By Joe Nuss
After shutting down the second relay point at the inaugural Duke Medicine Ramblin’ Rose Half-Marathon, I made my way to the finish line, where I was greeted by a sea of pink shirts on the lawn beside the Durham Performing Arts Center. The city of Durham and Mayor Bill Bell were tremendously supportive of the event and I couldn’t help getting a bit teary-eyed as the motorcycle police roared off on their bikes after ensuring all the runners safely crossed the finish. I beamed with pride and hugged my co-workers amidst the cheers of participants and spectators as they applauded the final finishers and award winners. A few days later I re-lived the experience when I viewed a few of the photos from that amazing day.
Later that week, a press release appeared in my inbox announcing open registration for our next event, the Wells Fargo Tar Heel 10-Miler presented by CEP. As our events team turned to planning our 2012 events, Endurance Magazine was hard at work producing this guide for all the runners participating in North Carolina’s big November marathons taking place in Charlotte, Raleigh, High Point, and the Outer Banks. As I reviewed photos for the guide, I couldn’t help but notice the prevalence of iPods, reminding me of the many women who wore them in our own half-marathon. While I have never been an advocate of running with an iPod, I felt compelled to poll our readers for their thoughts on the amazing little device. The responses I received made me realize just how positive an influence – intentional or not – Steve Jobs had in helping people start and continue running.
Then, of course, there’s our magazine’s founder, Steve Lackey, who has helped enable our own community to embrace healthy and active lifestyles through the beginner-friendly events he has created, such as the Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon Series and Women’s Half-Marathon and the Tar Heel 10-Miler, which is now open for registration. Like the Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Half-Marathon, the Tar Heel 10-Miler is one of the most spectacular and scenic courses in the country. Featuring the best of Chapel Hill, the Tar Heel 10-Miler is a must-do event for 2012.
I hope you get inspired by our Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Half-Marathon photo feature in this issue and head over to www.SPORToften.com to register for the Tar Heel 10-Miler. If you find your motivation to run a bit lagging, read our feature on Steve Jobs and iPods and you just might find the flame to re-ignite your passion for running. If you find an iPod isn’t in your budget, you could win one at www.endurancemag.com/giveaways – we’re giving one away this month!
Inspire. Perform. Endure.
