RUNNERS!!! What is your most MEMORABLE race?

AZTrailRunner

Hey runners! I was just looking back through years of race bibs and reflected on some of the awesome races I've done since a kid. Here's you place to tell the rest of us what your most memorable race was and why. List several if they are important to you.

I'll get the ball rolling:

1. (circa 1988, age 15) Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim at the Grand Canyon. A death march that took us 19hrs 12mins to complete. Nearly 10,000 feet of vertical climbing over 52 miles. A few hundred entered, but not all finished. If you finished UNDER 24 hours, you got the T-Shirt. I was hobbled for weeks after that! My calves went on strike!!! Will NEVER forget that one!

2. (2000, age 26) Chevy's Fresh Mex 10K - First, and only time going under 40:00.

3. (2001, age 27) Race to Robie Creek, Half Marathon (Boise, ID). I recall 75% of the race being uphill (2000ft+ elevation gain), climbing up and over a set of mountains, with 3-4 miles downhill after topping out. The most memorable moments were the Twinkie rest stops, Recliner rest stops, and Lap Dancer rest stops! An unbelievably entertaining race with as many spectators as runners. Too much fun!

4. (2008, age 34) Ragnar Relay - Teams of 12 relay runners, covering 200+ miles. Each runner will run their leg in order, then repeat, and then repeat again. The race goes nonstop throughout the day and night. My run legs added up to 18.6 miles (3 10Ks). It gives new meaning to the phrase "running on dead legs"! Our team finished in 24 hours. Can't wait to do that one again.



So those are a few of my most memorable races. How about you? I'd love to hear your memories. :happy:

outersoul

I only started running this year but I have three 5Ks under my belt since May. I'd have to say my most memorable race is my first. The adrenaline rush at the start was amazing. Pushing myself further than I've ever gone before was motivating. Sprinting across the finish line was exhilarating.

BobbyDaniel

* Last December, the Jingle Bell Dash 5K in Lake Charles, LA...my first 5K and I finished it under 30 minutes
* This past May, the Contraband Days 5 Miler in Lake Charles, LA...my first longer than 5K race, finished it 2 minutes faster than my goal time
* Next memorable race will be 11/12 when I run my first 10K race

pilotgirl2007

Brickyard race, it was 8 miles in the hills and I managed to get second place in my age group and was the youngest person in that race to run the 8 mile course. I still have the brick they gave me as my "medal"

Also when I ran high school cross country we did a race called frogtown and the start was all mud for about 100 meters and it was pouring rain! I was freezing and covered in mud but it was a blast!

bigdawg025

Right now mine is the one I just ran this past Saturday. I dislocated my shoulder TWICE in July and had been in a sling for 4 weeks. My PT cleared me to run on Thursday, so I immediately decided to run the 5K event of the race I had originally registered for the 10K in. I was unsure how it would go... shoulder pain... exhaustion... etc. I set a personal goal to finish in 36:00 or less, a very modest time goal to allow for as much walking as I might need.

So... after 27 days of not running... I went out and completed my race in 30:59!!! I took 3rd place in my age division and stood on the podium for the very first time in any event I've participated in. I was only 1:43 away from my PR for 5K, too. It was and still is an amazing feeling.

AZTrailRunner

I only started running this year but I have three 5Ks under my belt since May. I'd have to say my most memorable race is my first. The adrenaline rush at the start was amazing. Pushing myself further than I've ever gone before was motivating. Sprinting across the finish line was exhilarating.

It does become addicting. My first race (a 10K) was when I was 13 (1986), and I still remember it. Heck, I still have the race bib!

kellybones

1.) Any of the "mud" runs that I've done - LOVE the obstacles. I'm not speedy but damn, I'm good at obstacles. (at least in my head).

2.) This year's Lost Dutchman where I PR'd.

3.) This year's Indy Mini Marathon that I ran with my sister - our second half together and the rest of my sisters and my mom walked too! It was an amazing family event. I'm trying to see if we can make it (or another half nearby) a yearly event!

bunchesonothing

Chicago Marathon 2007. They had to close down the race because it was so hot. I got through mile 16 before they shut it down. I was helping a friend who had some BAAAAD heat exhaustion. He didn't even remember the race the next day, it was so bad. They didn't have water or gatorade at most stops that I passed. They blamed that on runners dumping water on their heads. Although, I'd assume that they didn't dump gatorade on their heads as well. They opened up the fire hydrants. I had several layers of heel blisters because of this. Spectators were buying water to hand to random people. Helicopters circled overhead. It was like a warzone.

They officially changed the name that day from the Chicago Marathon to the "Chicago Fun Run." There was nothing fun that day. They still handed everyone medals though. Although, I didn't finish a marathon. The medal felt cheap.

DizzieLittleLifter

I've done a handful of races (not really my thing) so my most memorable are:

Mother's day 10K 2011, I blew it big time. I was convinced to buy inserts at Roadrunner for my shoes. The sales person failed to tell me that I would need to break them in slowly. The first time I wore them was for the race! I also had started my period the day before so I had horrible menstrual cramps. It was a very hilly route and my legs felt like they were going to fall off and my uterus felt like it was being eaten by a chain saw. I didn't know why at the time I couldn't get my legs to move. I made it 1/2 way before giving up. Popped two Vicodin and took a nap. The next week I returned the inserts! :devil:

My first race ever: Wharf to Wharf 10K 2010. I had a blast; ran hard; made great time for what the race is (15,000 reg. runners; who knows how many bandit runners).

You have some great races under your belt!

wbgolden

Great topic! Love it.

I'd have to go through the several bibs but my MOST memorable was my first 5k two years ago. I shuffled through that bad boy at a blistering 39 minutes! Very emotional though, as it was the first time I'd ever decided I was going to do something, then did it.

Brannock8

#1 Highschool Junior 4x200 Indoor State Meet - Got the baton in 4th place, passed two guys on the final turn and one on the last straightaway to come in 1st.

#2 Highschool Senior 400m Outdoor State Meet - Huge underdog, passed 3 people in the final 100m only to come in second but also a school record (still standing).

#3 Highschool State Relay Outdoor Meet Long Jump - Not a race, but in a huge rivalry against a private school, jumped a personal and meet best to win the LJ relay.

AZTrailRunner

Chicago Marathon 2007. They had to close down the race because it was so hot. I got through mile 16 before they shut it down. I was helping a friend who had some BAAAAD heat exhaustion. He didn't even remember the race the next day, it was so bad. They didn't have water or gatorade at most stops that I passed. They blamed that on runners dumping water on their heads. Although, I'd assume that they didn't dump gatorade on their heads as well. They opened up the fire hydrants. I had several layers of heel blisters because of this. Spectators were buying water to hand to random people. Helicopters circled overhead. It was like a warzone.

They officially changed the name that day from the Chicago Marathon to the "Chicago Fun Run." There was nothing fun that day. They still handed everyone medals though. Although, I didn't finish a marathon. The medal felt cheap.

WOW!!! That's insane!!! I guess I'm lucky, I've never been in a race where disaster struck! Certainly memorable! Thanks for sharing.

JMCade

Well I hadn't ran since I was in highschool- which was 20 years ago! I just started running in May this year. I've finished five 5k races and am doing another one this Saturday. I've saved all my bibs and wrote my time down on every one. I guess my first one would be the most memorable because I was so pumped, and my parents came to cheer me one. I've gotten a better time each time at every race so far. I'm not getting any medals, but I'm getting my personal best each time so I'm thrilled! :happy:

fumblerdog

1) Chicago Marathon 2010 - not only was it on 10/10/10 (awesome), but it was my first 26.2. It was really hot, but they learned from 2007 and had a lot more water and medical support. Also, I trained in Atlanta, so I was used to the heat. It was the hardest thing I ever did, and my time wasn't impressive AT ALL, but I finished the darn thing and started bawling as soon as I did!

2) Napa to Sonoma 1/2 Marathon 2011 - just a couple of weeks ago! It was my first half marathon with my hubby - we were supposed to do one together in March (his first), but I broke my ankle and couldn't race. It was so much fun to spend 13.1 miles with him. :-)

outersoul

I only started running this year but I have three 5Ks under my belt since May. I'd have to say my most memorable race is my first. The adrenaline rush at the start was amazing. Pushing myself further than I've ever gone before was motivating. Sprinting across the finish line was exhilarating.

It does become addicting. My first race (a 10K) was when I was 13 (1986), and I still remember it. Heck, I still have the race bib!

I've kept my bibs too. They are all sitting on my office wall for everyone to see.

AZTrailRunner

2003 Giants Draft 5k at the Meadowlands- not only was I around 15:30 for 5k, blasting across the football field, seeing myself on the jumbo tron in 1st- pretty bad *kitten*.

A smokin time!!! And I agree, VERY BAD *kitten*!!!

godblessourhome

'running' (actually running one minute walking one minute) with my mom for the first annual blue shoe run in denver benefitting prostate cancer last year. it was the first run that i did in memory of my dad and it was amazing that my mom was huffing and puffing by my side. really, really emotional day. my sister is joining us this year so we'll have to run-walk again, but hopefully next year the three of us will actually place.

lildevil968

My most memorable race is my first one with my 7 year old daughter. It took place in April of this year, and it was the Colorado Race for Wishes. She ran the entire thing with me, and we crossed the finish line together holding hands. She never stopped running once, and didn't even complain about it either. After we crossed the finish line, she got her medal from a terminally ill kid, and she gave the kid a huge hug. I was in tears!

amelia_atlantic

I love these stories!

I'm running my first (ever!) 10k in Sept. I'm so excited now!

juscallmeb

so far my most memorable race was the half marathon I did at the end of June in fairfield CT. What an amazingly huge turnout.
Running the whole thing and finishing was my goal and I did it. For me it's something I can now look at and improve my time on.

a few 5ks that were fun too, but my first 5k was funny becuase it was the first time this group ever organized a 5k and at the start they said.. well it's not really a 5k but it's a run. LOL made me laugh and it was still fun.

javaruck

1) 2011 Modesto Half Marathon - Not my fastest race (2:30:28) but certainly the most memorable for the feeling of accomplishment of finishing the race only 58 days after surviving a full cardiac arrest caused by a major heart attack.

2) 2011 Fontana Days Half Marathon - 2 1/2 months after Modesto, recovery continues with a new PR of 2:01:32 (on a fast downhill course).

3) 2008 Palos Verdes Marathon - My first running event to celebrate my new fitness after losing 65 LBS. Great feeling of accomplishment running a tough hilly course during a record heat wave.

I'm looking forward to running the Disneyland Half Marathon in September and the Santa Clarita Marathon in November. I'm counting on this years Santa Clarita Marathon to be another memorable event. I guess it's my way of proving that heart disease can be conquered!

trijoe

No contest - any and all races with my 9yo daughter. We've done 1M, 2M, and several Girls On The Run 5K's together. At one GOTR, I put her on my shoulders, then rotated around so she could see the course filled with thousands and thousands of girls, just like her. A truly great memory.

My first (and to date only) ironman triathlon marathon, I was a mess. Luck was not on my side that day, and things had been going wrong before the race even started. By marathon time I was holding on for dear life. The course was 4 out n back 6.6M loops, so friends were able to keep track of me, and hang in there with me. One friend walked with me the last loop. I was shuffling along as fast as I could, and he was walking beside me. I'd lost all sense of equilibrium and was waiting to just fall over. I'd maxed out my pain threshold, and didn't realize till a week later that I had quarter sized blisters on my feet. At the 25 mile point, I ran into two more friends, and my 3 friends brought me home.

A month later, I PR'd a 5K. Completely different experience.

1goodymom67

only one? hmm Probably my first. It was exhilerating knowing that I could do it.

arc918

Hmm

1) 2007 Calif Intl Marathon (CIM). My tenth marathon and I finally learned how to run smart and within my abilities and put together almost even splits (1:40/1:41). I ran a 3:21:11 which is still my current PR.

2) Cypress 5K 2007. I ran a 19:49, thanks to my buddy Joe who help pace me to first sub 20 finish.

3) Fontana Half 2011. After being slow, injured and fat for well over a year, I was shocked to break a 4 year old PR on this all downhill course for a 1:28:48.

AZTrailRunner

Hmm

1) 2007 Calif Intl Marathon (CIM). My tenth marathon and I finally learned how to run smart and within my abilities and put together almost even splits (1:40/1:41). I ran a 3:21:11 which is still my current PR.

2) Cypress 5K 2007. I ran a 19:49, thanks to my buddy Joe who help pace me to first sub 20 finish.

3) Fontana Half 2011. After being slow, injured and fat for well over a year, I was shocked to break a 4 year old PR on this all downhill course for a 1:28:48.

I was waiting to hear from you! Great job man! Also, glad to see the post-marathon recovery looking smooth!

bbush18

This topic made me laugh out loud because my most "memorable raceS" were when I was high school.
1--My very first cross country race EVER was on JV...The course was poorly marked so I thought I was lost. Walked for 2-3 mins then found out I was on the right path...only to see the finish line 200 yards ahead! I booked it--thought I was last...turned out, I came in FIRST with a 24:36/3mi!! From that point on, I was on Varsity.

2--My sophomore year...5k...the girl in front of **** her shorts--needless to say, I passed her with the quickness (no more drafting off of her!!)

Now--other memorable races are:
3--End of Running Camp Race to the Top in NC--The scenery at the top of the mountain was breathtaking--LITERALLY!! The best 4 mi trail race, I've had--but looking forward to running more!

4--McGuire's Halloween 5k in Destin, FL--Halloween, anything goes!

rybo

Unfortunately my most memorable races are ones I'd like to forget. Even those from my track days.

And following this theme was my first marathon earlier this spring. Had a bad day, ended up eventually hitting the wall, but crossed the finish line despite many moments during the race where I wasn't sure if I would.

remembertheharddrive

The B.A.A. Half Marathon last year - namely because I was in so much pain from start to finish that I had tears coming down my face the last couple miles; but it was worth it, since I ran for Dana Farber and had so many people that had donated and cheered me on that I couldn't live with a DNS or DNF. Of all my races though, it was my very worst/slowest. But somehow it felt like a much bigger accomplishment than the much longer/faster races.

arc918

The B.A.A. Half Marathon last year - namely because I was in so much pain from start to finish that I had tears coming down my face the last couple miles; but it was worth it, since I ran for Dana Farber and had so many people that had donated and cheered me on that I couldn't live with a DNS or DNF. Of all my races though, it was my very worst/slowest. But somehow it felt like a much bigger accomplishment than the much longer/faster races.

Nothing better than hearing all the great people of Boston yell "Go Dana Fahbah" as you run by!