LONG RUN CLUB Hartford Marathon PE Teacher Bryan Plona, Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and 13-year-old McGee-kid-miler captains Long Run Club, United Technologies Greater Hartford Marathon photos and story by Carol Goodrow If you don't have any concept of what a marathon is, then ask your parents to get out the map and show you a familiar destination about 25 miles away. If you are are driving on the highway it will take you about a half hour to get there. Imagine what it would be like to run that whole distance. It would take you hours. Now take one more step. Imagine what it would be like to return to the same spot for ten years in a row and run that same distance each year. If you were an adult, who trained for the event, the marathon might be what you would consider fun, but it would never be easy. It would be satisfying, but very hard work at the same time. On Wednesday, October 1, 2003, thirty-three runners were honored (with gifts and recognition) for running the marathon, the half-marathon, or the 5-K, for each of the 10 years since the United Technologies Greater Hartford Marathon's inception. Jackie with Richard Blumenthal, Attorney General, State of CT The United Technologies Greater Hartford Marathon, under the leadership of Beth Shluger, celebrated the people who are the backbone of their event: the runners, and volunteers. Marathon officials, volunteers, runners, sponsors, and special guests, along with 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee were onhand to congratulate the runners. The marathon also recognized 38 volunteers and inducted them along with the loyal runners to the "Long Run Club". The McGee-kid-miler captains were also recognized along with their PE teacher, Bryan Plona for their contributions to charity and their dedication to this event. And the kids? Did the kids run the marathon, too? They did, but not in the traditional sense. Here's how the kids participate in the event. -To be a McGee kid-miler, each runner must be able to run the mile in under 7 minutes. -They must participate in fund raising, through raffles and donations. The funds then are donated to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center. -On the day of the United Technologies Greater Hartford Marathon the kids line the route, with 3 to 4 kids waiting at every mile marker of the 26 miles. -The captains start with Bryan Plona, their PE teacher, who runs the full marathon. They "carry" or "rabbit" him by running 1 mile at his pace. This keeps Bryan going and keeps his spirits up. After the first mile, the captains drop out and the next group of kids run. This "relay" of kid-milers continues through the entire 26.2 miles. Each year they wear a special McGee Miler T-shirt and run, with pride, to the cheers of the bystanders. Last year they raised $18,000 and donated it with a "BIG" check, in person, to the medical center. According to the kids, "It was an amazing feeling to go to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, and have the pleasure of donating to help the kids in need. Running in the marathon is a great experience and privilege to us." And what about the kids who can't run the 7 minute mile? Are they left out? No way. The United Technologies Greater Hartford Marathon expects 1400 running kids this year at their event. They have a multitude of events for kids of all abilities, with age-graded distances, and of course there's also the 5-K. Race: United Technologies Greater Hartford Marathon Date: October 11, 2003 Events: Marathon, Half-marathon, Team Relay, 5-K, and Kids' K A LITTLE ABOUT JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE Web sites: Jackie Joyner-Kersee's Web site Shizuka's KidsRunning article on Jackie Jackie is famous for the heptathlon. There are 7 events in the heptathlon. They include the 100m hurdles, long jump, high jump, 200m, javelin, shot, discus, and the 800m. (Thanks to Laura Schwartz) Jackie is also famous for her wonderful work with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Boys & Girls Club to give back to East St. Louis, Jackie's hometown to afford the children education and recreational opportunities which she did not have as a child. Earlier in the day Jackie met many of the city children. When Jackie was a child she grew up with poverty, racial discrimination, and asthma. Celebrities didn't come to her hometown to meet and greet the children. But the Hartford event and interaction with the children was a blessing to Jackie. "It did my heart a lot of good because when I grew up celebrities weren't coming to my town. I keep everything in perspective. I know where my blessings come from and it's important for me to give back."- Jackie Joyner-Kersee, October 1, Bushnell, Hartford, CT.