Duke Medicine Becomes Tobacco Road Marathon Title Sponsor

Duke Medicine has agreed to be the title sponsor of the Tobacco Road Marathon to be conducted in Cary, North Carolina on March 21, 2010, the Tobacco Road Marathon Association (TRMA) announced today. The event is now officially named the "Duke Medicine Tobacco Road Marathon."

"We are extremely pleased to have Duke Medicine join us in making Cary's first marathon a reality," said race organizer and five-time Boston Marathon veteran Kazem Yahyapour. "This relationship is particularly meaningful to me personally as I began running to regain my health after suffering a heart attack in 2002. Exercise is essential to taking responsibility for your health."

As a result of the agreement, Duke Medicine's name and logo will appear on the TRMA Web site and figure prominently on tee-shirts, awards and signage along the course. They will also have a prominent booth at the event's exposition hall at the Embassy Suites in Cary off Harrison-Oaks Boulevard.

The Duke Medicine Tobacco Road Marathon's scenic course includes 18 miles of the American Tobacco Trail (ATT). The ATT will also account for 7 miles of a half-marathon to be run simultaneously. Runners will start from the USA Baseball/Thomas Brooks Park complex in Cary at 7 a.m. TRMA believes they will deliver an ideal performance environment with a course largely devoid of hills and an average temperature for March 21 of 52 degrees Fahrenheit. Registration is moving at a brisk pace, but there are still slots available for both events.

"One of our key goals is to give runners the best opportunity possible to qualify for the Boston Marathon," says Yahyapour, who was co-founder of the successful City of Oaks Marathon. "We believe we have put together the fastest course in North Carolina."

TRMA is a group of highly experienced marathon runners and athletic event production managers headed by Yahyapour and Cid Cardoso Jr., president and founder of Inside-Out Sports. Plans call for proceeds to go to the Wounded Warriors Project and the Triangle Rails to Trails Conservancy (TRTC). Details about the event, including on-line registration and training tips, can be obtained through TRMA's Web site at www.tobaccoroadmarathon.com. You can also become a friend of "Tobacco Road" on Facebook.

SOURCE: Tobacco Road Marathon Association (TRMA) | CARY, N.C., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire

Marathon News: Marathon proves exercise for body and spirit from first finisher to last, thousands receive stellar support

All things considered, Diane Kassab had a blast running the 2010 Chevron Houston Marathon. So much so that her time might have suffered a bit.

“It was fun. The spirit is tremendous,” said Kassab, of Houston. “I danced to every band. That was probably my mistake.”

Officially, Kassab, 56, was the last runner to cross the finish line Sunday, her time clocked at 6 hours, 1 minute and 5 seconds.

“I'm disappointed, because last year I actually made 5:45,” she lamented before letting out a laugh. “Maybe this proves this should be my last marathon.”

More like a reason to look forward to next year's. After all, there is something to be said about the institution

That is the race, which is that, aside from being the largest sporting event in Houston, it might be the most special. Much like in years past, the 38th edition of the marathon and its accompanying races was full of personal victories, inspirational stories and acts of hospitality and kindness.
Raising the bar

The event began on a good note, boasting the largest field in its history — more than 26,000 registered participants, including nearly 9,000 for the main race. Aided by superb conditions — cool temperatures and clear skies — the elite runners proceeded to make it the fastest marathon in Houston history, smashing three course records.

Teshome Gelana of Ethopia, a last-minute entry and relative unknown, won the men's marathon in a record 2:07:37.

Five other men broke the 2:10 barrier, something no man had done in Houston until Deriba Merga's 2:07:52 last year.

“I'm still trying to get my head around it,” marathon race director Brant Kotch said.

Teyba Erkesso, also of Ethiopia, became the first woman to break the course record in consecutive years, posting a 2:23:53 to best her 2009 mark of 2:24:18.

American Shalane Flanagan, an Olympic bronze medalist in the 10,000 meters in Beijing, shattered the women's half marathon record, clocking in at 1:09:41.

Marathon organizers were ecstatic.

“We are managing each year to raise the bar a little,” race managing director Steven Karpas said. “We raised the bar a lot today.”

Most of the runners and wheelchair racers hit the streets for reasons other than money or competition. For many, it was a matter of personal fitness. For others, the chance to come through on a dare or promise. Still others did it in memory of a loved one or to benefit a cause close to the heart.

Mostly, though, the marathon gave them all a reason to celebrate life.

“It's a spiritual thing almost,” Kassab said. “It really is.”

Participants flocked downtown as early as 4 a.m. to prepare for the 7 a.m. start. The 26.2-mile route took them past portions of the Fifth Ward and the Heights, down Montrose, through West University to the Galleria, across Memorial Park, east on Allen Parkway and back to downtown.
They're with the band

Folks needed not run to be part of the action. Jason Killen, Brian Warwick and Andy Klueh, who form the rock band Days Drive, serenaded the runners at the corner of Montrose and Warrick — complete with amplifiers, speakers and a three-piece drum set.

“It's the least we can do when all these folks are out here training themselves to run as far as they can,” Killen said.

The scene was quieter — though no less warm — along tree-lined University Boulevard, which looked its best adorned with American flags.

Red Powerade bottle in hand, Chris Dobson of Houston stood alongside daughters Kirsten and Ainsley while waiting for her husband and their father, Monte, to pass by. Kirsten, 13, had a pair of backup sneakers at the ready should he need them. Ainsley, 10, sported a handwritten sign that read, “You look like lightning, Daddy.”
Fruit, anyone?

Two driveways down, the Reids were offering runners orange slices and banana halves.

“A few people need bananas right about now,” Taylor Reid said.

Some estimates put the number of spectators at 200,000, among them at least 5,000 volunteers. The runners — and their families and friends — appreciated the support.

“It says a lot about Houstonians,” Chris Dobson said. “These guys need the support; it's hard to run 26.2 miles.”

Said marathoner Brett Gotcher, who finished seventh, good for the best time by an American: “The people here, the officials, the crowds, everything — I feel like it's another home. I plan on coming back.”

As Kassab made her way to the finish line, organizers scrambled to find a medal to hand her. As it turned out, they had run out — at least on the spot — as more people than anticipated had finished, with Karpas noting at least a 20 percent increase from last year's total of 5,300.

All in all, not a bad problem to have.

“Those figures blow us away,” Karpas said. “To have that growth in one year is phenomenal.”

Kassab didn't mind one bit. Just finishing — and enjoying the support throughout — made her day.

“I had a blast,” Kassab said. “Let them know that.”

Source: BERNARDO FALLAS | http://www.chron.com