and Track Coach at Hellgate High School (2007 Men’s State Champions), Owner Runner’s Edge.
• Comprehensive Training Program
• Twice Weekly Group Runs
• Weekly Speakers
• Nutrition Plan
• “Missoula Marathon In Training” Shirt
• Great Group of People to Run With
  

First Day: Saturday, March 8, 2008,
Location: Runner’s Edge, 325 No. Higgins Ave.,
Missoula Time: 8 am
Wear: Your running gear and be ready to run

How to Register for the Class:
Download the registration form: Click to download > 2008 MM Training Form (in Adobe pdf file)
Register on-line at ACTIVE: Click to go to> ACTIVE
Register in person at Runner’s Edge, 325 No. Higgins, Missoula
Registration Fees: Run Wild Missoula Members $45.00 Non-Run Wild Members $65.00

Want to be a Run Wild Missoula member? Of course you do. It’s $25.00 a year, so it’s practically free. Click to Download the form > 2008 RWM MEMBERSHIP
or in person at Runner’s Edge.

Group Run Days: Wednesday & Sundays Wednesdays and Sundays will be your group run days. All runs meet at Runner’s Edge. On Wednesdays, meet at 6 pm. On Sundays, meet at 8 am. This can change as the program progresses, but this is where we’ll start.
Sign up today!

Back to www.missoulamarathon.org

RWM Tuesday Night Track

Hi All,
It's that time of year again...TUESDAY TRACK! Come and join us on the track. 5:30 pm is the time until daylight savings when we switch to 6:00 pm, and U of M's Dornblaser track is the place. Near the corner of South Ave and South Higgins Ave. There might be snow but we'll be ready to run! We had an amazing turnout last year with our peak being around 60 runners. Run Wild's marathon training group joined us and hopefully will again this year. We have all ages and abilities and break apart into appropriate groups so don't be shy or intimidated, it's fun. And it's the best way to get faster and meet other runners!

See you there, Courtney

Ride, Run & Eat at the Snow Joke Half Marathon

Join Run Wild Missoula for a Bus Ride to Run the Snow Joke and Lunch at The Little Schoolhouse and a bus back to Missoula.

February 23, 2008 Saturday

The RWM Snow Joke Bus • Run Wild Missoula is organizing a bus up to the popular Seeley Lake, Snow Joke Half Marathon.
Coordinator: Jennifer Boyer jboyer@runwildmissoula.org

What: We have rented a BEACH school bus to take people to and from Snow Joke (Seeley Lake)When: Departs Missoula 7:45 am, Arrives Missoula 3:45 pm
Location: Departs parking garage in Missoula, returns there in afternoon
Cost: $20 for RWM members, $25 for non-members.
Click to download : the application or register online at active.com

Hello Snow Joke Runners including those riding the RWM bus.

There is something for you here. The sandwich shop located adjacent to the school has planned lunch items for you to order. They will have your lunch ready when you get done with your race. Download the form by clicking this LINK, then print it, fill it out, and when you arrive in Seeley Lake simply take your order in to Little Schoolhouse. I'm sure they'll have extra forms in the shop, too. For those of you riding the Snow Joke Bus, it will park right in theirparking lot. Have a great time at Snow Joke!

back to RWM and the Missoula Marathon Home Page

“How to Prevent Injury while Training for the Missoula Marathon”

“How to Prevent Injury while Training for the Missoula Marathon”

February 11, 2008, Monday at 7 pm at the Good Food Store classroom.

The Good Food Store will once again be hosting these monthly seminars, PLUS providing the fabulous food for marathon runners at the Missoula Marathon.

Speakers: Brent Dodge and Sam Schoeneman, Physical Therapists, Alpine Physical Therapy

Training for the Missoula Half or Full Marathon requires dedication and strong self-motivation to reach the finish line. So there is nothing more frustrating than being sidelined by an injury just when everything seems to be going well. Come to this seminar to learn prevention techniques, common training injuries, what to watch for, when you need to get assistance, when to work through the discomfort, and what you can do on your own to stay injury-free.

The event is free, but seating is limited to 40-50. The Good Food Store is located at 1600 S. Third St. W., Missoula

Back to http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

Crowds Jam Good Food Store for Missoula Marathon Seminar

“How to Start from Zero and Still Run the Missoula Marathon or Half Marathon!"

So many folks showed up and had to be turned away for the Good Food Store sponsored Missoula Marathon seminar last night, Jan. 28th, we are hosting a second session for this topic on Wednesday, February 6 at 7 pm.



“How to Start from Zero and Still Run the Missoula Marathon or Half Marathon!"
Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 7 pm at the Good Food Store classroom.The Good Food Store will once again be hosting these monthly seminars, PLUS providing the fabulous food for marathon runners at the Missoula Marathon.



Speaker: Anders Brooker, Coach of the Hellgate High School Cross Country and Track Teams (2007 State Champions); owner Runner’s Edge



Anders Brooker presents the plan to get you to the finish line of the Missoula Half or Full Marathon on Sunday, July 13th. It doesn’t matter if you’re fast or slow, you can get there if you train properly. Ask all the questions you want because Anders has the answers. Seminar will include information on pace, weekly mileage, hydration, nutrition, cross training, proper gear, outside resources and whatever else you wish to know. If you’re even considering participating in the Missoula Marathon or Half Marathon, do not miss this free seminar!



The event is free, but seating is limited to 40-50 so arrive early. The Good Food Store is located at 1600 S. Third St. W., Missoula.

Back to Run Wild Missoula & The Missoula Marathon

Run Wild Missoula Beginning Running and Fitness Class

Starts Feb 2, 2008,
RWM Beginning Running & Fitness Group will meet twice a week for six weeks, Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 pm and Saturdays 9-10 am. Meet downtown at Missoula School of Massage, 135 E. Main.

Two fabulous instructors: Jenny Newton & Kendra Borgmann

Kendra Borgmann has pretty much always loved running, beginning with trying to "beat the boys" in spur-of-the-moment playground sprints.
However, she understands that some people actually hate running, and feels that usually it is because they are not assisted through the first, most difficult phases of getting used to it, after which the rewards make it self-fulfilling. A few years ago, Kendra began running ultra-marathons, from 50 kilometers to 50 miles in distance.
To date she has run 16 ultras, placing first in 7 of them. As she nears 40 years of age and feels the effects of high mileage more acutely, and also as a necessity for being able to run on trail for long distances, Kendra has learned a great deal about the importance of "preventative maintenance," nutrition, strength, stretching, and cross-training. Kendra met Jenny after (unsuccessfully) trying to chase her down at the Pengelly Double Dip this summer and their ensuing training partnership has reminded her how important it is to have someone else encouraging and challenging you to do your best. She looks forward to this opportunity to get people as excited about increasing their fitness as she and Jenny are.

Jenny Newton grew up in Wyoming and Montana and earned a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's degree in bioengineering from the University of Wyoming. While at the University of Wyoming she started mountain bike racing and Nordic skiing. She did not have an immediate love for running, in fact, she thought it was hard and painful and would only do it as a way to help keep her in shape for other sports.
Upon moving to Missoula she started running with a group at work during lunch break and realized that running not only didn't have to be painful but could actually be fun! She also realized what a difference it made having a positive group of people to encourage her and get her out the door! She was so inspired that she started a Wellness program at work to help motivate others towards fun, healthy living. She is looking forward to working with Kendra to continue guiding people towards their health and fitness goals."

This course is geared toward anyone seeking guidance, structure, and inspiration to gain fitness. Let us help you follow through with your New Year's resolutions!
First Class: Saturday, February 2, 9-10 am Ends: Wednesday, March 12, 5:30-6:30 pm
Registration is $40.00 for RWM members, $50 for non-RWM members. Click to Downland > application, then mail to Run Wild Missoula, P.O. Box 1573, Missoula, MT 59806, or bring to Runner’s Edge, 325 N. Higgins Ave.
Or Register Online at www.active.com

Or go to the RWM Training Page for more info.

RWM Beginner Running Training Part II: Intermediate

If you can run 30 minutes without stopping, this is the class for you. The goal of this 6-week class is to build the mileage necessary to complete the Snow Joke Half Marathon on February 23, 2008.
The course begins on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 9:00 AM, and continues through Wednesday, February 20, 2008. We’ll meet at Runner’s Edge downtown and we will be directed by our fearless leader, Anders Brooker. Your training program for the class will be given to you at the onset of the 6-week course.Registration is free for Run Wild Missoula members, $25.00 for non-members. Save $25 and Join RWM for only $25, Membership > APPLICATION
Runs are on Wednesdays at 6:15 pm and Saturdays at 9 am starting downtown at the Runners Edge.
Download > RWM Beginner Runner II Training Form

Missoula Marathon 2008 Seminars

The Missoula Marathon & The Good Food Store
presents:

“How to Start from Zero and Still Run the Missoula Marathon or Half Marathon!"
Monday, January 28, 2008 at 7 pm at the Good Food Store classroom.The Good Food Store will once again be hosting these monthly seminars, PLUS providing the fabulous food for marathon runners at the Missoula Marathon.

Speaker: Anders Brooker, Coach of the Hellgate High School Cross Country and Track Teams (2007 State Champions); owner Runner’s Edge

Anders Brooker presents the plan to get you to the finish line of the Missoula Half or Full Marathon on Sunday, July 13th. It doesn’t matter if you’re fast or slow, you can get there if you train properly. Ask all the questions you want because Anders has the answers. Seminar will include information on pace, weekly mileage, hydration, nutrition, cross training, proper gear, outside resources and whatever else you wish to know. If you’re even considering participating in the Missoula Marathon or Half Marathon, do not miss this free seminar!

The event is free, but seating is limited. The Good Food Store is located at 1600 S. Third St. W., Missoula

check out the new website for: www.goodfoodstore.com

back to the http://www.missoulamarathon.com/

NEW Run Wild Missoula Sponsor: The Montana School of Massage

Run Wild Missoula is proud to announce the Montana School of Massage as a sponsor of Run Wild Missoula and will be helping promote all our club races and events.

Joe Beatty has been a competitive runner for more than 30 years and, for the last eight months, the owner of the Montana School of Massage on 131 East Main Street in Missoula.

Thanks to Joe’s generosity, we can now store RWM & Missoula Marathon equipment in his basement and meet there for our new RWM club yoga classes, Tuesday Track (a warm place to dress in cold weather), and for other club activities that require an indoor space.

Joe and his staff run a professional school with a comprehensive 650‐hour massage therapy program for students and, for the general public, a range of massage services that includes Swedish, relaxation, deep tissue, pregnancy, chair, and sports injury and prevention. For relieving stress, reducing blood pressure, promoting faster healing of muscle strains, increasing blood circulation, easing the symptoms of arthritis, and increasing endorphins (the bodyʹs natural pain killers), massage is remarkably effective.

The rates are reasonable, gift certificates are available, and we can all look forward to a warm and welcoming space. Next time you stop by the Montana School of Massage to work out
the kinks, be sure to say “thanks!” to Joe and his staff.

Check them out at: http://www.montanamassage.com/

back to www.runwildmissoula.org or www.missoulamarathon.com

RWM New Year’s Eve Family Fun Run

December 31, 2007 Monday night

The New Years Eve Run • Missoula • Herald in the New Year with Run Wild Missoula’s New Year’s Eve Run. This is a timed 2-mile on the indoor track of Peak Health and Wellness Center, New Years Eve 8-10 pm. The gym is closed except for this event. Bring the whole family and after the run enjoy New Year’s Eve treats plus the Peak Health and Wellness Center facility, including the pool, sauna, hot tub, gym and more. The gym will close at 10 pm. This event is Free & exclusive to Run Wild Missoula or PEAK gym members. Click For New Years Eve Run 2007 Registration Form. To join Run Wild Missoula click for a 2008 membership form and join today. Thank you to all Run Wild Missoula members and Happy New Year! Sponsored by Run Wild Missoula, Race Director: Jennifer Boyer jboyer@runwildmissoula.org


All RWM & PEAK gym members are welcome to attend free of charge. All we ask is that you register. You can fill out the form in the newsletter and mail it in, or stop in at Runner’s Edge, or even register on ACTIVE. Yeah, they will charge you $2, so for you ACTIVE registrants the run is almost free. And of course there are always those people who can’t make up their mind in advance and who will register at the door. Hey, wait, I’m one of those kind of people. So okay, registering at the door is in but I hope there’s enough food and drink.
Jen

Turkey Day 8K November 22, 2007 Thursday, Thanksgiving Day Morning

Did you know that the average turkey dinner with all the trimmings, pie, & drinks is 2,000+ calories. Get up early and come on downtown to the Run Wild Missoula Turkey Day 8K and get a start on burning the calories.

CLICK FOR RESULTS

The Turkey Day 8K • Missoula, Flat 8K out & back course along the Kim Williams Trail, Start and Finish: "The Bear" at the Boone and Crockett club, ( near the Higgins Ave. Bridge & S 3rd West at the old Milwaukee Train Station ) 9:30 am start with Race Day Registration starting at 8:30. Entry fee $10 and includes a pair of running gloves. Prizes for Female and Male, 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall. Sponsored by Run Wild Missoula, Break Espresso, Good Food Store and Runner’s Edge. Race Director: Courtney Babcock, courtney@runwildmissoula.org

Cherry Creek Radio

Run Wild Missoula is proud to announce Cherry Creek Radio is not only a sponsor of the Missoula Marathon but now also a sponsor of Run Wild Missoula and will be helping promote all our club races and events.

Check them out at:

StarFM – KXDR “Today’s Hit Music” Hot AC www.starfm.net

Z100 KZOQ “Missoula’s Classic Rock”Classic Rock / AOR www.kzoq.com

Eagle 93 – KGGL “The Most Country Music” Country www.eagle93.com

SportsTalk 1450 – KGRZ Sports Talk www.sportstalk1450.com

Oldies 106.7 KBQQ “The Greatest Hits of All Time” Oldies www.oldies1067.net / www.q1067.com

1340 AM KYLT Talk Radio www.1340kylt.com

OCTOBER 2007 RUN WILD MISSOULA EVENTS

RWM TRAINING

Weekly Tuesday Night Training at Dornblaser and now every Thursday night in October, weekly Rattlesnake Trail Runs, more info: RWM TRAINING

October 13, 2007 Saturday
The Pumpkin Run
400 meter kids run & 5K,
more info:
PUMPKIN RUN 07
------------------
October 19-21, 2007

Guinea Pig Running Camp
Lake Upsata Guest Ranch
in Ovando,
Coached by Courtney Babcock.
more info
---------------------
October 27, 2007, Saturday

16th Montana Cup • Missoula,
hosted by Run Wild Missoula
See http://www.montanacup.com/
for more information.

Back to http://www.runwildmissoula/ and the Missoula Marathon

GET YOUR INAUGURAL MISSOULA MARATHON MILE MARKER HERE!

The inaugural Missoula Marathon had the most unique mile markers ever seen at a marathon -- sculptured legs! This was the inspiration of Dudley Dana, owner of Dana Gallery in downtown Missoula and sponsor of the Missoula Marathon.

You can own a piece of history yourself for just $200. Many have already been sold, but these are still available.

To obtain your own Missoula Marathon Mile Marker Sculptured Leg, simply contact:
Dana Gallery

246 N. Higgins Ave.

Missoula, MT 59802

406-721-3154

http://www.danagallery.com/
info@danagallery.com
Shipping charges will apply if you can't come in and pick it up yourself.

River City Roots Festival 4 Mile Run

River City Roots Run - 4 Mile Run / Walk

Click for the:
RESULTS of the 2007 Roots Run

Sponsored by Missoula Downtown Association & Run Wild Missoula

Date: Sunday, September 16, 2007 Registatrion: On-site registration and packet pick up begins at 9am. Pre-register online here with active.com. Race Start Time: 11 am Start: XXXX’s (Circle Square) at end of North Higgins, Downtown Finish: Intersection of Main & Ryman, Downtown
For Questions: contact the Missoula Downtown Association at (406) 543-4238 or Runner's Edge at (406) 728-9297.

Online website: www.rivercityrootsfestival.com/

Course: Race starts at the bricks on Alder Street continuing up Duncan Hill. Runners will then travel down through the beautiful Greenough Park and finish in the heart of Downtown on Main St. For a map, click here (pdf).

Age Divisions: 13 & under, 14-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64,65-69, 70+

Awards & Prizes: Each prize will be awarded to both men's and women's winners
1st: $250 & 2 round trip tickets to Las Vegas
2nd: $150
3rd: $100

Nutrition & Aid: There will be one aid station along the course. There will also be snacks & hydration at the end of the race.

Walkers: Walkers are welcome. We love our walkers!

Strollers: Strollers are welcome but will be asked to start towards the back.

Sorry, No Dogs Allowed in the race or on the course.


More Information
Receive $1 coupon off Currents admission fee - Currents Grand Opening Celebration at noon!

Receive $1 coupon for Montana Brunch in Caras Park 11a.m. - 1p.m.

Check in Friday, Sept 15 from 5:30-7:30pm at Currents in McCormick Park, or Saturday
morning, 7:50 - 8:50 am in McCormick Park.


Prize Drawing: 10:30 a.m. at McCormick Park.
Entry Fee: $15 (Register before Sept. 8 at 5pm to receive a T-Shirt) Proceeds benefit
Parks & Recreation Youth Scholarship Fund.

Late entries, September 9 - 13, $15. Sorry, no t-shirt available after September 8.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY!!

Hello Run Wild Missoula members!

In order to increase communication within the running club, we have taken to sending out emails to the membership. The emails are items we feel can't wait until the next newsletter, including reminders, news flashes, requests for assistance and the like.

If you haven't been receiving emails lately from us, it means we do not have your email address, or at least your correct email address.

If you haven't been included, and wish to be included, please email me at jboyer@runwildmissoula.org. I'll make sure we get our records updated.
Thank you!
Jennifer Boyer

Missoula Marathon Merchandise

Missoula Marathon Merchandise

As of Monday, September 17th, Missoula Marathon Merchandise will be available for sale at Runner's Edge in downtown Missoula. Remaining merchandise includes sweatshirts, hoodies, t-shirts, water bottles and more for both men and women.

The ENTIRE inventory is at Runner's Edge, so if it's not there, we don't have it, whether it be a size or a particular item.

You may call Runner's Edge at 406-728-9297 if you have questions or want something shipped.

Run Wild Missoula Rattlesnake Trail Run Thursday Sept. 6, 2007

Held the first Thursday of each month starting at the main Rattlesnake trailhead 6 pm, led by RWM member Jeff Flury.

For those of you who are new to Missoula or for other reasons aren't familiar with the Rattlesnake, just follow the main Rattlesnake Road from the underpass near Eastgate Shopping Center for approximately 4 miles , staying on it where it turns right at Lincolnwood, continue past Tamarack, another mile pastl Wildcat Road. See trailhead signs at the left just before (almost by) Woods Gulch Road. Meet Jeff Flury at the end of the parking lot, closest to the trail and the restrooms.

Free to all Run Wild Missoula members, with refreshments after the run. $5 for non- members or better yet JOIN Run Wild Missoula.

Annual Meeting: Sunday, September 9th, 3-5 pm

The annual Run Wild Missoula general club member meeting, is your once-a-year opportunity to participate in this aspect of the running club.

• Place: NE corner of Greenough Park at the Pavilion
• Date: Sunday, September 9
• Time: 3-5 PM
• What: Run, Eat, Meet
• Who’s Buying: Run Wild MIssoula
• RSVP: Jen at jboyer@runwildmissoula.org
  
  Please RSVP if you’re coming – this one is on the house, but I need to know how many of you plan to attend so we can feed and water you properly.
  
  Honestly, I expect that most members want to pay their dues, enjoy club benefits, and go on about their life. Being a club member should not be another “job” for you to do – it’s supposed to be fun and relaxing.
  
  That doesn’t mean we aren’t interested in your thoughts and participation if you’re so inclined. We do have some positions on the committee open and, if you’re interested, we’d love to hear from you. We’ll be electing those positions on the 9th. Positions include Secretary and Membership.
  
  The Secretary is responsible for taking minutes of the meetings, writing them up and sending them off to the committee members, as well as sending out periodic emails to membership. It is important that the Secretary be able to regularly attend meetings.
  
  The Membership Director is responsible for keeping track of club members, payments, and keeping a tidy database. This position could be expanded to include generating new members, but that currently isn’t the case.
  Committee members make all the club decisions.
  
  The Run Wild Missoula committee meets once a month for one or two hours. Other than that, we communicate through email when decisions need to be made between meetings.
  
  So join us! If nothing else, it’s a great opportunity to meet the people directing the club, and all the other club members you don’t necessarily know.

Thanks,

Jennifer Boyer, President

Wanted: Free Storage and Office Space

Run Wild Missoula has been storing stuff in Nancy Shrader’s garage for the last umpteen bazillion years. This has been very kind of her. However, now that we also have a whole bunch of Missoula Marathon stuff, Nancy’s garage can’t swallow that much. If somebody has knowledge of a storage unit where we might be allowed to store our things for free, that’d be extremely helpful. We’re in a temporary space for the Missoula Marathon items, and we’d like to have it all combined into one spot. Soon, if possible.

Also, Run Wild Missoula needs office space in MIssoula. It doesn’t need to be large, but we need to be able to put a desk and a couple of filing cabinets, have a phone and a place to hang memorabilia on the wall!

I believe it’s important that the running club have it’s own “face”, and a physical address to receive packages. It will help to ensure the longevity of the club, because the club won’t be individual’s houses, but its own entity. Remember, Run Wild Missoula is a 501(c)3 organization, so anybody donating space has a tax-exempt write-off!! (

To All Missoula Marathon, Half Marathon and Kids Marathon Participants:

Thank you all so much for coming to our event! I know people think twice before attending an "inaugural", and we did our best to prepare and organize so that you could simply enjoy yourselves as you should. You have all been extremely kind regarding the inevitable mistakes on our part, gracious to our volunteers, and in general wonderful people to have had participate.

Thank you again. We all had a wonderful time putting this on for you and we're looking forward to next year on Sunday, July 13, 2008!

Jennifer Boyer, Race Director
racedirector@missoulamarathon.com

Thank you to all our Sponsors for Making Sunday, July 15, 2007 a Great Day!

Media Sponsors: They Got the Word Out and HOW!
KECI
Cherry Creek Radio
Missoulian

In-It-Knee-Deep Sponsors: It Took A Lot of Time, Money and Energy to Put This On
Alpine Physical Therapy
Dana Gallery
The Good Food Store
Southgate Mall

Training, Information, Storage: The Hub
The Runner’s Edge

To Our Good Health Sponsor:
Community Medical Center

You Know All That Professional Traffic Control? Couldn’t Have Paid for It Without These Guys:
Missoula Bone & Joint
Western Title & Escrow

There Before Anybody Else Believed Sponsor:
Gold’s Gym

Understanding that Frenchtown is the Next Hopkinton Sponsor:
Clark Fork Valley Bank (located in Frenchtown)

Understand What Really Counts Sponsors: Even with All the Great Local Cooperation, It Still Cost Money
Montana Ace
Sullivan, Tabaracci and Rhoades
Community Bank
Break Espresso
Missoula Downtown Association

Volunteer Organizations: Did They Have to Do This? Heck No! But We’re Glad They Did!
American Red Cross
Opportunity Resources
Camp Mak-a-Dream
Hellgate Amateur Radio Club

In-Kind Sponsors: Every Time We Didn’t Spend It, It Cost Us All Less, So Thanks
Rattlesnake Studio
Brian Schweyen
Garlington/Lohn/Robinson
Three Rivers Lifestyle
Run Montana.com (runmt.com)
Turner Sign Arts
Big Sky Brewing
Rocky Mountain School of Photography
Coca Cola
PowerBar
DoubleTree
Broncs Grocery/Eugene’s Café
VW Ice
Allied Waste Services
Axmen
BioLife
Culligan Water

Kids-R-Us! Special Supporters of the Missoula Kids Marathon:
Devlin Design
St. Patrick’s Hospital
Kettlehouse Root Beer
Big Dipper Ice Cream
Missoula Sunshine Rotary
Advanced Litho Printing
Devlin Design
Carousel for Missoula
Monte the Bear

Friend of the Missoula Marathon: Support Came in All Sizes and is Always Appreciated
Frenchtown Physical Therapy
Frenchtown Family Fitness
Sharon Sterbis
Susan Falsey

What’s a marAthon without an aid station?
Montana preferred properties
bronc brew
hercules mortgage
el-mar estates
garlington, lohn, robinson
hellgate hs cheerleaders
blue mountain clinic
sullivan, tabaracci & rhoades
uofm track & field
civil air patrol cadets
sapphire physical therapy
southgate mall
hellgate cross country
sentinel cross country


Special forces:
Missoula Rural Fire Department
Missoula City Fire Department
Frenchtown Rural Fire Department
Missoula County Sheriff’s Dept.
Missoula City Police
Montana Highway Patrol

It Takes A VILLAGE, OR TWO!
SPECIAL Thanks to Frenchtown and the City of Missoula!


Volunteers: Thank YOU!!
SPECTATORS: THANK YOU!!

Missoula Marathon

Run the Sundae Run, Packet Pickup at Missoula Marathon Expo

This morning Run or Walk our 1 Mile or 4 Mile Sundae (as in ICE CREAM) Run as a warm up for the Missoula Marathon & Half Marathon.

Run, walk, bike or drive to downtown and hit the tail end of the Farmers Markets and Art Markets which run till 1 pm.

Then pick up your race packet at the Missoula Marathon Event Expo or late register for the races. Come and see displays unique to the Montana experience, including retailers, trainers, and more in downtown Missoula at the Caras Park area under the Higgins Street Bridge. 12 Noon till 7 pm.

Marathon Maniacs Racing In The Missoula Marathon

Are you addicted to running marathons?

Have you run marathons on back to back weekends? Or better yet back to back days? Have you run a marathon as a training run? Or just to pace a friend? Well if you answered yes to any of these questions, you just may be a Marathon Maniac !!

Get Ready Missoula, Twenty runners from the popular online running group Marathon Maniacs are now registered for our races. You'll be able to spot them with their unique Marathon Maniacs shirts.

One Marathon Maniac is running an ultra 28.8 mile marathon on Saturday, flying into Missoula at night and running our race which will be his 100th marathon. We're issuing him race number 100 so keep your eye out for him and cheer him on.

Even Marathon Maniacs Prez Steven Yee is also racing.

57 marathons In One Year is his record.

Check out their website: www.marathonmaniacs.com

Back to www.missoulamarathon.com

New Registration Numbers just in from Vic

Here are the current registration numbers in from Vic as of July 12th:
464 marathoners, 562 half-marathoners, 201 Kids Marathoners, over 1200!

vic@missoulamarathon.com

Packet Pick-Up Saturday, July 14, 12-7 pm. Packet pick-up will coincide with the Missoula Marathon Event Expo. Come and see displays unique to the Montana experience, including retailers, trainers, and more in downtown Missoula at the Caras Park area under the Higgins Street Bridge.

www.missoulamarathon.com

Missoula Marathon in the Missoulian, Wednesday, July 11th

Starting line looms: Organizers tying up loose ends before Sunday's marathon By BETSY COHEN of the Missoulian

Read about The Missoula Marathon & Race Director Jennifer Boyer in the Missoulian by clicking here. Photo by TOM BAUER/Missoulian

From the Missoula Mayor

Missoula Mayor John Engen proclaimed July 15 as “Missoula Marathon Day” during Monday's City Council meeting.

Course Monitors Needed..

Not Racing?

Volunteer Coordinator Wilma Tabaracci reports we still need a few more folks for Course Monitors .

Email Wilma at volunteer@missoulamarathon.com or head on back to the Missoula Marathon Volunteer web page for more info.



www.missoulamarathon.com

Race-day Packet Pick-up: Not a Great Idea

Any race numbers remaining at 7:01 p.m. on July 14th will be available at the starting lines of the marathon and half marathon. Packets may or may not be there, but the numbers I have as of July 14th will be there.

Any runner planning on getting his or her number at the starting line runs the risk of not getting a number at all. Registrations have been pouring in the last few days: 30 on Monday and 25 today (so far) from online, with at least another 25 paper registrations to process. There will be more than 460 half marathoners and perhaps as many as 450 marathoners.

And one guy to process those registrations and label numbers. My attention to detail is strong, but I may make a mistake or two.

Bottom line: I will cheerfully fix mistakes at the expo. Runners who decide to pick up numbers at the starting line risk not running at all, because the cheerful registration guy won't be there.

-- Vic Mortimer

back to http://www.missoulamarathon.com/

26 Missoula Marathon Mile Markers

Take home a piece of the inaugural Missoula Marathon and help support next year's race by purchasing one of the 26 mile marker statues that will line the course, each designed by a Montana artist.

Missoula artist and gallery owner Dudley Dana spearheaded the project. A runner himself, Dudley had the unique idea of asking local artists get involved to design each mile marker, then offering the statues for sale after the race.

Artists began picking up their mile markers in early June and several have already arrived back at the Dana Gallery in downtown Missoula. Photos of each one will be posted on the Dana Gallery web site, www.danagallery.com. After the last runner has crossed the finish line, the mile markers will be collected and offered for sale on the web site. All proceeds go toward next year's Missoula Marathon.

Renowned Montana sculptor Joe Halko of Choteau was chosen to create the prototype and 26 plaster molds were sent to Missoula in early June. Some statues feature the lower half of a human leg, complete with a foot in a running shoe. Others are the ankle and shoe propelling forward off the ball of the foot. In the hands of Montana's talented artists, each will become exclusive memento of Missoula's first marathon.

Participating artists include Patty Corbit, David Wilson, Dirk Lee, Dudley Dana and Michael Bowlin. Sentinel High School art teacher Tim Nielsen reserved 14 of the mile markers, and has completed three himself. Sentinel students and faculty members are working on the other 11 statues.

Dairy Queen Sundae Run, Sat. July 14th

24th Annual Sundae Run, Sponsored by Missoula Dairy Queen

1 Mile Kids Run and 4 Mile Run,

Start Time: 9 am. for 1M, 9:20 for 4M Start: Greenough Park Finish: Greenough Park

Course Description:

The 4 mile race starts on Monroe just down from the Greenough Park Picnic Shelter. It turns on Vine Street and then enters Greenough park on the asphalt trail. At the far end of the park the runners will cut through to Alvina and then to Duncun Drive to the turn-around. On the return trip they will make a side loop going from Duncan drive to Mtn. View, Woodland, and Linden then back to Duncan, and down Alvina. When they enter the park, they will cross the bridge and stay on the pavement back to Monroe street and finish in front of the Picnic Shelter.

The 1 mile starts in front of the Picnic Shelter and runs up Monroe, turns on Locust and then onto Jackson. They follow Jackson around the corner and it turns onto Monroe and ends back in front of the picnic shelter.

The deadline registration for the race with a T-shirts was on Sunday, July 8th but you can still continue to register to run the race without a T-shirt for only $7.00

Race Day Registration starting at 8 am.

More details at www.missoulamarathon.com including an application.

ONE WEEK TILL MARATHON

Just one week to go.

The long range 7 day weather forecast according to the Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/ for next Sunday is a low of 61 degrees in the morning and a high of 90 with partly cloudy skies.


back to www.missoulamarathon.com

Volunteer for The Missoula Marathon Race Day

Not Racing?

Volunteer Coordinator Wilma Tabaracci reports we still need some more help on Race Day even though the number of volunteers is almost 200.

Email Wilma at volunteer@missoulamarathon.com or head on back to the Volunteer web page for more info.


www.missoulamarathon.com

Missoula Marathon Race Course Director Courtney Babcock in the News

The latest issue of the weekly Clark Fork Chronicle has a great article about Race Course Director Courtney Babcock. Click Here to check it out online.

Gear Bags

Hard to believe that the race is only a week and change away.

The bag that you receive at registration can be used as your gear bag. My staff of gear-gophers will get those arranged by your number and will have them ready for a quick pick up.

You'll just leave it on the starting-line shuttle and it'll make it's way back to the Finish Line. Minimal stuff and of little value goes into the bag just in case of a loss. We can't be responsible for any losses you incur but DO want your experience here in Missoula to be a fine one.


My crew and I of highly trained, non-professionals are really looking forward to meeting you all and meeting any needs at the finish you might have.

See ya all in little more then a week!

Ray Somerset
Finish-Line-Gear-Bag Guy

Drinks & Gels at The Missoula Marathon

POWERBAR Endurance sports drinks and Powergels will be provided along the course for the Missoula Marathon!

http://www.powerbar.com/

Back to http://www.missoulamarathon.com/

All Aboard For "Tour de Course"!

There will be a bus tour of the full marathon course offered on Saturday, July 14th at noon.

This is a first come, first serve, one bus only offer. There are 40 seats. It's a school bus, just so you know, but a relatively new one.

The bad news is: No second bus. No standing, so no 41 people. Just 40.

The good news is: Even if there are only a handful of you, the bus will still go. Those who pre-paid during the ACTIVE registration process will be on a list. I apologize to those of you who mailed in your form that we didn't think ofputting that particular question on the brochure. This is one of the changes we will make for next year.

However many seats remain may be filled at the time the bus loads.

The cost of the tour is $5. If you haven't registered for the tour, and you want to be on the list, you can still send your request and $5 to:
Missoula Marathon
PO Box 7965
Missoula, MT 59807

I'd do it quick -- race day is almost here!
Jennifer Boyer
Race Director
jboyer@runwildmissoula.org

back to www.missoulamarathon.com

MR. HAJIME NISHI UNABLE TO ATTEND INAUGURAL MISSOULA MARATHON

We just received an email from Mr. Hajime Nishi regarding his participation in our Inaugural Missoula Marathon. Unfortunately, Mr. Nishi won't be able to attend our Inaugural Missoula Marathon after all.

I have received emails from participants saying they have met Mr. Nishi, or even run with him, at other marathons. It's too bad he won't be attending this year, but we wish him continued success with his Ecomarathoning.

We certainly invite Mr. Hajime Nishi to participate in our Missoula Marathon any year that it is possible. We know he has many years of running marathons left!

Jennifer Straughan Boyer
Race Director
Missoula Marathon
jboyer@runwildmissoula.org
406-626-4055

Back to www.missoulamarathon.com

Latest Registration Numbers

New Numbers registered as of June 26, 2007.

374 marathoners, 345 half marathoners, 194 kids. Registrations from 37 states, 3 Canadian provinces, Australia, Japan and Madrid.

SIGN UP NOW!

www.missoulamarathon.com

GETTING TO THE STARTING LINE via FRIENDS AND FAMILY

The Missoula Marathon does have shuttle buses leaving from the downtown parking garage (Main Street) on the day of the race, starting at 4:50 am.

HOWEVER, for those of you planning on having a personal chauffeur in the form of a friend or family member, here are the drop off locations, rules and parking spots:

MARATHON DROP OFF POINT
Frenchtown Elementary School. From Missoula take I-90 West. Take the Frenchtown Exit and cross the freeway to the Conoco Station. Turn left. Take the first right (maybe 1/10mile). Maybe another 1/10 take a left. You will be staring at the WEST entrance of the elementary school. There is a turn-around driveway. This is the same place that the shuttle buses will be dropping off runners.

There is a good amount of parking in this back area, both in the school parking lot, along the road, and in the Catholic Church parking lot for drivers to park and watch their athlete start.

HALF MARATHON DROP OFF POINT
Take Highway 93 South towards Lolo. Turn right at Peak Wellness Center at Blue Mountain Road (there is a light). The staging area is in the Peak Wellness parking lot. Buses will also be dropping off athletes at that parking lot.

There is NOT enough parking for drivers to remain in the parking lot. Anyone wanting to wish athletes off to a good start, will have to park along side Blue Mountain Rd., and that space will probably run out darn quickly.

Again, you will NOT be allowed to leave your vehicle in the Peak Wellness parking lot except to drop off an athlete. It is the staging area and willbe filled with runners, port-o-potties, and the shuttle buses need to turn around there.

Thanks to one of our runners for asking the question!

Jennifer Boyer

Stay On Pace with the Missoula Marathon!

Hello all you marathoners out there trying to reach a time goal -- we have pacers for you!

The plan is to have pacers for 3:19, 3:29, 3:39, 3:49 and 3:59 finish times. (We assume you would like to BEAT 3:20, 3:30, 3:40, 3:50 and 4:00!)

Pacers will have balloons. Some of our pacers will switch at the halfway point, some will cheerfully take you from start to finish. Many of theserunners are Missoula's very own Team Stampede triathlon team members. Others are from the running club, Run Wild Missoula.

You might notice we use the word PLAN. This is because we aren't paying these people one penny to do this, and if someone wakes up in the morningwith the flu, or the kid is sick, or other unplanned life things happen, we might be down a pace group.

So we'll do our darndest, there will be pace groups out there, and hopefully it will be the pace you want!

Look for the balloons on race day and stay on pace!

Saturday Morning July 14th. Downtown Missoula

Things to do.

1. Run or Walk our 1 Mile or 4 Mile Sundae (as in ICE CREAM) Run as a warm up for the Missoula Marathon & Half Marathon.

2. Then head on downtown to the Missoula Saturday Farmer's Markets and Arts & Crafts Market.

• When: Saturday, July 14, 2007, 8am - 1pm
  Where: On the Clark Fork River near the Higgins Ave. Bridge - Missoula
  Missoula's newest outdoor farmer's market offers a variety of locally-produced meats, vegetables, flowers, plants and baked goods. Located on the Clark Fork river near the Higgins Ave. bridge, the market runs 8 am to 1 pm mid-May to mid-October and Thursday evenings from 5:30 - 7:30 pm June - August.
  406-396-2954 or www.clarkfork.org
  
• When: Saturday, July 14, 2007, 8:30am - 12pm
  Where: Circle Square - Missoula
  Where Missoula meets! Saturdays 8:30 am to noon mid-May through mid-October at Circle Square. Nearly 100 vendors showcase produce, plants, flowers, breads and coffee.
  Call 543-4238 for details.
  
• When: Saturday, July 14, 2007, 9am - 1pm
  Where: East Pine St. - Missoula
  Note Saturdays at 9 am to 1 pm mid-May through mid-October on East Pine Street. Close to 100 vendors offer local arts and crafts and imports.
  Call 543-4238 for details or www.missoulasaturdaymarket.org

3. Go to The Missoula Marathon Expo also downtown On the Clark Fork River under the Higgins Ave. Bridge , next to Caras Park. 12 pm to 7pm . Pick up your race packets and late registrations until 7pm.

Back to www.missoulamarathon.com

Course changes & new Half Marathon Course Map

Some minor course changes were recently made to the marathon & half marathon so the Map of the Marathon Course is not correct with a new map in the works. The written course descriptions of the Marathon and Half Marathon reflect the new changes.

I have posted a new interactive map of the Missoula Half Marathon on the website.
Check it out on the www.runwildmissoula.org/mm/courseroute.html page. Scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Missoula Marathon registration tops 700

Missoula Marathon registration tops 700
The inaugural Missoula Marathon on July 15 is just around the corner and registration is surging. According to Race Director Jennifer Boyer, 333 runners are registered for the 26.2-mile race. That makes the Missoula Marathon the largest marathon in Montana!Another 312 racers have registered for the half marathon and more than 149 kids are logging their miles for the Missoula Kids Marathon. That’s 794 racers who will make history by participating in this first-ever community event.

Registration facts

- At least 180 of the participants are from states other than Montana. Racers will travel to Missoula from more than 30 states: from Key West , Florida, to Unalakleet, Alaska; from Maine to Southern California.

- Locals are ready to race, too. In the Bitterroot Valley, six children of the Hancock family, ages 7-12, are signed up for the Missoula Kids Marathon. The youngest kids marathoner so far is 4 years old.

- On the other end of the spectrum, the oldest registrant so far is Al Becken, age 78, of San Antonio, Texas. - One family from Michigan has at least one entrant for every race that weekend: marathon, half marathon, kids marathon and the 4-mile Sundae Run on Saturday, July 14.

- The Missoula Marathon is an international event with participants coming from Canada, Spain and Japan.

Get involved

There is still plenty of time to get involved in the Missoula Marathon!

- Become a sponsor of the first-ever Missoula Marathon. There are still great exposure opportunities for all kinds of businesses.

- Reserve a booth at the Missoula Marathon Expo on Saturday, July 14. The expo will be attended by both local and out-of-town athletes and their friends and families. - Get in on the action by volunteering during race weekend.

- Line the course on race day and cheer on hundreds of runners as they make their way to the finish line. If you live along the race course, get out the sprinkler, invite your friends over, and hand out lemonade!

- Join the post-race celebration in Caras Park where runners and supporters alike will celebrate their accomplishments with food and drink from several vendors.
Run the races

Race registration is still open!

- Register for the Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon on or before July 14.

- Register for the Kids Marathon by June 15.

- Register for the Sundae Run events to be held Saturday, July 14.

For more information on the Missoula Marathon, log on to http://www.missoulamarathon.org/

Missoula Marathon Registration Numbers Climbing

Just in from Vic Mortimer, Registration Director

"A few facts: people from at least 33 states, two Canadian provinces, and Japan have registered. This list contains 300 marathon entries, 279 half marathon entries, 134 kids marathon entries. The youngest marathoner thus far is 17; the oldest (so far) is 78.

This list of registrants is complete through June 4 for those who registered online. I still have at least 30 more paper registrations to enter, and I expect that are others still to collect from the post office box. "

To Sign up Now or view the latest list of entries go to www.missoulamarathon.com Registration Page.

Mr. Nishi of Japan Comes to Missoula for the Marathon

Ever heard of Hajime Nishi? Over 500 other marathon communities have! Mr. Nishi is from Japan, and travels the world running marathons and promoting environmentalism, humanitarianism and peace.

Mr. Nishi asked us to support his running of the Missoula Marathon and we are delighted! He's the author of Ecomarathon, an international marathon guidebook. He is currently working on the next edition and the Missoula Marathon will be in it! He estimates the Missoula Marathon will be his 536th marathon. To learn more, log on to www.ecomarathon.org.

You can hear Mr. Nishi speak at the Expo on Saturday, July 14th. Let's welcome him to Missoula and the Missoula Marathon!

Kids Marathon Registration Ends June 15 sign up now

Kids Marathon Registration Ends June 15 sign up now

www.missoulamarathon.com

"The Missoula Marathon and All the Products to Get You Through to the Finish Line!"

The Missoula Marathon presents

"The Missoula Marathon and All the Products to Get You Through to the Finish Line!"


Monday, May 21st at 7 pm at the Good Food Store classroom.


Running magazines are full of new gadgets and clothes that manufacturers claim will get you through a marathon, and we all have running friends with a plethora of gadgets. The question is, what to believe? Is the expensive model better than the inexpensive model? Does it do what it claims? What's the latest and greatest? Should you replace your 15-year old heart rate monitor? Find out what it looks like, what it does, and how to use it at our next Missoula Marathon seminar. Let Anders Brooker of Runner's Edge show you what's necessary, what's helpful, and what's just plain fun. The right gear can make a big difference, so get the skinny from someone who buys it, sell it and uses it for running races and triathlons.


The event is free, but seating is limited. The Good Food Store is located at 1600 S. Third St. W., Missoula

Back to www.missoulamarathon.com

MP3 Players and Other Musical Devices

The Missoula Marathon discourages use of any devices that will interfere with an athlete's ability to listen for traffic, other runners, grizzly bears, etc. on the course. The course is open and in many parts narrow. It is up to the athlete to be aware of what's happening on the road. Thank you for understanding!
(And just kidding about the grizzly bears.)

Jen

Back to www.missoulamarthon.com

Lots of Port-o-Potties

People have been asking, will the Missoula Marathon have port-o-potties along the course and how many? Port-o-Potties will be located at each aid station, every two miles. This includes the early aid stations. So no worries and no need for bushes!

Inaugural Eugene Marathon Off to a Great Start

A couple of weekends ago I ran the Inaugural Eugene Marathon. I graduated from U of O so I was looking forward to a visit to Eugene.

The weather completely cooperated with overcast skies, mild temperatures, and no wind. The course was pretty darned flat with some hills the first five miles. The scenery was lush and green.

Eugene is a lot like Missoula, in that a river runs right through it. Naturally, many of their races utilize the miles and miles of paths lining the Willamtte and the Eugene Marathon is no exception. Apparently some of the locals complained about the familiarity of the course, but race director Richard Maher was thinking also about all the visitors, so stuck to the plan.

From a runner's point of view everything went smooth so if there were problems I wasn't cognizant of them. If you're looking for a marathon to run next year, I'd recommend it!

My only caution is to allergy sufferers (of which I am not one). You might want to check pollen counts in Eugene for that time of year. Congratulations to Richard Maher and his team for pulling off a great first event! Maybe he'll come and run ours!

Jennifer Boyer
Race Director
Missoula Marathon
jboyer@runwildmissoula.org

Dr. Eric Kress Signs on as Medical Director of the Missoula Marathon

The Missoula Marathon is pleased to announce that Eric Kress MD has volunteered to be the Medical Director for the Missoula Marathon. Dr. Kress will be in charge of coordinating the multiple organizations and individuals involved in medical assistance for the marathon. This is a big undertaking considering the marathon course stretches from Frenchtown to downtown Missoula!

Organizations involved include Frenchtown Rural Fire District, Missoula Rural Fire District, Missoula City Fire, Missoula Emergency Services, American Red Cross, a bicycle escort team and individual volunteers with a medical background. When you cross the finish line of the Missoula Marathon or Half Marathon and hobble over to the Medical Tent with your big blister, thank Dr. Kress and his team!

Massage: The Racer’s Edge

Consider the benefits of a massage before and after the marathon. On the front end, massage can help improve circulation and get your muscles limber before you beat the pavement. After the race, massage can help clear your system of lactic acid, while helping to establish healing of the soft tissues.

Our physical therapists at Alpine Physical Therapy are anxious to work with you before and after the race. A 10-minute session with our team will literally speed your recovery time by days.

Very beneficial pre-race massage is available at the Race Expo on Saturday on a first-come first served basis.

After the race, we will provide these services at Caras Pavilion. We’ll stay as long as needed to accommodate any and all participants. Keep in mind that you can benefit from a post-race massage for up to 2 weeks after the race. To book your post-race massage at our clinic beyond race day, call our office at 251-2323 to schedule.

Otherwise, order when Registering Online for The Missoula Marathon or half marathon , or pay on race day.
Cost: • 10 bucks for 10 minutes • 15 bucks for 20 minutes

[Please make checks for the massage payable to Alpine Physical Therapy.]
Thanks,

Brent Dodge, PTOwner, Alpine Physical Therapy http://www.alpineptmissoula.com/

Back to www.missoulamarathon.com
or to register online www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1371955

Marathon and Half Marathon Drawing Runners from Across the Country

Runners from coast to coast - along with four Canadians - have already signed up for the marathon, half marathon, and kids marathon. Here are the numbers:

Marathon: 95
Half Marathon: 65
Kids Marathon: 91

These runners hail from 25 states and Alberta, Canada (Calgary and Lethbridge). Some of the states include Alaska, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Florida, West Virginia, and Illinois.

The above numbers do not include any paper registrations that we may have received in the last two weeks. I'll do my best to update the numbers every week or so.

Missoula Marathon Runners in Training at the YMCA Riverbank Run

Saturday, April 28th, 2007

Today was a great race day with warm, sunny weather as thousands of Missoula runners & walkers participated in the 35th Annual YMCA Riverbank Run. Scores of Run Wild Missoula members were in the 1 M, 5K, 10K or the Trifecta (all 3) races.

RWM Missoula Marathon Training Program members were out in force in their brand new sporty MM Training shirts.

Special thanks to Nancy S. for holding down the fort at the RWM table and passing out lots of Missoula Marathon & Kids Marathon brochures.

www.missoulamarathon.com

MISSOULA MARATHON FINISH LINE BETTER THAN EVER!

The Missoula Marathon ran into complications with the University of Montana, Adams Center and Washington-Grizzly Stadium, which prompted us to pursue an equally fabulous location for our finish.

So picture this – finish your half or full marathon running up Orange Street, eyes fastened on Orange Street Bridge covered with a myriad of balloons, downtown Missoula and the mountains in the background, spectators lining the sidewalk clapping and cheering. As you cross the Clark Fork River and start on that gentle downhill slope towards the finish line at the north end of the bridge, you know you’ve done it. You’ve just completed the Inaugural Missoula Marathon, Half Marathon or Kids Marathon event.

You’ll be ushered right onto Front Street where food and drink and gear bags will await the athletes, then down to Caras Pavillion to recover along the river with your family and friends.

The Missoula Marathon Committee is dedicated to making sure you receive the glorious finish you deserve after having completed your race. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at jboyer@runwildmissoula.org

The Missoula Marathon Course Description & Map

We have just added the Missoula Marathon Course Description to the website along with a marathon map by David Dewing.

Check it out at www.missoulamarathon.com/mm/courseroute.html

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Walk the Missoula Half Marathon!

Walkers are being encouraged on the Missoula Half Marathon course come Sunday, July 15th. While we don't have a separate category for walkers, we certainly welcome them to join the fun. Athletes have six hours to finish the 13.1 mile course, so one may proceed at a comfortable pace and still finish within the cutoff at 12:30 pm.

The course begins on Blue Mountain Road near Highway 93 and combines withthe Missoula Marathon course at River Pines Road near the Bitterroot River. How often do you get to go on a walk with aid stations? Take advantage ofthis opportunity. Invite your friends and family to join you! Walking is fun for everyone at the Missoula Half Marathon! Register today! www.missoulamarathon.com