7th Annual Pat's Run
Posted by Jerry Stinchfield on Thursday, April 21, 2011 Under: Races
Who PR’s at a 4.2 mile race with over 22,000 finishers?
Brooke Voss does... and with a smile! Achilles had a strong showing at Pat’s Run this weekend (pictures soon to come):
On a cool, clear Saturday morning in April, the members of Achilles Scottsdale met up with 22,000 of their closest friends to "run, walk, honor" at the 7th Annual Pat's Run. Fast becoming a Tempe tradition, the 4.2 mile race has attracted more participants each year. This year, registration was capped at 30,000. It took nearly an hour for all 28 starting corrals to be released.
The course winds its way along Rio Salado, over two of Tempe Town Lake's Bridges, and up and down a not-insignificant hill before finishing triumphantly on the 42nd yard line in Sun Devil Stadium. Spectators lined the start and finish, TV and radio personalities were on hand, music was everywhere. The energy was terrific.
We had a great turnout for this event, (though, unfortunately one of our athletes--Angela--was unable to make the race due to illness). Athlete Brooke ran with her husband Torsten as her primary guide. "Perimeter" guides Mike and Dan ran a few feet ahead to "clear a path", and Andrew brought up the rear to ensure that no one tried to cut through the group. Dan is a newcomer to Achilles Scottsdale. This was his first race with the group and his first experience as a guide. He did a fantastic job!
Greg and Fred rode the course on mountain bikes so they could provide on-course mechanical support to the hand-cyclists and wheelchair racers who participated. Greg and Fred rode along with the 4 hand cyclist participants and said it was exciting to watch them race. Thankfully, it was uneventful and they all had a strong finish without getting a flat during the race.
Pat's Run can be a crowded, hectic event. Last year, Brooke and Torsten ran the event without Achilles support, (because the chapter hadn't yet been formed). Lacking "guide" or "blind runner" shirts and running without a tether, the two said navigation was definitely difficult. Their projected finish time last year was slower as well, so they began in a corral with a mix of runners and walkers. This can make things dicey, (particularly when run-walkers slow or stop in the middle of the course without looking behind them or giving any waning). This year, things went much more smoothly. The "perimeter guide" strategy used in other Achilles chapters proved wonderfully effective, making for a faster, safer race.
Brooke, Torsten, Mike, Dan and Andrew finished the race in 36:22. While not a blisteringly fast time, they were pleased with their efforts. Last year, Brooke and Torsten ran the course in 42:36. At that point, the pair had been running a little less than a year. Pat's Run was their first race together.
"The Wednesday-night speedwork and technical workouts Greg leads have been incredibly beneficial" said Brooke "He teaches us to push our limits and embrace temporary discomfort for the sake of overall improvement. I know my performance at this year's Pat's Run is due to that speedwork--the Brussels sprouts of running!"`
Other Achilles finishers with wonderful times were: Abbi, Andy, Jenn, JP, Jerry, Kathy, Karen, Angie, Darius (aka “Angela”).
Lastly, thank you Joanne for letting us meet at the Uhaul tent before and after the race. It helped out tremendously!
We have one last piece of exciting news:
Colleen rocked the Boston Marathon with a 3:52:51. Awesome job Colleen!!!
We hope to see you at a workout soon.
Brooke Voss does... and with a smile! Achilles had a strong showing at Pat’s Run this weekend (pictures soon to come):
On a cool, clear Saturday morning in April, the members of Achilles Scottsdale met up with 22,000 of their closest friends to "run, walk, honor" at the 7th Annual Pat's Run. Fast becoming a Tempe tradition, the 4.2 mile race has attracted more participants each year. This year, registration was capped at 30,000. It took nearly an hour for all 28 starting corrals to be released.
The course winds its way along Rio Salado, over two of Tempe Town Lake's Bridges, and up and down a not-insignificant hill before finishing triumphantly on the 42nd yard line in Sun Devil Stadium. Spectators lined the start and finish, TV and radio personalities were on hand, music was everywhere. The energy was terrific.
We had a great turnout for this event, (though, unfortunately one of our athletes--Angela--was unable to make the race due to illness). Athlete Brooke ran with her husband Torsten as her primary guide. "Perimeter" guides Mike and Dan ran a few feet ahead to "clear a path", and Andrew brought up the rear to ensure that no one tried to cut through the group. Dan is a newcomer to Achilles Scottsdale. This was his first race with the group and his first experience as a guide. He did a fantastic job!
Greg and Fred rode the course on mountain bikes so they could provide on-course mechanical support to the hand-cyclists and wheelchair racers who participated. Greg and Fred rode along with the 4 hand cyclist participants and said it was exciting to watch them race. Thankfully, it was uneventful and they all had a strong finish without getting a flat during the race.
Pat's Run can be a crowded, hectic event. Last year, Brooke and Torsten ran the event without Achilles support, (because the chapter hadn't yet been formed). Lacking "guide" or "blind runner" shirts and running without a tether, the two said navigation was definitely difficult. Their projected finish time last year was slower as well, so they began in a corral with a mix of runners and walkers. This can make things dicey, (particularly when run-walkers slow or stop in the middle of the course without looking behind them or giving any waning). This year, things went much more smoothly. The "perimeter guide" strategy used in other Achilles chapters proved wonderfully effective, making for a faster, safer race.
Brooke, Torsten, Mike, Dan and Andrew finished the race in 36:22. While not a blisteringly fast time, they were pleased with their efforts. Last year, Brooke and Torsten ran the course in 42:36. At that point, the pair had been running a little less than a year. Pat's Run was their first race together.
"The Wednesday-night speedwork and technical workouts Greg leads have been incredibly beneficial" said Brooke "He teaches us to push our limits and embrace temporary discomfort for the sake of overall improvement. I know my performance at this year's Pat's Run is due to that speedwork--the Brussels sprouts of running!"`
Other Achilles finishers with wonderful times were: Abbi, Andy, Jenn, JP, Jerry, Kathy, Karen, Angie, Darius (aka “Angela”).
Lastly, thank you Joanne for letting us meet at the Uhaul tent before and after the race. It helped out tremendously!
We have one last piece of exciting news:
Colleen rocked the Boston Marathon with a 3:52:51. Awesome job Colleen!!!
We hope to see you at a workout soon.
In : Races
