Big Sur
On the Edge of the Western World
On the Run
E-Newsletter of the Big Sur Marathon
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Issue: #3 March 2009
Greetings!

Welcome to our spring issue of the Big Sur Marathon's official e-newsletter, a quarterly publication designed to keep you informed of happenings, items of interest, and new developments in our organization and events.  If you're registered for one of our races, you'll also receive timely e-blasts with more specific event-related information. We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter and welcome any feedback you'd like to send us.
 
A Message from the Race Director
 
Wally Kastner head shot Dear friends and runners,
  On March 28th the 4th annual Big Sur Mud Run took place with 1,500 enthusiastic runners slogging their way through four mud pits, numerous exercise stations and obstacles, and mud-slinging drill Sargeants who didn't tolerate any slackers.  The event more than doubled in size since 2008, and has become more popular with civilians looking to "be a Soldier" for a day.
  The Big Sur International Marathon works hard at providing fun, healthy, and well executed running and walking events. The exit poll comments from our Mud Runners indicate our success in this young but growing event.  We hope you'll join us for our 2010 presentation of the Mud Run on the last Saturday in March.
  Now, on to the marathon...

Wally Kastner
Race Director
What's New & Updates - Keeping you In the Know
 
Exciting lineup at our free Expo Clinics!
We are happy to announce that we will be featuring Jeff Galloway (Guru of injury free running), Dean Karnazes (the Ultra Marathon Man) and Runner's World's Mayor of Running, Bart Yasso at our free clinics on Saturday, April 25th. To view the full schedule and lineup, click HERE.  
 
Going Green 
The Big Sur Marathon is fully committed to supporting sustainable practices not just during race weekend, but throughout the year. We have implemented race day recycling both on the course and at the finish, along with recyclable bib numbers, our BYOB program, PickUp Pal ridesharing service and 97% online paperless registration.  In the course of the next few years we hope to be a fully "green" event.
  
Clif Bar Pace Groups      Clif Pace Logo
The renowned Clif Bar Marathon Pace Team will be be at the Big Sur Marathon in 2009. Supporting both novices and veterans, the experienced pace leaders will help you achieve your Big Sur goal.  Learn more here...
 
Running for a Reason 
The Big Sur Marathon is not only committed to supporting local charities and schools but also reaches out to other charitable organizations to use our events as goal races to help raise money for specific causes.  In 2009 we welcome CASA of Santa Cruz, Joints in Motion, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Wellness Community, San Francisco/East Bay. To learn more about our charity programs, click HERE.
 
Got a Story? 
People run for different reasons.  What motivates you?  If you have an interesting story to share about  why you're participating this year - perhaps overcoming an illness or disease, celebrating a milestone anniversary, looking to run a marathon on every continent, or using the marathon events for a family reunion  - let us know.  We'd like to pass along some of your stories to our local media.  Send a brief description to [email protected].

The Grand Piano Man
 
Jonathan Lee's memory lives on...
.Michael Martinez
For many years Jonathan Lee's hauntingly beautiful piano music both thrilled and delighted runners as they crossed the Marathon's halfway mark at Bixby Bridge.  When Jonathon passed away in 2004, his young successor, Michael Martinez, stepped forward to help us continue the tradition of a tuxedo clad pianist on a Yamaha Grand Piano as the centerpiece of our marathon.  To learn more about Jonathon Lee and Michael Martinez and listen to their music, please visit their website by clicking HERE.
Film Debuts during Marathon Weekend
 
Running the SaharaRunning the Sahara
An incredible documentary film showcasing three runners as they make an epic journey across the Sahara Desert will debut in Monterey on Friday night of the Big Sur Marathon weekend.  Produced and narrated by Academy Award™-winner Matt Damon and directed by Academy Award™-winner James Moll, this character-driven film delves deep into the culture of the Sahara through the eyes of three individuals undergoing a life-altering experience of an unprecedented crossing of six countries: Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Libya and Egypt.
 
The Friday evening showcase will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Steinbeck Forum in the Monterey Conference Center, where the Big Sur Marathon Health & Fitness Expo takes place.  Charlie Engle, a former Monterey County resident and one of the three ultra athletes who made the trek, will also speak about his experiences.

Tickets are $17.50 or $35 for a special reception and gift.  Proceeds from the event benefit H2O Africa, a non profit organization that supports the execution of clean water programs in Africa.  Click here to view a film trailer.
Sponsor News 
  
Runners and walkers in this year's marathon events will enjoy the "tastes" of two new sponsors: Clif Bar and Michelob Ultra. 
 
Michelob UltraAdults who live an active lifestyle are a perfect fit for Michelob ULTRA and Michelob ULTRA Amber - light, refreshing beers with fewer calories and carbohydrates.  The Michelob product will be served at all VIP hospitality events and runners will enjoy post-race libations with the new "official beer" under a vast branded domed structure at Marathon Village. 
 
 
Clif Clif Bar, the "offficial energy bar" of the Big Sur Marathon, is a leading maker of all-natural and organic energy and nutrition foods and drinks, and is a company committed to sustainability, making it a good match for Big Sur.  Clif Bar will have presence in the goody bags, sampling opportunities at the Expo, and on the course with the Clif Bar pace teams.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to ALL of our loyal sponsors.  It's through their contribution of cash, goods and services that we are able to put on a first-class event each year.  A list of our medal level sponsors is included in the left hand margin of this email. Other contributors will be listed in our Official Race Program. 

 
We hope you enjoyed this issue of the Big Sur Marathon's On the Run E-Newsletter.  Feel free to contact us with comments or suggestions.  As always, we welcome your input.
 
The Board and Staff of the
Big Sur International Marathon