Silicon Valley Marathon, 10/28/2001 , San Jose
The October 28 Silicon Valley Marathon Version 5.0 is the largest MITcrc event and the largest Silicon Valley running event of the year. It featured a half marathon, marathon relay, and kids races along with the marathon (26.2 miles). MITcrc placed (x) in running club competition and won the award for best aid station. We fielded about 130 participants comprising about 90 runners, numerous kids, and over 30 volunteers.
Boaz completed his first marathon at an excellent 4 hours 14 minutes after arriving at 6:30 am with his family to set up our aid station; he placed second among our masters team members. Dan, Bill, and Don completed the marathon in 3:19, 3:43, and 4:02, respectively. The women marathoners were paced by Shena and Catalina at 3:54 and 4:04, respectively. Alan, Scott, and Sharon also ran marathons along with about 1,500 others.
Shabbir completed his first half marathon at a great 2:13 after starting an exercise program only 13 weeks earlier. After not exercising for five years, Shabbir joined MITcrc and committed to completing the half marathon in less than 2:15; he met his objective, placed second among masters team members, and lost 10.5 pounds. He and his family also volunteered at our aid station.
John Benko finished third in his half marathon division and was the highest placing member of our team in open competition; he ran the half in 1:32. Victor, Bob M, and Andrew came in at 1:46, 1:59, and 2:12, respectively. The women half marathoners were paced by Cathy, Katrin, Silvia, Janet, and Kathryn at 1:38, 1:50, 1:56, 2:08, and 2:09, respectively. Bob B, Carol, David, Elyce, Frances, Mohan, Peggy, and Sabina also ran half marathons along with about 1,400 others.
Our three women, three men, and eight mixed marathon relay teams also distinguished themselves. Among a total of 15 women's teams, Winged Warriors (Sheri, Judy, Karen, and Megan) placed third in its division at 3:36. Among a total of 24 men's teams, Creator 4 Deep (Mike, Eric, Mark, and Michael) also placed third in its division at 3:09. The Tech Force (George, David, Greg, Hans) completed in 3:35. Chick Campers (Barb, Lina, Maria, and Mary), Happy Campers (Biren, Huib, Shaun, and Steve), and Tech Babes (Sara, Dawn, Dianne, and Melissa) also completed women's and men's marathon relays.
Over 60 mixed relay teams competed in the Marathon. Our leading mixed marathon relay teams finished four seconds apart. MIT Endurance (Melissa, Alexis, John, and Ulf) finished just ahead of Hit Great Walls (John, Don, Gail, and Sabrina) at 3:36. Fleet Feet (Aleksey, Ann, Judy, and Samson) finished close behind at 3:39; Muscle Pumpers (Olive, Christy, Mike, and Monther) came in at 4:05. Brass Ringers (Satyen, Charles, Patti, and Salim), Green Room (Jon, Alfredo, Emily, and Tim), MIT One (Yanhong, Carolyn, John, and Lance), and MIT Parents (Geetha, Chris, Sharlene, and Sheila) also completed mixed marathon relays. Both Sumit and Nelson, our backups, also ran relay legs; Nelson ran with his wife, Yanhong.
Ten of us have previously run marathons with a mode of one, mean of three, and high of nine. The fastest 6.2 mile (10k) relay leg was 43 minutes; the mean was 58 minutes, and the slowest was 1:10. The fastest 6.9 mile relay leg was 48 minutes; the mean was 1:03, and the slowest was 1:52.
Maya, Louis, Nina, and Sara received number one bibs and athletes goodiebags in the Marathon kids races. Congratulations to all the other MITcrc kids who participated. To encourage family participation, MITcrc supported kids with a special 25% discount for two kids.
George D led our 30 volunteers in an incredible, boisterous party at our God Bless America themed Mile 20 Celebration Station. Our volunteers included Anja, Conail, Dianne, Eran, Eugene, Fiona, George R, Harry, Insiyah, Jay, Lior, Munira, Nicole, Rashida, Sarah, Sasha, and Sommer, as well as athletes who helped out before and/or after their races. Six large posters displayed our dedication to September 11 victims and heroes and the names of all our athletes. These were surrounded by six large and 20 small/medium American Flags and the red, white, and blue of balloons, banners, fan drapes, metallic fringe, metallic swirls, leis, and pavement sprinkles. Additionally we included a special runners' poem on our six posters. Athletes, police officers, and Marathon organizers all praised the energy and enthusiasm of our volunteers. Our volunteers provided inspiration, water, and electrolyte to about 4,000 athletes; marathoners typically hit the wall at mile 20. We won the Most Spirited Aid Station award for the best aid station as judged by The Tech Museum executives.
The Silicon Valley Marathon also honored MITcrc with reserved tables at the Pasta Party @ The Tech. We earned this honor by having the largest participation of any running club. The Pasta Party was the athletes traditional carbo-loading dinner prior to our races the next morning. Bill Rodgers and Coach GP visited our tables and provided tips for our runs the next day.
The MITcrc Sports-Tech Expo Booth was also a convenient gathering spot for our athletes and their family and friends. It featured our RRCA Central California Championship trophy and MIT banner. Many thanks to those of you who stopped by and to Salim for helping out and proactively recruiting new members.
Hans earned special merit by commuting from Dallas; Carolyn completed her relay leg and flew to Spain. Greg, John I, Patti, and Sumit earned special merit by joining MITcrc at October 25 Spotlight. Bob M and Greg are our oldest members and among our fastest. Bob B and Mary were among the last to leave the Marathon and helped load our aid station for transport.
The Silicon Valley Marathon is a 26.2 mile party. Every mile featured aid stations and entertainment. The Saturday Sports-Tech Expo included over 100 high tech and athletic exhibits, as well as speeches by marathoners Bill Rodgers, Eddy Hellebuyck, and Joann Dahlkoetter. It was followed by the Pasta Party @ The Tech, which included free Museum admission and an IMAX movie. The finish line celebration at Plaza de Cesar Chavez included live bands, Mexican food, and giveaways. Despite this years economic downturn, the Marathon raised $15,000 for educational programs at The Tech Museum.
The Silicon Valley Marathon provided an exciting family event for the Northern California community: kids in kids races; athletes in marathon relays, half marathons, and marathons; and volunteers at the Mile 20 Celebration Station. Additionally Marathon athletes achieved personal records (PRs), whether besting previous times, completing with injuries, or participating for the first time. Join us for the excitement next year!