Three Bridges Marathon

 3rd Annual Three Bridges Marathon

On 02 Dec 2012  (The Ragged Mountain Running Shop) hosted the 3rd annual Three Bridges Marathon in Central Va.

(Host Organization)

http://www.raggedmountainrunning.com/

This race is one of those intimate small runs that is designed for the local runners of the region to give a late effort at qualifying for the Boston Marathon.  To me this implied that it would be a small fast field.  I was not disappointed.

(The Field)
The marathon only had 50 runners, 21 of who had finish times under 3:30.  I point this out because I was number 21 and my goal was to be under 3:30 (an 8 minute pace for the duration of the distance).  In most circles sub-3:30 is considered a solid completion time that will set you apart from a large majority of the field, but on this day my personal record of 3:29:42 barely put me in the top 50%.  All and all, I was roughly average in this field and oddly enough that fact seems like something to boast about.

(The Course)  Detailed course map.
It is fair to say that the course was not what I expected.  The race started on an old country road on a cold morning near Whitehall Vineyards.  It consisted of a 2 mile feeder road then an out and back on a three mile stretch of rural road. The course lent itself to being fast; it had a constant gentle grade in one direction.  This meant that every three miles it changed from moderate incline to easy decline.  Oh, and as advertised, the mile markers were clear and accurate. 

(The Character of the Race)
This race was super intimate and super friendly.  The organizers kept it simple: a clock and three aid stations.  The supporters were able to offer smiles and cheers for the people that they came to encourage no less then 5 times, so at no point was there a lack of audible motivation.   The racers themselves got to know each others' faces very well as they nodded, waved, or even cheered for one another at every turn.  At the finish line congrats were heavy and a tailgating style area offered everything from brats and burgers to chicken noodle soup.

(Charity Beneficiary)
The event raised money for Meals on Wheels.

Since 1977, Meals on Wheels has been delivering hot, nutritious, lunchtime meals to people who are not able to prepare meals for themselves and who have no one to prepare meals for them. An entirely independent, local non-profit, Meals on Wheels receives no government funding for our operating budget, but instead relies on local businesses, individuals, and organizations to support our home-delivered meals program. Last year, with the help of 300+ volunteers, Meals on Wheels delivered over 63,000 meals to our homebound neighbors. In 2011, the Three Bridges event was able to donate $4000 to Meals on Wheels.

Meals on Wheels

 

 (Community Beneficiary)

RMR Olympic Development team is a multi-faceted organization whose primary goal is to provide post-collegiate athletes with an environment and community in which they can develop both professionally and personally, ultimately in preparation for national and international level competition.

RMR Olympic Development team

 

 

 

This event is one that I will remember.  Its simplicity, intimacy, and professional presentation made it one to keep on my schedule for years to come. 

 

I would also like to says congratulations to an amazing 38% of the field for qualifying for Boston.