Hip Redux
His updates are cracking me up. They are all posted here: http://www.realbuzz.com/forums/steamtown-marathon/ or on their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/steamtown.marathon
Here's the last one:
Greetings taperers! Barring something bizarre happening, this will be the final pre-race update.
Nightmare - Traditionally, I have a weird marathon nightmare a few days before the race. No nightmare this year but something worse just happened - and I swear I am not making this up. I was on my I-Phone checking out the New York Daily News website when I saw an article with the headline, "Bieber in the Buff." Naturally, I clicked on it and right below a naked Justin Bieber was an ad that said, "Price Chopper - a proud supporter of the Steamtown Marathon." Please be advised that neither Price Chopper nor the marathon are advocates of public nudity by teen idols.
Weather - I am probably going to jinx us but the weather forecast is calling for sunny weather on Sunday with temperatures in the mid 40s at the start and in the low 60s at the finish at noon.
If you are concerned that your hands will be cold at the start, you might want to consider throwing a ratty old pair of sweat socks over them. Please just discard them at an aid station or, use them to entertain your fellow runners.
"Greetings fellow runner, I'm Lefty the marathon sock puppet. Can I call you sometime?"
Expo - Here again is a link to info about the race expo:http://www.steamtownmarathon.com/3.3.html
If your nephew Timmy falls into a well on Saturday and Lassie can't get him out in time, don't panic about not making it to the expo by 5 p.m. No need to drive 120 mph just because Timmy can't keep his balance. I PROMISE you that your race packet will be waiting for you inside the main door of Forest City High School at the start beginning at 6:00 a.m. on race day.
Remember, bring your I.D. to packet pick up. If a friend picks up your packet, they will be asked to show their I.D. and sign for your packet.
Spectator Viewpoints - You can find directions to two spectator viewpoints here: http://www.steamtownmarathon.com/2.2.html
Unless you have mastered the art of teleportation, your family member/stalker will have plenty of time to get from the first viewpoint to the second viewpoint. Please let them know however, that traffic will get a little heavy as they near Viewpoint #2. Also, parking in that area will be in residential neighborhoods. Please ask them to be courteous and use their indoor voices when walking from their car to the viewpoint. The use of vuvuzelas is discouraged.
Course Map/Elevation Chart - We just received today a course map and elevation chart - donated by local engineering firm Pennoni Associates. We will not have course maps at the Info table at the expo but perhaps you can print your own: http://www.steamtownmarathon.com/4.html
Also....
1) Do not park at the start and leave your car there. We do not provide return transportation to the start after the race.
2) Remember, gym bags, duffle bags, etc... are banned on the buses, at the start, and at the finish. Clear bags only. Learn more by reading our confirmation packet: http://www.steamtownmarathon.com/…/2015-Steamtown-Confirmat…
3) If you registered late and want to get caught up on our goofy e-mails, you can read all of them here:http://www.realbuzz.com/forums/steamtown-marathon/
Well, that will just about do it. On behalf of our entire race committee, I thank you for choosing Steamtown. We are honored that you selected our race and we will do our best to provide you with a safe and happy experience on Sunday.
Sincerely,
Jim "I looked at that photo of Justin Bieber and now I am blind in one eye" Cummings
Asst. Race Director
Hilarious.
Damaris
As part of the 2024 London Marathon, I am fundraising for VICTA, a charity that helps blind and visually impaired children. My mentor while in law school, Jim K (a blind attorney), has been a huge inspiration and an example of courage and perseverance. Please consider donating.
Fundraising Page
I want to bring a vuvuzela!
Please ask them to be courteous and use their indoor voices when walking from their car to the viewpoint. The use of vuvuzelas is discouraged.
I LOL'd.
Mmmmm...beer
Love it.
-Dave
My running blog
Goals | sub-18 5k | sub-3 marathon 2:56:46!!
delicate flower
This is great. Nice way to rile up racers who are already on edge....like throwing cookies into a monkey cage.
<3
Super B****
I like RDs like that!!
chasing the impossible
because i never shut up ... i blog
There was a prior one that had a section "Again with the peeing". LOL I'll see if I can dig it up.
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay! The sun has returned to Scranton, PA!
Here is today's update:
Getting Dropped off at the Start - About 80% of our runners ride school buses to the start. The rest get dropped off - or parachute in. If your dropper offer plans to drop you off and leave immediately, they can exit using the roads they took to get you there. However, if they stay to watch the start (parking is limited) they will have to use a somewhat complicated escape route to leave Forest City. If your dropper offer is the kind of driver who gets lost going to Walmart, you should consider taking the bus instead.
The "Forest City Escape Route" can be found here: http://www.steamtownmarathon.com/2.2.html
Speed Kills and So Do Speed Bumps - Warning runners! There is a mean, ankle biting speed bump right at the starting line. You will run over it. Normally, we wouldn't feel the need to warn you about something so big and obvious. However, the cannon that starts the race is very LOUD and startling. More startling than than a kid's burp in a quiet church. After the boom you will be giddy and disoriented and not expecting a speed bump.
Expect the speed bump runners or your start will be a memorable one!
Unofficial Pace Groups - At the starting line, you can go inside Forest City High School to stay warm (or get overheated if it is really crowded). If you go to the cafeteria (ask a helpful student for directions) you will see signs with various finish times taped to the walls (e.g. 3:30, 3:45, etc..). The signs are there in case you'd like to form unofficial pace groups and buddy up with other runners to achieve your race goals.
Again with the Peeing - There will be 96 port-a-lavs in the parking lots in the front and rear of the school. You are asked to use them rather than the facilities inside the school. However - and repeat Steamtowners know this as my annual warning - DO NOT PEE ON FOREST CITY HIGH SCHOOL.
Yes, one year, two very talented female runners, in full view of impressionable high school students, somehow managed to pee on the side of the school. Do not do that. Use the port-a-lavs.
Bags - Reminder: when you are ready to check your clear bag, just find one of the several baggage stations inside and outside the school. Your bib number will be written on the bag and burly UPS drivers will take all bags to the finish. Show your bib number at the finish to retrieve your bag.
That's all for today. We'll send you a few mid-week e-mails including weather updates. Stay healthy.
Jim Cummings, Asst. Race Director
From the Internet.
LOL! Kinda makes me want to travel down to PA to run their race (in a future year, of course)!
Funny. I wonder if the humor is a way to try to get people to actually read the race instructions?
How does a female pee on the HS wall? I can see squatting in full view, but peeing on the wall???? I was gonna blame the men. Every year I ran the Baltimore half, at Clifton Park (Mile 6 for the half, 19 for the full), there had to be at least 50 guys along the tree line peeing in the woods.
It would be too funny if someone figured out a way to parachute into the start.
That's what my husband said lol
He did say that they were "very talented". LOL
I was running a half one time, and for some reason there was going to be a delay. Everyone was already lined up and ready to go when they announced the delay. At least two dozen guys immediately walked over to the tree line to relieve themselves, about 20 ft from the platform where the race officials were standing, as well as the female mayor. I thought there was no modesty in the military, runners take it to a whole new level.