Gysel Parajon's Staging Area

I wanted to do one more marathon in 2024 for a total of 15, especially since I missed running another MO marathon. Anyway this one was planned at the last minute but I made a great choice in choosing it.

It was held in Wildwood, just outside of St. Louis on the Ozark Plateau. It was as beautiful as it was challenging. It consisted of some impressive climbs with a course that took runners through and across changing landscape from rocky, wooded areas to sandy, wooded areas next to the Meramac River.

I hiked more than ran the course with a full out run the last three miles swallowing the pain in my foot, (from plantar fasciopathy), in order to finish the race in the allotted time. And I made it! The race director and other volunteers were there waiting for me, cheering me on. And all the volunteers were great, caring, and supportive.

I arrived in Salina Friday, the night before the race mentally and physically prepared to run in the rain or so I thought. I stayed somewhat close to the start/finish and ran in the rain to pickup my bib and then met with other runners from the running clubs I belong to for photos, which is always fun, stopped to use a potty, and I mention that because it was the only time I stopped for that purpose before and during the race. I know, I can’t believe my insides behaved that day! Soon after we were told to line up and then the race began!

The Salina Crossroads Marathon is a double looped course for the marathon and a single loop for the half as well as flat I was told. I tried not to think about that as I’m not particularly fond of flat races so when some hills appeared after mile 4 I was pleasantly surprised! Yes, I had neglected to look at the elevation profile for the race and that’s ok. Ignorance is sometimes bliss.

I’m really grateful that the race was not canceled because the rain was no joke. I have not ever in any other race where it has had rained not taken off my layers. I tried to stay warm and dry underneath but alas my running jacket was not waterproof. I was soaked before the end of the first loop as was everyone else. Everyone, everyone. I continued on and tried to keep pace with pacers from the 5:30, 5:45, and the 6h groups but I ultimately couldn’t keep up. The weather made me experience pain in places I don’t usually experience it. Even so I kept going, even though I dragged my feet at the end. And I met some cool people at the back of the pack and stayed at the finish until everyone was done. Thank you to the RDs, the amazing volunteers, people of Salina, and my fellow runners for an epic wet day!