Tacoma City Marathon 2009

Perfect spring weather for a marathon. Well organized event with great support. Course was a little bit challenging but fun to run.

Finish time 4:38:38

Yakima River Canyon Marathon

Harder than anticipated. I paid for lazy March. Amazingly beautiful course with cliff on the left and river on the right in Yakima River Canyon on a sunny day. I should try again next year. I earned 2nd star though.

Finish time 4:25:36

Ghost of Whidbey Marathon

Beautiful but hilly run in opposite direction of "old" Whidbey Marathon course. Lost two times in the first half and then managed to stay on the course.

Finish time 4:30:27

Valentine's Marathon

Slow rolling hills along rural highway.
A little nervous to run next to fast driving cars and trucks.
Official clock was more 10 min off and finish line was confusing.
I didn't like t-shirt with lots of pink hearts.
Another PR run by less than a minute.

Finish time 4:15:14

First Call To Run Marathon

Christmas Marathon originally scheduled on 12/21/2008 was postponed to the following week due to the dangerous snow storm.
Then, it was completed cancelled thanks to the extended severe weather condition.
Rumor was that the registration would be passed over to Valentine Marathon in Feb in Olympia, WA.
It makes sense because it was organized by same organizer at the same course.
Meanwhile, I wanted to run Last Chance Marathon in Bellingham on 12/31/2008, but I was told that the registration was already full.
So, what I came up with was First Call To Run Marathon in Bothell on 1/1/2009.

Fortunately, they had a spot for me.
The course was completely flat on Sammamish River Trail.
About 10~15% of the trail was still coverred by snow but it was not unrunnable.
I got the best record at 4:16:06
Also, this run qualified me for Marathon Maniacs membership.
Although it is a bronze level (one star), it's one of a kind achievement for my new challenge. I will be proudly running with yellow Marathon Maniacs T-shirt in all the following marathons.