In The Beginning

4 Just a country boy workin’ a waterstop during the race. the Hatfields and McCoys. There are also a 28-mile yard sale and a Tug-of-War where descendants of the two feuding families are at it again, but this time using strength and endurance instead of shootin’ irons. Cecil from the Chamber of Commerce says that … Read more

Hatfield-Mccoy Marathon

No Feudin’, Just Runnin’, but for One Side or the Other. ake a challenging, two-state course, add an historic family feud, a few goats, small mountain children, a stray dog or two, the charm of the Appalachian Mountains, and you’ ve got the HatfieldMcCoy Marathon. It might be the quirkiness that draws runners, but the … Read more

Shut Up And Run!

[…] to do, and this is the reason that we’re able to have prize money and we’re able to have the support.’ [It’s] because of these other aspects, the media outlets and the other aspects, that build up the event. I’m used to it. “It’s a positive thing, for sure, but it is a balance,” … Read more

The Art Of Media Coverage

Dan Horvath At the finish line the space blankets on the runners’ backs shone like a sea of silver in the bright sun. Remarkably, nearly 98 percent of the starters managed to cross the finish line. The final numbers were 38,708 official entrants, 36,748 starters, 35,868 finishers. Finishers were awarded special commemorative blue and gold … Read more

Running’S Woodstock

runners continued to finish, he was hustled onto an awards stand where the Ethiopian national anthem was played in his honor. I stayed on the bridge long enough to watch two Kenyans next cross the line and finally Alan Culpepper, the best finish by an American since Dave Gordon also placed fourth in 1987. With … Read more

A Tale Of Two Bostons

One surviving checkpoint from the 19th century was chosen because of its access to a stable, where officials following runners could change horses. Passing the Framingham Station, runners even into the late 1970s encountered a triangular sign in the middle of the road, announcing 19 7/8 miles to go—not very useful in judging pace. As … Read more

Gdon

Considering the roles that Morse and McGillivray now fill, I thought back through five decades to 1959 and my first appearance in Boston as one of only 151 starters. Morse’s equivalent then was Will Cloney, teacher, reporter, and executive with Keystone Custodial Funds. McGillivray’s equivalent was Jock Semple, trainer for the Boston Celtics and Bruins. … Read more

Tale Of Two Bostons

Here again he is the center of attention. Indian railway stations are synonymous with confusion, noise, and chaos. At the gates to the station, a sea of red-shirted, dirty-turbaned coolies with railway armbands wait like vultures to swoop on passengers. They eye Peter suspiciously but leave him alone when they see he has no luggage … Read more

Run From the Hill Stations

In this program, I’ve included several races. Feel free to adjust the schedules accordingly. For example, I didn’t plan a half-marathon five weeks before Richmond. I wanted to race a 10K or a half somewhere in the three- to four-week time frame before the marathon. The calendar dictated that this was the event. I also … Read more

Training With The Gunks

On the other end of the spectrum, though, are the legions of athletes like Peter Gilmore who struggle day in and day out to keep their passion afloat. The dream for Gilmore, of course, is that as he continues to gain more experience and some well-deserved recognition for all of his talent and hard work, … Read more

Peter Gilmore

» Carpenter, shown here in the 2005 Leadville Trail 100, shattered the course record by more than 90 minutes. was everything was left at Lake City [in 2004]. Some people were making fun of me.” They aren’t now. But, of course, some people will never be satisfied. Carpenter has seen Internet posts from runners who … Read more