green marathon

Words 449; 3 pictures

          Today was something called the Green Marathon as part of the build-up to the Winter Olympics in 2014.  It was sponsored by the bank where I teach.  The Games will be Sochi on the Black Sea several hundred miles from here. 
The distance was 4.2 km—10% of a full marathon.  In general, everything worked well.  The registration went smoothly, the loudspeakers were fine, the course was well-marked, and there was plenty of water.  Some problems were the time of the event—12:00, in the heat of the day.  But this didn’t seem to be a huge problem because we weren’t running very far; I don’t think anyone felt bad.  At the end of the race, they had no bananas or oranges.  Maybe this is just something that people do in the US as a treat.  As I said, they did have plenty of water, which is the most important thing, anyway.  I just wish we could find a different way to deliver the water—something besides plastic bottles.

            The best part was on the stage.  About 45 minutes before the start, there were four dudes jumping, break dancing, doing other comedy that was delightful. (click to see a bigger image)

The worst thing was the man who announced the beginning.  In the minutes before the race, many people were standing around in the shade warming up.  As is got closer to start time, everyone moved out onto the street into the hot sun. Then the announcer came over.  For several minute before 12, and for several agonizing minutes AFTER 12, he was telling jokes, asking the runners to put their arms up in a wave fashion, and asking us if we were ready.

            “Is the right side ready?” 

            “Oh come on, you can do better than that!” 

            “Is the right side ready?” 

            “Good!

            “Ok, is the left side ready?”

            “Are the girls ready?”

            “Ok, boys, let’s do better!  Are the boys ready?”

            It was real torture.  I ended up kneeling down to be in the shade of other people and taking some pictures of their shoes.

The distance today was 4.2 kilometers—1/10 of a full marathon.  I finished in 23:35.54.  For the first 3   kilometers, I ran with my friend, Ira.  At the posted 3 km mark, I ran at top speed.  I did the last 1.2 km in 4:14.  That means a 3.53 min/km pace, which translates to a 5.64 minute mile.  Certainly not Roger Banister, but also fast enough.

Near the race was a grand old statue of Lenin:    

Gone are the days when such a statue would inspire people to tear these things done in disgust.  People don’t care much anymore. 

 Near the race was a grand old statue of Lenin:    

Gone are the days when such a statue would inspire people to tear these things done in disgust.  People don’t care much anymore.