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September 2001
NEWS
Campaign finance reform
becomes a crucial platform issue
IMPRESSIONS
Editorial: Welcome to
the Pittsburgh Standard
Letters to the
editor:
Two powerhouses govern the
people in different ways
Bush power to the rescue
BUSINESS
Finding the right
priced textbook
FEATURE
Cruising the Burgh on
foot
EXPRESSIONS
Chi Alpha ministries
makes an impact
The Newman Club offers
Catholics hope
Moral law or religious
banter: The debate over the 10 Commandments continues
SPORTS
Jaromir Jagr makes
capital with the Capitals
The Great Race: For the
elite and slow of feet
The pampered life of a
college athlete
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September online edition
SPORTS
The pampered life of a college athlete
Kate Langdon
Pittsburgh Standard
Every year in late September, the
city of Pittsburgh readies itself for the annual Great Race, a 10-kilometer (6.2
miles) road race attracting participants from around the world to brave the
challenge of its fast and exciting course.
Organizers of the Great Race seek
to accommodate the desires of all levels of runners, not only by offering an
alternative to the 10k in the form of a 5k race, but also by developing a racing
course which traverses a steady downgrade, dropping 400 feet from start to
finish, producing faster times for the leaders and less difficulty for
beginners.
The two races typically draw
approximately 7,000 runners. Whether new to Pittsburgh or a long-time
inhabitant, the Great Race welcomes all and the sense of belonging is
inescapable as every individual undergoes the same experience in the process of
completing the race.
Furthermore, the Great Race
provides an opportunity that is unique to the sport of running, and that is the
chance for beginners to compete in the same event at the same time as some of
the sport’s top athletes in the world. Is this found in football? Only if the
XFL had managed to survive. Baseball? Come on, the Pirates are starting to
perform at a much higher level. What about NASCAR? I can only dream! The
point being that this rare scenario should be seized by all and relished from
start to finish.
To many, the thought of running
one mile, let alone the 6.2 that comprise the Great Race’s course, conjures up
images of retching along the side of the road or collapsing from heat stroke.
Or possibly suffering through days of soreness that completely incapacitates the
body. However, such maladies are unnecessary if the proper training is utilized
in preparation for the race.
For first time runners, a very
helpful training schedule can be found at
www.halhigdon.com/tenk/training.html. However, regardless of your level of
fitness, it is important to keep in mind that in a race of this size it is easy
to let your adrenaline take over at the beginning of a race, which will cause
much greater pain and difficulty in the latter miles. Be sure to pace yourself
throughout the race and to not get too carried away on the downhills. With
adequate training, anyone can not only complete, but also enjoy running either
the 5k or 10k events for the Great Race.
This year’s event, which marks
the 25th Anniversary, will be held on Sunday, September 30. The 10k
will begin at 9:30 am and the 5k at 8:30 am. The fee for either race is $16 by
September 7 and $22 thereafter. Be aware that no registrations are accepted on
the day of the race. All other relevant information, including online
registration, is available at
www.rungreatrace.com.
Good luck to all who become a
part of the throng of runners vying for a portion of the more than $20,000 in
cash prizes. I won’t see a penny of it, but I am going to revel in the
experience nonetheless!
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Volume I: Issue I
Editorial Board
Jeremy Day:
Editor in Chief
Kensley Lewis:
Layout Editor
Matthew Bell:
Copy Editor
Center for Life and Family:
Publisher
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