## \'99 Chicago Marathon -- Volunteers Needed

It\'s that time again - Argonne Running Club is looking for volunteers
to help staff the finish line at the Chicago Marathon on October 24,
1999. This year the volunteers will receive a New Balance jacket and a
hat for their efforts - which, at the finish line, include handing out
water, Gatorade, bananas, various other foods, mylar blankets, and lots
of congratulations for the runners!

The number of runners increases every year - and the volunteers\' growth
has been phenomenal keeping up! To quote race director Carey Pinkowski -
\" In 1991 we had 900 volunteers\....20 or so could easily handle each
water station. In 1998 we had about 300 per water station - 6,500
volunteers in all - more people than signed up for the race in 1991! We
used to go through 150,000 paper cups and 7,500 gallons of water; in
1999 we\'ll use over a million cups and 50,000 gallons of water to keep
everyone hydrated.\"

Carey\'s article in the June issue of Chicago\'s Amateur Athlete also
noted that while the volunteer numbers have swelled, an original core
group of a dozen running clubs (Argonne is one of these) has coordinated
and recruited the huge increase in groups and volunteers that now make
up the support staff. To all of our Argonne and DOE volunteers who have
made it an October tradition to get up before dawn and make things
happen, Carey notes that \"the key to our race always being lauded for
it\'s organization is that none of this happened overnight. It\'s been
years of working with people like our volunteers that have brought us
where we are today\".

So now\'s your chance! In addition to the thrill of a new jacket and
hat, and seeing one of the Chicago Marathon Cows at the finish line,
you\'ll get your fill of Gatorade, bananas, pudding, and bagels! Call
Corrie Patterson at x9246 or email cgpatterson@anl.gov before October
12th. Other individual volunteer opportunities abound, including working
the expo, runner packet stuffing, etc.; we need a large group for the
finish line! Hope to see you there!

Corrie Patterson

Grandma\'s Marathon

Last January, I decided to start training for a marathon that I\'ve
always wanted to run -- Grandma\'s Marathon in Duluth. I talked my
sister, Carol, into running the race with me and we sent our money in a
few days after the registration form were posted on the internet. A week
or so later, we decided that we should look into where we would stay the
nights before and after the race. We were surprised to learn that more
that three months before the race, all the hotel rooms in Duluth were
filled, and the nearest motel room was about 50 miles away. After
discussing our alternatives, we decided to camp the nights before and
after. It was a good thing that we made our campsite reservations 90
days before the race -- because when we arrived on June 18^th^ to claim
our campsite, we were told that the campground was full - except for
those with reservations.

Grandma\'s Marathon is a one-way race along the shore of Lake Superior.
There are many great state parks along the northern shore. We opted to
say at Gooseberry State Park, which is near the start (in Two Harbors)
so we wouldn\'t have to worry about taking the shuttle bus. A record
8,450 people registered for the 23rd annual Grandma\'s Marathon. As with
any large marathon, the start of the race is quite a thrill. All the
runners are packed into a fenced off quarter mile section of the
two-lane state highway (Old US 61) that we would follow for the first 20
miles. Spectators lined the fields around the start line and a special
tourist train packed with well-wishers was parked on a siding alongside
the route.

There were plenty of spectators to cheer runners on, especially as the
runners near Duluth. Lake Superior is visible along about half of the
course, and I think that being that near the lake keeps the route
comfortably cool. I thought it was nice that each mile mark had two
large balloons attached so runners could see the mile marks well in
advance.

I ran the first 15 miles of the race with my sister. At that point she
decided to slow the pace a little, so I continued on without her. I felt
good for the next 8 miles, but around mile 23, my legs began to cramp up
and I had to walk some. At mile 25, Carol caught up with me and
encouraged me to run with her to the finish. It wasn\'t easy, but my
cramping legs tried to keep up with her. About a half mile from the
finish, one of my legs cramped so bad that I couldn\'t run so I told
Carol to go ahead without me. I walked for about 30 seconds, and the
cramp loosened up. I decided to try to sprint to catch up to her. I
caught her near the 26 mile mark, but didn\'t have much left for the
finish. It was a great feeling to run the last 0.2 miles together -- the
first time I finished a marathon side-by-side with my sister.

The shirts given out at Grandma\'s are very nice for race shirts, and
are truly \'finisher\' shirts. We had to collect them at the end of the
race. There was plenty of food in the finish area. It would have been a
real picnic any other day, but it is always a little hard for me to eat
too much right after a marathon. So, I mostly waddled around the finish
area, snacking now and then, and trying to avoid the urge to lay down on
any flat surface.

Dash and Splash

The second annual Dash 'n Splash was held on Tuesday, August 24. Despite
confirmation from the pool staff that they would indeed be open that
day, the pool had already closed for the season on the previous Sunday.
So we went back to the drawing board to come up with a "splash". Dale
Alexander provided two buckets full of water balloons, and Mother Nature
helped out with a few post-run/walk sprinkles. After the run, those who
were game participated in a water balloon toss, and winners John
Schlueter and Rich Lee each took home a Super Soaker water gun. Raffle
prizes included Power Bars and a bath brush & bubbly soap combo for
splashing around in the tub. We're always thinking of new ideas, so next
year watch out for a Dash 'n ????

Jean Smith

Summer Biathlon \-- Part Two

On Saturday, July 10 my husband, Mike, and I participated in the second
Summer Biathlon held at the Aurora Sportsmen's Club. Of course Dick Page
and Karl Grimm were there too. Having read Karl's rave reviews in the
ARC newsletter, I was surprised by the lack of participation by other
Argonne runners. During the wooded 5K trail run I had plenty of time to
ponder this and came up with three possible theories:

1\. Nobody reads the ARC newsletter.

2\. Nobody reads articles written by Karl Grimm.

3\. Nobody believes race reviews written by Karl Grimm, since each is
reported to be the "neatest race ever".

Now there's not much I can do about the first two possibilities, but I
can do my best to assure you that this race is truly a one-of-a-kind
event. With the exception of some possible military experience, where
else can you run through the woods and then shoot rifles? For those of
you who fall into the second category listed above (those in the first
one haven't even read this far), let me explain that the Summer Biathlon
consists of a wooded, 5K trail run divided into segments which are
separated by target shooting using .22 caliber rifles. Basically, you
run 1500m, shoot in a prone position at 5 targets placed 25m away, run
2000m, shoot in a standing position at 5 more targets, then run the
final 1500m. Time is deducted from your performance for each target that
you hit.

Dick won his age group by combining a strong run with hitting 6 of the
10 targets, and Karl came in second having hit two of his targets. Mike
ran a blistering pace but shot poorly, so he didn't place in his very
competitive age group. Despite a successful practice round, I only hit
one target during the race but still managed to win my age group. By
virtue of his expert shooting, Dick was eligible to participate in a
"shoot off" for additional fame and fortune. He managed to knock down 5
of 5 targets in the first round but failed to hit any in his second
round. Nonetheless, a great performance on the range!

For a bunch of non-runners, the folks at the Aurora SC do a pretty darn
good job putting on a race. The scenery and the running course are
great. At Friday evening's practice session, we saw a deer grazing on
the trap shooting range oblivious to the 10 or more folks shooting
rifles in its general direction. You don't see that at a race every day.
So next time you hear Karl raving about a race and he uses the words
"woods" and "rifles" in the same sentence, pay attention! The man knows
what he's talking about!

Jean Smith

Early Bird Runs

The third and final Early Bird Run for this summer was held on Wed. Aug.
25^th^. Attendance for this run was hampered by isolated heavy rain
showers. When I left my house, the ground was wet and the air very
humid, but no rain was falling. By the time I arrived at the Waterfall
Glen trail head, there was quite a downpour of rain falling. I waited in
my truck and watched the rain fall for about 15 minutes, but at 7:15 the
rain let up and the four of us who showed up decided to give it a try.
Unfortunately, this was one of the shortest runs of my life, because
about 10 strides into the race, I saw a stream of water running across
the path. I decided to hurtle it, but missed and landed awkwardly on my
ankle. After a few minutes, I was able to stand up and hobble back to my
truck. As far as I know, the other runners faired much better that day.

ET Open (McKee\'s Run)

The annual ET division fun run, \"ET Open\" will be held Wednesday,
September 22 at noon. The race will start at the east entrance of
Building 212 on Outer Circle Drive.

This is a team event, where runners are scored by their finishing
position in teams of three or more (cross-country style). Each division
consists of one team. This year, should a division have fewer than 3
runners for the 3 mile run, walkers can be scored for the division team.
Sponsored by the Argonne Running Club, this has been an annual event for
over 15 years, and originated in the CT division with John McKee
officiating.

Walkers will have a two mile course, out and back. Runners will have a
1.5 mile course over to Building 5 and back. Refreshments will be
available after the event and a raffle will be held for all
participating ARC members. The team trophy is a 1 meter trophy,
currently held by ECT. Ribbons will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in
both run and walk - both male and female. For further information,
contact Rich Lee (2-7927).

Cool Down

The Argonne Running Club Newsletter is edited by John Schlueter. Please
send your stories, photos, tips, race reports, race entry forms,
comments, etc. to me. Mail: Bldg. 200, Rm. A185; Internet:
JASchlueter@anl.gov; Phone: 2-3588. ARC president: Karl Grimm, Bldg.
208, Rm. A205A, 2-6721, b23921@ra.anl.gov. ARC webpage:
chemistry.anl.gov/ARC/ webmaster: Chuck Jonah, Bldg. 200, Rm. B157,
2-3471, CDJonah@anl.gov. For membership information, contact Paul
Eident, Bldg. 200 Rm. L175, 2-3579, eident@anlchm.chm.anl.gov.