PHOTO GALLERY: 50th Annual Heart of America marathon
Monday, September 7, 2009 | 4:29 p.m. CDT
Carolyn Mitchell, 72 (#39), of Lenexa, Kan., waves in triumph, with Karen Nicholson, (#167), close behind as she crosses the finish line of the 50th Annual Heart of America Marathon on Monday. Mitchell was one of the last participants to finish and had planned to run with her husband, Kent Mitchell, but he was sidelined with an injury.
¦ Elisa Day
MoreStory
Related Articles
The 50th Annual Heart of America marathon held Monday is considered one of the most difficult in the
United States because of the heat and the grade of hills. Most
competitive runners avoid it because of its potential impact on
their national standings.
From left: Peggy Horner, Marie Kerl, Kate Floros, Andrea and Tom Allen track the progress of participants as they approach the finish line of the 50th Annual Heart of America marathon, on Monday. Tom Allen has helped staff the marathon for over 20 years. "I like to see the runners come in. I know what they've gone through," he said.
¦ Elisa Day
Karen Mills, 27, left, and Chris Bowling, 40, both of Columbia, push for the finish line of the 50th Annual Heart of America marathon on Monday. The annual marathon is considered one of the most difficult in the United States because of the heat and the grade of hills, and most competitive runners avoid it because of its potential impact on their national standings.
¦ Elisa Day
Boonsom Hartman, 52 of Oak Forest, Ill., receives a hug after completing the 50th Annual Heart of America marathon on Monday. Hartman, known as the "Lipstick Lady" for the fresh lipstick she applies before crossing every finish line, wore #200 in honor of her 200th marathon.
¦ Elisa Day
Chad Rogers, 26, of Columbia is overcome with emotion as he finishes the 50th Annual Heart of America marathon. The marathon is considered one of the most difficult in the United States with more competitive racers avoiding it because of the race's potential impact on their standings.
¦ Elisa Day
Darrell James, 48, left, of Corvina, Calif., and Joe Bechtold, 42, right, of Columbia relax in the cool-down tank after completing the 50th Annual Heart of America marathon on Monday. The marathon is considered one of the most difficult in the United States because of the heat and grade of many of its hills; most competitive runners skip the competition because of its potential impact on their national standings.
¦ Elisa Day
Rick Roeber, 53, also known as Barefoot Rick, shows his foot as he relaxes in the cool-down pool after completing the 50th Annual Heart of America marathon on Monday. Roeber has run in many marathons without shoes since October 2003, including the Boston Marathon.
¦ Elisa Day
Medals, Gatorade and water await the runners who complete the 50th Annual Heart of America marathon, on Monda. Most runners prefer water because it's not as sweet, said Carl Schulte. Schulte, whose parents were founding members of the Columbia Track Club, flew in from Irvine, Calif., to volunteer for the race and has been part of the race for about 38 years.
¦ Elisa Day
Jay Giddings, 35, kisses his fiancee, Julie Hochwender, after completing the 50th Heart of America marathon on Monday. The couple became engaged when Giddings stopped and proposed at the bottom of Easley Hill during last year's race. They plan to marry in July of 2010.
¦ Elisa Day
Newell Kitchen, 50, of Columbia rests after completing the 50th Annual Heart of America marathon on Monday. The Heart of America marathon is considered one of the most difficult in the United States because of the weather and some of the inclines during the race.
¦ Elisa Day
Bekkie Wright, 46, does a cartwheel across the finish line of the 50th Annual Heart of America marathon on Monday. Wright and Joseph Poliquin, 57, traveled from East Hartford, Conn., to participate in the race, one of the most grueling in the United States.
¦ Elisa Day
»
Contact an editor with corrections or additional information
Leave a comment
Speak up and join the conversation! You can comment below. (Click
here to register.) Please be civil and
refrain from profanities and name-calling; in other words, don't say anything
you wouldn't otherwise say in public. If you see something objectionable,
please tell us which comment and why it should be
removed. When you post, please use your actual name. Read the full comment
policy here.
You must be logged in to comment.
E-mail
Print
Comments