For the Spectators!

Marine Corps Marathon!!!

Cheering Guide
There are many opportunities to see me and the other AIDS Marathoners running the marathon. Here is some information from the AIDS Marathon Training Program to let you know where to cheer us!


Starting Area: Cheer us on as we line up to cross the starting line

Crossing Memorial Bridge at Mile 10: Just at Mile 10 on the North side of the Lincoln Memorial as we are coming from the Kennedy Center to run north on Henry Bacon Drive to Constitution Ave. The best cheering area is on the grass on the North side of the Lincoln Memorial. This will require you to walk across Memorial Bridge from Arlington Cemetery.

On Independence Ave. at Miles 14 & 15: A short stroll to the South side of the Mall at Independence Avenue and 17th St. will allow you to see us as we come from Capitol Hill before we head toward the Tidal Basin on Ohio Drive. After we pass, cross to the other side of Independence Ave. (along the Tidal Basin) to see us at mile 15. You can then walk along the course to approximately Mile 15.5/20 near the 14th street Bridge. We will pass back by that area again at Mile 20 on our way to the 14th street Bridge. Please note that if you stay to see us at Mile 20, you may not make it back to the Finish Line before we finish. If you want to see us cross the finish line walk back toward the finish line after we pass you at Mile 15!

Crossing back over the Memorial Bridge & The Finish!: As you walk back across Memorial Bridge heading toward the finish line you will see the runners coming across the 14th Street Bridge and heading North on Highway 110 toward the finish line. You can cheer the runners making the final push on Highway 110. After you have seen your runner finish, you can come to the AIDS Marathon Hospitality Tent just past the Finish Line (near the bell Tower) to meet up with you runner.

General Information

Please check out http://www.marinemarathon.com/page11.aspx/ for information regarding the marathon and your role as a spectator. On the website you can use the interactive course map and spectator guides to help you plan your day! I will start the race in the “Gold Wave” at 8:40 A.M. I run between a 12:00-13:00 pace.

I will be wearing a bright yellow AIDS Marathon tank so you will be able to easily identify our group. My tank will proudly say “Two Braids” so you will know it is me! My bib number is #31957. All runners are equipped with a smart chip to track our time. There are kiosks stationed throughout the course in which you can use my bib # and determine where I am on the course. For more information on this check out the official Marine Corps Marathon website.

Thank you all for your support during these past 6 months of training. I am so excited to running the marathon on Sunday and I look forward to hearing ya’ll hoot and holler as I go running by! If you want something that will be sure to encourage me on my trek through DC I’d love some pretzels that you can hand me as I run by! Tootsie Rolls, Swedish Fish, and Chocolate GU are also gladly welcomed! THANK YOU!!!!

If you have any other questions please email me or call!

Pass the Weak. Hurdle the Dead.

26 Mile Celebration Run

Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006

We all met at the East Falls Church Run Site on a cool and dark morning. Trying to stay warm was as much of a challenge as mentally preparing for our run that day. It was exciting to have all the AIDS Marathon runners in the same place and it was great to meet new runners as well.

A client from the Whitman-Walker Clinic spoke to us about the struggles he and his partner have had fighting not only AIDS but also a few legal battles too. It was awe inspiring to hear how the clinic was able to step in and assist them with their medical and legal needs. To this day he has not turned over one cent for 20 years worth of medical treatment because of the fundraising that has supported the clinic. It was great to have those thoughts running through our head as we began to run on the trail.

The day was cool with some showers throughout our run. Around mile 18 or so we all began to get a little punchy but our ridiculous banter pushed us through each mile. It was fun to stop at the themed water stops or pass another group of runners who orchestrated the wave as we passed by. It took our group about 6 and a half hours to run the 26 miles. At the end we ran in together, smiles on our faces, tears in our eyes, through the balloon archway and into the arms of our coaches putting an AIDS Marathon medal around our necks. It was an incredible feeling. Courage, accomplishment, pride, enthusiasms.

I was particularly pleased because the longest consecutive run I had completed to date was only 16 miles. Running the 26, and finishing it, has given me the confidence I needed to be able to run the marathon in a few short weeks!