Yesterday was Knoxville’s local big race, the Covenant Health Marathon. In an effort to promote a healthy lifestyle, Claris offered to pay the registration fee for anyone in the company who completed the race. Over a dozen employees showed up Sunday morning, ready to pound out 5Ks, half marathons and full marathons.
Four people teamed up for a marathon relay. Larry Bodie (our fearless leader), Mitzi Bodie, Melissa Burch and Jason Wood each ran a 6.5 mile section of the 26.2-mile marathon relay and finished in great time. Melissa, who recently had surgery, was approved by a doctor to run just last week. The marathon relay was her first time running since the surgery! Wade Orloski ran the 13.1-mile half marathon at a 7:50/mile pace…with a broken toe. Ouch. According to a Facebook update, his toe stopped hurting after mile 3…which I’m not sure I completely believe. And of course, Claris’s resident “crazy bearded running guy,” William Brown made an appearance. The marathon length of 26.2 miles is beginning to be a shorter race for William, as he’s running upwards of 30-50 miles and training for a 100 miler.
Everyone who ran pushed themselves far and hard. Some improved times over previous runs, and others met personal goals of completing their first big race. But regardless of the total time or the per-mile pace, it was so fun to be out there torturing ourselves in the name of health and personal fitness.
Congrats to all our runners!
Aaron Sherrill - Marathon
Becky Finnegan - Half Marathon
Bill Piper - 5K
Charlie Gaston - Half Marathon
Chase Helton - Half Marathon
Dave Sagraves - Half Marathon
Jason Wood - Marathon Relay
Jay Norris - Half Marathon
Josh Cantrell - Half Marathon
Larry Bodie - Marathon Relay
Melissa Burch - Marathon Relay
Mitzi Bodie - Marathon Relay
Samat Valiev - 5K
Wade Orloski - Half Marathon
