Celebrating Denise's 3 marathons in 1 month (and 2 continents)

Rank Stranger Denise Meacham had quite a month of marathoning, notching races #47, #48 and #49 in just one month.

Denise Meacham on the Chicago Marathon course, Oct. 7, 2018

First, she and Randy raced in Berlin on the day Eliud Kipchoge set the world record of 2:01:39.  That was Sept. 16.

She entered the lottery with the thought of connecting with one of her foreign exchange student daughters. And then forgot about it.

Next was the traditional favorite, hometown race Chicago on Oct. 7.  (Randy ran this one too).

Finally - rounding out the month - back to Europe to run the Munich marathon on Oct. 14.  Another foreign exchange student connection - friends and family of the Portuguese daughter.

Next?  The Boston Marathon on April 25, 2019.

2018 Chicago Marathon watch party - Results

It was yet another successful Chicago Marathon for Rank Strangers Randy and Denise Meacham this morning - both cracking 4 hours just two weeks after doing the same in the Berlin Marathon.

Meacham high school exchange students Amanda and Katrine joined son Joe to volunteer at an aid station - tough duty starting at about 5am.  They met me and shuttled to the 22 mile mark to cheer on their heroes.  Then on to the finish in Grant Park.


Amanda, Katrine, Joe, Denise, Randy

Randy and Denise graciously complied with my viewing plan (Link ).  I regret not seeing teammate Peter Wagner on the course.  I was at LaSalle and Chicago when he went through, but he eluded my camera.

Denise at mile 3



Randy and Denise met on the course at about the
11 mile mark - just in time for me to get this picture.  The
reunion was short-lived - Randy went on to finish about
15 minutes ahead of Denise.

Randy with 3 miles to go 

Denise was "taking it easy", meaning high 5's and selfies
along the course.  She's due to run the Munich Marathon
next weekend, Oct. 14.  You read that right: Oct. 14, 2018

While waiting for Randy and Denise in front of Walter Payton Prep on Wells Street (near the 11 mile mark) I observed a late-joiner - a runner clipped on a bib and joined the course.  I tracked the cheater's progress using the race app; she "finished" in 3:46, a few minutes behind Randy.  I don't like to think there was much of this sort of treachery out there this morning.

1. The "15 mile marathoner" got assistance clipping on the race bib

2. She's off, stripping off the over shirt that was required for
spectators which she was herself, just minutes before.

3. Blending in with the crowd, on her way to a medal.

A few more photos:

Vision impaired runners were inspirational.

The guy on the right has one leg- no problem.

Wet and chilly in the early going - these folks MAY have
overdone it with the plastic bags



2018 Chicago Marathon watch party

I will continue my tradition of rooting on the Meachams -- long-time Rank Strangers -- and then chaperoning their foreign exchange students at the very end of the Chicago Marathon (Sunday, Oct. 7).

I will use the viewing plan laid out in 2015   https://rankstrangers.blogspot.com/2015/10/chicago-marathon-viewing-plan.html See last year's write-up (with pictures)
http://rankstrangers.blogspot.com/2017/09/rank-stranger-watch-party-oct-8-2017.html

Randy Meacham's ETA for meet-ups at my three spots -

3.5 -- 8:00 AM

11.1 -- 8:55 AM

23.1 -- 10:35 AM

I'll use the Chicago Marathon app to help find Denise Meacham as well as Peter Wagner, another Rank Stranger in the race.


The course is marked (LaSalle & Chicago)

My getup for race day

Rank Strangers eye another Hood To Coast appearance

(2-Nov-2018) Eric was notified we were not selected for 2019.   

Dear 2019 Hood To Coast Applicant, Thank you for submitting a team entry in the 38th annual Providence Hood To Coast Relay. Your team's application was one of over 3,800 postmarked on "Opening Day" of registration. Unfortunately, your team was not one of the 1,050 teams drawn for the 2019 Relay. Hood To Coast has filled the team limit for the past 28 years. RAISE YOUR CHANCES FOR NEXT YEAR'S SELECTION WITH THE 2019 DECLINED TEAM SELECTION Because your registration was declined for the 2019 Hood To Coast Relay, you will have the opportunity to have your team entered into a special selection process for 2020. This does not guarantee a spot, but will increase your chances substantially....

--------------------------------------------------------


Rank Strangers is going back to Oregon.  Our first chance for an encore for our 2015 appearance in the 2019 edition of Hood to Coast, "THE MOTHER OF ALL RELAYS," in August, 2019. It is down to the annual lottery: the Hood To Coast Relay has filled its team limit for the last 28 years, and on “Opening Day” for the last 21 years! Registration will take place October 3, 2018 (entry forms postmarked on this date only, not before).

Hood To Coast has filled its team limit on Opening Day for 28 straight years!

The 38th annual HTC will accept 1,050 teams.

Eric will submit the entry form for Rank Strangers.  Acceptance and decline email confirmations are sent October through November.

Our 2015 entry was a third time attempt; teams that were previously declined are entered in a special lottery.

Other facts:

• HTC teams must be able to complete the course within the 32.5 hour time limit (total average of 9:45 minute per mile or faster).
• Each team with one or more members within 100 mile radius of the course, must provide three (3) volunteers for event weekend.
• Once confirmed, all teams and fees are non-refundable, non-transferable.
• Team Registration Fee: $1770

Rank Stranger Record Book

Including 2018 results

Rank Stranger	Relays	Miles per relay	Total Miles
Eric Engdahl	14	16.7	233.9
Jeff Shampo	11	18.4	202.3
Art Saffran	10	17.6	176.1
Steve Hill	9	18.8	169.3
Mark Clear	9	14.0	126.6
Pete Boll	8	15.8	126.1
Renee Roux	8	15.4	123.0
Randy Meacham	5	15.7	78.4
Ed Stojakovic	4	18.8	75.1
Cathy Jooste	5	14.3	71.3
Paul Miller	4	17.6	70.3
Marc Golab	4	17.5	69.8
Holly Dowling	3	19.8	59.3
Bob Holzer	3	17.7	53.1
Jennifer Sell	3	16.9	50.6
Greg Masenthin	3	16.5	49.4
Bo Lackey	3	15.0	45.1
Martin Tagge	2	21.3	42.5
Monique Faber	2	20.4	40.8
Peter Wagner	2	20.4	40.8
Chris Montgomery	2	18.4	36.7
Kim Hill	2	17.9	35.8
Anne Martino	2	16.9	33.9
Debra Addison	2	15.3	30.5
Brad Clark	2	14.9	29.8
Keith Dudding	1	28.4	28.4
David Maze	1	24.7	24.7
Melinda Roenisch	2	12.3	24.5
Jamie Quanbeck	2	12.1	24.2
Amanda Hall	2	11.9	23.7
Denise Meacham	2	11.8	23.5
Therese Nolan	1	21.8	21.8
Beth Fegan	1	20.7	20.7
Jason Mould	1	20.6	20.6
Margaret Jastrebski	1	20.0	20.0
Fred Bounds	1	18.6	18.6
Marc Damerjian	1	18.4	18.4
Ed Heberlein	1	18.1	18.1
Daniela Gavric	1	18.0	18.0
Maddy Melin	1	17.8	17.8
Pati Flannery	1	17.8	17.8
Susanna Beien	1	17.8	17.8
Steve Smith	1	17.3	17.3
Ryan Lipscomb	1	16.7	16.7
Suzanne Shoff	1	16.6	16.6
Sergey Petrov	1	16.6	16.6
Rachael Weiker	1	16.6	16.6
Suzanne Holmes	1	16.4	16.4
Rachel Rivard	1	15.9	15.9
Bill Shepard	1	15.7	15.7
Angie Patnode	1	15.3	15.3
Gina Alvarado	1	15.3	15.3
Ann Wilson	1	14.5	14.5
Steve Schmidt	1	14.1	14.1
Pat Hurley	1	13.9	13.9
Jill Buhrfiend	1	13.7	13.7
Ivanka Sans Sarocelsky	1	13.7	13.7
Alexander Brown	1	13.7	13.7
Emma Guiot	1	13.5	13.5
Tim Scott	1	13.2	13.2
William Serpa	1	13.0	13.0
Beverly Schuller	1	10.0	10.0
Kelly Bard	1	9.3	9.3
Cathy Van Leuven	1	8.6	8.6
Reggie Hill	1	2.5	2.5

20 mile relays

Rank Stranger	Relay	Miles
Keith Dudding	2005	28.4
Eric Engdahl	2009	26.6
Dave Maze	2007	24.7
Jennifer Sell	2012	23.6
Randy Meacham	2007	23.5
Monique Faber	2012	23.4
Steve Hill	2016	22.7
Holly Dowling	2008	22.0
Therese Nolan	2013	21.8
Martin Tagge	2010	21.7
Eric Engdahl	2005	21.3
Eric Engdahl	2007	20.8
Marc Golab	2010	20.8
Marc Golab	2011	20.7
Beth Fegan	2013	20.7
Art Saffran	2006	20.6
Jason Mould	2018	20.6
Ed Stojakovic	2014	20.5
Peter Wagner	2017	20.5
Steve Hill	2017	20.4
Pete Boll	2007	20.3
Jeff Shampo	2012	20.3
Peter Wagner	2016	20.3
Steve Hill	2011	20.1
Jeff Shampo	2013	20.1
Art Saffran	2014	20.1
Art Saffran	2015	20.0
Margaret Jastrebski	2018	20.0

19 mile relays

Rank Stranger	Relay	Miles
Steve Hill	2010	19.9
Steve Hill	2018	19.8
Art Saffran	2009	19.7
Jeff Shampo	2008	19.7
Ed Stojakovic	2012	19.7
Mark Golab	2008	19.6
Bob Holzer	2016	19.5
Greg Masenthin	2016	19.5
Art Saffran	2008	19.4
Renee Roux	2010	19.3
Jeff Shampo	2010	19.3
Paul Miller	2014	19.3
Kim Hill	2011	19.1
Eric Engdahl	2006	19.1
Holly Dowling	2005	19.0