Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

This past weekend I traveled to the 3rd Marathon of The Palm Beaches. This new event also includes a half marathon, a 5k on the Saturday before, Kids races, and a 4 person Relay. I ran in the relay with 3 top Florida Racers, Jon and Laurie (who between them have done Western States 100 Mile and numerous Ironman Triathlons), and a Master age top triathlete named Bill, who I handed my relay bracelet to after 8.7 very warm miles. My younger Teammates ran well and we took the really, under 3hrs. Considering I had made a pit stop at a port-o-john, and stopped to chat With my fiancée, Mary as she was passing by in the Half Marathon, they made up For any time lost; still, I think I ran about 7 flat pace. Not too slow as I was also wearing training shoes; couldn’t fit my racers in my travel bag!

We raised dollars for our Team sponsor, Richards Run for Kids, an organization devoted to fighting cancer. This event is run on a pretty out and back course, under palm trees, and with the Intracoastal Waterway on our left much of the way. Support was superb as Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivary and his Team were in charge here. Plenty of water, clocks, and unique musical treats along the way. The 6:30 am start is challenging to the system, and more port-a-johns in the 1st 10k would be a nice change. Met many folks from around the country here. Channel 25 gave 4hrs of live coverage, and the Miami Herald and the Palm Beach papers covered the Races well; read a stunning article about a woman running her1st Marathon-dedicated to the 8yr old son who'd died years earlier.

Kenyan Charles Kipligat took his 1st Race ever in the US, in 2:26:36.Hes run a 2:18 in cool weather conditions! The Half Marathon went to Moses Korea in a fine 1:05, and the Womans Half went to Kenyan Rebecca Tallam in 1:17.The Womans Marathon went to Ramilia Burangulova in 2:45. She had no competition; except for Mother Nature! I did speak to one of the race organizers about moving to a more weather friendly month; perhaps February. The Race organizers and Jacuzzi brands did a fine job, and there was lot of excitement at the pre-Race Expo, and on Race Day at the Finish line; it’s nice to see our Sport continue to grow!

Following the Marathon of the Palm Beaches I was driven to Miami by Octavio Diaz and his girl friend Vicki Steuben to join with their Running Club, the Bikila Athletic Club, over the weekend. We did a4mile training run by the Atlantic, and ate outdoors. I realized I was in the warmest location in the US as I watched CNNs weather description of the blizzard hitting the so-called windy city-Chicago.

Actually, I like it cool; but blizzards are for Penguins; tho I,ve run n many. We did an am run in Coconut grove visited a fine specialty running store, the runners Depot, in Davie Florida, and I signed copies of my book, Idiots Guide to Running. That night The Bikila Athletic Club put on a Clinic in Coconut grove for the community with coaches, sand with the support of Accelerade Sports Drink. It was confirmation again that the running community is a great place to spend your time!

I thank my lucky stars that I can run, have 2 terrific daughters-and can look with you towards 2007-
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Bill Rodgers