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Packet Pickup: Packet pickup and Chronotrack B-Tag disbursement will be during the Race Expo on April 8, 2016 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. at Hyatt Place Chesapeake Greenbrier located at 709 Eden Way North, Chesapeake, VA 23320.
Join us at 8AM April 9th for the 10th Annual Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon presented by Chesapeake Regional Medical Center Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. The flat 13.1-mile asphalt course will take runners on a spectacular jouney through lush, mysterious landscape and rich history. The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail off Route 17 offers runner forested wetlands and a peaceful paved path along the wilderness of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Returning this year, the Children's Half Mile Cub Run. This half mile out-and-back fun run for children ages 12 and under is the perfect compliment to our successful Dismal Swamp Stomp.
All children will have access to the special children's activity area prior to the race and will receive a t-shirt and runner's packet. They will also receive a finisher's medal when they cross the
finish line. Parents are welcome to run along side their children. The cub run will start at 11:30 at the carved bear at the trail head and will finish across the half marathon finish line.
For the second year is the 5K run/walk. The 5K will start and finish in the same locations as the half marathon, and will start 5 minutes after the start of the half marathon. All entrants receive a race premium, custom finisher medal and age group winners will receive custom awards.
Sanctioned by USA Track & Field, the out-and-back race begins at 8 am rain or shine. The event is limited to 2,500 runners and applicants will be accepted on a first-come/first-served basis. All runners/walkers must be able to complete the course in 4 hours or less. This race is open to walkers and baby strollers.
Cash awards in the Half Marathon will be provided to the top 5 male and female athletes based on AGE GRADED results. Follow this link for an age grading explanation.
Prize money breakdown for top five male and female age graded athletes will be: 1st $1,000, 2nd $550, 3rd $250, 4th $125, 5th $75
This year we are inviting many up and coming American athletes from across the United States in hopes that a new state record, or possibly a new national record, may be broken on our flat and fast USATF certified half marathon course. In addition to our $4,000 prize purse for the top five overall age-graded male and female finishers, there will be a $10,000 bonus if an
In both the 5K and Half Marathon, our signature custom carved heron awards will be given to: the top three overall male and female and the top three overall
male and female runners in each age group: 12-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29,
30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70 and over. Top three male and female walkers are also awarded. Each
registered participant will receive a finisher's medal when they cross
the finish line.
This year's live entertainment will consist of "face melting" rock'n roll by the band Dirty Toys. Also on hand will be the FM99 entourage including Rock Girl Marena. Stick around for great post race party with beer, music food and awards.
This year's charities consists of three great Chesapeake non-profit groups; CHIP of South Hampton Roads, Chesapeake Youth Foundation, Chesapeake Regional Health Foundation.
Established in 1998, CHIP is a statewide program that focuses on improvement of children’s health through ensuring that low-income children have medical homes and provision of resources and support services for their families. First Steps, developed by Prevent Child Abuse George in 1984, is a volunteer-based program to assure child well-being and serve as a gateway to community resources for prenatal parents and parents of newborns.
The Chesapeake Youth Foundation supports the City of Chesapeake’s R U Ready Plan for youth and families through advocacy, education and investment. The Chesapeake Youth Foundation supports the community by advocating for youth with local, state and national officials, educating the community about the needs of children, investing in initiatives for youth and families.
The mission of the Chesapeake Regional Health Foundation is to support Chesapeake Regional Medical Center by helping it respond to the evolving health care needs of the community. The foundation was founded in 1993 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The Hyatt Place Chesapeake/Greenbrier Is Excited To Host Your Upcoming Group, Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon & Children's Half-Mile Cub Run 4/10/2015 - 4/12/2015. Book Your Sleeping Room Between Now & 3/11/2015. On 3/11/2015 We Release Any Unclaimed Rooms To General Inventory So We Have A Chance To Sell Them To Someone Else. Please Be Sure To Book Prior To 3/11/2015 So You Can Receive the Special Group Rate of $109 per room, per night + tax.
To Book Your Room Please Call 1-800-993-4751 & Ask for The Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon & Children's Half-Mile Cub Run Group Rate. If You Would Like To Book Your Room Via The Internet Please Use This Link: http://chesapeakegreenbrier.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html?corp_id=G-DSSH so the Special Rate Will Pop Up.
Rates for standard rooms do not include applicable state and local taxes, which are currently at 14% + $1.00. Rates are non-commissionable per room, per night.
If You Have Any Trouble Booking Your Room Please Contact Libby Ross In The Sales Office At The Hyatt Place Via Her Direct Line At 757 553 9053. The hotel address is 709 Eden Way N. Chesapeake, VA 23320. Please visit our website www.hyattplacechesapeake.com for hotel info (directions, amenities, dining, room details, etc.) or call the hotel’s main number at 757-312-0020 for a hotel brochure to be mailed to you.
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2015 Winner; Rooster Rositer of Ainsley's Angels
August 16th, 2008 - Surfer's Healing 5K (A Kale Running/Mettle Event)
I do not know who first said, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away”, but my family refers to it often. For you see, it is when a slight wind takes our sweet Ainsley’s breath away, that she smiles the brightest. Nearly 7 years ago, our family of five drove to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for our very first road race experience. None of us knew anything about participating in a 5K, so our minds raced with questions of uncertainty: Where exactly do we meet, will there be equipment for Ainsley, how much does it cost to run in the race, how do I sign up, is it too late for Ainsley to participate, will they have handicap parking, to name but a few....within a few hours, little did we know, our path of our lives will be changed forever.
My wife, Lori, and the kids had made signs to cheer Ainsley on..."Beach ya can't catch us" the sign read. The energy was electric and shortly after arriving, all of the questions and uncertainties now had clarity....Ainsley was ready to Roll! In an instant, our family had a therapeutic means to fight the devastation associated with learning your child has a terminal illness. The positive energy at the start line, the children smiling from ear to ear, the togetherness of every member preparing to run with the wind, the fearlessness of the athletes, the feeling of normalcy, and the love we all have for each other is a therapy like no other.
The race director said, “Go” and she took off! I had never been to a race before, so I had no clue about registering for a bib. Hence, I was not registered and did not start running. Just as they disappeared out of sight down the oceanfront Boardwalk, Miss Peggy looked at me and said, "I thought you were running!?!? I looked at her and Lori and said that I don't have one of those sign thingies to put on my shirt. She looked at me and said, well I guess we can just stand here and wait....but, you do know this is a public Boardwalk? Hmmm, I thought, I guess I could go catch up with them (note: my intent was not to be what I know today is a bandit, if fact I frown on that practice). So, I took off down the board walk. As I reached the 1 mile mark, Ainsley had already reached the 1.5 mile turnaround and was approaching me at her mile 2. So, I turned around to run the final mile with her....so I thought. You see, Ainsley was flying! In fact, as the wind blew in her face she was smiling big, as if she realized she was actually in first place! I ran with her for a half mile...at a 6:30 minute mile pace...before turning to her angel and saying, "I can't keep up, don't let me slow you down, go, go go, she loves it and she is going to win!" And with that, he increased his tempo and sprinted her home to a first place finish! Yes, she won the race and that was very cool for her first race...but, she also won something so much more valuable at that a race. Her first story behind the bib doubles as the story that started the first day of the rest of her life, as an ATHLETE!
Fast Forward six and a half years later and Ainsley has completed over 80 road races, to include 3 Marine Marathons, and she has inspired the creation of over a dozen 501(c)(3) organizations, the Ainsley’s Angels of America Foundation, and a children’s book, “Born An Angel” by her sister. Perhaps this paragraph from Ainsley’s Mom puts everything into perspective about why we run with Ainsley: “I'm not a runner; however, running has changed my life! It's ironic that Ainsley is a "runner" because I feel her life is a lot like running a marathon. She started out strong and healthy, but over the miles her body has become tired and weak. Her breathing heavy and unsteady, there have been many times her body wanted to quit, but her mind and spirit kept her going. She is a fighter! Her "footprints" are not alone, she has a support team with her, cheering, encouraging, praying, pushing and supporting her every step of her race. We all have the same goal, to cross the finish line feeling proud, accomplished, supported, and loved.
I know when Ain's crosses her finish line, she will feel all of this and more! She will be rewarded the ultimate "medal" and grandest of celebrations! I will continue to run this marathon with her until the very end!!"
Thank you, Mettle Events for that race in August 2008 and for this amazing Dismal Swamp Stomp!
Here are the key links for folks to connect with us:Also, enjoy this USA Today Video Story and this short clip about what we do.
Here is our website, especially the "Born an Angel" tab.
And we look forward to seeing you on Twitter/Instagram: @Ainsleys_Angels
YouTube Subscribe: 'AinsleysAngels'