Running for Change: Shamrock Plan
First, THANK YOU for supporting Senator Barack Obama and being willing to show that support to the public at the Shamrock Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 8K. I really believe in the power of grass roots organizations and activities, as it shows people that this is important enough for people just like them to be involved. Whether you are running or participating as a spectator, you will be showing hundreds of people that Barack Obama is the best candidate to be the next President of the United States!
The basic idea behind Running for Change is to get people out to race events, like the Shamrock, wearing Obama gear (shirts, buttons, hats, etc.) showing their support of Barack Obama. While I did create gear specifically for for Running for Change, which can be found at my Cafepress Shop, you can wear whatever you might have. Though it’s too late to order anything to have it in time for the Shamrock, you’re welcome to pick up any items if you’d like. I have a handful of buttons with the Running for Change logo that can be acquired for $3; first come, first serve. Just to recap, WEAR YOUR OBAMA GEAR IF YOU HAVE IT!
I’m hoping that everyone who has said they wanted to run in one of the Shamrock races registered! If not, you may only register for the Marathon! The 8K and Half-Marathon races are full. I apologize if there was any confusion.
The Plan for Saturday (8K)
As we have a larger group running/spectating at the 8k, we’ll be a little more organized in our approach. I’d like to meet up just beyond the start line for the 8k, across from the Days Inn on Atlantic Ave. The race starts at 8AM, and I’ll likely be in place by 7:15. I’ll be wearing my Running for Change shirt, with buttons, holding an Obama sign. You should be able to find me. We can cheer the runners through the start, and then move down to Pacific Ave, grouping at the Laskin intersection where we can cheer for the runners, who’ll be about 1.5 miles into their race (see 8K race course). Attempting to move any further down the race course may be difficult, especially if we want to meet together to congratulate the runners and snap some group pictures at the end of the race. Public beach access can be found via 32nd and 29th street. We’ll want to meet just outside the runner’s food tent, so we can catch the runners before they go in for festivities, and make sure we get a good group picture of everyone, just in case there are some who are not staying for the after-party and awards. Hopefully the logistics will be easy on this one. You can expect the race to last between 50min to 2hrs.
Plan for Sunday (Marathon & Half-Marathon)
We don’t have as many participating on Sunday, so we’ll be very flexible here. I’ll be wearing my Running for Change shirt and running the Half-Marathon, so I can’t do much by way of organizing spectators or runners. I’m set to be in corral 4, with a estimated time of 2hr 30min if you’d like to stop by and say hi, or to start the race with me. After the race, I’m going to grab my camera before heading to the party tent so a few pictures can be snapped if we can find each other. Since the race is long, and there are only a few of us, perhaps we can work out something that should work for those participating. E-mail me and let me know your estimated finishing time, and we might be able to time a group shot of runners and spectators. We’d meet in the same after race location as the 8K. The Half Marathon starts at 7AM, Marathon starts at 8AM, and I plan to be out there for a while.
Spectators, I’m sure we would love to see you wherever you can place yourselves along the route! Wear you Obama gear, wave signs, etc. Check out the Half-Marathon route and Marathon route to determine what might work best for you. Of course, we’d love to get spectators in a group picture as well. I understand that these races are long, and that scheduling might be difficult, but we’d still love to all the same!
Lastly, HAVE A GREAT TIME! The Shamrock races are really positive experiences set in a beautiful location, our own Virginia Beach! Come expecting to have fun and enjoy the races, and I guarantee that you will! E-mail me if you have any questions at all!
YES WE CAN!
