Baltimore Marathon

Heading home after a tough day at work, Jeremy Haugh is beat — too tired, he knows, to run. Someone else has other ideas. Routinely, Haugh said, as he pulls his SUV into the driveway of the family's home in Charlottesville, Va., 8-year-old Jeremiah awaits, on the porch, flapping his arms excitedly in the air. That's the best he can do to tell his father he's ready to go. Haugh shrugs, smiles and hugs his son. Moments later, having changed...

The recent article about the status of the Baltimore Grand Prix and Downforce Racing suggests the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) stalled the Baltimore Sun's efforts to secure material through the Public Information Act to prevent a public relations embarrassment for the promoter ("Slow Grand Prix start," April 5). That is not the case, and I would like to clarify the status of the agreement. First, MSA has virtually no financial exposure to Downforce Racing or the financial success of the 2012 Baltimore Grand Prix.

It isn't by coincidence that Lee DiPietro will be running in Saturday's Baltimore Marathon. DiPietro, after all, was a runner and marathoner before she was a triathlete. "I started out doing marathons when I was 26," said the 44-year-old from Ruxton. "The first race I ever did was the New York Marathon. The longest run I had done was maybe 11 miles. I evolved into triathlons from running." A decade of competing in triathlons on the professional level, however, changed her perspective, and, by the age of 40, she found her priorities had changed, as well.

Tired of pounding 26.2 miles along city streets and highways? Looking for something to do after stuffing yourself on Thanksgiving dinner? Trying to find one more race to qualify for the marathon on most runners' bucket lists - Boston - in 2012? The Northern Central Trail Marathon, scheduled for Nov. 26 at 9 a.m. in Sparks, might help you in each of those areas. Though there are no spots left in the two-person team or relay competition, there are remaining spots in the 550-person field for those interested in going the distance themselves.

Perhaps Baltimore would be better served by focusing on foot races like the recent marathon instead of motor sports such as the Baltimore Grand Prix. Many contestants entered the highly successful marathon, which raised a considerable amount of money for charity. It also required a minimum amount of preparation and was very environmentally friendly. By contrast, the IndyCar race required that trees be cut down, streets closed and barricades erected, plus it increased air pollution with the fumes from all those car engines.

During a January trip to Ethiopia, Clay Shaw noticed just how world-renowned the Under Armour Baltimore Marathon has become. A few locals sauntered through the running-rich streets of Addis Ababa in T-shirts emblazoned with the marathon's logo, while runners familiar with Shaw's work protracted his name to "Clay Shaw, Baltimore Marathon. " In his 10 years as the elite athlete coordinator for the event — basically, he ensures that top runners come here to compete — Shaw has fitted some of the best international runners with bibs in the Baltimore Marathon.

There is more to training for a marathon than running a few laps around the track. Finishing 26.2 miles, or even getting to the starting line, takes attention to some details about eating and hydrating, miles covered, and aches and pains. Dr. John Senatore, avid runner and chief of podiatry in Union Memorial Hospital's sports medicine department, talks about what to do — and what not to do — as next week's Baltimore Running Festival approaches. What should runners, particularly first-time marathoners, do in the last week before the race so they feel good on race day?

The Baltimore Marathon will be held tomorrow. Motorists should expect delays throughout the day and are encouraged to use alternate routes.The following streets will be affected by the marathon from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Streets affected: Russell St., Camden St., Paca St., McCulloh St., McMechen St., Eutaw Place, Druid Park Lake Dr., 28th St., St. Paul St., Light St., Montgomery St., Hanover St., Fort Ave., Towson St., Marriott St., Hull St., Woodall...

If you go The Baltimore Marathon starts at Russell and Camden streets at 8 a.m. Saturday. Spectators can watch the race for free at dozens of locations along the route. For more information, go to thebaltimoremarathon.com. Street closures for 2009 Baltimore Marathon * Corner of Russell and Camden: closed at 6 a.m. for setup * Paca to McCulloh: closed from 7 to 8:30 a.m. * McCulloh to Greenspring: closed from 7:10 to 8:50 a.m. * Greenspring to Beechwood to Mansion House to Hanlon to East to Wyman Park Drive (in Druid Hill Park)

This year's Baltimore Marathon will include a number of themed legs along the course. These miles will pay tribute to the city's most celebrated people and places. Volunteers along the course will cheer on the runners while dressed in garb that corresponds to that mile's theme. Mile 4: The Baltimore Believe mile Mile 8: A salute to Cal Ripken Mile 11: The Francis Scott Key mile Mile 14: A tribute to Little Italy Mile 19: The Johnny Unitas mile Mile 22: A 33rd Street bash for Eddie Murray Catching a glimpse According to organizers, the best points to see your favorite runner are these: Starting line Mile 8 Mile 13/Half-marathon starting line Finish line

Like many veteran marathoners, Bob Pohl always had an eye on the clock. "I used to tell my wife that if I drop in a race to stop my watch because I don't want to go to the hereafter with a bad time," he said. "The joke was funnier before. " The 55-year-old Marriottsville runner did collapse during a race. He was about 200 feet from the finish line of the Baltimore half-marathon on Oct. 15 when a blockage in a main artery stopped his blood from flowing - and his heart from beating.

Perhaps Baltimore would be better served by focusing on foot races like the recent marathon instead of motor sports such as the Baltimore Grand Prix. Many contestants entered the highly successful marathon, which raised a considerable amount of money for charity. It also required a minimum amount of preparation and was very environmentally friendly. By contrast, the IndyCar race required that trees be cut down, streets closed and barricades erected, plus it increased air pollution with the fumes from all those car engines.

Shame on you. What an embarrassment The Sun's coverage of the Baltimore Marathon was. Accompanying the article describing "one of the most thrilling finishes in the event's 11 year history" you chose to offer photos of a bunch of runners-up approaching the finish line and photos of the racers interacting with the animals at the zoo. Buried on page 16 of the sports section were pictures of the two winners, Stephan Muange of Kenya and Olena...

As a cross country and track runner, I am astonished that a first-time runner won the Baltimore Marathon ("Kenyan Muange wins Baltimore Marathon in his first race at that distance," Oct. 15). Having never run a marathon before, I can't say I know what it feels like from personal experience. But I do know the difficulty of trying to pace yourself correctly and push past the pain that hits you in the middle of a race. From what my coach tells me, your legs begin to go numb from the constant pounding on the road.

Now entering its third week, Occupy Baltimore has settled into its appropriated digs at the Inner Harbor, taking regular deliveries of pizzas and camping out overnight for what its website calls an Indefinitely Long Peaceful Demonstration. Emphasis on "indefinitely. " The protesters, part of what has become a global movement to highlight income disparity, aren't saying - and probably don't even know - exactly how long they'll remain on McKeldin Square, the triangular plaza at Light and Pratt streets.

The following parking restrictions will be implemented on Saturday, October 15, 2011: ∙ Linwood Avenue from Eastern Avenue to Fayette Street 12:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ∙ Eastern Avenue (north side) from Linwood to Patterson Park Avenues 12:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ∙ Boston Street (north side) from Aliceanna Street to Lakewood Avenue 2:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ∙ Lancaster Street from President Street to Central Avenue 4:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ∙ 33rd Street from Hillen Road to Guilford Avenue 4:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. ∙ Eutaw Street (west side)

The men's marathon at the Athens Olympics ranks near the top of road racing's great catastrophes. Mindaugas Pukstas just wishes he had been close enough to see the crash. The 27-year-old Lithuanian, who lives and trains in Oklahoma, is among the men who think they have the goods to make Saturday's Baltimore Marathon their first victory at the classic distance. His most vivid experience over 26.2 miles came at the 2004 Olympics, where the breeze off the Aegean Sea couldn't reach a course that concocted some of the most severe conditions to ever greet an international field.

Lee Corrigan still remembers the first Baltimore Marathon 11 years ago, when just 6,000 runners took part in the festivities and the city barely stopped to notice. The event's founder faced plenty of doubters, many who didn't believe Corrigan and his agency could make the event significant to the community or to the country's top-notch runners. Thinking back to those days, Corrigan laughs. Now, he's trying to find a place for 25,000 runners in preparation for the biggest Baltimore Marathon in event history Saturday.

Heading home after a tough day at work, Jeremy Haugh is beat — too tired, he knows, to run. Someone else has other ideas. Routinely, Haugh said, as he pulls his SUV into the driveway of the family's home in Charlottesville, Va., 8-year-old Jeremiah awaits, on the porch, flapping his arms excitedly in the air. That's the best he can do to tell his father he's ready to go. Haugh shrugs, smiles and hugs his son. Moments later, having changed...