JOINING IN THE RACE
Harrison Greiner, 4, was one of several children who was made to feel like a natural runner during Friday night’s Kids Fun Run at Mill Race Park.
So when adult marathon runners came by his home near Ninth and Franklin streets during the Mill Race Marathon on Saturday, Harrison thought he was supposed to join the runners.
Harrison got about a block north of his home before his father, Zach Greiner, finally caught up with him, and explained it wasn’t his race.
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Harrison’s little brother, A.J., who is 2, also wanted to run with his brother, but he was easier to catch up to and bring back home, Zach Greiner said.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
When the 5K race was conducted during last year’s Mill Race Marathon, runner Arturo Lopez Sr. of Columbus was joined by his teenage daughter, Constanza.
This year, his wife, Avril Lopez, and son Arturo Lopez Jr. ran for the first time, making it a family affair.
"I almost beat him this year," Constanza, 15, said about the friendly competition with her father.
Arturo Lopez Jr., 16, said he did OK during his run.
"But it was tougher than I thought it would be, and I probably should have practiced more," he said.
A VOLUNTEER EFFORT
It takes hundreds of volunteers performing a wide variety of tasks to put on the Mill Race Marathon every year.
Terry Green and Julie Fewell, who both work at Johnson-Witkemper Insurance Services, found themselves stationed near Third and Washington streets late Saturday morning to ensure all alcoholic beverages stayed within a designated area.
It was a different responsibility from last year, when they helped with the gates and entrances.
When asked what volunteer jobs they would least like to have, Green admitted that cleaning up all the refuse after the event is a job he would not like.
But for Fewell, it would be finding herself in charge of safety at one of the attractions at the children’s play area.
"I was in charge of the bounce house once, and it made me nervous," Fewell said. "I don’t like being in charge of the safety of someone else’s children. I’m afraid something will happen, and it’ll be my fault."
FUN AT THE FINISH
The "Finish on Fourth" after-party includes free bounce houses and a pirate castle, as well as street entertainers and music groups.
As Katatzyna Nowak brought her 18-month-old son, Alex, into the children’s area, the boy’s eyes lit up.
"I didn’t even know this was going to be here today," Nowak said. "I was just here to meet up with some friends."
When asked what he wanted to try first, Alex looked completely overwhelmed — he could not make a first choice.
But when his mother was asked which ride she liked best as a youngster, she pointed to the Lil’ Tides slide.
NEVER TOO OLD
If you ever feel you are too old to participate in a half-marathon, there are at least two women who will give you a strong argument for trying it.
Stella Wheeler, 64, of Brownsburg, as well as friend Deanna Bowman, 77, of Lebanon, each completed the half-marathon on Saturday.
But the ladies said they did have to train. Every Saturday, Wheeler and Bowman run together at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis, and have gradually built up their strength and stamina, Wheeler said. They also participated in a physical exercise program through their church.
"I didn’t do my first marathon until I was 60, and I’ve done about 30 since then," Wheeler said.
"You are never too old," Bowman said.
MAKING A MARK
If you are going to put in the training and work to be in a marathon, you have reason to be proud of earning a medal.
That’s likely why a long line could be found outside the Advanced Engraving booth at Fourth and Washington streets Saturday.
Many runners like to have their name and their time placed on the medal, engraver Andy Spurling said.
There have been a number of strange nicknames that runners have asked to be placed on their medal, Spurling said.
