Celebrate LIFE!

This past Sunday did the Rock and Roll Marathon in SD. The support is great with water stations every 1-2 miles with Gatorade at about every other water stop. The bands were good and the local high school cheerleading squads really added to the block party atmosphere of the run and of course the fans on the sidewalk.

A huge number were part of the Leukemia Society Team in Training. Of the three marathons I have done, two have had a large TNT contingents.

I don't know at what point in the past 10-20 years did marathon participation get democratized. At one time, it was an obscure niche sport for the elite few. And indeed, many races are still only for the highly athletic with time limits for completion.

However, the convergence of economics and charity and the fitness craze have combined to popularize the marathon as an event for the everyday person. The economic impact of 20,000 runners plus their family and friends being in the city renting cars, occupying hotels, shopping and eating at restaurants is undeniable. These races inevitablly have some kind of charity tie in to further the public relations value of a marathon.

Not only large cities are getting into the act. There are "destination" marathons like Maui and Anchorage where for a weekend plus a few days those smaller communities can swell with tourist dollars.

If you are thinking of doing a marathon, the TNT training program is an excellent one for first timers as they provide coaching, a support network and a good cause.

I did my first marathon in Los Angeles and trained with the LA Roadrunners. This training group has now spawned an offshot called the LA Running Club.