Runner Triathlete News [ return ] From Message Will Lindgren   1/20/2003 19:17:12 Subject: hp Houston Marathon IP: Logged Message: On behalf of Team Nebraska I want to express my sincerest thanks to Brant Kotch, Steven Karpas, hp, EP, the volunteers,and the entire Marathon organizing committee for hosting us to a perfect day and an excellent race. It was also my great personal pleasure to see so many friends from the Houston running community again. And to see Sean finally get the win he so richly deserved.......The weekend just could not have been any better! Kindest Regards, Will Lindgren President, Team Nebraska Charlie 1/21/2003 10:23:25 RE: hp Houston Marathon IP: Logged Message: I ran my first marathon on Sunday. It was great! I had the time of my life and my thighs are still sore for doing it. I ran a 4:15. Previous to that, my longest run was 17 miles because of severe knee pain while training. I cant wait to do another one. Thanks to all the volunteers and spectators!!! Trace   1/24/2003 15:11:42 RE: hp Houston Marathon IP: Logged Message: Great run this year. My 8th in Houston. I just wish the half-marathon had a later start time. I also hate seeing so many men start on the women's side. I had to pass numerous men and half-marathoners who started out slowly. Lynne   1/28/2003 10:39:07 RE: hp Houston Marathon IP: Logged Message: In response to Trace, I agree with you. I was one of the half-marathoners, and having run 15 marathons, felt guilty about being a distraction to the marathoners. I also got mad about the number of men starting with the women. Why do they do that? And why bother to have separate starts if it is not going to be enforced. Brant Kotch   1/28/2003 14:34:45 RE: hp Houston Marathon IP: Logged Message: Congratulations to all of our events' finishers. The comments this year have been almost universally positive and very gratifying. Thanks in particular to you, Will, for your kind words, and to Maureen Larsen, one of your athletes, who even sent a thank-you card! As for a separate half marathon start or course, just let me say that the logistics would be overwhelming (they practically are, anyway, with 3 races being run simultaneously). And as for the men starting on the women's side, we do actively discourage it, but there's not much a volunteer can do when he or she sees violators in the midst of a crowd of 4-5,000. Our committee is already looking forward to, and planning for, next year. Thanks again to all participants, sponsors, volunteers and spectators. Bill   1/29/2003 13:45:56 Separate starts IP: Logged Message: With regard to so called violators in the ladies start. Many men and women train together throughout the marathon build-up and obviously enjoy being able to support each other at the start of and during the race. My own lady training partners started with me on the men's side and I didn't hear anyone complaining. They are good runners, placed themselves at an appropriate place relative to their pace and did not impede anyone. Perhaps pacing is the area that requires segragation and a method of better enforcement. One method could be the use of corrals based on expected pace as used in many of the larger races. Overall my marathon experience at Houston was very good and I would like to add my thanks to the organizing folks for a job well done. Russ 2/07/2003 16:31:21 RE: hp Houston Marathon IP: Logged Message: �Violators�?? WAIT a sec here. I started on the Woman�s side not by choice but because that is were ALL the pace teams started from. I did not have a choice unless I did not want to run the first 2 miles with the pacers. Is someone suggesting that only Women can use the pace teams? What if they moving to the men�s side? Would Women then be called �violators� Does Houston have to have 2 sets of pace teams? Russ P 1

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