GMM 2005

This is a very special marathon. In fact, I have run GMM more times (nine) that any other marathon since I started enjoying the 26.2 mile journeys in November 1996. I first ran it in 1997 as an experiment to try out this new "run/walk" thing we (my mentor Chuck and I) had read about. We soon found that the terrain on Grandfather limited that experiment, but as serendipity would have it, we stumbled across a gem. Perhaps the best advice came from a fellow runner we met about mile 4. It was his 27th GMM (that year was the 30th anniversary) and he said: "Boys, the mountain has been here 6 million years. It will be here tomorrow. Don't try to attack it. Just let it come to you. Don't miss the waterfalls, the views, and the fellowship." He was right. The marathon starts in Boone and winds its way up to MacCrae Meadows, just below the summit of Grandfather Mountain. You don't want to hurry on this one, which is a good thing because you can't! So if you ever get the chance to be in the NC mountains on the second Saturday in July, come on and join us. The race website is http://www.hopeformarrow.org/gmminfo.htm.

Friday Nite

Friday nite pasta was to be found at Joe's Italian Kitchen - even for those who thought they had tickets to the GMM Pasta Dinner!
Ron and Marc and Ricky and Sharon found this hole in the wall, and were soon joined by Cher and Milt and Doug.

Before the Start

Bobby, Colleen, and Layne have an early start for their mountain quest

Ron is sporting shades awfully early in the day.

More about the shirt at www.playbookforlife.com

One of the advantages of being Coach

CMPD + 1: Layne Flowe, Ron Horton, Colleen Hart, Ricky Scott (from Virginia), Bobby Buening, Mike Crowley

Layne brought his partner along - Ernie's ready for Scream Team duties

Ron with Doug "BoogieMan" Dawkins of MTC fame

Chuck and Sherry Bingham arrive