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The cross country team at Stanton College Preparatory School will host a 5k run next week at Fort George Island to raise money for the school's running program.
The run will take place at 8 a.m. on Sept. 17 at Fort George Island State Park's Ribault Clubhouse.
The Entry fee is $10 and registration will begin at 7:30 a.m.
Entry forms can be picked up at any 1st Place Sports Running location.
Oakleaf Junior High Track Coach Mike Ford's initial introduction of Freedom Marathon, Inc. CEO Manny Cordero to Green Cove Springs city officials nearly a year ago was as simple as bringing together two organizations that shared a common cause, that being wounded US soldiers.
With nearly 50 marathons and a host of running races under his belt, Manny Cordero, a 25-year US Navy officer with
plenty of responsibility to not only his Navy crew, but to his wife Maribel and daughter Nastassja, decided to put on
a running race. Cordero, who lives in Oakleaf Village, has divided his very busy schedule to bring a major running
The 2011 Gate River Run is happening this Saturday. During the race Jacksonville.com will have live text messaging and live results to help you follow your favorite runners.
River Run text messaging is available to the first 2,000 signups and limited to tracking three runners per phone number. You will receive a text message as the runner crosses the 5K and 10K splits as well as the finish line. This is a beta service so some glitches may occur.
Today's topic: More than 100,000 Americans suffer from neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerve cells anywhere in the body. A Jacksonville man who has lived with the disorder for most of his adult life is raising awareness and money to fight the disorder by running from Jacksonville Beach to Miami Beach, starting the day after Christmas.
Our guest: Tony Mixon, the runner.
Today's topic: Taking a "Turkey Trot." This podcast offers advice for beginner and novice runners who want to take on Jacksonville's annual Thanksgiving race, the Outback Steakhouse Distance Classic Half Marathon and 6K.
Our guest: Jacksonville running coach and fitness enthusiast Paul McRae.
Memorial Day in Green Cove Springs got a jolt of national attention on Monday when city officials met with race organizers from the Freedom Marathon, Inc., corporation to put the final touches on what could make the annual Riverfest celebration one of the biggest Memorial Day events in the nation.
Manny Cordero, CEO and founder of Freedom Marathon, Inc., met with officials to announce that Green Cove Springs will be the kickoff event of the Freedom 8km Running Series which features running races throughout the nation as part of a buildup to a huge Norfolk Half Marathon set for November 2012.
"Green Cove Springs has a wonderful natural backdrop with its streets, all the trees, Spring Park and the St. Johns River to be our kickoff event in celebration of the many, many veterans in our country," said Cordero, who met with Green Cove Springs Mayor Bob Page, Council member Mike Kelter, Event Coordinator Lee Bentley, Police Chief Robert Musco as well as Tourism Development Council members including Board of County Commissioner Doug Conkey. "We anticipate bringing in 1,500 to 2,000 athletes to run the race, but, more importantly, the three-day event will highlight the strong military presence in this area."
Lee Bentley and Manny Cordero
Bentley, who was the mastermind of last year's very successful Riverfest Celebration and Political Forum, said the city's ability to continue to honor its veterans was of utmost priority for Cordero's group.
"We think the race is a great partnership between the community and the veteran's community," said Bentley. "This three day weekend will be a focal point for many travelers because we will have a health expo at Thrasher Horne, an arts festival here at Spring Park, tentatively Concert on the Green will present the Jacksonville Symphony right here at our outdoor amphitheater on the river with fireworks and then, on Monday, the town will open its arms to the runners," said Bentley. "We will also have a kids one mile run as part of the events which is always popular here."
"With the activities we have planned and Thrasher Horne on board for the expo, Green Cove Springs becomes a bullseye for Memorial Day plans from around the country----Lee Bentley, event coordinator for GCS
What Memorial Day visitors, not just runners, said both Cordero and Bentley, is a Saturday, Sunday and Monday that can become an annual Memorial Day journey.
"Critical to the success of the weekend is to remember that the events are designed to highlight and keep veteran's issues awareness on the forefront even after the race," said Brian Butler, director of media for Freedom Marathon, Inc. "The veterans' issues don't go away after the race is over with us."
Mayor Page agreed that the inclusion of the race brings a private funding source that will keep Riverfest's veteran's appreciation alive.
"In this economy, we, as a council, have still maintained a low millage and tax rate with smart money management," said Page. "By bringing in sponsorship dollars instead of using taxpayer money, we can continue to let Green Cove Springs honor our veterans in its own special way. We see a minimal economic impact of $50,000 for the weekend between the running event and its three days of activities."
Freedom 8km Series Team
The race itself, according to elite runners coordinator John Steinberg, promises to be a fast and very challenging. Starting at the north side of US Highway 17 which will be completely shutdown of northbound traffic, runners will be able to run both lanes a bit more than a mile before turning toward the river. A trek through the winding, shaded roads along the river will bring runners back to US 17 near Magnolia Point where they will turn left and head south on US Highway 17 North. Upon entering Green Cove Springs, runners will veer left onto the cobblestones and head to the finish line in Spring Park.
"The race is going to be very unique in that the first mile or so will be almost completely downhill and very fast," said Steinberg, a top master's runner. "The shaded streets after a mile will keep runners cool and the finish is a long straight stretch back to the traditional finish line of past Memorial Day runs."
Prize money is not on the table yet, but as the race preparation continues, Cordero said he wanted to be able to offer prize money.
"If we get enough elite athletes interested, then we will consider prize money," said Cordero. "Right now, we have a very unique medallion that every finisher will get and our age groups go all the way up to the 80-plus age group.
Right now, interested athletes and vendors for the arts festival can find information at www.freedommarathon.org.
Green Cove Springs Memorial Day Celebration Presents National Run Series
Green Cove Springs' reputation as a Memorial Day destination because of its dedication to honoring veterans from all military branches will be further enhanced on Mon., Oct. 4 at the city's town hall conference room on US Highway 17 when officials from Freedom Marathon, Inc., will hold a media information session designed to kickoff their nationwide 8km Running Series.
The 2010 Memorial Day Riverfest and political forum has received nationwide acclaim and caught the attention of Freedom Marathon, Inc., CEO Manny Cordero, a U.S. Navy veteran himself.
Freedom Marathon, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to raise awareness and enlist support from the public through world class competitive running events to help sponsor the needs of the Veterans and their families. Cordero will be at the Monday morning meeting.
"We bring a message of hope to our Veterans and their families, assuring them that America has not forgotten their sacrifices. Green Cove Springs is a perfect venue to kick off our series. We have partnered with The Wounded Warriors Foundation and will partner with other local charities from the Green Cove Springs community."----Manny Cordero
The 2011 Memorial Day Weekend and Freedom 8km Series run will feature three days of activities and events tentatively including Memorial Day dedications and ceremonies, an arts festival, a running and health expo at Thrasher Horne Civic Center, a Sunday outdoor concert by the Jacksonville Symphony, fireworks on the St. Johns River after the symphony and, finally, the world class Freedom 8km (4.97 miles) Series kickoff running race.
The Freedom 8km Series race features a downhill start on U.S. Highway 17 North that promises to be one of the fastest first miles of any race in the country. Runners jet a bit more than a mile downhill down Highway 17 before turning right and heading toward the St. Johns River. A shaded loop with undulating terrain returns runners to U.S. Highway 17 where a left turns heads them back toward Green Cove Springs. As they head south, runners dip back onto the historic cobblestones and head to the finish line near Spring Park.
The enormity of the event, according to GCS Events Coordinator Lee Bentley is "like bringing the Olympics to Green Cove Springs."
The logistics of the event have been discussed at length for nearly three months with Monday's meeting designed to give local media and officials a heads up on the event's timetable, fundraising goals with sponsorship information and a general meeting of Cordero with key personnel.
If only the bones weren't in my closet, I would think about running for office. Well, admittedly, I've never owned the right bra to be a runner, so maybe walking briskly for office would be a better idea. As a child, whenever I drew a self-portrait, I always drew myself holding a poster emblazoned with the words "Vote for Me". To this day, I don't know why (and I'm not sure I want to know), but it would seem that I am destined for something involving voting, so why fight it any longer?
I haven't really ever run for office. I was designated by my teacher to be Citrus Queen in second grade (I think the teacher owed my mom a favor and I guess being supreme ruler over an agricultural crop was the only thing on which the two of them could agree, although I would have been happy with extra recess time.) A while after my orange and grapefruit reign ended, I was Secretary of the UF chapter of the American Nuclear Society in college, but that doesn't count because nobody else really wanted that position (it involved taking notes and writing - who would want that kind of work?)
I do have some qualities that might make me a good candidate for something. I'm trustworthy, sincere, relatively intelligent and somewhat honest (or is that somewhat intelligent and relatively honest), compassionate, responsible and I try to be fair (based on those qualities I might make a good candidate for housepet). Admittedly, though, I do have some qualities that would make it difficult for me to be in office. I have very little patience for nonsense and general naughtiness (which is surprising, considering the fact that as I've mentioned before we own two Westies). I don't think I would fit in with the political crowd. But I'm afraid the bones in my closet have kept me from ever seriously considering running for public office.
See, I haven't always been Tuba Lady. When I was just starting out, I was (gasp!) Trombone Girl. It's true. The bones in my closet are two trombones. And to be somewhat honest about it, the trombones aren't actually in my closet (our house doesn't have any closets -- only someone who is relatively intelligent would purchase a house like that). The trombones are stored in the garage. I pulled one out a couple of months ago because someone needed a brass instrument for a Renaissance music group. My family tactfully (and more than somewhat honestly) told me that I needed more practice before I played it in public (and before I played it any more within earshot of them). The trombones aren't even mine. Well, the one that is in really bad condition is probably mine through default (nobody else wants it). The other trombone belongs to one of my brothers, but he wanted me to keep it. Considering the fact that he has a lot more closets in his house, I don't know why my brother doesn't keep both 'bones at his house, but it's probably because he wants to run for office someday.
Saturday was my first running of the Gate River Run 15K. I wouldn't consider myself a runner, though maybe I am slowly becoming one because the more races I do, the more I want to do. I'm not super fast (my unofficial time, as timed by me, was 2 hours and 23 minutes), so I guess that's why I feel I'm quite the novice.
Database: Look up finish times from the Gate River Run 1998-2010
Since it was my first time, I made some rookie mistakes. Here's a list of dos and don'ts based on the mistakes I made and the things I did right:
DO get your bib, shirt, chip, etc. in a timely fashion by going to the runner's expo at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds. There is a lot of great swag, samples and coupons to be had.
DON'T wait until the morning of the race to sync your iPod and pick a playlist (unless you're getting up really early). This can take up to a half-hour, which is precious time that could be spent getting mentally ready for the race in the starting line.
DO get to the stadium sooner than 3 minutes before the gun goes off. This will keep you from panicing about where to park and from having to sprint to the starting line.
DON'T wait until getting into the starting line to put your chip on your shoe. This way, you won't accidentally throw the chip away with your empty pre-race cup of water like I did.
DO stop at each water/Gatorade station. Keeping hydrated is super important, as you never know what the crazy Florida weather is going to do.
DO wear sunscreen, even if the forecast says it will be overcast. Enough UV rays can still peek through the clouds to cause sunburn. Even if you're fast, you're still going to be outside for at least an hour, which is plenty of time to burn.
DON'T give up. Mind over matter. Just keep telling yourself you can do it, and celebrate (out loud or in your head) as you pass each mile marker. If you are just a "social runner" like me, just finishing the race is a big accomplishment in itself.
DO the Gate River Run next year. It's fun; it's a challenge; it's a great way to feel connected to your community; and the view from the Main St. and Hart bridges is gorgeous.
Photos: 2010 Gate River Run mega gallery
See you in 2011 on the Big Green Monster!
Tiffanee and Loren Grumbly's daughter may only be 3 months old, but sheis already being exposed to exercise.
Tiffanee, 30, said daughter Madalyn stayed asleep for most of the hour her parents were walking the Gate River Run 5K.
"What you see right now is pretty much what she does," Tiffanee said. "She's a good baby."
Three Jacksonville sisters may be in their 40s, but the competition continues.
The family -- one grandmother, three sisters, one husband and three grandchildren -- alternated between walking and running the 5K.
Mandi Corcoran, the middle sister, has partcipated in the Gate River Run three times and had challenged Jackie Holden, the youngest sister, to a sisterly competition between the sisters and their respective husbands.
Sisters Susan Green and Pauline Hodgkins walked in the Gate River 5k today, each pushing a stroller so their little boys could enjoy the great weather.
" The smell of the coffee brewing over there is what got me motivated this morning," Hodgkins said.
The Sea Star Line Company gathered close to 140 runners to run in both the 5k and 15k.
Employees, spouses, and children all participated during today's event. While some were avid runners there were also those who took it slow and enjoyed the atmosphere.
Deborah York,46, and husband Terry York,37, walked the 5k together. Their favorite part of the walk was the scenery.
Firefighter Jerry Roach stepped up to the plate for Saturday's Gate River Run.
He came dressed as a whoopee cushion.
The firefighter who was supposed to run in the costume changed his mind at the last minute, Roach said.
"I'm old, so I don't care what people think," the 43-year-old said.
