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Another great couple of weekends of 5K’s for the RunnersFix crew! 🍉🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

The Watermelon 5K once again lived up to its reputation with plenty of heat and humidity around Lake Hollingsworth. Despite the challenging conditions, our runners continued to put together some strong performances. We also had runners racing across the country from Florida to Massachusetts, Virginia, and New York.

🍉 Watermelon 5K
Matt Karl – 16:31 (3rd OA)
Rhonda Fosser – 26:58 (1st AG)
David Crabtree – 26:17 (1st AG)
Haley Alam – 22:26 (3rd AG)
Alyssa Rinehart – 30:54
Falisha Clark – 41:58
Chris King – 27:55 (3rd AG)
Connor Niessing – 18:32 (2nd AG)
Carlos Bernotti – 21:40
Sarah Holt – 24:48 (1st AG)
Ashley Torres – 24:27
Shane Buchanan – 19:39
Holli Utama – 24:49
Greg Bossarte – 21:36 (2nd AG)
Ryan Bontrager – 21:33
Jon Vasquez – 22:19
Greg Hurst – 19:39 (2nd AG)
Lake Sprenkle – 18:47 (3rd AG)
Adam Hamid – 21:00

🏃 Other Races
Run for the Pies 5K
Jonathan Werble – 15:32 (3rd OA)

Massachusetts State Police Chase 5K
Greg Hyman – 19:56 (2nd OA)

Adidas Snails Pace Sunset 5K
Michael DeFond – 19:55 (10th OA)

Run With Docs 5K
Derrick Cartwright – 23:22

Strong4Life Superhero Sprint 5K
Evan Castellano – 16:43 (1st Overall)

305 Iguana Man 5K
Adrian Gandara – 17:59
Rodney Cheeatow – 20:42

Long Island City Waterfront 5K
Alex Fey – 18:27

Starkid 5K (Virginia)
Vamsi Valleri – 27:46

Congratulations to everyone who raced! Whether you were chasing a podium spot or a PR every finish line matters. It’s always fun seeing RunnersFix athletes racing all over the country and representing the team so well. 🙌

Another strong weekend for the RunnersFix squad 💪

The main race of the weekend was the Mayfaire 5K here in Lakeland. For those unfamiliar with the race, it’s one of Lakeland’s biggest races of the year. And also the most challenging. Tough hills, Florida heat, and a 7pm start 🥵. Despite the conditions, the squad showed up big with multiple age group podium spots, overall awards, and even a few PR’s which is honestly rare on this course.

One of the cooler moments for me as a coach was seeing Aiden Stout race his final event as a RunnersFix athlete before heading off to college. Aiden has had a strong track season and closed things out with a 17:33 for 4th overall and 3rd in his age group on a difficult course. Excited to see what he does at the next level.

We also had Alex Fey racing in Jersey City for his debut race as a RunnersFix runner and he made an immediate statement with a shiny PR of 19:07 and 4th overall. I have zero doubt he’ll be under 19 minutes later this summer.

Up in Toronto, Erfan Hakani and Andrea Delgado both bounced back in a big way with PR performances at the Sporting Life 10K after unfortunately missing out on racing their goal half marathon last weekend. Really happy for both of them because I know how frustrating that situation was.

And down in Safety Harbor, Connor Niessing was stepping outside his comfort zone by taking in the 5K distance. The course ended up being pretty short unfortunately but he still raced aggressively and finished 4th overall.

Full results from the weekend ⬇️

🔥 Mayfaire 5K
-Rhonda Fosser- 27:46. 1st AG
-Aiden Stout- 17:33. 4th OA / 3rd AG
-Ashley Torres- 28:56. 4th AG
-Tony Marse- 18:58. 1st AG. PR
-Chris King- 28:58. 7th AG
-Greg Bossarte- 21:55. 4th AG. PR
-Sara Holt- 25:56. 1st Female Grand Masters
-Tri Thornhill- 21:14. 1st AG
-Abby Barwick- 28:20. 3rd AG
-Falisha Clark- 43:21. PR
-Lake Sprenkle- 19:34. 1st AG

🔥 Jersey City Running is Back 5K
-Alex Fey- 19:07. 4th OA. PR

🔥 Toronto Sporting Life 10K
-Erfan Hakani- 40:06. PR
-Andrea Delgado- 47:16. PR

🔥 Safer Harbor Hippie Dash 5K
-Connor Niessing- 17:07. 4th

It was a huge weekend for the team 👊

We had races all over the map. From Boston to Jersey City to even races in Poland and China. And each of them came with its own challenges. Like Boston with its tough course profile. But that’s the reality of racing. You put in the work for months, show up to the line, and then it’s about executing when things get uncomfortable. That’s where it all gets decided.

What stood out this weekend wasn’t just the times, it was the stories behind each of these runners. Like Sarah Mounts running a big PR just 1 year after having a baby. Or our beloved David Crabtree lining up for Boston for the second time in 44 years 🤩

Overall some races clicked, some didn’t, but there was no backing down anywhere. That willingness to compete, no matter how the day unfolds, is what keeps moving everything forward. Proud of this group.

🦄 Boston Marathon:
*Steve Chu- 2:28:49.
*Parker DeFreese- 2:40:30.
*Charlie Mullins- 2:48:46.
*David Crabtree- 4:33:10.
*Janet Lamoureux- 3:50:36.
*Al Vigne- 4:03:56.
*Sarah Mounts- 3:16:52.
*Jonathan Bulmer- 3:25:39.
*Jessica England- 3:06:00.
*Laurent Vrignaud- 3:47:05.
*Noriko Charnley- 3:30:38.
*Michael Deason- 3:18:49.

🇺🇸 Jersey City Marathon and Half Marathon:
*Jon Mott- 2:46:22.
*Darlina Goldak- 1:21:01.
*Cody Blankenship- 2:53:32.
*Connor Ryan- 1:15:14.
*Graham Lian- 1:42:05.
*Tony Marse- 3:34:26.
*Tom Cusick- 1:26:23.
*Abby Barwick- 4:40:53.

🇨🇳 Qingdao Marathon (China):
Brian Cunningham- 3:19:39.

🇵🇱 Krakow Marathon (Poland):
Margaret Janicki- 4:46:43.

44! Years! Later! What day it’s going to be for our David Crabtree who will be back on the starting line of the Boston Marathon. 💙💛

Swipe to read the full story ➡️

David’s story is one that reminds us how great this sport can be. It’s not just about times or PR’s but also second chances and refusing to let your story be finished before you decide it is. From running 2:39 in the early 80s, to stepping away for decades, to walking around Lake Hollingsworth at 65 just trying to get healthy again, to now, at 71 years old, earning his way back to Boston.
That’s something special.

This one means a lot. Not just as a coach, but as someone who’s had a front row seat to the work, the setbacks, the health battles, and the belief it took to get here. David didn’t just come back...he rebuilt himself. And now he gets to take that starting line again with purpose.

We’ve got 12 RunnersFix athletes lining up on Monday and conditions are looking great! Good luck to everyone racing. Boston and beyond. Let it fly 🏁

Meet Mike Lewis, coming out of Santa Clara, California 🌴🏃

Mike’s journey hasn’t been the smooth or predictable kind. He’s been navigating training with atrial fibrillation (Afib) which is an irregular and rapid heart rhythm that can make something as simple as an easy run feel like an all 5K effort. Some days things click, but other days, not so much. That kind of uncertainty can seriously wear on you. But Mike has never let it define him.

Despite the challenges, he’s continued to show up with the training. And trust me he’s had some brutal runs where he’s had me worried about pushing things too much. He’s taken on multiple marathons, most recently the California International Marathon, all while chasing a goal that’s been just out of reach…the sub 4:00 barrier. And if you know anything about this sport, you know that sometimes those barriers aren’t just physical…they’re mental and very emotional.

But here’s what stands out about Mike…even with all of afib issues he’s dealt with over the years he continues to chase after his big goal. Lately, things have been trending in the right direction. Training has been strong, consistent, and for the first time in a while, the AFib hasn’t been as disruptive. He’s stacking solid weeks, hitting the big sessions, and building the kind of momentum that matters heading into a race.

Next up: Eugene Marathon. And this one feels different. The fitness is there. Breaking 4 hours isn’t just about the time…it’s about everything that’s gone into the pursuit of it. The setbacks, the patience, the commitment to keep going when it would’ve been easier to step back.

Mike Lewis is right there.

Let’s go get it. 👊

Here is a topic that I think most runners in general can relate to and I’m sure we’ve all fallen victim to it at least once. Also I thought the title was very appropriate! So when training is going well it can almost feel like you’re invincible. You know that Superman or Superwoman type feeling. Or that peak confidence. It can be a great feeling. The workouts and long runs will feel almost effortless and the recovery from them seems easier than usual. It’s when you can actually feel your fitness increasing and the confidence at its highest. It’ll feel like you’re on top of the world. And honestly that’s exactly what we want as runners and coaches. Good training should lead to confidence. But there’s a tricky phase that can come with peak fitness that I’ve noticed with some runners.

When everything is going right, it’s very easy for a runner to start pushing just a little bit more than they should. Maybe an easy run gets a little faster or a long run gets extended because “I feel amazing today.” Individually these types of things may not seem like a big deal but when you stack them on top of an already demanding training block that’s often when little issues begin to appear. Like an injury issue for example. I would say this is the most common issue when a runner gets too greedy along with burning themselves out even before the taper rolls around.

Ironically, these problems tend to show up when fitness is at its highest. It’s not because the runner suddenly became fragile. It’s usually because peak fitness also comes with peak fatigue. Fitness and fatigue go hand in hand with each other. A lot of runners don’t realize that the moment they feel their strongest is often when their body is also carrying the largest amount of accumulated fatigue from weeks or months of training. The aerobic system is stronger than ever but the muscles/tendons and the nervous system are all working overtime just to keep up with the workload. That’s where the responsibility part comes in.

The better shape you’re in, the more disciplined you actually have to be. You need to trust the plan instead of chasing extra fitness that may not even be there to gain. Because once you reach that high level of fitness, the goal usually isn’t to build more fitness anymore. The goal becomes protecting the fitness you’ve already built. That means letting the easy days actually be easy and not turning them into tempo efforts. Or even going too hard with the strength work or cross training. You also need to skip the urge to “prove your fitness.” Because sometimes the hardest thing for a runner to do…is not doing more.

Peak fitness isn’t just about how strong you are physically. It’s also about how controlled and disciplined you can stay when reaching this peak confidence. The runners who handle this phase the best are usually the ones who arrive at race day healthy, confident, and ready to show the fitness they’ve been building for months. And often the difference between a great race and a frustrating setback isn’t the training itself…it’s how well the runner handled things when everything started feeling really good.

The United Airlines NYC Half Marathon never disappoints. From the streets of Brooklyn to the finish in Central Park, it’s one of the most electric race atmospheres there is. Huge shoutout to the RunnersFix squad who took on this challenging course and delivered some awesome performances.

Racing through the hills of New York and the energy of thousands of spectators, these runners showed exactly what months of hard training can do. Every one of them raced strong and represented the team incredibly well out there.

Here’s how everyone did…

Matt Karl – 1:17:52
Connor Ryan – 1:16:08
Darlina Goldak – 1:22:23
Tyna Hoang – 1:36:29
Joseph Dono – 1:32:02
Caleb Belmont – 1:13:26
Graham Lian – 1:26:36
Mike Santos – 1:21:40

Proud of this group for their big efforts. NYC never seems to disappoint!

The Abbott World Marathon Majors represent the most iconic races in the sport. 🌎🏃 From the record breaking streets of Berlin to the loud crowds of New York City, each race offers a completely different experience, course profile, and racing conditions. Whether you’re chasing a PR, a Boston qualifier, or the coveted Six Star Medal, here’s a quick breakdown of each World Major Marathon. Also listed is the course elevation, typical race conditions, field size, and how often runners hit a Boston Qualifier.

🗼 Tokyo Marathon:
• Race Date: March 1, 2026
• Course Elevation: 200 ft gain / 320 ft loss
• Typical Race Temps: ~42–56°F
• Field Size: ~37,000–38,000 runners
• Approx. BQ%: ~2%

🦄 Boston Marathon:
• Race Date: April 20, 2026
• Course Elevation: 815 ft gain / 1,275 ft loss
• Typical Race Temps: ~41–62°F
• Field Size: ~32,000 entrants
• Approx. BQ%: ~45%

🇬🇧 London Marathon:
• Race Date: April 26, 2026
• Course Elevation: 420 ft gain / 530 ft loss
• Typical Race Temps: ~45–60°F
• Field Size: ~56,000+ finishers
• Approx. BQ%: ~11%

🌉 Sydney Marathon:
• Race Date: August 30, 2026
• Course Elevation: 860 ft gain / 1,130 ft loss
• Typical Race Temps: ~48–64°F
• Field Size: ~30,000–33,000 finishers
• Approx. BQ%: ~3%

🏛️ Berlin Marathon:
• Race Date: September 27, 2026
• Course Elevation: 240 ft gain / 260 ft loss
• Typical Race Temps: ~50s–60s°F
• Field Size: ~55,000 runners
• Approx. BQ%: ~5%

🏙️ Chicago Marathon:
• Race Date: October 11, 2026
• Course Elevation: 240 ft gain / 240 ft loss
• Typical Race Temps: ~45–65°F
• Field Size: ~40,000–50,000 finishers
• Approx. BQ%: ~15%

🗽 New York City Marathon:
• Race Date: November 1, 2026
• Course Elevation: 810 ft gain / 820 ft loss
• Typical Race Temps: ~45–58°F
• Field Size: ~50,000–60,000 finishers
• Approx. BQ%: ~9%

Read Emily’s full story on our website https://runnersfixcoaching.com/blog/athlete-spotlight-emily-leniart.html

Athlete Spotlight: Emily Leniart

From the streets of Manhattan to the starting lines of many big races, Emily has continued to show what resilience and joy in the sport really look like. Training while managing epilepsy hasn’t always been easy, for the both of us, and there have been moments that were pretty scary, but she’s met every challenge with courage and a mindset that refuses to give up. Watching her trust the training process and continuing to show up when things are tough has been nothing short of inspiring.

Her breakthrough moment came at the Chicago Marathon where she threw down a massive 3:24 PR. A performance that felt like everything finally came together. What makes Emily special though isn’t just race day. It’s the training. She constantly surprises me with the paces she can hit, especially during speed sessions…she’s got some serious wheels and isn’t afraid to use them. And if you know Emily, you know she brings energy everywhere she goes. High spirited, always joking, and somehow turning even the most nerve wrecking race mornings into a party.

Next up, she’s heading to the London Marathon this spring alongside her close friend Maria Carroll, and the training block has been strong so far. Another breakthrough could very well be on the horizon. No matter what the clock says, Emily can remind us that running is about heart and embracing every moment of the journey. Let’s cheer her on as she takes on London! 🇬🇧🏃‍♀️

Looking beyond the World Marathon Majors but still want fast courses, deep fields, and serious PR/BQ potential? 🌍

These international marathons don’t always get the same hype, but they consistently deliver great conditions, strong competition, and well run race experiences.

From the speed of Valencia Marathon to the depth and organization of Amsterdam Marathon and Rotterdam Marathon these races prove you don’t need a “Major” label to find a world class marathon experience.

Save this post, start planning early, and think global when mapping out your next marathon build ✈️

✔️ Amsterdam Marathon:
-Race Date: October 18, 2026
-Course Elevation: 300 ft gain / 300 ft loss
-Typical Temps: ~45–55°F 
-Field Size: ~18,000 marathoners
-Approx. BQ%: ~12%

✔️ Rotterdam Marathon:
-Race Date: April 12, 2026
-Course Elevation: 130 ft gain / 135 ft loss
-Typical Temps: ~45–55°F 
-Field Size: ~17,000 marathoners
-BQ Potential: ~10%

✔️ Valencia Marathon:
-Race Date: December 6, 2026
-Course Elevation: 200 ft gain / 220 ft loss 
-Typical Temps: ~45–55°F 
-Field Size: ~33,000 finishers
-Approx. BQ%: ~30%

✔️ Toronto Waterfront Marathon:
-Race Date: October 18, 2026
-Course Elevation: 440 ft gain / 440 ft loss
-Typical Temps: ~40–50°F 
-Field Size: ~20,000 runners
-Approx. BQ%- ~8%

✔️ Gold Coast Marathon:
-Race Date: July 5, 2026
-Course Elevation: 200 ft gain / 215 ft loss 
-Typical Temps: ~50–60°F
-Field Size: ~6,500–7,000 marathoners
-Approx. BQ%: ~16%

✔️ Shanghai Marathon:
-Race Date: November 29, 2026
-Course Elevation: 100 ft gain / 100 ft loss 
-Typical Temps: ~50–60°F 
-Field Size: ~38,000–40,000 runners
-Approx. BQ%: ~8%

✔️ Cape Town Marathon:
-Race Date: May 24, 2026
-Course Elevation: 930 ft gain / 940 ft loss
-Typical Temps: ~55–65°F 
-Field Size: ~18,000–20,000 finishers
-Approx. BQ%: ~15%