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Chris and Dawn Schur's Updated 5/15/13 Contact Us
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 Upcoming Runs - We have signed up for:

2013 June 2 - San Diego Full Marathon June 15 - Gaspin in the Aspens Trail 15K August 10 - BBBS Half September 21 - Flagstaff Half Marathon October 4,5 - Grand Canyon R2R2R 50 miler December 8 - Tucson Full Marathon 2014 March 1 - Phoenix Full Marathon About The Authors
Race Personal Records Total Races Since 2006: Chris - 74, Dawn - 32 Chris PR's: (55 - 59 Div) 10k - NYA Half Marathons - 2 races (PR: 1:47) Full Marathons - 1 race (PR: 5:08) Dawn PR's: (50 - 54 Div) 5k - 8 races (PR: 42 mins) 8K - 2 races (PR: 1:10) 5m - 1 race (Pr: 65m ) 5.6m Mini Marathon - (PR: 1:20) 10k - 17 races (PR: 1:30) Half Marathons - 2 races (PR: 3:32) Progressive Marathon - 1 Race Here are are ALL our times in a table
2013
Above: Medals for the Marathon and 10k
The GPS data from the run Click to Enlarge

 Above: The center of the profile is at the 13.1 mile turn around. The slope is constant up hill from 5000 to 7000 feet, down to 6000 feet and then back up to return!

The Whiskey Row Marathon and 10k Events May 4th, 2013
Finishers Shirts from the Event (Click to Enlarge)

This years event had the promise of clear blue skies, perfect running temperatures and literally ideal conditions. I nearly didn't race this one this year because I felt queasy just before the 5am early start, but recovered enough by the normal 6am start to do the race, although at a much more relaxed pace to not make the situation worse. The final result was I came in around a mid packer for my age group and did surprising fairly well even for not pushing it hard. Here is our story.

We arrived on Friday just past noon in Prescott to pick up our race packets at the Community center. There were a few tables with shirts and such for sale, but no Expo. Normally most trail runs like this are rather sparse on such amenities. We do about 1/3 our racing on trails or back woods roads, and this connects well with the training I do in Payson, which is very hilly at altitude. And you need that hill training for this race! It is ranked as one of the most challenging marathons in the country. We stayed that night at the Precottonian Hotel on the edge of town, and within 10 minutes drive to the starting line in central Prescott (Dawn's home town). The alarm went off at 3:30 Saturday morning and we got ready to head over to the starting line. I was starting to feel unsettled at this point, but hoped it would fade by race start. It was dark and around 47 degrees, no wind. As 5am approached I felt really bad and we decided I would wait an hour for the normal 6am race start and see how I felt. 10 minutes before the race start, I felt a bit better and ran a big circle around the Courthouse on the sidewalk. I did fine, and although still slightly queasy. I gave it a go. I have never done the normal marathon start before! I like the early start because there is only a few dozen of us, and its is much cooler near the end of the race. But as I was about to find out, there was one other difference which shocked me.

The race starts just after sun up and heads out of town towards Copper Basin road. It is steep up hill on pavement and winds around a lot. Then, just after we turn toward the road, it becomes dirt. That marks the start of one massive hill climb which is why it is one of the most challenging marathons. You go from 5000 feet up wards to nearly 8000 feet in around 11 miles. This is the point where all the marathoners spread out over the course and most of the time you only saw one or two in front of you. I met some great people on this race. One did lots of Rim to Rims in the Grand canyon, and another raced Boston. I did not push, and ran a moderately good pace reaching the 13 mile turn around with about an 11 minute pace. From there you climb back up to two peaks and then down hill mile after mile on a dirt road filled with pot holes, loose gravel and ripples. And the big surprise - I never saw any half marathoners! In fact, not one 10k or half runner the entire rest of the race. No one to cheer me on, it was lonely out there. I only saw one or two runners all the way down to town. It was like I was just out for a weekend run. When you do the early start - you see thousands of runners going the other way and with you. What a shock to be all alone. Would there be anyone at the finish line when I came in? I crossed the finish line and was relived that I had taken it easy enough to be able to complete the race in a reasonable time. I came in 4th place in my age division, about half way in the age group. Not bad for a slow fun run! I have hopes for next year now, do the early start, and actually have a chance for a 3rd place medal!

Food was slim pickings at the finish as I had expected, but there was still a lot of time to walk around and see the events before they rolled up the carpets and put away the finish line. Would I have run the race if there was no early start? I dont know. The next day I felt fine and look forward to next years race.

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Images of the Race
Getting ready inside the Motel lobby / Bar for the race
Ready to race ( I hope)
The starting line for the Marathon
Ready to start the race
Police escort
The race begins!
Saloon on Whiskey Row
Dawns photo of the 10k race starting line
Ready to go!
The finish line for the Marathon
Police presence
Band at the finish line
Remembering
Here I come on the last leg of the race
I did not think I would make it this far the way I felt in the morning
Finishing the race this was one long day!
Re energizing after the race
Dawn after her fast 10k
Professional race set 1
Race set 2
Race set 3
Race set 4
2013 Runs Page HERE Includes the following: The Brian MicKelson Half Marathon April 20th, 2013 The Phoenix Half Marathon March, 2013 The Lost Dutchman Marathon February 17th, 2013 The Sedona 10k Events Sedona, Arizona February 2, 2013 The PF Chang Arizona Rock and Roll Marathon / Mini Marathon January 20th, 2013 2012 Runs Page HERE Includes the following: The Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon Scottsdale, Arizona December 6th, 2012 St. George Marathon St. George, Utah October 6th, 2012 BBBS Half Marathon Flagstaff, Az August, 2012 Gaspin in the Aspens 15k trail Run Nordic Center, Flagstaff, Az June 16, 2012 The Whiskey Row Marathon Prescott, Az Saturday May 5, 2012 The Brian Mickelsen Half Marathon Cottonwood, Az Saturday April 21, 2012 The Phoenix Half Marathon Mesa, Arizona Saturday March 3rd, 2012 The Lost Dutchman Marathon/10k Events Apache Junction, Arizona Sunday Feb 19th, 2012 The Sedona Marathon/ Half/10k/5k Events Sedona, Arizona Sunday Saturday Feb 4th, 2012 The Arizona Rock and Roll PF Chang Marathon Phoenix, Arizona Sunday January 15th, 2012 2011 Runs Page HERE Includes the following: The Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon Scottsdale, Arizona Sunday December 4th, 2011 The Denver Rock and Roll Marathon Event Denver, Colorado Sunday October 8th, 2011 The Groom Creek Classic Half/10k Groom Creek, Arizona October 24, 2011 The Big Brother Big Sister Half/10k Flagstaff, Arizona August 13, 2011 The San Francisco Marathon Full and Progressive Events San Francisco, Ca July 30, 2011 Gaspin in the Aspens 15k and 5k Trail Events Flagstaff, Az June 18th, 2011 The San Diego Dodge Rock and Roll Marathon San Diego, California June 5th, 2011 The Prescott Whiskey Row Marathon, Half & 10k Prescott, Arizona May 14th, 2011 The Brian Mickelson Half Marathon & 10k Riverfront Park in Cottonwood, Az April 16th, 2011 Run for Ryans House Half Marathon & 10k March 5th, 2011 The Lost Dutchman Full Marathon/10k February 20th, 2011 The PF Chang Arizona Rock and Roll Half Marathon January 16th, 2011 2010 Runs Page HERE Includes the following: The Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon December 5th, 2010 The San Antonio Marathon Full and Half Events November 14th, 2010 The Flagstaff Half Marathon Flagstaff, Arizona September 25, 2010 The BBBS Half Marathon Flagstaff, Arizona August 14th, 2010 Gaspin in the Aspens 6/19/10 The San Diego Marathon June 6th, 2010 The Whiskey Row Full Marathon Marathon, Half, 10k, 2mi May 1st, 2010 Brian Mickelsen Half Marathon Half Marathon & 10k April 17th, 2010 Run for Ryans House Half Marathon & 5k March 6th, 2010 The Lost Dutchman Full Marathon - February 14th, 2010 The Sedona Half Marathon - February 6th, 2010 PF Chang Rock and Roll Half Marathon - Jan 17, 2010

2009 Runs Page HERE

Includes the following:

The Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon Scottsdale, Arizona - December 6th, 2009 San Antonio Marathon San Antonio, Texas November 15, 2009 Rim to Rim Run Across the Grand Canyon, Arizona October 2, 2009 The Flagstaff Half Marathon Flagstaff Nordic Center September 26th, 2009 The BBBS Half Marathon Flagstaff, Arizona August 8th, 2009 The Gold Coast Marathon Brisbane, Queensland, Australia July 5th, 2009 Gaspin in the Aspens Flagstaff Nordic Center, Arizona June 20, 2009 Circle the Peak Payson, Arizona June 6, 2009 Trail Run/Walk by Dawn The San Diego Marathon San Diego, California May 31st, 2009 Rim to Rim Run Across the Grand Canyon Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona May 15nd, 2009 The Whiskey Row Half Marathon Prescott, Arizona May 2nd, 2009 The Brian Mickelson Half Marathon Riverfront Park in Cottonwood, Az April 18th, 2009 The St. Patties Day 8k and 1 mile fun Run At Kiwanis Park, Tempe March 15th, 2009 The Lost Dutchman Marathon Apache Junction, Az February 15th, 2009 The Sedona Half Marathon February 7th, 2009

2008 Runs Page HERE

Includes the following:

The San Antonio Marathon San Antonio, Texas November 16th, 2008 The Bisbee 1000 Bisbee, Arizona October 18th, 2008 The Rim Challenge Half Marathon Payson, Arizona October 4th, 2008 Flagstaff Half Marathon Flagstaff, Arizona September 27th, 2008 Big Brothers Big Sisters Half Marathon Flagstaff, Arizona August 9th, 2008 Huffin & Puffin 8 mile Race Payson, Arizona July 12, 2008 Gaspin in The Aspens June 21, 2008 Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Run May 18, 2008 The San Diego Marathon San Diego, CA June 1, 2008 The Whiskey Row Half Marathon Prescott, Az May 3rd, 2008 The Lost Dutchman Half Marathon February 17th, 2008 The Sedona Half Marathon February 9th, 2008 2007 Runs Page Includes the following: Rails to Trails Run, Prescott Az. November 17, 2007 Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb, Bisbee Arizona October 20, 2007 Rim Challenge Half Marathon October 13th, 2007 Payson Arizona Rim to Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Run October 4 - 6, 2007 The Flagstaff Half Marathon, Flagstaff - Nordic Center September 22nd, 2007 White Mountains Half Marathon, Eager September 15th, 2007 Big Brothers and Big Sisters Half Marathon in Flagstaff August 11th, 2007 Gaspin in the Aspens Trail Run 15K June 16, 2007 Rim to Rim to Rim Grand Canyon May 18, 2007 Miami Copper Crawl April 22, 2007 Sedona Half Marathon February 10, 2007 2006 Payson Rim Challenge Half Marathon November 3rd Grand Canyon - South Rim Kaibab trail to Phantom Ranch and up Bright Angel trail Training Log HOME