Newport Half and Marathon

A great day in Newport, both for the team and personally! Excuse me if this report becomes TOO personal. Here's what I wrote on Facebook soon afterward.

The people pictured below are some of the reasons I entered the Newport Marathon -- and now write about it. The love and support they gave to the team's last finisher resulted in one of my most emotional finishes ever.

Special praise to Laurel Mathiesen, Rachel Walker and Jeff McKay for pacing companionship. And to our marathoners (listed below) who exchanged greetings on the course, and our half-marathoners for their efforts that I didn't see but could feel.

Thanks also to Rhonda Zimlich for overcoming an ailing car to make the trip as a cheerleader. And to Tonya McKay, Steve Modee, Mike Frede, Matt Mathiesen and Alyse Stone for their welcomes at the end.

This group represented the 300-plus who've trained with us from Newport 2005 to Newport 2015. Happy 10th anniversary to all!

SATURDAY'S NEWPORT HALF-MARATHON

Neal -- 2:13:56 (10:14 pace) 3rd in age group
Michele -- 2:12:42 (10:08s)

SATURDAY'S NEWPORT MARATHON

Jean -- 4:50:56 (11:07 pace)
Rachel F. -- 4:12:17 (9:38) with friend Kristin
Joe -- 6:49:38 (15:39s) 1st in age group for walk division
Jeanine -- 5:21:57 (12:18s)
Jeff -- half as 4:00 marathon pace leader
Don -- 4:20:07 (9:56s) PR!
Russell -- 3:33:15 (8:09s)