Here’s to the 1st Annual Fitness Festival

How great was it to see a marathon running the streets of La Crosse and Onalaska Sunday?  Talk about a picture perfect day to showcase our great area (even though it may of gotten a little bit too hot than what the runners would of liked to experience).  Hopefully the 1st Annual La Crosse Fitness Festival is the first of a very long tradition for the city.

I had the pleasure of sitting at the finish line for most of the marathon race watching great competitor after great competitor finish their milestone accomplishment.  I have to admit, it kind of got me excited to make a try for it some day - or at least the half marathon.  But then I quickly remembered I had a tough enough try doing the 5K leg of the YMCA West Salem Triathlon a couple of years back.  I swear running must be hereditary because I just plain suck whenever I’ve given it a shot.

But with the 300+ runners of yesterday’s race must of been 300+ great stories of glory.  I saw a lot of great moments such as a father and son coming across the finish line together - a set of 4 brothers doing the same - many runners showing their last boost of energy as they gave it their all during that final stretch at Myrick Park.  My hands got sore from all the clapping, but I couldn’t help but to cheer on everybody and imagining what that moment meant for all of them.

Inspiration could be found in every runner and I can’t wait to see the action again next year.  Whether or not that will be from a first hand perspective, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Congrats again to all who participated.

WKBT.com: 1st Annual La Crosse Fitness Festival Marathon (Video and Pictures)