Run It Fast Club members will be representing at the Boston Marathon this year! There will be quite a few members there from Tennessee, Mississippi, New York, Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, California, South Carolina, Oregon, and New Hampshire. They’ll all be going for the medal shown above, probably a PR too, and hopefully an Age Group win or two. Whatever their goals, we are so happy and proud that Run It Fast members will be running it fast from Hopkinton, up Heartbreak Hill, and across the finish line in Boston.

Check out our list of Run It Fast Club members who will be there and send them some good luck and well wishes:

RIF #159 Diane Bolton (Bib #26967) will be running her 4th Boston Marathon. Diane is a running machine and just recently completed marathons in Antarctica and Chile in her quest to run this world. Go Diane!

 RIF #28 Kenneth Williams (Bib #20561) has run Boston over 10 times. He’s not only a runner but a coach as well and has travelled the world to run marathons. You can follow him on Twitter here @MarathonKoach and check out his Run It Fast Profile here for more fun facts: Kenneth Williams Profile.

RIF #105 Kathy Shirley (Bib #20098) will be running her 3rd Boston Marathon. You can follow Kathy on Twitter @ipoddess

RIF #92 Steven Lee (Bib #6645) will be running his first Boston Marathon this year. He completed his 50 States quest at the Honolulu Marathon in December and has run a sub 4 marathon in all 50 states. You can follow him on Twitter here: @steventlee

RIF #206 Gary Krugger (Bib #309) will be running his 5th Boston on Monday. He ran a 2:44:48 there last year…when it was hot. It will be exciting to see what he does this year with better weather.

RIF #124 Michelle Walker (Bib #13916) will be running her 1st Boston Marathon. She also just recently completed marathons in Chile and Antarctica. You can follow her on Twitter here @MarathonMomof6, read about her Road to Boston here: Road to Boston, or check out her profile to learn more about her here: Michelle Walker Profile.

RIF #79 Dallas Smith (Bib #18431) will be running his 6th Boston Marathon on Monday. The last 2 years, Dallas finished 2nd in his Age Group! Go Dallas! He also holds quite a few Age records in the state of Tennesse. You can follow him on Twitter here @smithbend and check out his blog here: http://dallasfallsforward.blogspot.com/.

RIF #70 Chuck Engle (Bib #276) “Marathon Junkie” has run a sub 3 hour marathon in all 50 states and has over 275 sub 3 hour marathons on his resume. You can follow him on Twitter here: @MarathonJunkie and read more about him on his blog here: MarathonJunkie.

RIF #101 David Wingard (Bib #19810) will be running his 2nd Boston Marathon. He just completed his quest to run a marathon in each state at the Walt Disney World Marathon. You can follow him on Twitter here: @CockyDW.

RIF #261 Kerri Haskins (Bib #23693) will be running her 1st Boston Marathon. Kerri is on a quest to run a marathon in every state and has only 5 states to go! You can follow her on Twitter here @khrunner0815 and check out her Run It Fast Profile for more fun running facts here: Kerri Haskins Profile.

RIF #139 JD Leman (Bib #3575) is running his 1st Boston Marathon on Monday. It will be only his 4th full marathon. You can follow JD on Twitter here: @lefthash.

RIF #69 Nadia Ruiz Gonzales (Bib #8682) Nadia has completed over 90 marathons and has qualified for Boston over 50 times! You can learn more about her on her Facebook page Nadia Ruiz/Athlete or by checking out her blog: Nadia The Runner. You can also follow her on Twitter here: @IrongirlNadia.

If we left you off it wasn’t intentional. Just message us RunItFast@gmail.com and we’ll add you to the list!!! 🙂

Quite a list, isn’t it? Good luck to everyone running! We will be following along on Monday to see what they are up to. We hope you’ll join us on Monday too and follow along to get the latest info on all the Run It Fast Club members…and oh, yeah…the elites who will be running as well. 😉

If you’d like to join Run It Fast – The Club or would like more information about it, please click this link:

Run It Fast – The Club (JOIN TODAY)

Below is the complete list of elite men and women runners for the 117th Boston Marathon that takes place on April 15, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Best of luck to these elite runners and all of the Run It Fast – Club members who are running on Monday as well.

Here is a look at where everyone is running this weekend. We had 29 responses this week. Good luck to everyone and Run It Fast!

To join Run It Fast – The Club then click HERE to read more details.

WHERE RUN IT FAST RUNNERS ARE RUNNING THIS WEEKEND (APR 13-15, 2013)

Storified by Joshua Holmes· Fri, Apr 12 2013 11:58:00

Here is a sneak peak at the finisher’s medal for the 2013 Boston Marathon that will be held on April 15, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts.

It’s similar to the traditional Boston Marathon design of years past with a few small alterations.

What do you think of this year’s design?

Check back with us on April 15 for live blog coverage of this year’s event.

The following is a guest post by RIF #124 Michelle Walker:

Road to Boston

by Michelle Walker

Do you have a bucket list? Do you have goals to check off? My big dream for the past 5.5 years has been to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I thought this would be an easy goal to check off.  With the proper training, I knew I could accomplish this goal 5.5 years ago when I ran my very first marathon in Phoenix, AZ.

When I stepped up to the starting line of the 2007 PF Chang’s RnR Marathon in Phoenix, I was very hopeful that I could qualify. I had never run a marathon before, but I have always been a hard worker. I knew that I put in the proper training to earn a spot at the starting line.  Thanks to the encouragement from one of my fellow travelers, I was even confident that I could achieve my Boston Marathon time goal. When the starting gun was fired, I took off. I ran fast. I ran hard. I was feeling good. The sun was shining; temps were unusually cool; and the course was flat. My “I’m going to Boston” euphoria kicked in right away and lasted until well, just mile 16 where I had my first encounter with the infamous “Wall”. I had 10.2 (and the .2 is significant) miles to go; yet, my legs would not move. They were done. Finished. Kaput.  I was quickly humbled as the pace teams who I had hoped to beat progressively passed me. How was I going to make it to the finish line, let alone finish under a BQ standard?

My first effort to remedy the situation was to grab an energy gel. At this point (mile 17), I was on the brink of nausea. A voice inside my head told me not to take the gel packet the smiling race volunteer handed to me. I had never taken this brand or flavor of gel before: a big “no no” in marathon running. (We are taught to mimic our race day during our training runs. There should be no new elements during the race.) In desperate need for energy, I threw the cardinal rule of marathoning out the window.  I inhaled the Cliff brand gel pack as if it were my ticket to the finish line. My upset stomach immediately revolted. I had to move to the sidelines where I literally started to gag. Hundreds of runners passed me while I tried to regain my running composure. Some how, I kept the contents of my stomach inside, as I alternated between walking and running for the next nine miles. I made it to the finish line, but I did not experience the euphoria that so many runners have when they complete their first marathon. Instead, I felt deflated.

The Boston Marathon is the mecca for many long distance runners. The race has a rich history. Having to qualify with a time from a previous marathon creates an exclusive environment. This race is the big badge of honor in the marathon world. The exclusive entry is coveted by most long distance runners.

Due to the increasing popularity of marathon running, the Boston Marathon has become more stringent on their time qualifications. The marathon has set the bar even higher on its standards, making it more difficult to get in. For example, I am in the 40-44 year old age group for females. When I started marathon running, my qualifying time was 3:50. I spent several years training hard, trying to break the 3:50 barrier. About two years ago, the Boston Marathon tightened everyone’s time qualifications because the race was filling up at record pace. To my dismay, my qualifying time of 3:50 was changed to 3:45. When this change occurred, I must admit. I started to lose hope. A time of 3:45 or less seemed like an impossibility.

After the near disaster first marathon experience, I was on a mission. I would train even harder and eventually qualify for Boston! Ironically, my second marathon proved to be even more of a tragedy than my first. I was unable to complete the race, despite my efforts. I learned quickly that the marathon distance was to be respected. I have never been a natural athlete, but I had no idea how much work was ahead of me in order to check the Boston Marathon from my bucket list.

I spent the next five years of my fitness life working on my running endurance. Granted, I did have a baby during that time but even during my pregnancy I trained (under my doctor’s guidelines). I immediately went back to marathoning after the birth of my sixth child, running the WDW Marathon six months postpartum.

Over time I found the more marathons I ran, the better my endurance. The better my endurance, the faster my marathon times. The infamous “Wall” disappeared as I adjusted to the distance. Since January of 2012, I have run 24 marathons. This high frequency of marathon running is not recommended by the experts. For me, however, it works.

I am fortunate that over my 5.5 years of marathoning, I have never had an injury. Nothing. Nada. For me, the best form of training has been the marathon itself. I found myself using each marathon as a training run for the next race. I kept plugging away; logging marathon after marathon. Progressively, I was getting faster and faster.

Five years and 29 marathons after my first race disaster in Phoenix, something clicked. I started consistently running each of my marathons below the 4 hour time mark. This is generally considered to be a quick pace in the marathon world, but my times were still not meeting the new stringent BQ standards.

It wasn’t until I ventured to the mile high city of Denver (where altitude was a factor) in May of this year that I finally crossed the finish line about 15 seconds under the time I needed to qualify for  Boston. I was elated! It took me 38 marathons; five years and 4 months for my dream to become reality.

Since May, I have run ten other BQ times. Little by little, I am shaving even more time off my marathons. I am occasionally placing in my age group; sometimes even placing as one of the top three overall females in the marathon.

On April 15, 2013 when I step up to the starting line of the Boston Marathon, I am sure I will be flooded with a myriad of emotions. What I originally thought to be a short term goal turned into a very long and arduous journey. My road to Boston is one that I will never trade. I have learned so much about myself during the process of seeing this dream come true. I am not the same person who stepped up to the starting line of a marathon in Phoenix more than 5.5 years ago. The confidence that I have gained by realizing how strong, tenacious and persistent I am has been life changing.

If you don’t already have one, I encourage you to make a bucket list. It is rewarding to have goals. It is even more fulfilling to accomplish the goals through your own efforts, no matter how long the journey. Dream big and work hard!

BQing at Colfax Marathon

***

If you’d like to know more about Michelle, you can follow her on Twitter @MarathonMomof6 and/or check out the profile we did on her here: Run It Fast – Club Member Profile – Michelle Walker #124

Former New England Patriots all-pro and current ESPN commentator Tedy Bruschi ran and finished the 2012 Boston Marathon on Monday.

He completed the course, along with his wife Heidi Bruschi, with a finishing time of 5:26:02.

Heidi beat out the old linebacker by a second (they ran it together) in 5:26:01.  They hit the halfway point at 2:31:25.

Tedy ran to raise money for stroke survivors. Bruschi suffered a mild stroke in 2005 just days after playing in the Pro Bowl.

Related 2012 Boston Marathon Links:

• Wesley Korir Wins the 116th Boston Marathon (Results)
• Sharon Cherop Wins the 2012 Boston Marathon (Female Results)
• 116th Boston Marathon Live Blog (2012)
• Good Luck to all Run It Fast Members Running the Boston Marathon
• BAA’s Latest Heat Warning to Runners for Monday’s Boston Marathon
• Boston Marathon Offering Deferments to Runners for 2013 Race Due to Projected Heat
• 2012 Boston Marathon Field of Elite Runners
• Tom Gounley Plans to Juggle (The Entire Way) While Running the Boston Marathon
• Boston Marathon Elevation Chart
• Runners Respond to Marathonjunkie’s Boston Marathon Charity Runners Comments
• Marathonjunkie’s Controversial Comments on Boston Marathon Charity Runners Stirs Debate

Kenyan Wesley Korir won the 116th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 16, 2012, with a time of 2:12:40.

Korir said afterwards in his come from behind victory, “So let me go at a consistent pace and let me see if I can catch up with them.”

“Near mile 20, someone shouted that I was in sixth. I knew if I went too hard, too soon, that I would cramp up. I saw the guys in front of me and I thought, ‘Let me get fifth.’ Then I passed the guy in fourth and I thought wow, ‘I could get fourth.’ When I saw the guy in front of him, I thought, ‘Wow, I could get on the podium.'”

Korir took home $150,000.00 for winning the Boston Marathon.

Kenyans rounded out the podium with Levy Matebo in second place and Kipyego in third.

American Jason Hartmann took 4th place.

2012 Boston Marathon Elite Male Results

1. Wesley Korir (KEN) – 2:12:40
2. Levy Matebo (KEN)- 2:13:06
3. Bernard Kipyego (KEN) – 2:13:13
4. Jason Hartmann (USA) – 2:14:30
5. Wilson Chebet (KEN) – 2:14:56
6. Laban Korir (KEN) – 2:15:29
7. Michel Butter (NED) – 2:16:38
8. David Barmasai (KEN) – 2:17:16
9. Hideaki Tamura (JPN) – 2:18:15
10. Mathew Kisorio (KEN) – 2:18:15
11. Tim Chichester (USA) – 2:21:10
12. Sergio Reyes (USA) – 2:22:06
13. Brendan Martin (USA) – 2:22:32
14. Geb Gebremariam (ETH) – 2:22:56
15. Uli Steidl (USA) – 2:23:08

Related 2012 Boston Marathon Links:

• Wesley Korir Wins the 116th Boston Marathon (Results)
• Sharon Cherop Wins the 2012 Boston Marathon (Female Results)
• 116th Boston Marathon Live Blog (2012)
• Good Luck to all Run It Fast Members Running the Boston Marathon
• BAA’s Latest Heat Warning to Runners for Monday’s Boston Marathon
• Boston Marathon Offering Deferments to Runners for 2013 Race Due to Projected Heat
• 2012 Boston Marathon Field of Elite Runners
• Tom Gounley Plans to Juggle (The Entire Way) While Running the Boston Marathon
• Boston Marathon Elevation Chart
• Runners Respond to Marathonjunkie’s Boston Marathon Charity Runners Comments
• Marathonjunkie’s Controversial Comments on Boston Marathon Charity Runners Stirs Debate

[photo: LA Marathon]

Sharon Cherop, of Kenya, was the female winner of the 2012 Boston Marathon in a close finish of 2:31:50 for a two-second victory over fellow countrywoman Jemima Sumgong (2:31:52)

Georgina Rono completed the podium sweep for Kenya in 2:33:09.

2012 Boston Marathon Elite Female Results

1. Sharon Cherop (KEN) – 2:31:50
2. Jemima Sumgong (KEN)- 2:31:52
3. Georgina Rono (KEN)- 2:33:09
4. Firehiwot Dado (ETH) – 2:34:56
5. Diana Siegi (KEN) – 2:35:40
6. Rita Jeptoo (KEN)- 2:35:53
7. Mayumi Fujita (JPN)- 2:39:11
8. Nadezdha Leonteva (RUS) – 2:40:40
9. Svetlana Pretot (FRA) – 2:40:50
10. Sheri L. Piers (USA) – 2:41:55

Related 2012 Boston Marathon Links:

• Wesley Korir Wins the 116th Boston Marathon (Results)
• Sharon Cherop Wins the 2012 Boston Marathon (Female Results)
• 116th Boston Marathon Live Blog (2012)
• Good Luck to all Run It Fast Members Running the Boston Marathon
• BAA’s Latest Heat Warning to Runners for Monday’s Boston Marathon
• Boston Marathon Offering Deferments to Runners for 2013 Race Due to Projected Heat
• 2012 Boston Marathon Field of Elite Runners
• Tom Gounley Plans to Juggle (The Entire Way) While Running the Boston Marathon
• Boston Marathon Elevation Chart
• Runners Respond to Marathonjunkie’s Boston Marathon Charity Runners Comments
• Marathonjunkie’s Controversial Comments on Boston Marathon Charity Runners Stirs Debate

Live video feed via Universal Sports of the 116th Boston Marathon taking place on April 16, 2012.

Related 2012 Boston Marathon Links:

• 116th Boston Marathon Live Blog (2012)
• Good Luck to all Run It Fast Members Running the Boston Marathon
• BAA’s Latest Heat Warning to Runners for Monday’s Boston Marathon
• Boston Marathon Offering Deferments to Runners for 2013 Race Due to Projected Heat
• 2012 Boston Marathon Field of Elite Runners
• Tom Gounley Plans to Juggle (The Entire Way) While Running the Boston Marathon
• Boston Marathon Elevation Chart
• Runners Respond to Marathonjunkie’s Boston Marathon Charity Runners Comments
• Marathonjunkie’s Controversial Comments on Boston Marathon Charity Runners Stirs Debate

Canadian Josh Cassidy set a new world record on Monday in the push-rim (wheelchair) at the 2012 Boston Marathon with a beast-mode time of 1:18:25.

“You know I forced myself to not look back.”

Epic finish in the women’s push rim as Shirley Reilly (USA) beat 2011 winner Wakako Tsuchida with a time of 1:37:36.