Where will you run your next marathon ?

This week, we will visit Italy. Simone Lamacchi, the organizer of the Maratona Internazionale del Custoza has accepted to answer my usual 9 questions to present the race he has the charge of.

Simone and his wife

1) Hello Simone, on May 10th 2009 you’ll be organizing the Maratona Internazionale del Custoza. Can you tell us where it is located?
The Maratona Internazionale del Custoza will take place in Sommacampagna (near de Verona in Italy). The start and the finish line are located in the city and the race runs through the Morniche hills.

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Maxime Breton, a member of the Pays Viganais Endurance Nature association has accepted to answer my questions to present the Marathonion. His marathon association whose members are trail and raid runners decided to organize a mountain marathon in the valleys of the Cévennes (in southern France).

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Theo Peters, accepted to answer my 9 questions to present the Spark Spijkenisse Marathon.
Theo is fifty and has been living in Spijkenisse since 1983. He ran the Spark Marathon Spijkenisse in 2006 and 2007. And now has joined the organisation.

1) Hello Theo, on December 7th, you’ll be organizing the Spark Marathon Spijkenisse. Can you tell us where it is located?
The marathon is located in the city Spijkenisse, 12 km west of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The start and finish are at the athletics court of Spark.
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The Lewis & Clark Marathon is the brainchild of David and Debby Spetnagel.
David Spetnagel was a life-long runner who worked as an aerospace engineer at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center and McDonnell Douglas. David was a 400/800m meter specialist in high school and at the University of Michigan. After moving to St. Louis, David coached at St. Charles West High School and Lindenwood University and has continued to participate in and direct local races. A former President of the St. Louis Track Club and the St. Charles Runners Club, David is now a Senior Writer for Running Times Magazine, responsible for all of the magazine’s road shoe reviews.
Debby Spetnagel is a former Mallinkrodt CPA who began running after meeting David in college. She gravitated towards the longer distances and has run over twenty marathons and ultramarathons, including the Boston Marathon. Debby has coached charity marathon teams for the Arthritis Foundation and The Wellness Community. She can also be found in the field of many local triathlons.

 Hello David, on September 14th, you’ll be organizing the Lewis & Clark Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located?
The FLEET FEET SPORTS Lewis & Clark Marathon is located in the Midwest region of the United States. More specifically in St. Charles, Missouri – finishing at the very campsite where the Lewis and Clark Expedition began their epic journey to explore the Missouri River Valley and western territories.
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Back to France where I did my first interview with Nicole Rouvet for the inception of the marathon de Clermont-Ferrand. We are heading to Villeneuve lez Avignon, in Provence where the Marathon des vendanges (Vintage marathon) is organized. Alain Castel, head of communications for the marathon has accepted to answer a few questions to present the race.

Hello, on September 28th, you’ll be organizing the 12th edition of the Marathon des vendanges. Can you tell us where it is located?
The marathon is ran around Villeneuve lez Avignon in Provence. The race starts at Saze, continues to Rochefort du Gard, Pujaut, Les Angles and finishes in Villeneuve lez Avignon at the Laune Stadium.

Do you organize other races during the Week-End? If so, on what distances?
With this marathon, we offer a half marathon (by team of two) and a 4*10 km relay. Our goal is to open up this competition to as many runners as possible.

What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it?
The route of the marathon wanders through villages and vineyards.

How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
We expect 65 marathoners, 30 to 40 teams for the half marathon and 60 to 80 teams for the relay.

At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?
In the past year, weather conditions have varied from magnificent sun to storm. It is very difficult to forecast the weather. !

Have you planned festivities around the marathon?
One the race is over, a big free pasta party is offered to the runners. Friends and family can join with a small fee of 3 euros.

The marathon finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Villeneuve lez Avignon before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?
I encourage runners to visit Avignon after the race. It is only 3 kilometers away from the stadium. The small villages in the neighbourhood are also worth visiting.

In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of 42k195 to make them register for the Marathon des vendanges?
This race if very well organized (safety is managed by medical doctors, red cross, firemen and security bikers). Volunteers are placed at all the 93 crossroads to manage the traffic and the for the bigger ones, the local police take charge.

After the finish line, physical therapist provide massages.

The route is very varied (vineyards, trails, roads, village crossing …)

Thank you very much Alain

More information :

• Official Website of the marathon des vendanges
• Marathon des vendanges on 42k195.com
• Book a hotel room in Avignon

In order to present the Beekse Marathon, in Netherlands, I had the opportunity to interview Marlou van Oevelen.
Marlou has been an active member of Achil’87 for 13 years, the running club organizing the race. She describes herself as a recreative runner on Sunday mornings, married to René a marathon runner. They both have children.
She is also a member of the Achil committee in charge the results of the race, the website, the registration and the public relations of all the races during the year.

Hello Marlou, on September 21st, you’ll be organizing the Beekse Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located?
The 29th Beekse Marathon starts and finishes at the Vrijthof, the historic centre of Hilvarenbeek. The full marathon covers 5 laps over most metalled roads mainly in the countryside and through the villages Hilvarenbeek and Esbeek.
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For my first interview about a marathon located in Oceania, I had the opportunity to contact Phil Coakes, the race director of the Moro Marathon.
The bonds that link him to the Moro Marathon are very strong since he ran his first marathon there in 1980. The same year, he also joined the Caversham Harrier and Athletic Club which 5 years later took the responsibility of organizing the race. In 1990 he joined the Marathon Organizing Committee and 2008 will be his 19th year as Race Director. A role he finds very enjoyable and rewarding. To him each and every runner is a winner.

After the flying monks in Nepal, here is the flying runner of the Moro Marathon

Hello Phil, on September 14th, you’ll be organizing the Moro Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located?
The Moro Marathon takes place in Dunedin, a city with a population of around 125,000, situated in the lower part of the South Island of New Zealand.

The marathon will celebrate it’s 30th anniversary this year. Why was it created in the first place? How has it evolved the past 30 years ?
The first Marathon held in 1979 was organized by the Otago branch of the New Zealand Federation of Sports Medicine. Their aim was to promote exercise and a healthy life style. The Caversham Harrier & Athletic Club became the organizers in 1985 and 2008 marks their 24th year.

What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it?
The coarse is point to point, the start is close to the Royal Albatross Colony on the Otago Peninsula and runs around the beautiful Otago Harbour before finishing in Port Chalmers.It is mainly flat with slight undulations over the last 10km with a sharp but brief rise at the 39k mark.

How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
In 2007 we had 132 take part in the marathon,there was a drop in numbers in the 80’s and 90’s but increasing numbers over the past 5 years indicates that the record of 156 which was set in 1979 will be threaten. The Marathon incorporates the Otago Open and Masters Marathon Championships. We attract runners from through out New Zealand, Australia,also from Canada, Japan and England.We cater for both the experience and novice competitor.

Do you organize other races during the Week-End? If so, on what distances?
The Moro Marathon event includes a Half Marathon Run and Half Marathon Recreational Walk. It starts close to the half way mark of the Marathon course, finishing along with the marathon runners at Port Chalmers.Two week before the event we provide a free “Marafun” 10k Run and 5k Walk, a chance for competitors to test their fitness. Since 2001 overall numbers have increased 75%, in 2007 the event attracted 1754 entrants over the three events

At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?
Early spring weather, 12-16 C, any wind will create either a head wind or tail wind, or vice versa. We usual experience perfect conditions for marathon running.

Have you planned festivities around the marathon?
Everything happens on the day, each competitor has set their goals,we are there to help them archive them. We also cater for their supporters, last year we introduced a Supporters Train, this enable them to view the runners as they made their way to the finish, we called it a “Moving Grandstand “. The train stopped next to the Finish area and all supporters were able to view the finish of the race.

he marathon finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Dunedin before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?
Come and experience what the Moro Marathon and the City of Dunedin has to offer, warm and friendly people,and if there is any fuel left in the legs, a walk up the World’s Steepest Street or a visit to Cadbury’s World would is a must. We are the gateway to Central Otago ski fields,bungy jumping and river jet-boating.

In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of 42k195 to make them register for the Moro Marathon?
Affordability, pollution-free air and the scenery should never be underestimated by runners for runners. Is rated in the top 10 Marathons in New Zealand.

Thank you very much Phil

If you need more information :

• Official Website of the Moro Marathon
• Moro Marathon on 42k195.com
• Book a hotel room in Dunedin

Here is a brief interview I made with Ron Hayden. Ron has been the director of the Tri-Cities Marathon for the past ten years. Being a runner himself, he has always tried to make the marathon a race “for the runners”, giving individuals all the attention they need.
The Tri-Cities Marathon may be a smaller marathon, it definitely is a friendly place to run.

Photo by nicoraHello Ron, on October 26th, you’ll be organizing the Tri-Cities Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located?
The Tri-Cities Marathon starts in Richland Washington and runs through Pasco and Kennewick also.

How old is the marathon? Why was it created in the first place?
This is the 28th annual race. It was created in 1980 because South-Eastern Washington did not have a marathon.

What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it?
The course runs through all three of the Tri-Cities and is run entirely along the Mighty Columbia River. The course crosses the river four times across three bridges. The course is flat except for the rises and drops associated with crossing the bridges.

How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
150+ runners. Most of our runners come from Washington State. We get some from Oregon, Idaho, and BC also.

Do you organize other races during the Week-End? If so, on what distances?
In addition to the full marathon we have a marathon team relay. Up to four individuals can make up a team. We split the course into four segments and the runners exchange at the pre-established transition points which are about each 6.55 mile points.

At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?
Weather is usually 445-55 degrees with light variable winds. WE have it at this time of year because the weather is usually perfect running weather.

Have you planned festivities around the marathon?
We have an award ceremony after the marathon usually held at the finish line area.

The marathon finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Richland before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?
Shilo inn is our sponsor hotel. We start and finish in their parking lot – so stay there. They usually have a pasta dinner for the runners the night before.

In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of 42k195 to make them register for the Tri-Cities Marathon?
With our marathon having relatively small numbers it allows me to cater to individual runners needs and questions. The entire course is very spectator friendly so family members can get to many points of the race during your run to cheer you on. Our volunteers make it happen!!!

Thank you Ron.

If you need more information :

• Official Website of the Tri-Cities Marathon
• Tri-Cities Marathon on 42k195.com
• Book a hotel room in Bellevue

As for every interview I do on this website, I asked Jared to introduce himself. Here is what he replied

I am a 25 year old working in a field I have a strong passion for. I started right out of college and learned a great deal from my predecessor on what runners enjoyed in a race and what was needed to create a successful event both from a participants point of view as well as an event producers point of view because after all a successful race is only successful if the participants had a good time, not if the race meets its goals.

When starting here over three and a half years ago I was a sports nut but didn’t enjoy “running for fun.” I actually started running on a bet with a co-worker that I couldn’t finish a marathon in under five hours without training. I ended up running that event in four hours and twenty minutes. After that I became hooked. I’ve now ran four marathons in the past 3 years and close to 20 half marathons and love getting home each day after work and winding down with a run. I graduated from Western Washington University with a BA in Business and a concentration in Marketing.

I just love hearing passionate people ! And Marathon running seems to attract them all.

Evergreen Point Floating Bridge

Jared, on June 29th, you’ll be organizing the VM Team Medicine Seafair Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located?
The VM Team Medicine Seafair Marathon is located in Bellevue Washington just minutes from Seattle. The start of the marathon is located in Seattle Washington at the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium. The route goes through 7 jurisdictions along the marathon course including Seattle, Hunts Point, Clyde Hill, Medina, Kirkland and Bellevue giving participants a true feel of different areas around Lake Washington.

I heard you designed a new route for the 2008 edition. What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it? (I would very much like this question towards the top or top to highlight the new course!)
Since after the 2007 race we at Seafair tried to figure out what our race was missing and what would bring a larger number of “tourist” runners (Those runners that set a vacation around a running event) to our destination event because the Northwest is one of those hidden tucked away regions of the United States that if you as a traveler don’t have a reason to visit it typically gets overlooked. We realized this and wanted to give people a reason to come out west and visit everything the northwest has to offer during a beautiful time of year. So, to answer the question route specific we have changed our course and if I was the judge and jury I would tell you it is one of the most scenic and beautiful courses in the United States, if not the most scenic! Race participants will start in Seattle for this brand new point to point race at the University of Washington’s famed Husky Stadium then crossing over the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge. We are very excited to give participants this opportunity as it is the first time in over 20 years that the bridge will be shut down for a road race. Participants will then traverse nine miles of picturesque waterfront neighborhoods in Kirkland and Bellevue finishing the marathon or half marathon adventure at Bellevue Downtown Park in the heart of downtown Bellevue. This new route shows off the beautiful lakes, majestic mountains and tree lined streets the northwest is known for. My goal was to bring the beautiful views of Lake Washington to participants at every scene, and I think it was accomplished!

How old is the marathon? Why was it created in the first place?
The Seafair Marathon was created in 2005. June 29, 2008 will be the fourth annual running of the race. The marathon was created as an addition to the half marathon Seafair had been producing the previous two years. With the cool climates in the summer time here in Seattle it is one of the only places in the United States that can have a race of this magnitude and not have to worry about the threat of over heating. Historically the temperature at the start of the race is in the mid 50’s and when 85% of participants have crossed the finish line at 11:00am the expected temperatures will be in the low 60’s. It truly is the perfect time of year for a marathon here in the Northwest.

How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
For the past three years we have held pretty steady at about 3,500 participants. With all the buzz this year the race is getting here in the Northwest I anticipate this number to grow exponentially. With the new marketing campaign and promotion of the new route I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see attendance reach over 4,000 for the 2008 race.
At Seafair we are known for putting on a fun festive race that attracts many different people from the elite athlete to the first time participant looking to have a good time. I don’t expect this to change at all with the new course, in fact, I expect more first timers that wouldn’t typically participate in a full or half marathon to come out and give this race a shot because of the “once in a lifetime” opportunity to cross the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge on foot. You always hear about a runner’s first experience in a race and how they’ve become “hooked” on running after it. If this race with the scenery and exciting elements installed doesn’t turn a lot of people into runners I would be very surprised!

Do you organize other races during the Week-End? If so, on what distances?
On Sunday June 29, 2008 we offer multiple events for the whole family to take part in whether you are 9 years old or 99 years old there is an event for everyone. We start off the day with our Full Marathon at 7am, but we also offer a half marathon run and marathon team relay (4 person relay, each leg consisting of 6.55 miles) that will start at the same time of the marathon. Then, at 7:05am, we offer a half marathon walk & half marathon nordic walk division for the participants looking to take in the scenery of the northwest. All courses are open for 6 hours for participants to enjoy the day and not worry about rushing to the finish line.

At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?
In late June it is perfect conditions for a marathon or half marathon. With the cool climates in the summer time here in Seattle it is one of the only places in the United States that can have a race of this magnitude and not have to worry about the threat of over heating. Historically the temperature at the start of the race is in the mid 50’s and when 85% of participants have crossed the finish line at 11:00am the expected temperatures will be in the low 60’s. It truly is the perfect time of year for a marathon here in the Northwest

Have you planned festivities around the marathon?
Seafair is a 59 year old summer festival here in Seattle with events happening every weekend including the marathon, a triathlon, 8K torchlight run, torchlight parade and hydroplane race and air show. Each year we looks to add events and add to the events to keep everything very fresh for northwesterners as well as everyone that comes to visit. If interested there is plenty more information about the festival as well as dates of each event at seafair.com.
As for marathon specific festivities everything we plan revolves around having fun and creating an enjoyable experience for participants. One of the very unique things about our race is the Seafair Pirates that start the race, participate at water stations at the finish line handing out medals to finishers and award winners and running with the kids during the mini marathon. The event starts at Bellevue on Saturday June 28, 2008 at the First Tech Credit Union Health & Fitness expo that will have over 30 exhibitors for participants to shop through as well as a pre-race pasta dinner offered by our host hotel The Hilton Bellevue. Sunday, after the race we hope participants will stay in the park and relax enjoying the free food and drink samples offered in the park as well as live entertainment, music and a post race awards ceremony for finishers of all events. Not to mention the best part of the day, the Kids Mini Marathon that starts at noon and runs around the outskirts of the festival area in Bellevue Downtown Park.

The marathon finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Bellevue before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?
After relaxing in the park enjoying your accomplishment I would recommend walking across the street to Bellevue Square Mall and having a meal at one of the many fine restaurants there is including PF Changs, Manzana Grill and The Cheesecake Factory. After a nice meal and your looking to do a little site seeing Bellevue has many parks to offer along with some famous breweries and pacific northwest wineries. If you venture back over to Seattle, only 9 miles away, there is plenty to do including a the underground tour seeing the subterranean passages that were once Seattle’s roadways and first floor storefronts of old downtown. A ride to the top of the Space Needle, a visit to Experience Music Project, or a Ride the Ducks land and water tour of Seattle. And, if you’ve traveled this far and want to get out in the Puget Sound and Pacific Ocean there are daily whale watching excursions!

In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of 42k195 to make them register for the Virginia Mason Team Medicine Marathon at Seafair?
The VM Team Medicine Seafair Marathon race course and time of year provides runners of all abilities the perfect combination of an extremely scenic road race and the beauty of the pacific northwest for runners and families.

Thank you Jared.

If you need more information :

• Official Website of the VM Team Medicine Seafair Marathon
• VM Team Medicine Seafair Marathon on 42k195.com
• Book a hotel room in Bellevue

Roberto Stagnetti, the president of the Night Marathon has accepted to answer a few questions to let us discover the second edition of the Night Marathon in Italy.

Hello Roberto, on June 6th, you’ll be organizing the Night Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located?
NightMarathon 2008 will be held in Jesolo and Cavallino Treporti, two wonderful beach places very close to Venice (only 15 Km far). You can reach us by car or by plane at Venice Airport.
Jesolo is the longest beach in Europe that await for runners to give them a thousand of entertainment programs: sea and beach sports activities, tournaments and competitions of every kind for folks of every age, all along 15 km of a golden sand.
Cavallino Treporti is a land suspended between the sea and lagoon, an extraordinarily beautiful Nature Park, a unique location to be visited and to be loved in a pure freedom way, where Mother Nature is respected and beloved, where hospitality and warmness is a must. Beaches and pinewoods, orchards, hundreds of calm channels, allows You to have a deep relaxing holiday, and brings you naturally to walk alone on the desert sand, take a bike and have a visit of beautiful ancient boroughs, and have a really heartbreaker sunset on the Venice lagoon.

How old is the marathon and why was it created in the first place?
This is the second edition; we thought to start this project because there weren’t any marathons at night in Italy.

It is a night marathon. What is so special about a night race?
A wonderful sunset on the venitian lagoon will be matched with a long way in a loneliness-like emotions and quite darkness one. And at the end, in Jesolo, an extraordinarily warm public exciting you on the trace will make this race an unforgettable one.

What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it?
The route is totally flat and very scenic; runners could improve themselves in the Half Marathon competitive race or in the Full Marathon one. It’s not so easy to describe an intense emotion, just try it!

What formalities do international runners need to fulfill to run your race?
Foreign runners do have to subscribe themselves only via electronic form on our web portal www.nightmarathon.it/eng and sign up an “organizing disclaimer letter” when picking up the bib on the race day at the expo.

How many runners do you expect on Saturday night? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
We expect from 4.000 to 5.000 runners, both professional both amateurs.

Do you organize other races during the Week-End? If so, on what distances?
Yes indeed! We organize a very popular 4K “HappyMarathon” for families and for everyone who prefer not to “stress” themselves. Furthermore we organize a “Kids’ Run” for babies under 6 years.

At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?
During the daytime weather is quite warm (22° medium relevation) but you have to consider that starting time is scheduled at 8.30 pm, so that runners will have no problems with weather.

Have you planned festivities around the marathon?
NightMarathon is already famous all over Europe for being a miscellaneous event: concerts, animations, an half pipe show, jokers and so on will be the other side of the moon of the official races

The marathon finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Jesolo before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?
In the daytime an endless series of refreshment stands, bars and restaurants along the beach provides food and drink to thousands of suntan buffs and people who just can’t get enough of the sun and the sea. But it’s just at night that you compare Jesolo as a firework! From 8 o’clock in the evening to 6 o’clock in the morning, Jesolo is open only to pedestrian traffic and thus becomes an unlimited, fantastic fun hourse brimming with merriment and a pinch of craziness where new trends in night life are created and then spread to become musts in Italy and abroad.

In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of 42k195 to make them register for the Night Marathon ?
Just came for the Run, Let’s Stay for the Fun!

Thank you Roberto.

If you need more information :

• Official Website of the Night Marathon
• Night Marathon on 42k195.com
• Book a hotel room near Jesolo