Miami International Inline Marathon

[panch0]

Hey DROID!

I left the premises when the Marathon was almost over! Mantia had been on a breakaway with 2 Colombians from TruRev chasing and a distant pack (1 lap down) semicontent to their situation.

South Florida awoke to better weather than yesterday with about 70 degrees, cloudy skies, and strong winds. The pack numbered about 50 skaters including all categories and both genders which I am sure helped to allow all skaters to finish their race. There were basically 2 waves: Pro and Open and if I am not mistaken there was only one Pro women skater which also happened to be a TruRev skater.

The Pro pack was about half of the 50 skaters but what they missed in numbers they compensated in quality! That Pro pack was flying!

Despite what I call an "advanced" skater type of course, it seems that there was only one skater down. Also, many thought that it was going to be messy to skate a marathon in such a small course but in general, it looked pretty darned good! Maye a little messy towards the end but we all knew who the leaders and chasers were, who were relevant to the race!

I think this marathon was pretty successful! The audience was very focused on the race and the skaters were totally engaged in the racing. Hopefully next year it has a larger turnout!


I'll try to get you all an update into the final results.

[panch0]

UPDATE:

Men's Marathon:

1-Joey Mantia-Luigino
2-Julian Rivera-TruRev
3-Daniel Gonzalez-TruRev

Women's Marathon

1-Briggyte Mendez-TruRev

[Robert]

Here are the top results:

World Class Men
1 645 MANTIA, Joey (Luigino) 1:12:26.1
2 560 RIVERA, Julian (Tru-Rev) 1:13:36.1
3 649 VOGEL, Harry (Luigino) 1:15:25.3
4 567 GARCIA, Michael (Tru-Rev 1:15:28.9
5 562 GONZALES, Daniel (Tru-Rev) 1:15:29.1
6 646 CHEEK, Michael (Luigino) 1:15:29.6
7 662 BOUTIETTE, Kc 1:15:32.5
8 658 RODRIGUEZ, Luis 1:15:33.5
9 610 BLISS, Scott 1:15:52.6
10 612 TALLEY, Brian 1:16:13.9

World Class Women:
1 561 MENDEZ, Brigyte (Tru-Rev) 1:21:34.5
2 572 HORNING, Katelyn 1:28:39.8
3 523 BARSTOW, Ashley 1:33:43.0

You'll find the full results here:
http://www.triandduit.com/webforms/tad_Results2008.aspx

[skaterdog]

I think this marathon was pretty successful! The audience was very focused on the race and the skaters were totally engaged in the racing. Hopefully next year it has a larger turnout!

I counted about 20 skaters at what I would consider "rec skater" pace of 1:30 and over. Too bad the rec crowd doesn't show in large numbers for thses events.

[tdellaringa]

Wait... you consider 1:30 a rec skater time? I'd have to beg to differ - or I suck more than I thought I did

Seriously, 1:30 is a very good time. I would more consider rec skater time at closer to 2:00+

I definitely don't consider myself a rec skater, at Duluth I skated really hard with some other speedskaters the whole race and my time was 1:48. Yes, I'm definitely an average skater and not in the upper eschelon of skaters - that is true. But there were no rec skaters skating at my pace during that race that I saw.

I realize times were off for Duluth due to the weather and wind, but still. Sure there are probably rec skaters who can skate 1:30s, but they are not the "typical" rec skater, I wouldn't think.

[skaterdog]

Race conditions would make a big difference...just a general observation on the lack of rec skaters that participate in these events. Were there any?

[kufman]

"7 662 BOUTIETTE, Kc 1:15:32.5"

Is this who I think it is?

[BWI-Sheldon]

Well turnout was very low, but what do you expect with a non-advertised event. There were 20 pro’s and around 25 advanced speed skaters. There were no rec. skaters as this was not that kind event, at least for this year. It was well planned and the timing system worked. The original confusion about whether the pro were going to skate separately was obviously an issue only due to not knowing how many skaters were going to show up. With only less than 50 skaters on the course there were no problem with the pros and advanced skaters mixed together.
Understanding the type of skating crowd around me, I started in the back and it was clear right away that I was going to stay in the last paceline. All four of us. With the wind blowing so strong the setup would have to be everyone would have to lead for a lap to fight it. On lap 4 something caught my boot on the underpush and down I went. Even though I jumped up and tried to chase down my little paceline, I didn’t make it, and with so little skaters there weren’t any others to draft off except the pros. So I settled in for a long solo skate.
Despite the course having many turns in it, I had no problems with it. The only issues is of course keeping track of how many laps you did. At the end one guy yelled to me that I was done, but I looked at my GPS and it was only 25 miles, so I went around again just in case. Good thing I did because I would have gotten a DNF. The small course did however make it great for spectators because they were able to watch the whole race and not just the last few minutes, and it was great to be cheered on every time I passed them.

That’s the facts, but not my story. I finished 1:46:50. I was very happy and even got second place on the podium in the 40-50 age advanced. I’m so great. ( Of course I could of skated backward on Wal-Mart plastic skates in a 4 hour time and still gotten second place, but that wasn’t what the real victory was all about.)
My original plan was be able to beat my solo times of around 1:30 by just staying in a pack, and to try to keep on my feet for 26 miles. You would think that after falling, skating solo and such a slow time I would have been upset, but I wasn’t. I had to think about it and analyze why I was in such a great mood.

Accompaniment #1; Due to family, social, and other reasons, it is nearly impossible for me to participate in these sporting events. Knowing that this was going to be a small professional crowd, and not the likes of my skating level and types, I still spent the money to support the sport, and the people, who put give up from themselves to allow us to have events and equipment for us to participate in.

Accompaniment #2; Considering the wind, and the solo skate, and the many turn, the 1:46 time is good.

Accompaniment #3; I skated good and very disciplined. I did not allow myself to push too hard and burn out. At around half way, when I noticed my self starting to pronate and losing form, so I decided to ease up and keep it together. Even at the end I was still keeping to my form.

[The Major]

Kuffman, YES it is.

Sheldon, Good job. It's best to look for the positives at the end of any race. I'm not always good at that. I'm not sure what you meant by the race not being advertised. It's been broadcast on all the boards for quite some time. I think the time of year is probably a bigger factor. Those of us from the north just can't get out and skate. The idea of doing a marathon, just the distance alone, does not seem like a fun time. It's been wet and cold here this winter. Usually I can skate at least 1 day/week outside during the winter but so far this year I haven't been able to get out at all.

[alex]

If you run a search "miami international inline marathon" on google you will find that the race was posted in ads in what looks like every major city in the country plus throughout Colombia and in New Zealand, Univison, Telemundo and local newspapers and radio had it listed as well.

Many of the forums (Inline, Patin, Skatelog and CZ) and the marathon myspace pages had it posted so I don't think entries were low due to non-advert.

It takes time for a new event to catch on, next year entries will probably be much better.

[panch0]

"7 662 BOUTIETTE, Kc 1:15:32.5"

Is this who I think it is?

Yeap that is THE KC you're thinking of! I should've brought my camera to the event because I wanted to take a pic of KC skating with 3 wheels on each frame!

I didn't ask him about the 3 wheel deal but I am guessing that the second wheel was rubbing the boot when he put the new wheels on his Liberty Sports frame. I saw KC hurriedly skating to the starting line so that's my take on it!!

Hey KC don't even need no stinking wheels!!

[gneal]

KC has an older Hyper boot that doesn't have pockets for the 2nd wheel back and has low mounting blocks like newer boots have...the frames were not the problem...his other frames were worse....but yeah 7th isn't bad for 3-wheels...and on 110s for the first time....not even during the warm-up....