Fleet Feet Syracuse takes on the Syracuse Half Marathon!

By: Maggie Jividen

One of the things I love the most about coaching is seeing people reach their goals. Over weeks and months of training, our Fleet Feet distance runners have put in thousands of training miles toward reaching their goals at the Syracuse Half Marathon. Frigid temperatures this winter meant our athletes had to adapt to changing training conditions, but on March 20th, their hard work came to fruition! 

FF Syracuse takes on the Syracuse Half Marathon!

The Syracuse Half this year was particularly exciting because not only were many people running their first half marathon ever, but the event felt like a large-scale return to racing that the local running community needed. For many runners, the weather was perfect for this race! With overcast skies and 45 degree temperatures, runners were seen in everything from sports bras and shorts to full jackets–and even some fun tutus, of course! My favorite thing to see on the course was our Fleet Feet Racing Team in our signature orange and black–it makes it so easy to find our runners!

As coaches, on race day we try to be everywhere at once, running from spot to spot to try to cheer on as many of our runners in as many places as possible. And cheer them on, we did! With bells and clapping and any silly thing, we could think of to get them to smile. We met with them on two places at the course and then the other coaches and I ran to the finish line in hopes of catching our first finishers…but they beat us there!

Cherise, me, and Eric making our way to cheer on our runners!

 Biao Chen ran a smart race and was rewarded with a big PR, and immediately met up to help us run our other athletes in. He was the first of many of our athletes to do the same–despite being exhausted, they still went back out to help others reach their goals! I had so much fun running back and forth helping everyone with the final bit before the finish. One of the great things about our group is I know that the runners see each other out there during the race and always encourage everyone. Fleet Feet is all about community, and we are one big family!
For some, the family isn’t just metaphorical: Kristen Krause isn’t just an amazing volunteer coach, but also a kick-butt mom to FF Outfitter Courtney who ran her first half marathon. And Kristen ran her own PR! FF Syracuse’s Inventory Manager and NoBo Coach Tony Petrarca ran a solid race, and his son Sam ran his first half marathon! 

Kristen and Courtney Krause sharing the love at the finish line.

I am so proud of the work each and every Fleet Feet runner put in during the training for this race, and the performances they had on race day. I could brag all day about our athletes and especially our first time half marathoners (I was excited to help run in Valerie Cassalia and Noah Wood!). The smiles on their faces as they hugged their friends, family, or coaches were amazing sights on the dreary day. It’s not about the PRs or the times, though those are nice, it’s about the community that is Fleet Feet Syracuse. These people are so endlessly supportive of each other, and it is beautiful!

Hugs from Coach Cherise for Bonnie Misch at the finish line!

If you’re a runner looking for an awesome group to train with, our Boilermaker 15K training begins on May 4th. New to running, but still want in on the awesomeness that is Fleet Feet Training? There’s still time to sign up for our No Boundaries 5k/10k programs beginning on 3/26/22. I hope to see you at a race someday, dressed in our orange and black!!