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May 10, 2008
 Articles & Stories

 Famous First Marathons
From famous ultramarathoners to the founders of the running revolution, to the ordinary man or woman on the street, everyone who has run a marathon has a story about their first. In her book, "First Marathons", Gail Kislevitz brings together interviews and first marathon stories from dozens of famous marathoners.

By permission of the publisher, we were able to include a few chapters from Gail Kislevitz's book - take a look and enjoy:

Find this book and more at Breakaway Books - run by a way cool guy and another great runner: Garth Battista!

 
 From the Editor
Every marathoner has their first marathon story. If they've run a lot, they might forget the details of other races, but the first marathon lives in their mind - each and every mile. And most find that marathoning is like eating a bag of potato chips - it's nearly impossible to stop after just one.

In this area of MarathonGuide.com, you can read my first marathon story, read the stories of famous runners (above) or of the runners that you've probably seen at your last race (to the right). You can also contribute your own story as we ask you to make an effort to become part of the marathoning and MarathonGuide.com worldwide community. Please contribute to this website in whatever way you can (your stories, your posts, your comments, your efforts), contribute your time or efforts to your local marathon and/or local running club, get involved.

And, most importantly, remember what got you running in the first place and use the marathon to keep you inspired and to become an inspiration to others.
- John Elliott

 Your First Marathons
Be it gratifying or grueling, unexpectedly humorous or inspirational and life altering, a runner's first marathon will forever be imprinted in the mind. In this section, runners from across the globe shared their stories of the motivation that first powered them onto a marathon course, the new friendships and self-determination formed over 26.2 miles, and their overwhelming joy in reaching the ultimate goal: the finish line. Some recounted their tale from the starting line to the finish; others summed it up in a short narrative or amusing anecdote. And while each runner's experience is unique, every story conveys the universal pride that comes from accomplishing a first marathon.

Read these wonderful stories from MarathonGuide.com visitors and experience that first marathon once again... and, if you have a first marathon story that you'd like to see here: send it to us at

The Victory Run
Nette Villarante
The New York City Marathon 2007

My First Marathon, My First Victory!
Tonya Huseman-Janzen
The Omaha Marathon 2007

First Marathon Race Report
Michael Lavdiotis
Paris International Marathon 2007

Seville City Marathon
Gustavo Adolfo Rodríguez Martín
Seville City Marathon 2007

One Fine Day in New York City
Sharon Ekstrom
New York City Marathon 2005

Running My Own Race
Bernadette Powell
California International Marathon 2005

A Cold Day in Alaska, But It Didn’t Matter
Patrick O'Brien
Humpy’s Marathon 2005

The Start Is the Finish
Elizabeth Mahr
Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2004

What better year, than your 50th?
Stan Feldbusch
Chicago Marathon 2004

My First Marathon, A Family Affair
Cliff Gorman
Grandma's Marathon 2005

Running As A Couple
Sheena and Kevin Denscombe
Honolulu Marathon 2004

A Man Can Change
William Jacobs
Virginia Beach Marathon 2004

Dreams
Gary Turpin
St. George Marathon 2001

Can't Wait To Do It Again
Rachel K.
St. Jude Memphis Marathon 2004

Before I Turn Thirty...
John Herrick
Twin Cities Marathon 2004

I Am Still Celebrating It!
Sandra Lam
Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2004

My First Marathon
Karen Varga
Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon 2003

A Memorable Day In Little Rock
Karin Dagenbach
Little Rock Marathon 2003

From Start to Finish
Gerry Murray
Ocean State Marathon 2000

April in Paris
Christy Dierikx
Paris Marathon 2001

Marathon Accomplished
Elisa Kinder
Rock 'N Roll Marathon 2001

News Flash!
Shirley Wyant
Indianapolis Marathon 2001

My Very First Marathon
Stormie Henley
Dublin Marathon 2001

First Marathon
Chris Hooper
Edmonton Festival Marathon 2001

You Only Get One First Marathon, Right?
Bill Edward Bass
Umstead Trail Marathon

My First Marathon!!!
Wei-En Tan
The San Francisco Marathon

Inaugural Georgia Marathon
Martin Dillon
ING Georgia Marathon 2007

Going For It
Karen Werner
Richmond Marathon 2005

My First Marathon
Mike Lehe
Chicago Marathon 2004

"GO FOR IT!"
Thomas Telhiard
Baton Rouge Beach Marathon 2005

Stroke Survivor/Marathon Runner
Robert B Martinez
LA Marathon 2005

Climbing the Wall - My First Marathon
David Funderburke
Mercedes Marathon 2002

Look Ma, No Hands
Roderick Breem
Long Island Marathon 2004

I'm So Proud
Bobbi Davis
San Antonio Marathon 2004

One Sunday
Marie Gier
Disney World Marathon 2005

Loose 94lbs, Run a Marathon
Karl Shifflett
Jacksonville Marathon 2004

One Step At A Time
Cliff D.
Vancouver Marathon 2004

My First Marathon - "I Cheated"...The Rest is History
Ted Kapsalis
Chicago Marathon

From Fear to Finish Line
RichLarson
Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon 2003

From Chain Smoking Zombie To Running Fanatic
Patrick Cusse
Florida Gulf Beaches Marathon 2003

The Race
Amy Neal
Rock 'n' Roll Marathon 2002

Finish Line
Dorothy Dolan
Club North Shore Half Marathon 2000

Running with Dad
Jennifer Dotzauer
Chicago Marathon 1999

My First Marathon
Vivien
Disney World Marathon 1999

1st Marathon
Paul J. Miniter
Atlantic City Marathon 1984

My First Marathon
Daniel Richard Vaz
Goa 2002

Running Rain or Sun in 2001
Linda Bedwell
LA Marathon 2001

More Than a Way of Life
Steve Miller
Chicago Marathon 2000

The Power of Two
Richard Carryer
Columbus Marathon 2000

Different Choice
Michelle Benziger
Chicago Marathon 2000


 

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