Focus on a raceInterview

9 questions to discover a marathon : SudburyROCKS!!! Marathon

12 Oct, 2008 (Sun)

Hello, on May 3rd 2009, you’ll be organizing the SudburyROCKS!!! Marathon . Can you tell us where it is located?

We are the recipient charity of the SudburyROCKS!!! Race, Run, or Walk for Diabetes here in Sudbury, Ontario Canada. This event is the only one of its kind in Northern Ontario!

Start
Credit : SudburyROCKS!!! Marathon

It will be the 4th edition of the race. Why was it created in the first place?

The SudburyROCKS!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes is a 5 race event created to be able to include ALL ages and abilities in an attempt to create a fitter population.

What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it?

Race Directors have done their best to choose a fast course comprised of flat and rolling sections for the SudburyROCKS!!! Marathon.

How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?

We are hoping to have approximately 1,700 runners on race day (May 3, 2009). Runners from all abilities are encouraged to participate. We are hoping to attract serious runners from all over Ontario and Canada to participate in the Marathon.

Do you organize other races during the Week-End? If so, on what distances?

Along with the Marathon, the SudburyROCKS!!! Race, Run, or Walk for Diabetes features a half-marathon, a 10K and 5K route, and a 1K kid’s fun run.

A new feature of the event that we are introducing this year is the Marathon Relay. We are encouraging runners to rally teams of up to 8 people to run the Marathon—relay style— with each team member finishing a portion of the marathon route.

At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?

With average highs in the low teens, clear air and free of smog, Sudbury’s early May weather is ideal for runners.

Have you planned festivities around the marathon?

The day before the Marathon, May 2 2009, we will be having a Race Expo where runners will pick up their chip timers and have the opportunity to explore local vendors and merchants.

We will also be hosting a pasta dinner on May 2 2009 with guest speaker Ray Zahab.
In 1998 Ray made a life changing decision to leave a pack a day smoking habit and unhealthy lifestyle behind him. In 2007, Ray Zahab and two others made history by running 4300 miles across the entire Sahara Desert , raising awareness for clean-water initiatives in Africa.

Ray Zahab
Credit : SudburyROCKS!!! Marathon

This feat consisted of 111 consecutive 40 – 50 mile days of running in extreme desert conditions through six countries. His phenomenal and drastic lifestyle changes and successes are inspirational and motivating. Ray was the recipient of the ONExONE Difference Award in 2007- honorees included Sarah Ferguson, Chief Phil Fontaine, Richard Gere and Wycleff Jean. (Information taken from Ray Zahab’s website)

The marathon finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Greater Sudbury before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?

Sudbury has so much to offer anybody that comes to visit. Sudbury’s biggest tourist attractions are Science North and Dynamic Earth. A family friendly science centre and geology and mining centre that appeal to any age. Let’s not forget that Sudbury is home to the Big Nickel!

Big Nickel
Credit : SudburyROCKS!!! Marathon

Sudbury has a wide variety of restaurants to suit any taste buds. For a list of recommended restaurants in the area please see : List of restaurants

In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of 42k195 to make them register for the SudburyROCKS!!! Marathon?

You’ve ran the south, now try the north in Sudbury’s Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes

Interview with Lori, the Community Initiatives Coordinator for the Canadian Diabetes Association

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