David Hammar ran the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon and finished with a time of 01:40:51. This was a personal record by 03:00.
Lwando ran the NYC Marathon with a finishing time of 5:38:11. This was a new personal record by 21 minutes!
Going into this race I knew racing wasn’t going to happen. I was coming back from an injury. Coach Ruairi helped me build up from Mid August. I was also glad he repeatedly mentioned playing it safe. I went in knowing that if things worked out perfectly I would run 5:45 comfortably without pushing. The plan was to run comfortably at a conversational pace. I fell around mile 18. Sucked a lot but life happens.
Overall, I honestly felt great THE WHOLE time. I had SO much FUN. I nailed my nutrition. That’s a huge win for me. I finished laughing!
Marva Schodel ran the NYC Marathon and finished in a time of 3:39:41. This was a PR by 5 minutes!
I started running in my 40’s. I have nerve damage in my feet due to a rare autoimmune condition which started in the summer of 2015. I was scheduled to run this race in 2015 but I had to withdraw because I could not walk. I had to train myself to run again with paresthesia. I actually ran the race with no socks because I have more contact with the ground. It’s been a long journey to get to that starting line and I have to thank my coach Dylan Belles for getting me this far. This is my 4th marathon this year. I have a few things to work on like fuel strategy which affected me in the last few miles. I think I could have been faster but I am thankful that I went into this race prepared physically. I trust the process and stayed focus. This race meant a lot to me. I am also turning 50 in 3 weeks so what an awesome accomplishment before I turn 50. I enjoyed the race. I don’t feel exhausted and I think I could even run today if I wanted to.
Kimmie Balz ran the New York City Marathon and finished this race in the time of 3:23:52. This was a massive personal record by 35 minutes!
Getting back into running post injuries and baby.
Chantal Hart ran the Marine Corps Marathon and finished with a time of 5:25:12.
By far the craziest weather I have ever run in; the morning started with torrential downpours. We were running in water up to our shins for miles. Then, by mile 18, the rain stopped, the sun came out and it was hot and humid. It definitely felt like a marine-style race. It was also my first time running a marathon with my best friend, Jackie (also an RC user). We have run other races side by side, but our paces are very different so we have always run marathons separately with a PR in mind. Knowing that I didn’t want to race this one coming off of Berlin, I agreed to pace her and run with her, and it was so great to have someone by my side to talk to the entire time! When we crossed the finish line we turned and hugged immediately, which was really special. I think next year we will do the 50k!
Per-Olof Fjallstrom ran a 10k race and finished this distance in the time of 0:43:45.
This was my first 10K race in many years.
Jason Zajac ran the Vulcan 10k, finishing this distance in the time of 0:45:53. This was a personal record by 4 minutes!
Continuing to ride the PR wave! Cold morning to start but sunny so it felt good during the race. Hilly for the first half, pleased with my result.
Alyssa Harvey ran the Savannah Rock and Roll Half Marathon with a finishing time of 1:43.
This was my first time pacing a race! I was nervous with people depending on me. But could not have asked for a better day. The weather was amazing! And I had a great group to run with. It was tough getting through the crowds at the beginning but we made up the time in mile 2. We were a little too fast (pacing for 1:45) but the group seemed ok with it and they were all doing well. We ended ahead of schedule and they all had a PR. I loved how I was able to help others do so well. I look forward to running a PR for myself next month!
Tara Little ran the Brentwood Harvest Half Marathon and finished in 1:57:50.
First time under 2 since an older injury led to a two year hiatus. Also happened to place 3rd in my age group. A good day.
Laurie Householder ran the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon and finished in a time of 1:27:54. This was a new personal record by 2:59.
It was a great day!! Exceeded my time goal at my hometown Savannah Rock ‘n Roll Half marathon tune-up race today!!! I wanted that sub-1:30 bad, but also felt like 1:28:30 was possible, so thrilled to finish a tad bit faster. Was 4th female overall out of ~4,000 women, but the 3 women who beat me were all registered elites with times of 1:19-1:21, so can I claim 1st NON-elite female??? ?. 1st in the women 45-49 category resulted in a sweet “extra” medal! Now for the heavy duty training for marathon #11 this January at the Jacksonville Marathon on January 5th. ???? Proud to finish exactly where I thought I was fitness-wise and felt good the whole way.
Michael Carr ran the NJ Championships Coed PLP teams 5k and completed this distance in the time of 22:41.
Excellent race for me with perfect conditions and a mostly flat course. 22:41, 7:18/mi pace and 2nd in the 70-74 age group. On an age graded basis this was my fastest race ever with a PLP of 78.9%. Today is 10 days before my birthday. If the race was 10 days later or my birthday 10 days earlier I would have had the 80% grade that is on my bucket list. If conditions are right for my goal race on Nov 28 I might make it to 80%. I helped my team win today’s Coed PLP competition too.
George Christie ran the High 5k and finished this race event in the time of 0:25:48.
Flat course on a cool sunny morning, about 40 F. Ran fastest 5k this year by 40 sec., 1st in age group.
Louise Mackinlay ran the Carcoar Running Festival 10km and finished with a time of 0:54:54.
Tune up race. Did this one last year and its just such an incredible community event. No starting guns out here, a young boy cracked the stock whip to start each of the races. Very humid, strong head wind the whole way and 4 long hills. Loved it and rather happy with my time running on feeling and didn’t look at my watch the whole way.
Nuttapong Sakdikornthanasiri ran the Bangseng Marathon and finished in a time of 5:13:00. This was a massive personal record by 1 hour!
My target is sub5, 1-37 KM I still on my pace (6.30). 38-40 km is uphill, I got injured ITB. I walk snd run till finished.
Tensai Asfaw ran the Geneva 20k and completed this distance in the time of 1:05:36.
I had no expectations going in, and was very nervous because they classed me amongst the elites alongside Olympic athletes and a half dozen people who have run 1:07 or better Half-Marathons. I was thrilled not to embarrass myself and to get a respectable 5th place (1 minute from 3rd) and 1st age group. Wildly exceeded expectations.
Monsit Pornnumpa ran the BS42 Marathon with a finishing time of 3:57:27.
I ran this event as my first marathon 3 years ago. Unfortunately, I was not ready and the weather is so extreme so my time was around 6.30 hrs. I tried again last year but again I injured my back in last month so my training is not optimal. But I did ran 4.12 hrs.
Then I believe that I can’t break sub4 that why I came back to train with RC again since May 2019. I got 90% of prescribed workout and I think 100% for last month without injury. Thanks to great sources of knowledge. I am able to lose almost 7 kgs. Eventually, race day come. I planned everything from pacing to nutrition.
First 15k is easy I manage to ran almost at the same pace around 5:32 which mean I am in my sub4 target. Things get better until 30k which I feel my IT Band on left knee start to hurt until I almost can’t continue but with some stop to stretch and cool sprays. I manage to get away with it and my pain gone. At 37km it a steep uphill but I already plan for this.
Finally l cross the finished line at 3.57, which PR by 15 minutes. I am ready happy. Thank you all RC coach you are the best.
Steven Budlender ran the Soweto Marathon (half marathon) and finished this race in the time of 2:17:00.
A very tough but rewarding day. My second half-marathon seven weeks after the first – but in a race that I now know is much more challenging than the first! 19000 entrants apparently – so very crowded. But more importantly very hot and essentially no shade and the second half just about constant uphill.
The first 11kms I was well on track for a PB but that second half was hard going and so missed it by some distance. But given the challenging course and the fact that as at January of this year I had never run more than a 10k, delighted to have got through. And all that training really paid off.
Thanks for all the excellent training advice – really made a difference.
Jacob Huckins ran the Good Life Halfsy Half Marathon and finished with a time of 1:39:29. This was a PR by 1 minute 52 seconds!
Nothing too eventful at this race, fortunately. Just kept plugging away and tried to keep the 1:40 pacer behind me. Looking back, it will be a nice confidence booster. I feel like my running just hasn’t been great lately, so a little win helps the moral.
Andrea Hudson Baldwin ran the New York City Marathon and finished in a time of 4:02:31.
Started out slow on the bridge and then tried to find easy pace, without much success, as I really didn’t feel like my happy running self. Nutrition was on point with Gue, Maurten, honey stinger gel and Maurten calf 100 at mile 20. As I was running along it was tough for me mentally, whilst dealing with the other runners and cups on the road, but everybody gets the same conditions and the weather was quite nice, great volunteers and race organization. Really grateful to have participated and finished. It wasn’t the race I wanted, I know I can do better than that, but I gave it my best and left nothing on the course. Last mile was the fastest and I BQ for the age group younger than me and feel like I finished strong.
Deepak Verma ran the Cambridgeside Half Marathon with a finishing time of 1:52. This was a personal record by 2 minutes!
Had a very good race today. At the starting line, I was a little cold, but otherwise calm and confident. After the first 2k, I dropped my breathing to 3:2 and picked up the pace. My objective was to run at about 5:30 and push in the 2nd half. I executed on plan in the first half. After 11k, I dropped my breathing to 2:2 and started pushing the pace, closer to 5:15. By 16k, I could feel my breathing become laboured, and I dropped to 2:1. At 19k, decided to push for all I was worth, and ran the last 2k at 1:1. Finished the HM in 1:52, which was 2 minutes better than my previous best time. What I was happy about was that the last 2k were my fastest, and that I got PRs today for 1k, 1mile, 5k, 10k, and of course the Half.
Terry Whelan ran the Sanata Clarita Marathon (5k) and completed this race event in the time of 0:20:31, which was a PR by 45 seconds!
Today everything was perfect for a race effort. This race gained importance to me when I remembered that it was my first race (in about ’98, well since high school in ’81) and the first race after I returned to running in 2012. In that time I have gone from placing mid teens in my age group to placing mid teens over all and winning my age group. What a ride!
This is my home event so accept a bit of bias. Its a really well organized race. Good community support well marked, safe course. A well supplied finish including Beer!
Julio Castillo ran the Hamilton Marathon and finished in a time of 3:39:50.
Unexpected Bunny duty race report: I’ve done this race to guarantee a spot on the 2020 NYC Marathon. 2 years ago, I run my PB on this course, it was 12 seconds over my goal time at the time, 3:40:12. After running almost 22 minutes faster in Chicago 3 weeks ago, I said to myself that it would be a nice thing to beat my previous PB on the course if the conditions were OK. So, on race day, with about 10 minutes to the start I was surprised to see the 3:40 bunny sign at the information desk next to the bag drop counter. I asked if the pacer did not show up, and they told me that he/she might be outside with the ears. She asked if I could take the sign to the pacer if I can find him/her. On my way to the start line, I was already approached by 3 people asking me about my pacing strategy :), after explaining that I am just bringing the sign out. We never find them, so most probably the pacer never showed up. The race was about to start, so I told the people that was already gathering around me that I will do my best to have an even effort and aim for the time. The group ended up sticking with me for almost 30K, when few people were starting to fade a bit, 2 people were all the way to Km 40, and finished just a bit after me with 7+ minute PBs and Boston Qualifiers for 2021. My finish time was just 10 seconds under, making this race my first unofficial marathon pacing and one of the closest to my goal compared to previous pacing duty races in half or shorter distances. Got lots of thank yous at the end which made the cold and windy day even better than expected.
Janna Perry ran the New York City Marathon and finished with a time of 4:09:34.
This was an amazing marathon but a very tough course. I finished the first half in under 2 hrs at an effort level of a 6 at most, but around mile 15 and the Queensborough bridge, my legs started to become very fatigued. My goal was simply to enjoy this marathon and take it all in. That’s exactly what I did. I slowed my pace to lessen the fatigue and soaked in all this amazing marathon had to offer.
Eric Brown ran the Raleigh City of Oaks – TCS New York City Marathon – Virtual 26.2M and finished in 4:03:00.
No PR – The course was hilly and more hilly! Headed into this race I was mentally drained and picked a race that was very tough on the body. I started off way to FAST, and paid for it around mile 22 and so forth. My hip flexors were hurting and ran out of gas ⛽️. The bear won but I’ll be ready for the next one .
Bill Leppert ran the TCS NY Marathon and finished this race in the time of 3:33:14.
New recod for the new hip and on antibiotics. My resting HR Sunday morning was 10 high and before the race I was considering how much slower I needed to go to compensate. Once I was 3 miles in I thought I might be ok. Wish I hadn’t ran the 7:15 second mile because I think mile 26 would have been my official fastest. And if this had been a 26.84 mile race I would have for the first time beaten the coaches predicted pace, and on antibiotics. This race was for sure a blessing. Looking forward to working on speed for awhile.
Mihael Lorbeg ran the Finals Running Cup Celje 10k, finishing this distance in the time of 0:51:35.
It was absolutely great. Weather was perfect. Very hilly track up and down where you can really test your fitness. And one major hill that I ran like a pro :-). I even overtook a runner or two. And the best thing was when everybody was gasping for air I just continued with my 4:30 pace. Great. I finished strong with smile on my face. So my 10 races cycle ends here. I finished in 7th place overall in my category which is not bad at all.
Zdravko Jovicic ran the New York City Marathon and completed this race event in the time of 4:43:42, which was a PR by 22 seconds!
The best marathon race so far. No bonking, no cramps, running without stop, running up hill without stop, fastest kilometers were 40, 41 and 42! Race intake as planned, race strategy as planned, speed increased towards the end, finishing strong with PR and longest distance ever. Although I run three marathons before, out of which I finished two, after this I can finally consider myself a marathon runner.
Thanks to entire Runners Connect team, everything we worked on was successful! Give yourselves a credit for excellent sport and race philosophy, strategy and knowledge! I love you guys and looking forward to work with you again since I signed up for Paris, April 5th 2020.
Robin Whitley ran the NYC Marathon with a finishing time of 6:21:54.
I tried to follow the plan as closely as I could – always tough with NYC crowds and what awaits once I get to the Queensboro Bridge. While I didn’t negative split each mile, I did manage to do so after slowing down the middle 5k over the halfway point to the end. I did pretty good with fueling.
This was my best NYC by a couple of minutes and my second fastest of 14. Today I feel pretty good – quads and calves a bit sore but my ankles are not as sore as they were after Chicago. The work continues!!
Marco Aiolfi ran the 2019 NYC Marathon and finished this race in the time of 3:45:24. This was a new personal record by 3 minutes!
I was on pace for 3:30 and felt very good until mile 20. After that my legs felt very tired and could not keep the pace anymore. I had a similar experience in the last marathon I run. I guess we will need to work more on improving speed and resistance over 30km.
Lauren Feinberg ran the Cape Cod Marathon with a finishing time of 5:02:19. This was a personal record by 30 minutes!
I didn’t stop to rest until I hit the 50mph headwind at mile 24. No injuries, and my body felt strong throughout the entire race. So grateful for RunnersConnect coaches!
Leandri Janse van Vuuren ran the Soweto Marathon and finished in a time of 5:46, which was a PR!
What an AMAZING privilege to run my 1st marathon with my dad by my side! ? Such a blessing being able to participate as a family. ? Smiles all round!
I started running in April this year. As a youngster I used to be quite sporty, but as the years have gone on I had become quite inactive and started to gain a lot of excess weight. So… I decide to set myself the goal of completing my first marathon this year. The Soweto Marathon is a grueling race with scourching heat and unrelenting up hills. However the atmosphere and support of the people along the route was incredible.
Lorenzo Botto ran the New York City Marathon and finished this race event in the time of 3:48:05. This was a PR by 2 minutes!
First 20 miles enjoyed as a tourist, then felt fine and sped up the last four or so — goal was having fun, train for CIM, and finish strong and happy – check! Fantastic day , excellent organization, and unbelievable crowds -/ thank you NY!
Travis Dowell ran the New York City Marathon and finished in a time of 5:14:01.
It was the NYC marathon, so that makes it a great day. My results were way off my expectations and what I have done in the past at this race. Stomach and shoe issues sank my day, but the crowds and excitement made it.
Carmen Lopez-Acevedo ran the New York City Marathon and completed this distance in the time of 3:50:27.
I didn’t have a specific goal, except maybe do under 4 hours so I was very surprised to hit the half way mark in 1:51. I thought wow I am on PR pace, maybe even 3:45h but unfortunately the gels really didn’t sit well with me. The Maurten with caffeine made me a bit queasy by 15km, but after the half way I started to feel quite sick. I slowed down considerably up to 25km. I started to feel a bit better and picked up the pace but I had to force myself to take gels and only managed 4 over the whole race. Although not a PR, it’s only 1:30 minutes off on a much tougher course than Chicago, and its another BQ! My average HR was 155 which is low for me on a marathon so indicative my fitness is better than the result, also I feel quite recovered today. This has been my favourite marathon, the course, volunteers, people, just absolutely amazing and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Renee Devereaux ran the Hamilton Marathon Road2Hope Half Marathon and finished in 2:01:14.
This was the first time doing this race for me so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I felt my training was exceptionally consistent this time around, and after a year of injury-free running I hoped my goal of a sub 2-hr half might be in reach. Once again, close but no cigar!
I’m feeling good about how hard I pushed and have a sense of accomplishment about controlling the pace in the first half (apart from a downhill, which felt miraculous), and then keeping my head fully in the game despite lots of discomfort in the last 5 kms. It was a windy day and colder than it’s been lately. For the first several kms I thought the cold wind was going to make for a miserable run but then the course turned and we may have had it at our backs, not sure, but the joy of turning out of from the wind was real!
Writing this report on Monday and my body’s feeling pretty good given the effort, which I’m interpreting as a sign of increased strength. Also happy to end the 2019 season with a better time than I had in my spring half marathon. Small wins but I’ll take them.
Brian Bigelow ran the New York City Marathon with a finishing time of 4:04:00.
With New York being one of the majors that in itself made it very special. It was a perfect day to run and it was very enjoyable. With exception of 3/4 of the miles the rest were somewhat at a steady pace. I can see how running fast in New York is difficult as there are just so many runners plus there are times that you are sort of crunched together but that’s the way it is. Having done Chicago only 3 weeks ago I was happy with this. I know I could have run faster in Chicago but most important I ran 8 minutes faster in New York and I feel New York was tougher. My wife took care of all the details which was nice and all I needed to do was run. Personally I feel I still have pb’s in me but need to rest, recover and get in a full training cycle. Really enjoyed it and will move on to Tokyo March 1. Have 3 of the majors done, then Tokyo and hopefully Berlin in Oct. and London April 2021, will see. That is my ultimate goal finishing the 6 majors. Enjoying the running, gig, Brian
Greg Arampatzis ran the D & L Heritage Half Marathon and finished this race in the time of 1:41:17. This was a new personal record by 2:13.
I absolutely loved this race! I wasn’t quite sure how this race was going to go since I ran a night time trail 10k the night before. But I think the extra hour of sleep and having the “”home course”” advantage for this one definitely played a big role in how well this race went. The starting line was only about a half mile from my house and I often run on most of this course.
Also, the weather was absolutely perfect. I knew I wanted to try and break my PR (1:43:30) since I came so close to it at my last half which was 2 weeks earlier. I lined up just a little bit behind the 1:40 pacer. The horn sounded and off we went. I stayed behind the pacer for a little bit, but knowing that there was a big downhill coming up quickly I went ahead and passed him. I was able to stay ahead of him until around mile 6 or so when he passed me, but I was able to keep him in sight until around mile 8. I wasn’t worried to much about it though, I was just running my race and enjoying the scenery. I got a side stitch and felt my pace slip a little around mile 10 (8:03) so I tried picking it up some, but mile 11 was still a little bit slower (8:11). Mile 12 was back under 8:00 (7:58), and I pushed down the home stretch. Mile 13 was 7:23 and the last .1 mile was a 6:00 flat. When I saw the clock show 1:41 I was so thrilled! It was a huge sense of accomplishment to be able to beat my previous record by over 2 minutes. I’m very pleased with how my training has been paying off.
Kathleen Thompson ran the New York City Marathon and finished with a time of 4:30:39.
This was an EPIC day for me for many reasons. My family came to support me (one daughter surprising me by flying in from CA). It was a spectacular day on so many levels. This was my first marathon after 9 years. I ran strong for most of the race but was challenged in the last miles. I am proud of my efforts and know I can continue to improve. My age-graded time is better than it was at my last race 9 years ago, so I am proud of “aging” well.
Kevin Reaume ran the New York City Marathon and finished this race event in the time of 4:06:58, which was a PR!
Amazing race with 53000+ runners. The spectators were fantastic! Can’t wait for next year’s race.
Troy Tabor ran the New York City Marathon with a finishing time of 4:23:05.
My goal, initially was to get into the 3:55 pace group. Our tour group operator said that New York was the funnest race to run. It got me to thinking. This was my 14th marathon and I can honestly say I’ve never run one for fun. The only reason I had to run fast today was to get a qualifying time for Chicago 2020, but I am going to run for charity anyhow. As soon as the race started, I changed my race goals. First, enjoy the sights and sounds and the race. Second, no walking except to grab a cup of water. Third, maintain good posture for the whole race and no cramps. I met those goals. A month between marathons was pushing it some for me, so my 2020 resolution is to get tough again. Since next year is the New York Marathon 50th anniversary, I applied again. Not a single ache after the race, so that’s a plus.
Bill Nitzberg ran the New York City Marathon with a finishing time of 3:38:56.
I line up with the 3:30 pacer. Holy Cow there are a lot of runners. Cannon blast; and we’re off. First few kms were super crowded, but what a view from the Verrazano bridge — yep, perfect!
20k, check. Pace, good. Breathing, fine. Niggles, nope. Fueling, check. I ran a half a few weeks ago at Plan A pace, so was guessing the hard stuff would come later. 25k, check. 29k-ish… pacer is not slowing for the uphills… he has, in fact, sped up a tad, hmm, really starting to “feel it”. OK, I will do 32k, then can count down the last 10k; 32k, made it! 33k, muscles are to rebelling. 35k, micro-cramping; barely staying with pacer. 36k, 🙁 lost the pacer. Mentally spent… only 6k… but, I can’t see myself keeping up the pace another 6k. With great relief, I switch to Plan B, stop and take a selfie, walk the water line, and duck into a Porta Potty. Ran those last 6k at a minute or more slower pace, ending with a solid Plan B win of 3:38:56 (second fastest marathon).
Marie Ostby ran the New York City Marathon and finished in a time of 5:24:11.
This race was all about being grateful for running and for New York City and all the love, strength, and pride they both have brought to my life. A super strong run with my super strong friend Karen who was so consistent throughout and such wonderful company. A victory lap!
Susan Waldstein ran the New York City Marathon and finished this race in the time of 5:33:00.
I felt pretty good at the start, I really felt like something good was going to happen, then around mile 8 I rolled my ankle in a pot hole and 2 very kind women caught me as I was heading for the ground. I continued to run after trying to “shake it off” then the back pain started. I basically wrenched my back, I kept having to stop and stretch. I got back into Harlem and found a friend with a rolling stick and it relieved the pain somewhat for about a mile. It is so disappointing after all the training success I felt. My runfam is the best hands down, they have supported me every step of the way. So finishing was winning this time and I have to accept it.
Darci LaFave ran the NYC Marathon and finished this distance in the time of 3:53:58.
Well, I was able to run! After the untimely mishap on Tuesday, I saw my PT and chiropractor and received some treatments. I didn’t think I was going to be able to run, but I packed my bags and headed to NYC on Thursday morning. Met up with the RC group on Saturday morning for a shakeout run and to test my ankle. I didn’t have any pain, so I planned to start the race the next morning and see what happened. Sunday was quite an experience! I felt good starting out and just went with it for a while. As the miles ticked by I made a better effort to be as steady as I could. I was super diligent about watching for any cracks or uneven pavement so I could steer clear of it. Going up the Queensboro Bridge was where I ran into trouble. Since I didn’t have full range of forward flexion, my calf started cramping. It seemed like every incline from there to the finish caused me to have cramping issues. I took walk breaks to let it calm down and kept moving forward. In the end, I finished the race (with a BQ time no less!) and am just so thankful I was able to run. The medal and poncho are awesome too!! Absolutely loved this race and look forward to running it again someday.
Anthony Moy ran the New York City Marathon with a finishing time of 4:58:17.
Well I completed the NYC Marathon. I finished it just over 21 minutes faster than last year. I was on a good pace for the first half of the race. My legs started cramping somewhere around mile 16. I had to walk/run the last 10 miles. Need to work on why I cannot get through the entire run without cramping.
Rod Hook ran the New York City Marathon and finished with a time of 5:31:53.
This was my 3rd marathon. I trained a lot more for this one. Due to the extenuating circumstances during the taper, and resulting challenges during the race, it was my slowest ever. Ultimately a disappointment, but I was glad that I was able to actually show up for the event and gut it out to get to the finish line. Also, I finished with no injuries.
