Marathon #7 and Anniversary #20

Well marathon #7 is now finished. This one was special though ... it was the New Las Vegas Marathon and it was held on December 4, 2005 the exact date of our 20th wedding anniversary.

Our anniversary started with a 4:00 a.m. wake up call from the hotel and the buzz of the alarm clock on the side of the bed. The race started at 6:00 a.m. and since we’re renewing our vows we need to be at the Mandalay Bay Hotel at 4:45 a.m. to meet up with the 24 other couples and race officials.

We had a quick bite to eat, a photo and we’re off to the hotel. Terry drove us in the rental car. It’s 4:30 a.m. and we have trouble getting there because the roads are already closed on the Strip. Terry drops us off as close as possible but in Vegas each hotel property is a full city block and we’re 3 hotels away (one mile)! We race through the hotels in our wedding finery to many stares from early morning gamblers and choruses of “congratulations!” from other runners on their way to the start line.

We make it to the appointed meeting spot at 5:05, just in time, thankfully! There are at least 20 Elvi there and the other couples in their wedding gear. The brides are generally the ones that have dressed up with each and every one wearing a veil of some kind. The grooms are less identifiable and Michael is the only one in a suit jacket! There is a definite buzz of excitement both about the wedding and the marathon.

We are treated like royalty by other runners and again there are choruses of “congratulations” and applause as we make our way through the casino as a group. At 5:45 a.m. the group (Elvi and couples) is escorted to the start line at the front of the 11,000 strong pack.

At the start line there are speeches from the Mayor and the Race Director who points out that there are 25 couples getting married at mile 5. The sun is just starting to rise and there’s definitely a crackle of excitement in the air that matches the fireworks that are set off just as the gun goes to start the race.

It was pretty cold (3-4 Celsius) with a cold wind blowing from the North at 40kph but we’re off running down the Strip with 11,000 others! The lights and sounds of the strip and thousands of pounding feet are everywhere.

As Michael and I make our way down the strip we see people running in all sorts of gear including one man who’s running barefoot and another wearing just a flesh coloured Speedo-type bathing suit. We’re congratulated by what seems every second runner. The women really seem to like that it’s our 20th anniversary on the exact day of the race. Spectators along the way call out their congratulations when they see my veil. It feels pretty darn special.

We reach the chapel, which is actually at the 5.5 mile point in just over an hour. Michael has never run that far before and we did it in a pretty fast pace. I clocked us at an 11:25/mile pace over the distance and it really didn’t feel like we were pushing it. We sort of expected to be the last couple to arrive at the chapel and we weren’t.

At the water station just before the chapel there were wedding cakes ready to be cut and there was a balloon arch across the street in front of the chapel. Terry and Connor are there with big smiles and hugs. Many of the Elvi are on the street high-fiving runners going by. At the chapel we’re given mylar blankets to keep us warm until the ceremony’s over. As well, there’s a bucket of hot water just in case anyone has “cold feet”. As well, there are lots of media there to take pictures and film the event for TV.

The Minister William Peterson gathers everyone together. The three couples who are actually getting married are at the front of the group. He uses the customary wedding script but adds in running references such as “Do you take this woman to be your wife and running partner”, and “Will you go the distance?” etc. During the ceremony Connor is right there with Michael and I as we renew our vows and Terry is close by taking photos.

Soon the ceremony is over and it’s time to rejoin the race. Lots of kisses going on and I leave Michael, Terry and Connor and continue on with the marathon. I leave my bouquet with Connor but I keep my baseball cap and veil. All along the course I get congratulations from runners and spectators. And then I get the next question, “Where’s the groom?” to which I answer, “I left him at the altar.” This retort gets much laughter followed by the exclamation of “Then you’re a runaway bride!”

I met up with Michael at mile 26 to kisses and hugs. I keep going and we meet up again at the finish line. Terry and Connor are there with noisemakers, hugs and flip-flops for my tired feet.

What a way to celebrate 20 years! Marriage is a lot like a marathon: it takes commitment and dedication and it can be gruelling but the joy that comes from it is undeniable!

Happy anniversary to my darling!

I'll post photos tomorrow ... in the meantime if you want to see some check out www.marathonfoto.com choose LAS VEGAS MARATHON, Last Name FORSYTH and bib # 9359.

Cheers