On Oct. 6, our younger daughter Sarah ran her first full marathon from Bath to Corning, N.Y. Called the Wineglass Marathon because it's run in the heart of the state's wine and glass producing region, the 26.2 mile course travels through lovely rolling hills dressed for the fall season in gold, red, and orange. My husband Phil and I drove to Bath to support her in her quest to finish and to survive.
I had spent hours on the computer and the phone trying to find a hotel within an hour of either Corning or Bath, and finally found a room 20 miles away in Hornell. There we met a group of six marathoners who travel the country running races. One 66 year-old man hauled out his phone to show us pictures of his trophy case holding mementoes from the 80 marathons he had run. A woman with the group was a rookie with only nine races on her resume. She made it clear that she ran for the "bling" that racers earn at the finish line.
Our son has run both the Columbus and Cleveland marathons with our support, so we had experienced the carnival atmosphere that surrounds long races, but we were very impressed with the Wineglass Marathon's attention to detail for the spectators. Because the course is one-way – not an out-and-back course like most races - we couldn't stay in one spot and watch Sarah run by in both directions. We downloaded a course map from the race's website that listed four viewing areas, each with parking nearby. The course roughly parallels route I-86, so we drove from exit to exit on the highway while the runners traveled a two lane highway and a bike path, sometimes in sight of the highway.
At the viewing areas, we waited, read the signs held by other spectators, chatted with other supporters, and clapped and cheered for the passing runners. We especially liked one woman who ran in a filmy dress and wore a rhinestone tiara. We knew that Sarah was running relatively slow 11-minute miles and the race supplied pacers – people running and carrying signs that announced the pace of the runners surrounding him – so we knew roughly when to expect her. As she approached, we waved and shouted her name. Each time she passed, she grinned and appeared to be enjoying her self-inflicted torture.
Two of the viewing areas were six miles apart, so we knew we had an hour to drive to the next stop and park, ready to cheer. We took the extra time to purchase gas – much more expensive in N.Y. than here in Ohio – and eat lunch. Most spectator areas were at intersections and we were very impressed by the safety personnel that managed the crowds of pedestrians and the passing cars that waited impatiently for a chance to proceed through the steady stream of runners. The police were very polite, "I know that this is important to you, but I don't want anyone to get hurt." We were also impressed by the boon to the local economy. Hotels, restaurants, gas stations and shops were all crowded with runners and their support systems –like us.
If we had been more technologically savvy, we could have checked Sarah's progress all though the race with Phil's Smart Phone. Her bib – a paper number pinned to her shirt – held a computer chip that could be tracked. Support for the racers during the race included bikers who rode beside the runners and reported problems, water stops, porta-johns, and medical tents.
At the finish line, we watched the runners pass under a huge inflatable arch. Some, like Sarah, smiled in triumph and relief; others collapsed into waiting wheel chairs for a quick ride to the medical tent. All received an oval glass medallion etched with the name of the race – pale green glass for those who completed the half-marathon, pale purple glass for those who ran the whole 26.2 miles. I think Sarah will start training again soon for her next big race, and if she does, we'll plan to follow her to the race site and cheer.
Commended students
Medina High School students Allisa Diekman, Michael Manley, Deano McNeil and Caroline Obermeier have been named Commended Students in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program. Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition.
Art show
Retired art teacher Don Woods is the featured artist this month at the Medina Library, 210 South Broadway. Woods' work is in a number of private and corporate collections, including the Cleveland MetroHealth Hospital System. According to the artist, "My current work stems from my lifelong fascination with birds. I combine realistic imagery with abstracted backgrounds." Climb to the third floor any time during regular library hours from Oct. 7 to Nov. 3 to view his paintings.
WOW
WOW, Wonderfully Outrageous Women, will present the Fifth Ever Bra-Zeere Decorating Contest – an uplifting evening to support Medina County women in need of cancer screenings at 5 p.m. on Oct. 24 at Weymouth Country Club. To purchase tickets for $40, send a check made payable to Medina County Women Helping Women, P.O. box 1415, Medina 44258, call 330-321-2724, or visit Buehler's. The evening will feature a Bra-zeere preview, a fabulous dinner, the humor of Wadsworth's Beth Winter and Barbara Frye, Goddess of Ceremonies.
PFLAG
PFLAG Medina (Parents, Friends, and Family of Lesbians and Gays) is having its organizational meeting at 7 p.m. on Oct. 28 at Unity of Medina, 787 Lafayette Road (4th building at Williams on the Lake.) Family and friends of all in the LGBTQ community as well as LGBTQ individuals are welcome. The purpose is to support each other, educate each other with experiences, and advocate for the rights for our loved ones. All are welcome to this supportive community – it is not affiliated with any religious group. Call 330-241-1281 with any questions.
Festival of trees
The Festival of Trees to benefit the Medina County Women's Endowment Fund will be held at 6 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Weymouth Country Club, 3946 Weymouth Road. The cost of the evening is $35 for live & silent auctions of designer-decorated trees, holiday decorations, gift items, and personal service packages. The mission of the Medina County Women's Endowment Fund is to provide grant funding to organizations and programs that support women and children in the Medina County area, and to assist women in their growth as philanthropists.
To submit news items for this column, e-mail whatsbrewing@zoominternet.net.
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