Posted on 11/23/2019 5:44:21 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Eliud Kipchoge captured the attention of the world when he broke the two-hour marathon barrier in October. Whether watching live or through replays and highlights, the Kenyan runner inspired runners all over the world.
For Jon Ornee of Holland, Michigan, it certainly sparked a fire following months of recovery after being hit by a car while cycling in May.
“I was inspired to really double down on getting after things that I love and make the best of this awesome life I’ve got,” Ornee, 38, told Runner’s World. “Once I was able to train again, I decided I wanted to do one big adventure or event every month.”
With a triathlon background, Ornee started with two separate events: a 7.4-mile swim and setting the speed record for cycling across Michigan (205 miles) in September. To round out the running, he thought about various ideas to attempt. Fastest Known Times (FKTs) were his initial thought, but Kipchoge’s run inspired him the most.
“I had thought about doing a relay after [Kipchoge’s] first attempt, Breaking2,” Ornee said. “He makes it look so stinking easy, so smooth and effortless, so I thought it would be fun to do it as a community in 200-meter legs.”
Ornee threw together a website with a sign-up form for the free event on October 27 at a high-school track and let runners select any of the 210-possible, 200-meter legs that added up to a marathon. He sent the site around to his triathlon friends and local running groups. Before he knew it, he had more than 40 runners signed up to run with him, ranging between ages 8 and 55.
(Excerpt) Read more at runnersworld.com ...
Combined PING! and DANG!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.