Whether they were small, local races or major marathons, Covid cancelled them. But some of the favorite races have gone virtual.
Joan Davis recently participated in a virtual run.
Davis said, “I participated in this virtual run because it benefits several local charities. I did my half marathon here in Sun City. I’ve done this run for many years and it has a fun aspect. The participants are encouraged to wear Human Hero costumes.”
The Virtual Human Race supports over 90 nonprofit organizations. The Virtual race events ran from April 21 to May 9, 2021.
What was Davis’s costume?
“As Plant-Based Joan, I always wear all green with vegetables all over and hanging from my hat. I was Vegan Venus.”
Did she have a route?
“I ran five times around Wildflower Lake and then ran once around the Fountain and back home. My husband, Larry, had made a finish tape for me to run through. My time was not remarkable, but my costume was. I enjoyed the run looking at the beautiful tulips that were in bloom here and listening to my music.”
Joan Davis placed second in the race in her category.
Davis said, “My twin sister Jean, runs with me most times. We love collecting fun medals. We ran a Christmas Marathon just for the Christmas tree medal. I tell my sister: we win if we just show up. Sometimes we are the only women.”
What was her first marathon?
“My racing career began in Greece. We were going on a cruise and there was an option to participate in the Athens Classic. That’s the one I wanted to do. But I hated jogging and it is 26.2 miles.”
The Athens Classic is perhaps the most difficult major marathon race. The course is uphill from the 10km mark to the 31km mark. It is the toughest uphill climb of any major marathon. The course begins in the town of Marathon, where it passes the tomb of the Athenian soldiers, and it traces a path near the coast through Nea Makri.
How did Davis prepare for it?
“I practiced and used my knowledge from my nursing skills and I have done fitness training. I knew I couldn’t just walk it because you have a nine-hour time frame to finish it. So, for six months I jogged listening to my cd player.”
Did she finish it?
“Yes. It was a vigorous course, a lot of hills. Just as I was reaching the brick wall an older gentleman ran by me. We both had shirts that identified us as first-timers. He pushed me through. We made it with 11 minutes to spare and in the stands of the huge Amphitheatre was my husband Larry cheering me on.”
Davis has enjoyed myriad other marathons as well.
“I’ve done many including the Chicago Marathon. There was one in San Antonio where the broom wagon was right behind me and they kept telling me to get on it and told me that I’d never finish it in time. The streets are only closed for certain hours and they have to get the runners off the road. By giving me that Challenge I was more determined to finish. I was wearing a hat with wings and that’s what got me through it.”
In marathons, many amateur runners join in and sometimes are not able to reach the finish line within the allocated time. The broom wagon puts an end to their race, and the runners have to hand in their numbers.
And if there isn’t a run on the schedule, Davis steps in.
Davis said, “I organized a Turkey Trot on a cruise. It was Thanksgiving, and I worked with the cruise director to get the event going and we even made medals to give. We had a lot of participants and people wore their medals to dinner with their evening attire.”
Sun City is promoting a series called “We made it.” It is a progressive Fun Walk series taking place on the second Saturday of each month for six months.
Davis said, “I encourage everyone to register for this fun event in Lifestyles.”
