October 22, 2009

Train Offers Marathon Runners Time To Rest

Every once-in-a-while we get some funny running news. Today is one of those days. Since I'm trying to cram 100 hours of dissertation work into 4 today, I havent done any internet surfing (straight to blogging, I swear). But I did check my email and got something great from my hubby, who has a habit of sending me random online news clips.

Imagine running a marathon, and finally having that finish line in sight. Thank goodness! After miles and miles you see it! You are almost there! But then, a train comes and blocks you from reaching that finish line. Thats what happened at the Des Moines Marathon. Seriously. The leader (by 10 seconds) had to wait a minute until the train passed, and the finish ended up as a 400 meter sprint.

Guess thats what you get for running in Iowa.

5 comments:

Jess said...

OMG! That's so funny, yet so painful.

Kristin said...

The 15K that I run crosses train tracks and the Amtrak used to come through during the race (I think the schedule changed this year). It wasn't an issue for the fastest or the slowest, but for the middle runners there was always a chance you might have to wait for the train. (The rule was if you did not wait for the train as directed, you would either be disqualified or dead). I always came through after the train, never even saw it....

kilax said...

No way! That is ridiculous!

P.S. I'm from Iowa! :P

Jamie said...

Oh that is horrible! who has a finish line over an active line?!?!

lifestudent said...

I have been thinking about this for over a day now. Why do they show a bunch of runners RIGHT BEHIND the elite guy? What the heck was going on at that Marathon???? From the Marathons I have witnessed, there arent a heard of people crossing at sub 6 minute mile paces :)