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2012/06/24

Marathon #103: 2012 Maritime Marathon (2012/06/24)

The inaugural Holy Family Memorial (HFM) Maritime Marathon in Manitowoc, Wisconsin took place today. It was my 81st full marathon, and 103rd overall marathon/ultra.

Oh my goodness! The 2nd half of this marathon became sauna hot! Pre-race, it had rained. It was nice and overcast, in the 60's F, during the 1st half, but reached the 70's F with the sun out in full force, evaporating all of the rain. We ran along Lake Michigan so were exposed to the sun.

I came in 20th Place overall out of 204 marathon finishers, in a time of 3:24:53.

After 3 straight marathons & ultras "at altitude" in Comrades (Durban,
South Africa) 3,000ft/1,000m, Utah Valley (Provo, Utah) 6,200ft/2,100m,
& Teton Marathon (Jackson, Wyoming) 6,200ft/2,100m, it felt "easy" to
breathe here along Lake Michigan on the shoreline at sea-level, although
all the morning rain did evaporate and turn into sauna-like conditions
on the 2nd half.

I traveled w/ my NYC Maniac buddy Peter Lantin, and got to see
marathoner friends Diana Bolton, Rebecca Sudduth, & Robert "Cowboy Jeff"
Bishton!!! Always a pleasure.

THANK YOU so much to all those who have donated to my Back on My Feet
NYC fundraiser, to help combat homeless!!!!!
If you haven't donated and would like to, please visit:
http://tinyurl.com/runkinobomfnyc


Town
Manitowoc is Wisconsin's Maritime Capitol, along the Lake Michigan shoreline, and has been renowned for shipbuilding, from schooners of the 19th century and, now to world class luxury yachts built by Burger Boat. At the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, you can go aboard the USS Cobia, one of the 28 submarines built in Manitowoc during World War II. There's a Budweiser plant across from the museum, but I doubt they have tours. There isn't much to do in this town, so I recommend, spending sightseeing time in Milwaukee (1hr 15mins away) or in Green Bay (45mins away).


Packet Pick Up
Wisconsin Maritime Museum
75 Maritime Dr
Fri 6/23, 5-8pm
Sat 6/24, 10am-4pm

Hotel
I would not recommend the Super 8 Motel on 4004 Calumet Ave. It was only $99 (race discount) and came with breakfast, but is along a highway (stripmall territory) and for late check-out, the best they could do for us was a 12pm check out (the race starts at 7am). Also, Peter & I ended up with 1 full size bed, and not 2 doubles. I did book the place a week before the race though.

The Best Western Lakefront Hotel on 101 Maritime Dr (across the street from packet pick up at the Wisconsin Maritime Hotel), 920-682-7000, would be a better option. It's a better chain and is located in town. They offer a "Schooner Coast Package" for $113.99, including breakfast for 2 and 2 adult admission to the museum.


Restaurants
Courthouse Pub (5-stars on Yelp)
1001 S 8th St
Manitowoc, WI
920-686-1166
http://www.courthousepub.com
It's downtown. They provide a free soft drink or microbrew for runners.

Luigis Italian Restaurant (3.5-stars on Yelp)
6124 Calumet Ave (Hwy 151W)
Manitowoc, WI
920-684-4200
It's on the highway.


Course
We started on Viebahn St & S 8th St, by the University of Wisconsin - Manitowoc. We ran north along the Lake Michigan shoreline, and then along Mariner's Trail to Two Rivers (named so because the city has the West Twin River & East Twin River on both sides of its downtown penninsula) and turned around at the 13.1 mile mark in Point Beach State Park. There were marathoners, relay teams of 2, and relay teams of 4. There were 15 aid stations, with each having water & Gatorade, located at: Miles 1.7, 3.5, 5.7, 7.6, 9.1, 10.5, 11.5, 13.1, 14.5, 15.6, 16.9, 18.4, 20.3, 22.5, & 24.4. The Mile 13.1 aid station had fruit & bagels, and the Mile 18.4 aid station had G2 gels.

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