Race Recap: Erie Presque Isle Marathon

DARTer Todd Hartung crossed another one off his list of running a marathon in each of the 50 states with his completion of the Erie Presque Isle Marathon last weekend.  Here is Todd's recount of the race.

"If you are looking for a flat course with beautiful views then Erie Presque Isle marathon is one to consider. I have run a marathon or 50K every month in 2010 except for the months of July & August.  Quick recap of 2010 to date includes the following races and locations: January- Frosty 50K Winston- Salem, February - Tampa Florida marathon, March - Atlanta marathon, April - Boston marathon, May - Buffalo marathon, June - Running with The Devil marathon - Boulder City Nevada, September- Erie marathon.

I always have the same set of goals when I run a marathon that include:

1. Finish.
2. Finish under 3:30.
3. Qualify for Boston with a Sub 3:20:59. 

Erie Marathon would only have me reach my first goal of finishing as I crossed the line in a time of 3 hours and 39 minutes. I do have a goal of running a marathon in all 50 states and having never run in PA I did knock off another state. The weather was perfect and the course was pancake flat so I am not sure why I did not run faster. My legs were heavy and it felt like I  was running fast but my Garmin Forerunner 305 continued to remind me that I was out for a jog and was not racing.

I have come to enjoy the smaller marathons. The expos are never that impressive but they only take a few minutes before you have been to all three or four of the vendor tables. The pre race pasta dinner at Erie was excellent. It is always fun to attend the  pasta dinner the day before the race as you always meet so many interesting people. One was the guy who I met at the pasta dinner. He was 73 and this was his 9th marathon of the year. He has 6 more scheduled for 2010.  Yes, 16  marathons in 2010 at age 73. 


The small races never have a line at the bathroom. I wore my sweatshirt until the start of the race and then pulled it off and left it on a picnic table. After the race I walked over to the picnic table and put back on my sweatshirt. Something very nice about this type of race.


One drawback of the small town marathon is the limited restaurant selection at the airport.  Erie International Airport had two vending machines for my dining pleasure. 

Next marathon race is Ridge to Bridge in October.  Although I've already covered North Carolina several times, I hope that I will achieve the three goals listed above."

Way to go, Todd!