Happy New Year!

We are a little behind in congratulating our two winners for our January volunteer drawing. Dan Duarte and Suzanne Abid are the lucky winners. They each won a Modesto Marathon duffle bag, t-shirt and hat!

Hurry and sign-up to volunteer for this year’s marathon and you could be the next big winner. Our next drawing will be in a couple weeks for February. I’m excited to find out what the next prize will be.

If you are running or walking the marathon, don’t fret – you can still volunteer to help. We have volunteer opportunities weeks before the marathon to help stuff goody bags and put together lanyards. We also need a lot of help the day before the race at the Expo in downtown Modesto at the Centre Plaza.

The sense of community that comes from helping put on the marathon is priceless.

Thanks and I hope you are the next lucky volunteer that gets an email from me with “Congratulations” in the subject line!

keychain

We asked runners of the 2012 Modesto Marathon what they wanted to see in 2013.

What we heard, “MORE SWAG!”

To satisfy your craving for race swag, we proudly introduce the official SAMM keychain.

These keychains are going to half marathon and 5K participants.

Register early to make sure you get yours before they run out.

Seems that the Modesto Marathon is getting so big that it is everywhere. The latest place our team has invaded are the radio waves in the Central Valley.

Have you heard our promo on Clear Channel stations? If not, here it is:

PSA-Movie Marathon-Shadow Chase Running Club 2-2013

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We have arranged discounted room rates for race weekend at multiple Modesto hotels.

springhill

SpringHill Suites Modesto

Just 2.3 miles from the start line and 2 blocks off of the marathon course, Springhill Suites is another great option for lodging on race weekend. SpringHill Suites is offering marathon participants a discounted hotel room rate of only $99.

To receive the SpringHill Suites marathon rate, use this link to book your hotel room.

doubletree

DoubleTree Modesto

The DoubleTree Modesto is offering race participants a $94 room rate. Located blocks from the start line and adjacent to the Expo, staying at the DoubleTree puts you in the center of the action on race weekend.

To receive the DoubleTree marathon rate, use  this link to book your hotel room.

Other Hotel Discounts

14 other Modesto area hotels have provided discount pricing for Modesto Marathon participants. Check out our Accommodations Directory for a full list of hotels.

Movie-Night-2013-Poster-web

Help us get the word out about how much fun our annual Movie and Wine Night.

With great food, wine and an inspirational movie, this is an event that shouldn’t be missed. Even non-runners in your life will have a wonderful time.

Let’s all work to fill the State Theatre and show our special guest, Kevin Kline, what Modesto hospitality is all about.

We’ve made this special-sized poster that will print easily on your home or work printer. Print it out and post it at work.

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SAMM2013poster

Having a hard time getting out of bed on these cold winter mornings? Need something to motivate you to get your training runs in?

Print out the official Modesto Marathon poster. Post it on your refrigerator, in your work cubicle, or anywhere that it will remind you of your goal to finish the race strong.

SAMM 2013 Poster

The excitement is building around the 2013 Modesto Marathon as race shirts and other merchandise are arriving. We are so pumped that we couldn’t help but share pictures with you.

Race Shirts

We got a lot of feedback from runners of last year’s race about our shirts. The biggest request: offer men’s and women’s shirts instead of unisex.

We listened and now the 2013 race shirts come in gender specific sizes. (A good reason to complete the post race survey to help us make the event even better.)

Pick up your shirt at the Expo Day on March 23rd.

mensshirtwomensshirt

Water Bottles

waterbottleInclude your favorite marathon in your hydration strategy with this handheld water bottle.

This 22 ounce bottle includes a removable bottom for easy cleaning. It also has a zippered pouch to carry your phone, MP3 player or keys.

At only $15, this water bottle is a steal.

Purchase the water bottle at the Expo Day or get it a month early at the Modesto Marathon Movie Night.

Running Hat

marathonhat

Back by popular demand, this lightweight hat will quickly become your favorite running accessory. At just $15, these are bound to sell out like they did last year.

You can buy your hat at the Expo Day or at the Movie Night to make sure you get one before they sell out.

bartyassoBart Yasso, known as Runner’s World Magazine’s “Chief Running Officer” since 1987, will be the featured guest speaker at the 2013 Surgical Artistry Modesto Marathon Pre-Race Dinner. He will also be at the SAMM Expo greeting the public and sharing his running wisdom and anecdotes.

Yasso has coached thousands of marathon runners enrolled in the Runner’s World Challenge.
He is the creator of the “Yasso 800’s” a workout that predicts marathon race pace through running 800 meters 10 times. This technique has been used by many local athletes and is extremely popular in Europe and Italy.

Yasso was inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions and is the author of the book My Life on the Run.

He has run marathons worldwide – from Boston and New York to Antarctica and Mount Kilimanjaro, and at least one on all seven continents. He completed the ultramarathon Badwater, billed as “the world’s toughest footrace,” in 1989 when it was a grueling 146-mile trek across California’s Death Valley. (Today it has been trimmed to 135 miles.)

He has also completed two solo, unsupported bicycle rides across the U.S. in 20 days, averaging 155 miles per day.

Yasso was recently named #80 among The 100 Most Influential People in Health and Fitness 2012 by Greatist.com.

In addition to hanging out at the Expo and speaking at dinner, Yasso will start the 2013 marathon and half marathon races, and will greet and mingle with finishers.

Connect with Bart Online

volunteerHappy Holidays! My name is Gabriela Guerrini and I am the new volunteer coordinator for the 2013 Surgical Artistry Modesto Marathon. Last year, I ran my first half marathon and benefited from the experience so much, I decided to take on a larger role in helping the marathon succeed. I am captivated by the energy the marathon brings to Modesto, in addition to the amount of people we see running and walking in town, it is inspiring. If you’ve run a race or have volunteered at one, you know the excitement it generates and it is contagious – I love being a part of it.

It definitely takes a village to put on, so I am grateful for each and every person that gives their time to lend a hand. As you may know, it takes about 700 volunteers to make the marathon successful, so we have a big task ahead of us. I have plenty of spots for everyone, including many opportunities other than the day of the race, if you are interested in volunteering and running, I have a spot for you. I am getting all my ducks in a row and will be getting back to all our volunteers this January.

This December the committee started a drawing for our volunteers. We picked three names from our list of volunteers to give away fun schwag and gift certificates to three lucky volunteers. Help me congratulate Kristy Oden, Verlee Gale & Vicky King. These lovely ladies won a Modesto marathon shopping bag, t-shirt and $25 gift certificate to Envy Fine Clothes in McHenry Village! We will be drawing more names each month until the marathon. Be on the lookout for an email from me – you could be the next winner! Thanks again for volunteering. May the New Year bring you much health and happiness!

cheetahWe love to see records off. So much so that we are offering a cash prize to any runner who can set a new SAMM course record.

Imagine running the race of your life and receiving an extra $500 for the effort.

Even if you don’t have a record setting marathon in you, having elite athletes competing for the record will make for an exciting finish to watch.

Current Marathon Records

  • Male course record set in 2012 is Clyde Behunin 2:32:46
  • Female course record set in 2011 is Michelle Meyer  2:52:25

We’re not just  talking about the marathon. If you have what it takes to set the half marathon or 5K record, a cash prize is waiting for you.

Course Record Awards

  • Course record award of $500 will be offered to any male and female who sets a new course record for the full marathon.
  • Course record award of $250 will be offered to any male and female who sets a new course record for the half marathon.
  • Course record award of $100 will be offered to any male and female who sets a new course record for the 5k.

Time to lace up your running shoes and hit the road. With plenty of time to train, you may be the next SAMM course record holder.