VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME
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Even if you don't want to cross the finish line, you can help make sure others do! For volunteer opportunities please contact Lesley Oslica at lesleyo@arbbs.net We can always use extra support!
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HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST FINISHER'S MEDAL
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Little Rock Marathon organizers believe that crossing the finish line is a BIG deal -- literally. The Little Rock Marathon holds bragging rights to the worlds largest finisher's medal. And, it simply keeps getting bigger. In 2008 the medal measured in at 6 1/4" tall and weighed more than a pound. This is quite a contrast from the average medal size which is 2 1/2" according to Maxwell Medals.
It all started in 2003 when the first medal was designed to appear as "rocks" said
Gina Pharis, executive director of the Little Rock Marathon. "However, once we got a year of experience under our belts, we established a formal logo and thought our medal should be that image as well," Pharis said.
In 2005 marathon organizers decided to increase the size of the medal to make an indelible mark in the marathon world. And, with the help of Runner's World, they did just that. Runner's World dubbed the medal that year
as the "world's largest finishers medal."
Each year the medal has taken on a different look. In 2006 there was a spinning globe. In 2007 the globe was still spinning but this time there were pink medals for the ladies and blue medals for the gentlemen. "Thousands have flocked to see our medal and when we work with other race health and fitness expos, people are amazed at how big our medal is," Pharis said.
Pharis sends warning to be on your toes about the 2009 medal design. "It may speak to you for all we know right now," Pharis said.
The only way to find out is to show up at the finishing line!
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TRAINING ADVICE
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In addition to our NF team coach, George Haddad, the Little Rock
Marathon also has training programs in several areas of Arkansas
including Little Rock, Conway and Fayetteville. Click here for more locations and information.
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A NOTE FROM THE TEAM CAPTAIN
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Hello Runner/Walker/Cheer Support:
The NF Endurance Team had a great time at the Little Rock Marathon in 2008 and we hope to do it again March 15, 2009. This year, The NF Endurance Team had about 80 participants: 20 who ran/walked the full marathon, 30 who did the half marathon, 20 who participated in the 5K and we had 4 relay teams. This year we had two unique groups of people who wanted to help. Nursing students from the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) joined us in the marathon and half marathon. We were also blessed with about 100 enthusiastic support team members. The UCA Delta Zeta Sorority chapter volunteered at water stops 18 and 23. There were also several NF Ambassadors and their families who cheered along the marathon course. To finish the day, we shared that good ole southern hospitality and cooked burgers on the grill at the NF Endurance Team Finishing tent.
The Little Rock Marathon is a great experience. It has something for everyone (full marathon, half marathon, relay, 5K) and is walker friendly (2 hour head start for walkers). The full marathon can be challenging around mile 15 where there is a two mile incline, but, to me, that hill represents living with NF -- it's an uphill battle until we find better options for living with this disorder. Plus, they wouldn't offer the world's largest finishers medal if it were easy.
We all have various reasons why we run or endure events such as these. For the Oslica family, we began running for our daugher Katie who has NF1. Then, after we went to our first marathon event at Virginia Beach in 2001, we met other amazing NF heroes. We run now for all those who have NF and to raise awareness of the disorder so taht we will be proactive to find better options and ultimately a cure for NF. If you want to help us and our team, we would love for you to join us at the Little Rock Marathon on March 15, 2009. Little Rock SOLD OUT last year -- so make your plans early.
I hope you will join us in Little Rock. Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding this amazing weekend!
Lesley Oslica
Team Captain
lesleyo@arbbs.net
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Race Information
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March 15, 2009
WEATHER: Enjoy spring like temperatures! Last year the low was 55°F and the high was 75°F. The average high is 64°F and the average low is 43°F.
ENTERTAINMENT: Headphones are not permitted on the course.
COURSE INFO: Marathon and Relay Course Map
Half Marathon Map
5K Map
EXPO: Statehouse Convention Center
Friday, March 13, 2009: 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 14, 2009: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
TIME LIMIT: For the marathon there is an 8 hour limit. For the half marathon a 4 hour limit applies.
COSTS: $20 - thru midnight January 15, 2009
$25 - January 16 thru March 2, 2009
$40 - Expo - Friday, March 13, 2009
Please note, THERE IS NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION.
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NF HERO
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Katie Oslica
Doctors tried to tell Lesley Oslica that she was an overconcerned parent when she took her daughter Katie to the pediatrician about the strange spots on Katie's skin. "I took her to her pediatrician and mentioned to him that I had read that her cafe au lait spots could be a sign of a neurological problem and asked him to look at them," Oslica said. "He told me not to be an overconcerned parent who believes everything they read."
Five years later, after what Oslica described as many difficult years in school, she took Katie to a dermatologist for dry skin. "The doctor asked us about the cafe au lait spots and told us we needed to go to Children's Hospital and have her checked for Neurofibromatosis," Oslica said.
Oslica's family felt alone. They had never heard of Neurofibromatosis. "We didn't know anyone else who had heard of it, and we did not know what was in store," Oslica said. "Now that it's been seven years sine her diagnosis, we live with the realization that NF might or or might not affect her life greatly; however, we are not going to sit idle and wait for things either way."
They are not a family to sit on the sidelines. Maybe that's where Katie gets her determined spirit. "She wants to make a difference for all those with NF. She has participated in three half marathons and a 5 mile run," Oslica said. "She loves helping others -- so wearing her NF singlet gives her the opportunity to talk about NF with strangers, raise awareness, and give hope to others who might be struggling."
Outside of school Katie volunteers at a therapeutic horseback riding stable. Katie hopes to be a certified instructor when she turns 18. She also has been a part of the Youth Connect Steering Committee for the Children's Tumor Foundation. Each year she also participates in two plays with the Children's Theater to Go Theatre Company.
"She is a remarkable young lady who cares for others before herself," Oslica said.
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