This from the Head HI Maniac himself (actually a previous article he wrote for the 'new' Athletes HI)...maniacles!!! Just in time for our 'March Madness' (more on that in the next entry):
I am a maniac. Really, I am a Maniac. And I am not alone.
Many people have hobbies that dominate their lives. For some it is fishing or golfing while for others it is hiking or surfing. For many these interests move beyond the average hobby becoming passions or obsessions. Collectors share a common bond. Whether they collect stamps, wines, baseball cards or vintage automobiles, their common interests bond these collectors. I collect marathons, and I am serious.
I started in 1994 with an innocuous goal of running the Great Aloha Run. It was quite a challenge, as I had never run longer than eight miles. My partners and I trained for months and successfully completed the eight and a quarter mile run from Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium. It was difficult but we persevered. Bolstered, we decided to continue our training and attempt the Honolulu Marathon ten months later.
There is a saying, "Want to win a race, run a mile. Want to experience a life changing event, run a marathon". Crossing that finish line on Kalakaua Avenue at my first Honolulu Marathon was an epiphany. I was hooked and literally took the line and ran. The Honolulu Marathon became an annual event but I soon discovered that a change of scenery was good. I started to venture to the neighbor islands with my compadres Johnny and Alfredo. Hilo, Kona, Volcano and Maui host marathons each year and soon became annual events. We also discovered that there are numerous marathons each weekend on the mainland and looked for those that fit into our schedules and gave them a try.
It was at one of the races that I met others like me. I am a Marathon Maniac! I belong to an online group of runners, http://www.marathonmaniacs.com/. We are bonded by our common passion. We collect marathons. The Maniacs are represented at almost every marathon. There are currently about a dozen Maniacs from Hawaii and over seven hundred worldwide. The Maniacs are a diverse group of people who are bonded by a passion to complete marathons. Finishing times are not crucial for many of our members though there are many accomplished among us. Sam Thompson ran 52 marathons in 50 states in 50 days as a fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Katrina (doing so months before Dean K). It is not unusual to see a Maniac at the top of a leader board in local runs. However, most Maniacs are average "Joes". Few have the typical lean bodies of the elite runner. Looks belie the ability and determination of these older veteran runners.
The Marathon Maniacs have criteria for membership into the club. Stars are awarded based on levels of achievement. The minimum qualification for membership is completing three marathons in three months. Running a marathon in back to back days is also acceptable. These Maniacs begin at the one star or Bronze level. Those who complete 52 marathons or 30 states or 20 countries in a calendar year achieve the highest or ten star Titanium levels. There are a few who reach this goal each year.
My sixty plus lifetime marathons are moderate in the Maniac realm. Part time Hawaii resident, Robert Lopez will finish over 60 runs in 2007 alone. The quest for more stars drives some Maniacs to lofty goals. I hope to reach the century mark in a few years. After all, I am a Maniac! -Maniacles
Many people have hobbies that dominate their lives. For some it is fishing or golfing while for others it is hiking or surfing. For many these interests move beyond the average hobby becoming passions or obsessions. Collectors share a common bond. Whether they collect stamps, wines, baseball cards or vintage automobiles, their common interests bond these collectors. I collect marathons, and I am serious.
I started in 1994 with an innocuous goal of running the Great Aloha Run. It was quite a challenge, as I had never run longer than eight miles. My partners and I trained for months and successfully completed the eight and a quarter mile run from Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium. It was difficult but we persevered. Bolstered, we decided to continue our training and attempt the Honolulu Marathon ten months later.
There is a saying, "Want to win a race, run a mile. Want to experience a life changing event, run a marathon". Crossing that finish line on Kalakaua Avenue at my first Honolulu Marathon was an epiphany. I was hooked and literally took the line and ran. The Honolulu Marathon became an annual event but I soon discovered that a change of scenery was good. I started to venture to the neighbor islands with my compadres Johnny and Alfredo. Hilo, Kona, Volcano and Maui host marathons each year and soon became annual events. We also discovered that there are numerous marathons each weekend on the mainland and looked for those that fit into our schedules and gave them a try.
It was at one of the races that I met others like me. I am a Marathon Maniac! I belong to an online group of runners, http://www.marathonmaniacs.com/. We are bonded by our common passion. We collect marathons. The Maniacs are represented at almost every marathon. There are currently about a dozen Maniacs from Hawaii and over seven hundred worldwide. The Maniacs are a diverse group of people who are bonded by a passion to complete marathons. Finishing times are not crucial for many of our members though there are many accomplished among us. Sam Thompson ran 52 marathons in 50 states in 50 days as a fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Katrina (doing so months before Dean K). It is not unusual to see a Maniac at the top of a leader board in local runs. However, most Maniacs are average "Joes". Few have the typical lean bodies of the elite runner. Looks belie the ability and determination of these older veteran runners.
The Marathon Maniacs have criteria for membership into the club. Stars are awarded based on levels of achievement. The minimum qualification for membership is completing three marathons in three months. Running a marathon in back to back days is also acceptable. These Maniacs begin at the one star or Bronze level. Those who complete 52 marathons or 30 states or 20 countries in a calendar year achieve the highest or ten star Titanium levels. There are a few who reach this goal each year.
My sixty plus lifetime marathons are moderate in the Maniac realm. Part time Hawaii resident, Robert Lopez will finish over 60 runs in 2007 alone. The quest for more stars drives some Maniacs to lofty goals. I hope to reach the century mark in a few years. After all, I am a Maniac! -Maniacles
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