GRAND RAPIDS MARATHON
“The Grand Rapids Marathon is a group of races designed by runners for runners.
Founded in 2004, the Grand Rapids Marathon delivers a fun, highly personal, authentic race experience, particularly for runners who value a well-organized, personal experience over the chaotic, crowded fields of “big city” races through “concrete canyons”.
To that end, the race continues to grow at 20% year-over-year and receives accolades from beginner and experienced runners while supporting like-minded charities with a strong local presence.
They are a race that supports every runner — no one is a stranger on our course — celebrates every individual accomplishment and embodies the spirit of friendship and community that is so unique to running.” {excerpt from Grand Rapids Marathon site}
Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon Details:
Start Line + Finish Line + Refuel with Chocolate Milk Tent Location
YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids
475 Lake Michigan Drive
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
October 16, 2011
8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Local Dairy Brand: Country Fresh
More Details on the Grand Rapids Marathon: http://grandrapidsmarathon.com/
REFUEL WITH CHOCOLATE MILK:
This year, the national “Got Milk?” campaign has launched the Refuel with Chocolate Milk Tour — a grassroots educational tour that is visiting endurance events nationwide to educate athletes on the importance of post-workout recovery.
Experts agree that the 2-hour window after a workout is a crucial, yet often neglected part of workout regimen. According to recent research from the University of Texas, lowfat chocolate milk has the right nutrient profile to help athletes refuel after a strenuous workout, including high-quality protein, a 3-to-1 carb to protein ratio, and fluids and electrolytes like calcium, magnesium and potassium.
Also, the Refuel with Chocolate Milk campaign is offering grants to athletes to further athletic endeavors of both teams and individuals. For more information on the research or to apply for a Refuel Grant, visit www.refuelwithchocolatemilk.com.
GRAND RAPIDS MARATHON CHOCOLATE MILK BOOTH:
Spring through fall, the Refuel with Chocolate Milk Tour is stopping at marathons, triathlons, soccer camps and other sporting events across the country to help athletes rehydrate, replenish, rebuild and refuel with lowfat chocolate milk, Nature’s Recovery Drink.
Local Chocolate Milk Brand Sponsor at The Grand Rapids: Country Fresh Dairy. Country Fresh™ has been the favorite dairy brand in Michigan and nearby areas for generations because families know that when they choose Country Fresh, they’re taking home the dairy best. Stop by and visit Ashley in the “Refuel Zone” to refuel with some Country Fresh lowfat chocolate milk and take a milk mustache photo to commemorate the day!
GIVEAWAY:
We have 4 race entries to giveaway for either the half or full marathon. We also have some fabulous Refuel with Chocolate Milk kits that include: a short sleeve microfiber shirt, a hat with reflective trim, and an ipod/iphone arm band holder, and an awesome drawstring cinch sack to hold it all.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Leave comments below: Tell us why you want to run or are running in the Grand Rapids Half or Full Marathon and what it means to you! {FYI – Swag bags are to be picked up in the Refuel with Chocolate Milk Booth on Sunday at the Grand Rapids Marathon from Ashley.}
EXTRA ENTRIES:
Follow Refuel with Chocolate Milk on Twitter
Check out Refuel with Chocolate Milk’s FaceBook Page
Follow TimeOutMom on Twitter
Check out TimeOutMom’s FaceBook Page
Follow MomsRunning on Twitter
Check out MomsRunning FaceBook Page
SOURCES:
http://grandrapidsmarathon.com/
https://www.facebook.com/GRMarathon
https://twitter.com/#!/GRMarathon/
http://www.refuelwithchocolatemilk.com/
https://www.facebook.com/chocolatemilkrefuel
http://twitter.com/#!/ChocMilkRefuel
http://www.youtube.com/ChocolateMilkRefuel
http://www.utexas.edu/news/2011/06/22/milk_studies/
http://enjoycountryfresh.com/index-static.php
DISCLOSURE:
I was given a Refuel with Chocolate Milk swag pack and will be hanging out with the Refuel peeps at their booth at the Detroit Marathon sucking back the chocolate milk and taking pictures of you all coming in after your race and refueling with chocolate milk too!
I’m running in the Grd Rapids marathon. It’s my first and I’m doing it to challenge myself.
Shelly I am so excited for you!! I plan on doing my first for Detroit 2012! I will be turning 40 this year and I am going to do a full year of serious training! How long have you been training and preparing for this? What kind of training did you do? Did you train with a group?
Shelly, we would love to have you stop by our Refuel with Chocolate Milk Booth and pick up a Swag Bag! You may pick up your bag directly from Ashley! Have a great race!
I’m running the Grand Rapids Marathon this year to push myself to limits I didn’t even know were possible. This will be my first full (I ran the half – also a first – last year). The course is gorgeous and the marathon staff absolutely ROCK!
Bari,
I am so excited that you are running the Grand Rapids Marathon!! Be sure to stop by the Refuel with Chocolate Milk and hang out with Ashley! I would love to see a picture of you with a chocolate milk mustache! I also would love to see a blog post all about your race experience too! Please keep me posted!
Bari: Thanks for all of your support! You win a Refuel with Chocolate Milk Swag Bag! Please email me your information – name, address, email, and phone number to timeoutmom [at] gmail.com. So, I can forward to the Refuel Team!
Thank you so much! Of course I’ll stop by & say Hi to Ashley. You’ll be receiving an email from me shortly!
I follow Chocolate Milk Refuel on twitter
I like Chocolate Milk Refuel on FB
I already follow TimeOutMom on twitter
I “like” TimeOutMom on FB
Following MomsRunning on twitter
I “like” MomsRunning on FB
I’m running the GR half to support my wife. She has seen me race in 12 straight Chicago marathons so I’m returning the support now that she has taken up running. Also a huge fan of chocolate milk for refueling – great taste and also makes my mom happy – her dad ran a big dairy in Cincinnati years ago so she is always promoting milk products
Bill, it is so great that you have been running for 12 years! Did you run the Chicago Marathon this weekend too? My good friend @DavidMadow runs in the Chicago marathon too!
What a great story that you inspired your wife to now run too! On top of all of this – you are both huge fans for refueling after races with chocolate milk! Fantastic!
Please stop by and say hi to Ashley with the Refuel with Chocolate Milk team! If you ever wanted to write a guest blog post about running as a couple and how you got to the place you are – I would love it!
Tell us why you want to run or are running in the Grand Rapids Half or Full Marathon and what it means to you!
Why I run the Grand Rapids Half Marathon … specifically the Grand Rapids Half, I run and plan to run every year, this will be my fifth race. It began in October of 2007, October 19, 2007 my Dad passed away (three years after my mother) and I was begining the adventure of life, just married two years and now no parents and guardians of my younger brother and sister (14 yr, 11yr).
My girlfriend, whom I ran with in College, called me up just and encouraged me to run the GRM 1/2 in memory of my mother and father, which would take place that up and coming weekend. I had originally wanted to run the half marathon, having never done that distance before, but due to my father’s illness, I did not train but rather cared for him through the summer/early fall months.
When she mentioned me running, I thought she was crazy, however, I took her up on it and it was the best decision I have made. This year will be our 5th year running it together. I have not registered yet, but she knows I will be there! We run with the same little pinned signs on our back every year. So, what does the GR Marathon mean to me? It means victory, it is my reminder that when life hits, I don’t let it take me down, but I press on, move forward and walk in Victory.
The GR Marathon is a constant reminder of the way my parents raised me, to live life to the fullest, thanking God for every blessing along the way!
Shannon: Thank you for sharing your story! I love that it means victory amongst your adversity! I love that you are pressing on and not letting things get you down! You are a winner of a race entry to The Grand Rapids Marathon this year and also for a Refuel with Chocolate Milk Swag Pack giveaway! Please email me at timeoutmom [at] gmail.com with your email, mailing address, phone number, and include your full name & so we can give you code for entry and get you all your goodies!! Congrats! We would love to see pics of your race this year!
THANK YOU Melissa!
What a Blessing!!! You will be receiving an email from me shortly!
Thank you again!
Shannon
Every time I hear this story Shannon I tear up. You know I love you girl!! You are amazing! And I meant what I said on Thursday, your “no training” time will prolly still beat my training time!! You rock girlfriend!!
Like any good story or movie, it’s all about a girl. Why else would anybody want to run 26.2 miles? Maybe that’s a slight fabrication, running initially started out as a way to remain healthy. Determined to challenge myself, I signed up for the Kalamazoo Marathon having never ran more than a 5K. It was during this training, I met the girl. She is amazing and provided not only a great running partner, but somebody who challenged me. Though we ran side by side for hundreds of training miles, turns out she has a competitive streak in her and when it came time for the marathon, we decided to both run the race for ourselves. Big mistake, we both struggled and had a horrible first marathon. The Grand Rapids Marathon is going to be different. We are going to be there for each other the whole way and the plan is to finish together! (That’s my goal, her goal is to qualify for Boston…told you she was competitive!) It may be 26.2 miles, but I’d run 27.2 for her.
Mark:
What an amazing story! How great that your quest to get healthier and your love of running led to the love of your life! Wowza! Powerful + Wonderful Stuff! I would love if you both had a chance to stop by the Refuel with Chocolate Milk Booth and say hi to Ashley and get a picture taken so I can see how cute the two of you are! Good Luck with your Race! I also would love a guest blog post about your story if you are interested, just let me know via email timeoutmom [at] gmail.com.