The Mesa Falls Marathon is a certified course and can be used as a qualifier.
A Very Special Runner Making The Mesa Falls Marathon Part Of A Worthy Cause
Dana Casanave, a 29 year old wife, mother and runner from Leesburg, Virginia is currently in the process of an extreme challenge to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks. As part of her 52 marathons, she has chosen to run the Mesa Falls Marathon on Aug 28, 2010.
She is running these races to raise funds and awareness for 25:40, a nonprofit organization dedicated to help children in South Africa survive the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Many of these children have lost one or both parents to AIDS and many are HIV+ themselves. 25:40 supports and fosters the creation of orphanages, health clinics, day care centers, schools and other entities that are critical to the care and health development of children impacted by AIDS.
She is calling this journey 52 Beginnings, and each of her 52 races will be run for a different child from the Ngqeleni District in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. In 2009, 25:40 identified over 1,500 children in this region as being orphaned or vulnerable to becoming orphans. 25:40 is working on a multi-year program designed to meet the basic and most essential needs of each of these children. While Dana is beginning these marathon races 52 times, she will also hope to make a new beginning for each of these children.
You can view her blog about this journey at www.52beginnings.com andand also see her page on the 25:40 charity website at http://www.2540.org/Team2540/52-beginnings-e9/dana-casanave-m73/
Sad Day For The Marathon
For hundreds of our runners over the years, the aid station at the top of the hill coming up out of Warm River was a very welcome site for two reasons, One, because it signaled the end of the uphill climb, and two; because Jean Howell, the little white haired lady that manned the station,greeted all the runners with great enthusiasm. Sadly, following some health issues, she has passed away. While nothing else has changed with the race, somehow it just won't seem the same without her. Over the years, we had received many calls and thank you notes from runners commenting on our wonderful " Angel " at the top of the hill. She truly now is an angel, and will be greatly missed. Thank You Jean!
Mesa Falls Marathon - Ashton, Idaho
Just over 600 runners and countless volunteers combined to make last years Mesa Falls Marathon one of the best races yet and we are looking forward to another great run! Check out all the opportunities for a fun run, no matter what your style is.
The
Mesa Falls Marathon, held the fourth Saturday of August in Ashton, Idaho, is
truly one of the 50 great Marathons in the nation. Beginning in the Targhee
National Forest near the famous Upper Mesa Falls, the marathon route travels
through wildlife laden woods to the town of Ashton offering the runner
breathtaking views of the Teton Mountain Range and other beautiful landmarks.
 Yellowstone Teton Territory |
 |
