They're Off For The 2014 Adirondack Marathon
/
Check Your Watches! And Go!
Under gray skies -- the bright neon colors of yellows pinks, greens and oranges of running gear worn by hundreds of runners -- shone brightly before the start of the 18th Adirondack Marathon.
You could feel the buzz of excitement in the crowd of spectators as the runners stretched and adjusted their iPods.
Among the runners from around the US, one in particular got a special call out today before the race: Dr. David King. After finishing The Boston Marathon Last year, he was completing his cool down on the way to Massachusetts General Hospital when the bomb went off at the finish line.
As an Army reservist and trauma surgeon at Mass General, he spent the next 30 hours treating the wounded. Today he is running with the 3:45 minutes Pace Bears. He got a big cheer from the crowd.
Just before 9am, Race Director Joel Friedman gave the runners last minute instructions and the runners were off, with Bruce Springsteen’s “Baby We Were Born To Run” blaring on the PA system.
We caught up with Joel moments after the start.
How are you feeling? “Busy,” Joel told us. We reminded Joel that the weather gods couldn’t have given the runners a better temperature for their start: 56 degrees.
“For volunteers we can’t ask for better (weather). For runners, the start is awesome, but a little later in the day it’s gonna get hot.”
This year there are more than 700 volunteers involved with the weekend’s events, the largest number ever to participate. Joel praised each and every one of them.
“We couldn’t do this without them. The whole thing about the marathon is this cross participation of organization and communities, all coming together and all the local people coming together to make this spectacular event.
The Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival 2014 Guide
/A huge welcome to all of the runners, their families, friends and volunteers here for the Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival. Here is your guide to the weekend, courtesy of Festival organizers. And If you’re the type that waits until the last possible minute, you can register in person for the marathon and half-marathon at the Race Expo on Saturday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Schroon Lake Central School. For the 5-K and 10-K races Saturday in Chestertown, you can register race morning (7:00-8:30 a.m.).
Packet Pickup
All runners are strongly encouraged to pick up their race bib numbers and packets at Saturday’s Race Expo. Can’t make it? Bibs will be available on Sunday morning at the Schroon Lake Central School (6:45-8:15 a.m.). In any case, all runners must pick up their own packet and show photo ID. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
Race Day Transportation
On race day, there will be rolling road closures to ensure the safety of all runners. Familiarize yourself with the roadways affected now, to ensure a smooth journey. Likewise, know where you can park in town. Here’s a PDF map of the village that shows the best places to park. There is NO parking on Leland Avenue or along Route 9 south of Leland Ave.
Runner Tracking and Results
During the races, we will be updating the runners’ progress along the course. Follow your runner at this webpage. Shortly after the conclusion of the races, complete results will be posted here:
•Marathon, Half-Marathon and Relays
Awards Ceremony
Please hang around after the race and celebrate our award winners and all finishers. The ceremony will begin with the half-marathon awards at 1 p.m. The full marathon will follow at 2 p.m. All winners must be present at the ceremony to collect their awards (none will be shipped after the race).
Saturday, September 27
7-8:30 a.m. – 5K/10K registration
9:30 a.m. – 5K/10K start
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Race Expo & Packet Pickup
2 p.m. – 1K Children’s Fun Run
3 p.m. – Strategy Session with former Runner’s World shoes & gear editor Jeff Dengate, a 6-time finisher of the Adirondack Marathon.
4 p.m. - Zumba with Anna Hay
4:45-6:30 p.m. – Pasta Dinner at Word Of Life
Sunday, September 28
6:45-8:15 a.m. – Packet pickup
7 a.m. – Early Bird marathon start
8:40-9:05 a.m. – Half-marathon and relay buses depart
9 a.m. – Marathon and relays start
10 a.m. – Half-Marathon start
1 p.m. – Half-Marathon awards ceremony
2 p.m. – Marathon awards ceremony
2:30 p.m. – Course closes
4 p.m. – Post-race party at Witherbee’s Carriage House
My Story: Meet Pace Bear Francesca Delucia
/
Francesca DeLucia, from New York City), will run with the 3:45 pace group. Here is her story, courtesy of the ADK Marathon
"As a native of Troy, New York, I am excited to return upstate to lead the 3:45 pace group at the Adirondack Marathon. While living in China, I ran the 2011 Great Wall Half Marathon as my first ever “road” race. What started as a bet turned into an addiction and I’ve since ran numerous full and half marathons, including qualifying for Boston in my first marathon. I led a training group for the 2013 NYC Marathon and I’ve paced a couple of half marathons. I concentrated on helping other runners reach their goals while having lots of fun along the way. Given my motto “I run to eat..cake”, I may continue past the finish line and run to the nearest bakery!"
