Other Highlights:
Favorite Local
Spot to Run: Stone Mountain Park Chastain Park, and Silver Comet
Personal Reason for Running:
My professional soccer career came to a
quick end. I ran a lot while playing soccer, but I was not running 80
miles a week.
Running/Fitness
Goals: To keep running
Why Do You Run?
It relaxes my body and allows me to think.
Describe Your
Most Memorable Running or Racing Experience: Boston Marathon
last year at the Heartbreak Hill. It really broke my heart.
If You Could
Travel to Anyplace in the World to Run, Where Would It Be?: On the
soil of Alkebu-lan, which is in Africa.
2006 Scholarship Winners & 2007 Applications
The 2007/2008 applications are now available for high school
cross country and distance runners. If you know of any deserving
seniors, be sure to tell them to visit our site to retrieve an
application form. The deadline is April 15, 2007.
Also, we are pleased to announce that Deborah Boone and Tiffany
Guerra both of Fort Worth, TX and Teanna Medina of University City, MO
have been awarded $500 scholarships for the 2006/2007 academic year.
Deborah Evon Boone
Ms. Boone is a graduate of
Fossil Ridge High School of the Keller Independent School District.
While working about 20 hours a week, she managed to run track and
cross-country, work as an editor on the student newspaper, and serve
in the National Honor Society. When not in school, she’s involved in
community outreach programs, such as Sidewalk Sunday School. She is
planning to attend Hampton University in Hampton, VA this fall.
Tiffany Guerra
Ms. Guerra is a graduate of Diamond Hill Jarvis High School of the
Ft. Worth Independent School District. In addition to participating in
track, cross-country, and volleyball, she was a member of the National
Honor Society. She also served as Vice President and
Secretary/Treasurer of the school’s Church Youth Council and was
active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. When she’s not
involved in school activities, she held a part-time job while being
involved in church and community activities. She is planning to attend
Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, TX this fall.
Teanna Medina
Ms. Medina is a graduate of University City Senior High School.
She’s participated in cross-country, track, and wrestling. In addition
to being a National Honor Society member, she’s worked on the yearbook
staff, helped with diversity programs, and participated in a number of
community service projects. These program involved working with
mentally challenged adults and educating youth about social
injustices. She managed to perform these services while working part
time. She is planning to attend the University of Missouri in Columbia
this fall.
Again, we’d like to take this
opportunity to recognize these students’ accomplishments and hope that
they are equally successful in college. Also, remember that
this wouldn't be possible without your tax-deductible contributions.
Runners High Documentary
We received a synopsis about an interesting documentary called
"Runners High." It reads,
"When teenagers from one of the nation’s
toughest neighborhood’s in Oakland, California sign up to train
for a marathon, they begin the journey of a lifetime. Runners
High is an intimate, character driven, documentary of struggle,
courage, and hope. During a season filled with conflict and
possibility, four of these teens bare their dreams, joys, tears and
fears. As several stumble under pressure in emotionally charged
moments, others realize the journey begins with the power and
commitment to accept responsibility for their own futures. Runners
High shows that no matter what happens next, one season of
training to run 26.2 miles can change your life forever."
The movie is directed by Justine Jacob and Alex D. da Silva.
Additional information may be found at http://runnershighfilm.com/.
Be sure to look for it when it comes to your area.
Member Profile: Angela Ivory
One of our members, Angela Ivory, was recently featured in the
August/September, 2006 issue of Heart & Soul magazine (www.HeartandSoul.com).
This publication promotes living a healthy, wealthy, and wise
lifestyle for Black Americans. The article, which was written by
Carolyn White, appears below.
What Makes a Marathoner - Angela Ivory Realized a Dream, One Mile at a
Time
Don't be deceived by Angela Ivory's Southern charm and
modesty. This diminutive 5-foot-4, 135 pound runner showed off the
heart of a champion and the spirit of an elite athlete when she ran
marathons in all 50 states.
Since she began her odyssey in 2001, Ivory has actually completed
67 marathons and 20 ultra marathons ranging from 30 to 50 miles.
Today, the Tennessee native, who lives and works in Nashville, is a
member of the Esteemed Fifty States Marathon Club. Although she had
a lifetime to complete her goal, Ivory squeezed in most of her
marathons in 2004 and 2005. "You set a goal. You accomplish it.
It makes you feel good," says the iron-willed, 38-year-old,
whoo completes most of her marathons in less than 4.5 hours.
Why does Ivory run? "I tell people that I'm running from
this fat butt that keeps following me," she says with a laugh.
"I was trying not to gain weight and I went through the natural
progression - first the gym, then walking when I couldn't get to the
gym. Then I decided I wanted to boost my weigh control
regimen."
Today, weight is not Ivory's only concern. Three years ago, she
was diagnosed with breast cancer. "I'll tell you one thing:
Running a marathon is a lot easier than chemotherapy," she
says. "I'm doing fine now. I know that I exercised and ran
before this happened. But now, I'm motivated by the fact that
training hard could prevent me from getting any more cancer."
Although she ran only one marathon while undergoing chemo in 2003,
Ivory completed 15 marathons in 2004 and a combination of 47
marathons and ultramarathons in 2005.
While other marvel at her endurance and stamina, Ivory takes it
all in stride. "I don't think of marathons as grueling. I think
of them as fun. I just go out there and do what feels good and
natural to me."
Now that she's completed Goal No. 1, Ivory's ready for a new
challenge. "So far, I've done only 12 ultramarathons," she
says. "I'd love to do one of them in every state as well."
Inaugural 2007 ING Georgia Marathon and Half
Marathon
Our members of the South Fulton Running Partners in Atlanta are
looking forward to a new marathon in their city. It's the ING
Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon on March 25, 2007. The number of
runners is limited to 15,000. For additional information about the
marathon, visit http://www.inggeorgiamarathon.com/site3.aspx.
A number of NBMA members have already registered. If you plan to
join us, send an email to ATL@BlackMarathoners.org.
2008 African
Marathon Tour - Saving the Best for Last
Since
our organization was formed, many of you indicated a desire to run a
race in Africa. During our 2005 and 2006 events, this was, again, a
topic of discussion. This desire goes along with my current goal; to
complete a marathon on each of the seven continents.
On
May 20th, I finished my fourth continent by running The
Great Wall of China Marathon. In 2007, I'm scheduled to complete
marathons in Antarctica and South America. My objective has
been to "save the best for last" -- Africa!!! I can't
think of a better group of people to run with than the NBMA members.
Over
the next year, I'll be researching various races and tour groups. If
you have a favorite African marathon or are interested in joining
me, send me a message at Africa2008@BlackMarathoners.org.
I'll provide updates in the subsequent eNewsletters. Tony Reed
