I started a posting earlier this week to let people know I had resigned as Walking Director of the Columbus Marathon, but weather and Internet connection problems prevented it from posting.

Here’s the scoop. In September I resigned as Walking Director of the Columbus Marathon. It was within a week of finding out that all of the strides we had made in making the Columbus Marathon walker friendly were removed without consultation. I don’t know why everything was cut back because I was never given a reason. In fact, I didn’t even know until September. But what upset me the most was that they made changes to the Walking Division and never once discussed it with the two Walking Directors – me and Phil Heit. I’m even a member of the Running Community Advisory Committee, which is supposed to provide the marathon board with input from marathoners. I have been to only one meeting this year, so maybe I’m no longer a member and don’t know it.

Anyway, the delay in notification had a lot to do with not knowing what to say. I didn’t really want to trash the race, and I was pretty ticked to put it mildly. Also, they very nicely asked me to reconsider, and I was thinking about it. I decided to wait to see what they will do for next year. I don’t want walkers to think I condone the changes that were made.

Also, I had a booth at the Expo and I didn’t feel comfortable bad mouthing an organization that was doing business with me. From the number of walkers I saw, I’m confident they had a LOT more walkers than last year, and I’m sure it was because of the half-marathon option.

Because of injury (yes, it is still my IT band and I swear I will get to a doctor soon) I did not enter the half marathon as I had planned. I have been pushing for a half marathon for a long time, and wanted to support that. It was very weird sleeping in today. I have not done that on Marathon day in a long time!

I know I’m starting to ramble, but it has been a long weekend and I’m tired.

If you entered the Columbus Marathon, let us know what you thought of the event. And if you don’t like something, it would be a good idea to let the marathon staff know. (Of course, if you liked the event, you should tell them that, too.)

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