Cellcom Green Bay Marathon - eNewsletter Articles

CGBM eNewsletter

March 2006 Edition

In 2006, the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon has partnered with three local charities, American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter, New Community Shelter, Inc. and Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity.

Running for a reason took on special meaning for me two years ago when my wife, Mary, passed away while training for the Cellcom Marathon. Many of you may remember Mary from the Prevea training runs and/or previous marathons. She was an avid walker and loved not only participating in the marathon but the personal reward of raising money for local charities. Mary was a true inspiration to my children and me and we continue to raise money in her memory.

Each year I am honored to present the Mary Poppele Award to the highest individual fundraiser. This award was established in Mary’s memory on behalf of the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon. I look forward to presenting the third annual award.

The 2006 fundraising program has some new and exciting incentives. A complimentary entry for this year’s race will be given to any participant raising $250 or more. In addition, there are some great prizes for those who raise the most for our local charities.

Fund raising is very simple, please visit www.cellcomgreenbaymarathon and click “Charities” or go to firstgiving.com In a matter of minutes you can set up your own personal donation page. Donating on line is fast and safe.

Thank you for your time and please consider running for a reason this year.

When undertaking a rigorous sport like running, it’s best to take a common sense approach to your training. Before beginning any major change in your lifestyle, get a physical examination.

Experienced runners take much of the knowledge they develop over time for granted. A good deal of the learning in distance running comes from experience, both good and bad. In the interest of bringing newer distance runners down the learning curve more rapidly, here are ten helpful tips to keep in mind as you begin your journey as a distance runner.

BOSTON BOB’S BEGINNER LIST
1. Always carry identification when going out for a run
2. Be sure to plan your routes before leaving and inform someone of your route and expected return time.
3. Dress for the conditions. It’s better to have extra gear and shed clothing than to expose yourself to hypothermia. Similarly, wear sunscreen and hats to protect the skin on hot days.
4. Stay hydrated, regardless of the weather. Even in winter, we need to maintain appropriate fluid levels to ensure proper blood circulation and body temperature. Consider in advance where you can either leave or obtain fluids along your run.
5. To address possible emergencies, carry a cell phone, a police whistle and a $10 bill on every run.
6. Take some dog biscuits with you if there are problem dogs along your runs.
7. Never train when you’re injured and be sure to shorten or eliminate a run if you’re not feeling well or if weather conditions are severe.
8. Whenever possible, run with the traffic at your back (except when crossing over on blind curves or hills).
9. For out and back runs, begin with the wind in your face so that you’ll have a tailwind on the way back.
10. Avoid training after dark or in low light conditions. If you must, wear reflective gear and/or bring lighting.

In short, always use your common sense! There is one final tip that I share with new distance runners that too many of us take for granted. ALWAYS let your family and friends know that you appreciate their support in your new endeavor! Without their encouragement and patience, your aspiration of completing a long distance run would not be possible.

Boston Bob Myette is an accomplished runner who has competed in over 100 marathons and ultra-marathons over the past 45 years. He also spent five years working as a running and walking coach for Team in Training. Bob currently works as a part-time teacher in the De Pere School District.

2006 COURSE - The Full Marathon By Jeanette Newhouse

You’re ready. You’ve trained. Now, how will that training work on race day? So, sit back and we’ll try to take you through a visualization of the 26.2 mile Marathon course including some interesting sites along the way.

Begin at 7:00 a.m. on Main Street east of the overhead skywalk at the Regency Hotel. The group will be packed together waiting in anxious anticipation for the start horn. Here we go … we’re running down Main Street, crossing the Ray Nitschke bridge, turning south on Broadway through the entertainment district, across the railroad tracks, turning west on Clinton to tree-lined Third Street with Tank Park on your left. Turn south down 12th Avenue then west on Hickory Hill Drive with its residential houses and Marquette Park. Spence, Roscoe, and Biemeret are beautiful tree-lined residential streets. Mile marker 4 is at Beaumont Park. Continue down Argonne turning left on 9th Street which runs under Hwy 41 (Mile 6) and becomes West Point Rd. As you turn left on Wood Lane, don’t miss First Baptist Church with their choir and oranges!

Follow Wood Lane which becomes Shady Lane when it crosses Hazelwood. Enjoy the beautiful homes as you run a slight incline up Shady Lane around mile 7.2 and then a long downhill which flattens out when you cross Cormier and passes Smith Park. Look for a GU spot. Turn east on Glen with a slight incline to Leona and then follow Santa Barbara (Mile 9) north as it curves around to Eminence with a incline to the top of Hilltop. As you head north on Hilltop, there is a decline to Morris Ave. Morris Ave. (Mile 10) continues through residential areas until Ridge Road (about Mile 10.7) when the Marathon splits from the Half. The marathon will turn left and the half will continue straight before turning right. Watch for the signs and the orange highway department flashing billboard indicating the turn directions. Also, be sure to “high five” Teri on the ladder with a bullhorn reminding runners of the split.

The marathon continues north past Lambeau Field and the famous Kroll’s Bar & Grill to Liberty St. You will turn right on Liberty St. heading back downtown past the south side of Beaumont Park, north on Norwood and east on 9th Street. Ninth Street crosses Ashland Avenue and a set of railroad tracks to the Half Way point at Ninth and Maple. Look for fruit, GU, and music to celebrate reaching the half way point!

Continue down Ninth Street turning left on Broadway. Looking to your right you’ll see coal piles, the Fox River, and possibly a big freighter that came down through the Great Lakes. Continue down Broadway (Mile 14) … hey this looks familiar. Yes, you overlap the course for about four blocks before turning right and crossing the Walnut Street Bridge. Enjoy the scenery and a cool breeze before turning right at the foot of the bridge. See the renovated Meyer Theater, St. Brendan’s Irish Inn, the Quality Inn, and the former train depot now the Chamber of Commerce before turning on the Fox River Trail at Cass Street.

The Fox River Trail is a former railroad track that was converted to a 10 foot-wide asphalted trail that takes you five miles along the river to De Pere. Along the way enjoy the trees, birds singing, beautiful homes overlooking the river, running under the Hwy 172 Bridge, Fox River Boat Landing and Voyageur Park.

As you approach the De Pere Locks and James Street, turn left going up a quick hill to Broadway Street, turning right and another right to cross the De Pere draw bridge. Mile 20 is near the first grate of the lift bridge. Look for a GU spot, water station and music on the West end of the bridge. Enjoy the historic buildings in downtown De Pere before turning right on Ft. Howard and following 6th and Birch through a residential area before coming back out on Ft. Howard.

Continue on Ft. Howard enjoying the music at Sonoco Paper, Ashwaubemay Park, Merrill Lynch, running under the west end of the Hwy 172 bridge (Mile 23), and past the National Railroad Museum. Look for more oranges, cookies and entertainment in this area before turning left on Collette at Ft. Howard Park. Run through a residential area on Crary to Potts Avenue. Turn left to cross the railroad tracks and run on Potts Avenue past The Bar featuring the Jimmy Buffet Parrot Heads party at Mile 25.

The final mile takes you on Oneida into the Lambeau Field Parking lot through the Packer Security Gate, up the ramp (single file please), through the player tunnel. As you near the end of the tunnel, check out the plaque on your left which reads: “Proud generations of Green Bay Packers players, World Champions a record 12 times, have run over this very concrete to greatness.” Enjoy your circle around the field. Be motivated by the music, see yourself on the Jumbo-tron, and imagine the Lambeau Leap in the end zone before heading back through the same historic player tunnel and back out through the parking lot. Cross Oneida Street and head down the finish chute on Armed Forces Drive. Don’t forget to smile for the photographers! Hear your name as you cross the finish line. You did it! You finished!! You are great!!!

The party is just beginning as you join us for locally brewed 26.2 beer, brats, cheese and lots of other food to celebrate and relax with friends and other runners.

NOTE: Water and Gatorade stations will be located at each mile beginning at the .5 mile mark. Port-a-potties will be located about every mile and one-half utilizing many of the parks. Don’t forget to smile along the way for the photographers out on the course!

Looking forward to seeing you along the way …

Jeanette Newhouse

Jeanette is the Asst. Race Director who, with an awesome group of volunteers, has been in charge of course details since 2001.

Cellcom continues to serve as the title sponsor of Green Bay’s only marathon since the event’s inception in 2000. As the title sponsor, Cellcom is committed to providing the latest race-day technology for participants and their families.

In partnership with NetNet, Cellcom will again offer live, web-based e-mail and text message results to track every runner’s progress. The timing system will trigger these results as runners cross one of the multiple timing mats on the course. The phone-a-friend bike team will also be present on the course, allowing runners to make free calls to family and friends as they move along the course.

As the largest locally owned and operated communications service provider in Northeastern Wisconsin, Cellcom prides itself on giving back to the communities it serves. “We’re proud to sponsor an event that has generated more than $135,000 for local charities,” said Patrick Riordan, president and CEO of Nsight Telservices, parent company of Cellcom.

Viewing the event as an extension of its strong reputation of providing extraordinary customer service, the company is key contributor in many facets of the race. From marketing to media relations to volunteering, Cellcom strives to ensure the marathon is a world-class event for participants and spectators alike.

Sean Ryan is the race director of the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon. In April, he will complete his tenth marathon by running the Boston Marathon. He carries his Cellcom wireless phone with him everywhere.

Jeanette Newhouse has been working for the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon since January of 2001 as course director, operations director and assistant race director. She is a recreational athlete who’s participated in various sports through the years (for the social value as well as fitness) and a huge supporter of the back-of-the-pack. She’s mom to three multi-sport children and involved in various booster clubs. On race day, Jeanette monitors the course, cheers runners on and ensures everyone makes it to the finish line!

ARE YOU FROM OUTSIDE THE GREEN BAY AREA?
If participating in the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon is bringing you into the Greater Green Bay area for a visit, click on over to PackerCountry.com. There you’ll find an exhaustive collection of information about the area including places to stay, things to do, places to eat and much, much more. We’re confident that once you visit Packer Country, you’ll consider it your home away from home. Click here.