Journeys of The Key West Southernmost Walker: November 2008

Atlantic City, New Jersey #1

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania #8

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania #7

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania #6

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania #5

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania #4

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania #3

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania #2

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania #1

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania #5

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania #4

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania #3

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania #2

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania #1

The Battleship, New Jersey

Bart and Laura Yasso at the Philadelphia Marathon Exposition

Philadelphia Marathon
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sunday, November 23, 2008

The temperature in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania varied between 23 and 35 degrees with partly sunny skies and a little breeze as I race walked the Philadelphia Marathon. The volunteers were fantastic as the water/Gatorade stations spaced about every two miles had plenty of enthusiastic people willing to brave the cold to support the participants. The shivering policemen controlled the traffic and I thanked each one as I passed. The course was mostly flat; however, there were some hills that were short and not very steep. As a result of the cold ice formed at many of the water stations making the footing extremely slippery. In fact at the water station near mile 11, despite the fact that I was being extra careful, I still slipped and fell. Fortunately I did not injure myself.

San Antonio, Texas #15

San Antonio, Texas #14

San Antonio, Texas #13

San Antonio, Texas #12

San Antonio, Texas #11

San Antonio, Texas #10

San Antonio, Texas #9

San Antonio, Texas #8

San Antonio, Texas #7

San Antonio, Texas #6

San Antonio, Texas #5

San Antonio, Texas #4

San Antonio, Texas #3

San Antonio, Texas #2

San Antonio, Texas #1

My wife, Gerda, and myself with Bart Yasso at the San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon

Marathon Maniac #961 Greg Goebel and his wife in Atlanta awaiting the connecting flight to San Antonio for the Rock and Roll Marathon. It turned out to be quite an adventure.

San Antonio Rock & Roll Marathon
San Antonio, Texas
Sunday, November 16, 2008

The rock & roll music played along the course in San Antonio, Texas as I race walked the San Antonio Rock & Roll Marathon on Sunday, November 16, 2008. The first year event attracted 30000 entries in the marathon and half marathon before the event was closed to further entries. The weather at the 7:30 start was unusually cold at 35 degrees. However, by the time my wave, 23 of 32, started 40 minutes after the gun, the sun and lack of wind warmed the temperature to where I was no longer cold. When I crossed the finish line, the temperature had climbed into the middle 60’s. The course was relatively flat and featured a route highlighting the sights of San Antonio, including the Alamo, two other Spanish Missions, and many grand old houses. The event was very well organized as are all of the Rock & Roll Marathons promoted by Elite Racing. Water stations were space every two miles and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers that could handle such a large field. The course was closed to traffic and designed to minimized traffic congestion. The police did an outstanding job. $70000 in prize money was awarded to the outstanding elite field the featured athletes from throughout the world including 5 that represented their countries in the 2008 Olympics. Meschack Kirwa of Kenya (2:14:36) and Nuta Olaru of Romania (2:28:54) won the Marathon, while Brian Sell of USA (1:02:50) and Melissa White of USA (1:13:05) won the Half Marathon. I had a chance to talk with my friend Bart Yasso of Runner’s World at the pre-race Exposition and hear the famous British, 80’s band, The Cult, at the post race concert. I had a wonderful weekend.