Off and Running: Registration Under Way for 2010 Berry Half-Marathon

The calendar may say October, but Dr. John Azar-Dickens and other runners and walkers in the area are already looking ahead to third edition of the Berry Half-Marathon, scheduled for March 6, 2010.

“In any endurance event such as a half-marathon or marathon, it is important to begin preparing early,” said Dr. Azar-Dickens, a Berry College faculty member and avid runner who recently completed his first Ironman Triathlon. “Proper training allows for a slow progression in mileage each week, prepares the body efficiently for the exertion level and reduces the risk of injury.”

For the second consecutive year, Dr. Azar-Dickens is overseeing the training regime for Team Berry, a support group for Berry students, faculty and staff members who are planning to compete in third-annual event.

“Team Berry begins training in mid October and continues weekly until the race in March,” Dr. Azar-Dickens explained. “Last year, there were roughly 40 people who trained together and finished the race successfully.

“We focus on gently increasing our mileage each week as we approach the 13-mile goal,” he continued. “This helps ensure that participants are well prepared and less vulnerable to injuries. Careful and well planned preparation/training also increases the chances of a more enjoyable race, not just physically but psychologically as well.”

Registration for the half-marathon is under way and will continue through the winter months. More than 1,500 competitors flocked to the world’s largest college campus for the 2009 event, and organizers expect an even greater turnout in 2010. Once again, participants will have their choice of three different races: the signature half-marathon, the Viking Classic 10K and a 5K. There is also a one-mile fun run for children.

All three races feature electronic timing on courses that are certified by USA Track & Field. Both the half-marathon and the 10K are official qualifiers for Atlanta’s Peachtree Road Race. Walkers are welcome in all races.

Registration for the half-marathon is $55 through Dec. 1, $65 from Dec. 2 to Feb. 15, and $75 through March 4 (no race-day registration available). Registration for the 10K and 5K is $20 through Feb. 1, $25 from Feb. 2 to March 4, $35 at the pre-race pasta dinner on March 5, and $40 on race day. Registration for the one-mile fun run is $5 (either mail-in or on race day).

Half-marathon finishers will receive technical shirts and finishing medals. Participants in the other races will receive t-shirts. Go to www.berryhalfmarathon.com to register online. Proceeds will benefit Berry College Elementary and Middle School. Call 706-346-6223 or e-mail berryhalf@gmail.com for more details.

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James Boitt Switches for Cool Victory in the ING Georgia Marathon

/PRNewswire/ -- After days of drought-relieving rain left Atlanta with cool and windy conditions on Sunday, James Boitt felt like this might be his day. Boitt, a Kenyan living in Peachtree City, Ga., switched from the half to the full marathon on race day and went on to win the ING Georgia Marathon with a time of 2:22:16, for his first major marathon victory. The combo distance running event sold out with 15,000 runners and wheelchair athletes registering for the third annual ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon. Complete race results are available at www.inggeorgiamarathon.com.

"I switched to the marathon today because I felt like I could be fast," said Boitt, a native Kenyan who notched his second marathon victory in the state of Georgia in the month of March after winning in Albany. "I was happy that everybody did not start too fast in the first 10 miles. I laid back for a while at the 20-mile mark, then I was really strong at the end and took the lead for good at mile 24." Boitt closed with a strong enough sprint to nearly catch the police escort at the finish line, beating second place finisher Kassahun Kabiso (Ethiopia) by 34 seconds.

Serkalem Abrha of Ethiopia came out on top in the women's field of the ING Georgia Marathon with a time of 2:41:31, edging out second place finisher Albina Gallyamova of Russia. "This was a hard race for me," said Abrha, who won the ING Hartford Marathon in 2008. "But I was very confident when I was leading, so I felt very good once I got to the front."

Kenyan Janet Cherobon, who lives in Rome, Ga., took victory for the third straight year in the women's open division of the ING Georgia Half Marathon in 1:14:49. Cherobon's pace was fast enough to finish in the Top 10 overall in the Half Marathon. Patrick Cheruiyot of Kenya was the overall winner of the men's Half Marathon with a time of 1:05:18.

"I like this course very much, especially the hills which are very good for me. It's definitely a home course advantage for me," said Cherobon. "I love this race and it was perfect conditions today for a fast race."

"The weather often writes its own story for us in this race and this year is no exception as days of heavy rain left the area just in time for the start," said Michael Hughes, race director ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon. "The runners were blessed with cool conditions that were just right for fast times over our beautiful, but challenging course. The participation of everyone, from the runners to the volunteers to the spectators, was a fantastic and energetic way to kick off spring in Atlanta."

The wheelchair half marathon saw a third straight championship for both the men's and women's divisions. Krige Schabort (men's open division) and Amanda McGrory (women's open division) successfully defended their titles from 2007 and 2008, further cementing their domination of the event. Schabort, who resides in Cedartown, Ga., finished in 49:14, setting a new race record. McGrory, from Champaign, Ill., finished with a time of 1:05:36.

"I may be a little bit different than other racers because I actually prefer the hills," said McGrory about the challenging race course. "It's a difficult course, but it is definitely one of my favorites."

The ING Run For Something Better program, also in its third year in Atlanta, sported a field of 1,500 middle school children finishing the Final Mile of a half marathon along the same course. This year, students in 26 local middle schools (Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County Schools and a Decatur Middle School) ran 13.1 miles over nine weeks in their physical education classes.

The urban marathon racecourse starts and finishes at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta and in-between takes runners through the most interesting areas and historic neighborhoods of Atlanta and the city of Decatur. Adding to its popularity, the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon boasts an incredibly high completion rate of more than 98 percent for its first three years, which reflects the determination of the runners as well as the course experience itself.

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Early Registration Deadline Approaches for Berry Half-Marathon

Time is running out to take advantage of early registration for the Berry Half-Marathon. Those who register by Feb. 7 will save $10 on the half-marathon and $5 each on the 5K and 10K. All three races will be held Saturday morning, March 7, on the campus of Berry College. Online registration is available at www.active.com. A printable, mail-in version can be downloaded at www.berryhalfmarathon.com.

As many as 1,500 competitors are expected for this year’s races, all of which will be run on courses that are USATF certified. Both the half-marathon and the 10K are official qualifiers for Atlanta’s Peachtree Road Race. Race-day registration will be available for all distances except the half-marathon. The registration deadline for that event is Feb. 28.

Festivities get under way Friday, March 6, with a health & wellness expo and pre-race pasta dinner at Ford Dining Hall. The dinner will feature live entertainment and food catered by Bella Roma. Admission to the health & wellness expo is free. The dinner is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3-12 (children under 3 eat free).

“It’s a great time to get psyched up for the race with the other runners and talk to sponsors and vendors,” said Allison Hunter, event director.

The race schedule kicks off March 7 with the half-marathon at 8 a.m. A cash prize will be awarded to the top three finishers in the half-marathon, and gift certificates will be given to the top masters and grandmasters in each race. In addition, all half-marathon finishers will receive a medal and a technical shirt. Participants in the other races will receive a cotton t-shirt.

Adding to the festive nature of the day will be Family Fun & Kite Day, which will be held in the Clara Bowl adjacent to the Ford Buildings.

Proceeds from the half-marathon and other races will benefit facilities, curriculum development and student aid at Berry College Elementary and Middle School. For more information or to inquire about race sponsorships, call 706-346-6223 or go to www.berryhalfmarathon.com. The Web site also features course maps and photos, training resources, 2008 race results and other useful information.

Prepared by student writer Leah Ryan

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