Sports
Backers Marathon Training Program
May
31 - November 15, 2008
Have you ever thought about running a marathon – that’s
26.2 miles – but didn’t know where to start?
Look no further than the Sports Backers Marathon Training
Team, designed to motivate and train individuals to run
the SunTrust Richmond Marathon on Saturday,
November 15, 2008. The Training Team provides you with a
day-by-day approach to achieving and incredible personal
goal. What better way to train for a marathon than to run
as part of a team with other motivated individuals and an
experienced coaching staff?
|  Here
is what last year’s participants had to say about
the program:
“I
could not have done it without the support, encouragement
and expertise of the coaches and other team members.
It was a great experience!”
- Sandra Cullen
“One of the best
investments of time and money in my life. I recommend
the Training Team to everyone”
- Leslie Cunningham
“You don't have
to be a Marathoner coming into the program---but you
will be going out. It turned a couch potato into a
MARATHONER!!”
- Jeff Michaels |
When you sign up for
the team, here is what you get:
-
24-week
training program (starts on Saturday, May 31 or Sunday,
June 1) with a detailed written schedule for you to
follow;
-
personal guidance from veteran coach Don Garber and
his team of experienced coaches;
-
organized and supported weekly group runs on your
choice of Saturday or Sunday mornings from Sports
Backers Stadium, located next to The Diamond (time
will change based on weather conditions and length
of run);
-
a special Sports Backers Marathon Training Team t-shirt
and a technical race shirt;
-
entry in the 2008 SunTrust Richmond Marathon and all
associated race benefits;
-
special
clinics on subjects like nutrition, running attire
and other related topics.
If you are interested
in being a part of the Sports Backers Marathon Training
Team, sign up online or print out an entry form below.
For more information, attend one of the orientation
meetings listed below or call (804) 285-9495. The deadline
for entry in the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team
is June 8, 2008.
| Informational
Meetings
(Subject to change)
|
| Location |
Date |
Time |
Anthem Health &
Fitness Expo for the
Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k
(U-Turn Sports Performance Academy) |
Thursday,
April 3
|
5
p.m.
|
Anthem Health &
Fitness Expo for the
Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k
(U-Turn Sports Performance Academy) |
Friday,
April 4 |
12:30
& 6 p.m. |
| Sports Backers Stadium |
Saturday,
May 3 |
9
a.m. |
| John Rolfe YMCA |
Tuesday,
May 6 |
6:30
p.m. |
| Shady Grove YMCA |
Thursday,
May 8 |
7
p.m. |
| Sports Backers Stadium |
Monday,
May 12 |
6
p.m. |
| Midlothian YMCA |
Tuesday,
May 13 |
7
p.m. |
| Downtown YMCA |
Wednesday,
May 14 |
6
p.m. |
| Fee
for the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team |
$140
through May 23
$155 from May 24 through June 8 |
| What
the Entry Fee Includes |
| The
Training Team fee includes your entry in the SunTrust
Richmond Marathon and the 24-week training program.
As part of your participation in the program, you
will receive a special Sports Backers Marathon Training
Team t-shirt in July and a technical runner’s singlet
in November. In addition, there are some local
running races that will serve as (optional) training
runs and may require additional entry fees.
To
register, complete the attached entry form and mail
it with your check or bring it with you to one of
the informational meetings. For additional information,
please call the Sports Backers at (804) 285-9495.
All Training Team entry
fees must be received by June 8.
Training
Team entry fees are non-refundable and entries are
non-transferable, no exceptions.
Once we receive your entry, you will
not receive a refund if you cannot participate.
All training team entries must be received by
June 8, 2008. |
| How
to Register |
There
are three ways to register:
- Register
online through Sunday, June 8.
- Sign up in person
at one of the orientation meetings listed above.
- Print
out an entry form and mail it in with a
check.
PLEASE
NOTE: All Training Team fees must be received
by June 8 in order
to participate in the program.
|
| Head
Coach |
|
 Veteran
marathon training team coach, Don Garber, will
again lead the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team.
Don
will be sharing his knowledge and expertise with the
Sports
Backers Marathon Training Team. He has helped over
a thousand first-time marathoners successfully complete
the 26.2 mile distance in races around the country
and overseas,
including the past five SunTrust Richmond Marathons.
Most of the coaches who have assisted Don in prior
years will also be returning. |
| Saturday
& Sunday Group Runs Offered |
You
have the option to do your Group Runs on Saturday
or Sunday mornings from the Sports Backers Stadium
located next to The Diamond. Please indicate your
preference on the entry form. There is a limit of
700 participants in the Saturday group run sessions
and a limit of 300 participants in the Sunday group
run sessions.
The first group runs
will be Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 2. There
will be a short introductory meeting beginning at
7:30 a.m. followed by our first group run. Beginning
the following week, the Sunday run will start at 7
a.m. On Saturdays, the larger group will be divided
into multiple groups starting between 7:00 and 7:30
a.m. To beat the summer heat, from early July until
Labor Day, all start times will be 30 minutes earlier.
|
| Fitness
Requirements to be on the Training Team |
| There
is a 7-hour time limit to complete the SunTrust Richmond
Marathon on November 15, so that requires running a
good portion of the 26.2 miles. We do not have a "walking"
group for the Training Team. Each participant should
be able to comfortably finish three to four miles at
a time a few times per week while primarily running
prior to starting the Training Team on May 31/June 1.
You must be 18 years or older to join the Team.
|
| Other
Races |
| Throughout
the 24-week program, some local races may be used as
training runs. These races may require additional
entry fees and will be optional. |
|
