The Goofy: My Version

500 Club Medal, Mini 500 Finishers Medal, Pump and Run Bronze, Flying Pig Finishers Medal 

Have you ever heard of the Goofy Challenge? It's part of the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend where you run a half on Saturday then the full on Sunday; finishing both races earns you a special "Goofy Medal". I know there are several other races that offer participants challenges like this, usually called "doublers". For example, Pikes Peak offers the ascent only on Saturday and the full on Sunday; the Post Oak does the same but with a 50k, then a marathon.

Well, earlier this month, I created my own Goofy or Doubler by running the Indianapolis Mini 500 on Saturday May 5th, and the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon on Sunday May 6th. The Mini 500 is the nations largest half marathon with 35,000 runners and a trip around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Other than the run through downtown and the 2 mile lap around the speedway, there is not much scenery at this race, but the speedway makes the race worth it.




35,000 at the Mini Start and The Indy Motor Speedway

Crossing the Bricks, then giving them a kiss. 




Cincinnati is a short 2 hour drive from Indianapolis and host one of the best marathons I have participated in. The Flying Pig has a great route that runs through two states (Ohio and Kentucky), downtown Cincinnati, spirited neighborhoods, offers awesome views of the river, and after a steady incline from miles 5-9 it is flat to downhill the rest of the way. In addition to the course, the expo gives away some of the best SWAG of any race: shirt, logo duffle bag, and event poster are included with registration.

Running out of Downtown Cincinnati and uphill the next 4 miles, Pump and Run at the Expo 

At the Flying Pig there is also a separate event called the pump and run. This event allow race participants to bench press a % of their body weight and deduct a the time form their overall finish time. There is a separate registration fee, and money raised goes to local charities. I was able to complete 16 reps, good for a 32 minutes deduction from my overall time. Without the deduction, I was third place for all those who signed up in the pump and run, but after everyone's deduction, I finished in 13 place.

The Goofy/Doubler weekend was a lot of fun and I look forward to doing another one sometime soon, but next time with my currently prego running partner.

One of several "Flying Pigs" placed around the course and possible my favorite shirt ever