With summertime temperatures in DC often topping 100 degrees, running a marathon is usually the farthest thing from most people’s minds, but in 2011 race director Jay Wind had a brainstorm: how about taking the fun inside?  Thus was born the Grant-Pierce Indoor Marathon, held on a 200 meter indoor track at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center in Arlington VA.  If you’re wondering, that adds up to 211 laps, which should be enough to drive most runners crazy, if they weren’t crazy already.

You could see where this is going: yes, I signed up for the race.  On July 14 I’ll line up with 28 other registrants to tackle the race.  Although running in circles may not sound like fun, there are many unique advantages to this race: music with every step, 211 aid station oportunities, guranteed no-cancellation-for-bad-weather policy, and constant access to bathrooms.  Also, all participants will be able to see the winner break the tape, no matter how their own race is going.  And speaking of winners, a likely contender is Arlington’s own Mike Wardian, a national ultramarathon champion, Olympic Marathon Trials participant, and winner of many marathons, including the National Marathon and Miami Marathon.  In 2010, Mikebkoke the world record for an indoor marathon with a time of 2:27:21, and in honor of that (or to lure him back) Jay Wind named this race after Mike’s two sons.

If you’re in the neighborhood on July 14, swing on by and give a cheer.  29 possibly insane runners would surely appreciate it.  

For more information, go to http://www.active.com/walking/arlington-va/grant-pierce-indoor-marathon-2012