Welcome to the lush lands where running dreams become reality, where your passion for life will blossom. The Savannah of The Safari is where your life will be transformed as you commence on your journey to train for your fall half or full marathon. Here, you will experience that life truly is a journey, rather than a destination. Let us begin exploration by downloading a Safari Registration.
You can also learn more and meet many of the friendly Safari Team members from Gazelle Sports and Kalamazoo Area Runners at one of two FREE orientation sessions to be held at the Kalamazoo Gazelle Sports:
Wednesday, May 30, 6 pm
Wednesday, June 13, 6 pm
Yes, just like school, there are several prerequisites! In order to fully prepare for the adventure of a lifetime, all marathon training applicants must be able to run 6 miles by the start of the program. We also ask that all incoming Safari run the Kalamazoo Klassic on June 16 (or another 10k) to obtain a recent 10k time. This is important so that we can determine your VDOT and accurately assess proper pacing for your lactate threshold workouts. Half Marathon applicants not prepared to run a 10k may opt for the 5k instead, which can be converted.
New this year, the Safari will run from June 23 - October 20 and will target the Grand Rapids Marathon to be held Sunday, October 28, 2007. The cap for Grand Rapids Marathon is 1,250, so don’t delay until the very end to sign up or you may find yourself locked out. The popular Chicago Marathon is now closed to new registrants other than through charity organizations. There are a few spots available for the Chicago Marathon through Team Tiara. Runners would have to be willing to pay a $500 registration fee – which would cover their entry into Chicago and also their $262 minimum fundraising goal for GOTR For more information contact Sandy Barry Loken at sandy@girlsontherunkazoo.org.
Wednesday, May 30, 6 pm
Wednesday, June 13, 6 pm
Yes, just like school, there are several prerequisites! In order to fully prepare for the adventure of a lifetime, all marathon training applicants must be able to run 6 miles by the start of the program. We also ask that all incoming Safari run the Kalamazoo Klassic on June 16 (or another 10k) to obtain a recent 10k time. This is important so that we can determine your VDOT and accurately assess proper pacing for your lactate threshold workouts. Half Marathon applicants not prepared to run a 10k may opt for the 5k instead, which can be converted.
New this year, the Safari will run from June 23 - October 20 and will target the Grand Rapids Marathon to be held Sunday, October 28, 2007. The cap for Grand Rapids Marathon is 1,250, so don’t delay until the very end to sign up or you may find yourself locked out. The popular Chicago Marathon is now closed to new registrants other than through charity organizations. There are a few spots available for the Chicago Marathon through Team Tiara. Runners would have to be willing to pay a $500 registration fee – which would cover their entry into Chicago and also their $262 minimum fundraising goal for GOTR For more information contact Sandy Barry Loken at sandy@girlsontherunkazoo.org.
Plenty of other great marathon options as well as unbiased participant ratings can be found at http://www.marathonguide.com/. We recommend you conduct your research, select a marathon and make hotel reservations early as rooms are booked further and further in advance, even sometimes for small marathons. Gazelle Sports has blocked off 50 rooms at the Congress Hotel for the Chicago Marathon...information will be forthcoming.
The Half Marathon schedule will target the Park to Park Half at www.classicrace.com on September 29, 2007 or can also target Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon at www.torontowaterfronthalfmarathon.com
September 30, 2007. More information on half marathons can be found at www.half2run.com
The Kalamazoo Area Runners will be holding informal Pre-Safari training runs of various distances beginning May 5 and running through June 9. All runners are welcome! Bring your own hydration.
The schedule is as follows:
All Runs (except races) Begin at 7:00 am!
April 28, 2007 Borgess Run for the Health of It!
May 5, 2007 Bicentennial Trail
Kilgore Road Entrance
Post Run Hot Spot: Panera Bread
May 12, 2007 Borgess Health & Fitness
Park far from building in North Lot or in South Lot
Post Run Hot Spot: Beaners on Gull Road
All Runs (except races) Begin at 7:00 am!
April 28, 2007 Borgess Run for the Health of It!
May 5, 2007 Bicentennial Trail
Kilgore Road Entrance
Post Run Hot Spot: Panera Bread
May 12, 2007 Borgess Health & Fitness
Park far from building in North Lot or in South Lot
Post Run Hot Spot: Beaners on Gull Road
May 19, 2007 Gull Lake
Bayview Gardens Lot
Post Run Hot Spot: Fronas
May 26, 2007 Portage YMCA
Park in East Lot
Post Run Hot Spot: Full City Café – Centre St
June 2, 2007 Gazelle Sports
No Explanation Needed!
Post Run Hot Spot: Irvings
June 9, 2007 Special-Lite, Inc, Decatur
860 South Williams Street.
Take Exit 56 off of I-94. Turn west at traffic light. Turn left at
Marathon Station. Special-Lite is on the right less than one mile
From gas station.
Post Run Hot Spot: We’ll find one!
June 16, 2007 Kalamazoo Klassic
The excitement mounts….and as quoted by Grand Rapids Marathon Race Director Don Kern, the Adventure Begins…..
