Blog

Madison Marathon Profile: Lisa Helmuth

The Madison Marathon is the perfect event for Lisa Diane Helmuth (50) of Middleton, WI—it combines running and Madison, two things that have been part of some of the happiest and some of the saddest times of Lisa’s life, including the loss of her son James at the age of 10 due to adrenal cancer. Lisa's family honors James' memory by raising funds for children in need to participate in academic and athletic opportunities. She finds solace in running. For Lisa, “there is nothing quite like the feeling of running in Madison”. 

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Madison Marathon Profile: Stephanie Sprague

After a serious car accident in May 2015, doctors told Stephanie Sprague (25) of Dubuque, Iowa that she’d be in the hospital for the next four months, and even then things were unlikely to be “normal” for her. Remarkably, Stephanie beat those odds  - and will be pursuing her first Madison Marathon on November 8, 2015. 

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Madison Marathon Profile: Abbey Kaiser

Abbey Kaiser is a young runner from Madison who just happens to have Down syndrome. Last May, Abbey completed not only the Madison Marathon Twilight 10K alongside her mother, but also the Half Marathon the next day with myTEAM TRIUMPH. Abbey's FocalShare race photo was selected for display in Times Square as part of a showcase on behalf of the National Down Syndrome Society. 

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Water Stories: A Brief History of Lake Mendota Swim Crossings

Each year, athlete Darren Fortney leads a group of swimmers in a 6-mile swim traversing Lake Mendota as a fund-raising effort for Gilda’s Club, a cancer support and advocacy organization. As a history buff, he wanted to place the ultra-swim in historical context, so Focal Flame writer Robyn Perrin authored an essay about the "lake swimmers" of Lake Mendota.

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Take Two: the Wisconsin Du Series

Love the idea of multisport, but not so into swimming? Or perhaps you’re a triathlete seeking a great dry land race? Check out the Wisconsin Du Series, a season-long fling with just two things – biking and running. Read more in a Q&A with race director Paul Eicher.

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