Sumo Wrestler Breaks Record for Heaviest Man to Complete Marathon

Proof anyone can run a marathon.

Kelly Gneiting weighing 400 lbs. set a Guinness World Record for the heaviest person to complete a marathon, taking nine hours, 48 minutes and 52 seconds to finish the Los Angeles event Sunday.

Sumo Wrestler Breaks Record for Heaviest Man to Complete Marathon

Krispy Kream Challenge:

For those of you that know me well, you know that donuts are one of my favorite foods in the world, for those of you who have read this blog before you will know that running is one of my favorite things to do in the world. I have managed to combine these two passions of mine in that one, running, allows me to indulge in the other, donuts. Often for my weekly long runs I will walk down to the amazing Mom and Pap bakery, A Baker's Wife and buy a few donuts and leave them on the kitchen counter so that when I return from my run I get to look forward to fresh homemade donuts, plural as in 3-4. Let's just say it is a very strong motivating factor for me. I will also stop during my really long runs 5+ hour runs and "refuel," this normally consist of me stopping at a gas stations and buying a gatorade and either a snickers bar or donuts. There is a saying about endurance running from the book Once A Runner by John L. Parker, "If the fire is hot enough anything will burn." Parker is referring to runner that burn through four, five, six thousand or more calories a day, so whether its donuts or a salad it all just fuel for the fire.

Now other than as a reward for after a long run or fuel for those really long runs I have yet to be able to truly combine these two passions of mine. Until I saw an ad for the Krispy Kream Challenge. To complete the Krispy Kreme Challenge, participants start at the iconic NC State Belltower on Hillsborough Street, run two miles to the Krispy Kreme store of Raleigh, eat one dozen doughnuts (totaling 2,400 calories and 144 grams of fat), and run back to the Belltower, all under 1 hour. This would surely test the limits of my stomach and there is a strong possibility that after this event I would not have the desire to run or eat donuts for a while. Maybe a possibility for 2012 race calendar.

Celebrity Marathoners:

Normally I do not concern myself or post about celebrity news or gossip, but I did find it interesting which celebrities are also marathoners and what times they clocked in at. I will brag a bit here in that Lance Armstrong, who is the most successful cyclist of all time did train full-time for a marathon for several years, and when Lance trains he is insane with his training, just read his book It's Not About The Bike to get a glimpse of how hard he trains and races. Let's just say that with all of that training and a full-time crew with him, if we toed the line at the start of a marathon I think I'd beat him by about a minute, at least that's what are PRs say. Enough bragging here is the list of some famous people who have ran and completed a marathon, enjoy.

Lance Armstrong, 2006 (2:59:36) and 2007 (2:46:43) New York City Marathon

After he finished the New York City Marathon in 2006, Lance Armstrong called the marathon "without a doubt the hardest physical thing I have ever done." But it didn't stop the seven-time Tour de France champion from attempting the race again the following year. He trained a little better in 2007, which resulted in a better time and less pain.

Natalie Morales, 2006 New York City Marathon (3:31:02)

Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Let's just say my first marathon was slower than Natalie Morales' time.

George W. Bush, 1993 Houston Marathon (3:44:52)

Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images

I am very impressed with GW's time, so what if his approval rates were never near that of Clinton's. If those two faced off I'd take Bush and his 3:44 over Clinton and his frequent Big Mac stops any race.

Ed Norton, 2009 New York City Marathon (3:48:01)

Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Actor Ed Norton, well known for his roles in American History X, Primal Fear, and Fight Club, ran the New York City Marathon in support of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. Ed Norton seems like the type of guy that would crank out a marathon, especially if it was towards a good cause.

Will Ferrell, 2003 Boston Marathon (3:56:12)

Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images

No offense but I have a hard time picturing Will Ferrell being serious for more than one minute let alone all of the training and the nearly four hours it took him to run it. Nice going Will, you surprised me.

Sarah Palin, 2005 Humpy's Marathon (3:59:36)

Photo by Mark Lyons/Getty Images

Sarah Palin get a lot of criticism and a lot of it in my opinion is deserved, but one thing that I do admire about Mrs. Palin is the fact that in such a short period of time you can rise from just an "ordinary" American to impact and accomplish a lot in this county. I give her credit for her willingness and passion at what she does. Now, I won't get into how much I actually agree with Mrs. Palin, but it does not surprise me that she was able to clock in a sub 4 hour marathon.

Anthony Edwards, 2003 Chicago Marathon (3:55:40) and 2009 NYC Marathon (4:08:20)

Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

Anthony Edwards, I think he was on ER...right? Sorry Anthony, I heard you ran for a good cause though, good for you.

Sean Combs (P. Diddy) 2003 New York City Marathon (4:14:54)

Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images

Sean "P Diddy/Puff Daddy/Whatever" Combs managed to run the NYC marathon with about two months training and it looked like it showed, but he raised a boat load of money for children s charities so I think he'd say it was worth it.

Alanis Morissette, 2009 New York City Marathon (4:28:45)

Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Singer Alanis Morissette also ran the NYC marathon and joined efforts with Ed Norton by raising money for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust.

Oprah Winfrey, 1994 Marine Corps Marathon (4:29:15)

Photo by Albert Ortega/Getty Images

Is there anything Oprah can't do?

Al Gore, 1997 Marine Corps Marathon (4:54:25)

Now not to discredit Mr. Gore, but with all of that reducing your carbon footprint talk you'd think he'd be out there pounding the pavement a bit more.

Hailie Gebrselassie

The New York marathon is a major event in the distant running sport every year. It attracts numerous elite athletes and often a number of celebrity runners. This year was no exception, there was another great elite field along with defending NYC marathon winner American, Meb Keflezighi. At the end of the 26.2 miles Gebre Gebrmariam from Ethiopia finished in first place, but he did not capture the top headline.

That went to Hailie Gebrselassie, the famous Ethiopian runner that is arguably the most accomplished distance runner of all time. Gebrselassie has broken 27 world records and currently hold the world record for the marathon at 2:03:59

At mile 16 Gebrselassie slowed then stopped, experiencing some minor knee problems prior to the start of the race. At the post race Gebraselassie took the podium and announced that he would be retiring. At 37 years old Gebraselassie is past his prime, however, he has still been a dominate force in the distance running. If he truly does retire it would sure end the career of one of distance runners great athletes of all time.

NY Times Article on Gebrselassie: Enjoy!

Ryan Hall NOT running the Chicago Marathon 2010:

As the count down to the 2010 Chicago marathon closes in I have already moved up one place in the results before the race has even started. Ryan Hall, the top American marathon has announced that he is no longer running the Chicago marathon. I have included a link to Ryan Hall's blog post explaining, Hall goes on to say that he has made the decision based on his recent 1/2 marathon race at the Rock N' Roll Half Marathon in Philly where he placed a disappointing 13 place overall, but ran a pace only a few seconds faster in the 1/2 that he will need to run for twice the distance.

I think that he is just scared to race me again. Hall ended up on top in our first meeting, 2009 Boston marathon, Hall placing 3rd and me finishing on his heals placing 532nd. However, since that 2009 Boston marathon I have improved on my personal best by 6 minutes, Hall on the other hand has yet to even reach his personal best since 2008 London marathon. Not to worry we will meet again and the rivalry will continue.

As for me I am preparing for my first Chicago marathon. I have heard that it is a flat and fast course so I am hoping for a new personal best. I love the city of Chicago and Sunday I will get a great 26.2 mile tour of the city it should be great and I am really looking forward to the race and the weekend.

Ryan's Blog Post about his decision not to Run