Dennis
Belle Isle woke up early Sunday to cheering, music and 18,000 runners passing our doors. We had a great crowd out to cheer on the runners, and the island was rocking from the moment the pace car cruised by at 42 minutes into the race — about 6:50 a.m.
First to cross was an Achilles athlete in a wheelchair, and the other leaders followed. Overcast skies and a slight mist made it an easy crossing for the runners, who enjoyed water, Gatorade and bathroom stops on Venetian Way in front of The Standard.
Michael Wardian of Arlington, Va., won the men’s division, and Brett Ely of Natick, Ma., won the women’s competition. But the day really belonged to all the runners we see each morning and evening working out on our causeway, the prettiest running route in all of South Florida. Lots of neighbors got up early to cheer spouses and companions who ran the race — as well as the thousands who came to Miami for the great event. (Photos by Robin Landers)
The Miami Herald has a great video of the race.
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- First, the pace car passed….
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- ….and then, our first Team Achilles athlete.
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- And another speeding by!
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- Running hard.
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- Belle Isle resident Lynn Neifeld cheers the runners at 2010 race.
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- A Team Achilles athlete crosses the island.
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- Racing in front of The Standard, headed for the bridge to Rivo Alto.
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- They rocked their matching outfits.
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- Go!
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- Purple shirt, purple hair, money for Leukemia research. GO!
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- Miami Beach author and psychologist M. Gary Neuman and son Mikey cross Belle Isle during the ING Miami Marathon.
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- Employees from The Standard on marathon morning
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- Getting loose by the PortaPotties.
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- Amazingly, this was all cleaned up an hour after the last runner passed.
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- The crew of water volunteers did a great job.
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- PJs are okay on Belle Isle.
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- Raz Samuels, Match and Donald Goodstein wave to runners.
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- Nice skirt.
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- Dogs really like the marathon. Really.
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- Crossing the bridge to Belle Isle
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- Another fashion statement.
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- Runners for a cause crossing the Venetian Causeway at Belle Isle
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- Runners on Belle Isle during the ING Miami Marathon
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- Dennis “Coatman” Marsala crosses Belle Isle
Great job by the runners, volunteers and Belle Isle neighbors. Guests trying to cross the street asked, “What’s going on?” “The Miami Marathon I explained.” Their response, “Who would know.” “READERS OF THE HERALD, anyone who watched the news or listened to the the radio.” I said to myself as they tried to cross Venetian Way. Safe trip home.