This co-ed program is for adults of all ages and abilities who have the desire and the willingness to participate in a structured, group-focused training program. The program will train you to run 26.2 miles continuously (this is not a walk/run program). In addition to completing the marathon, the program may offer to some participants the benefits of improved cardiovascular fitness, reduced adverse health factors, safe training methods, and the camaraderie of like-minded running partners.
$100 Training program fee, in addition all participants are required to join the Prince Georges Running Club. The club membership fee is $20 individual/$25 family/$10 student.
Participants are required to volunteer at one club event during the program. This includes volunteering at a race, helping out with club administration or other club activities.
Valerie Grasso began running in 1997. Since 1997 she has finished dozens of races up to and including four marathons. She has coached beginner running training programs since 2005. In 2008, she successfully completed the certification requirements as a Road Runner Clubs of America (RRCA) certified coach. She is also a Weight Watcher leader and believes that fitness, proper nutrition and health are important first steps along the path of becoming a more efficient runner. She takes her role as coach and mentor very seriously and understands that it is important to start from the basic foundations of physiology and principles of training, recognizing that athletes may not adapt as fast as you predict and that it is important to be watchful of their response to training guidance.
Lydia Shell is currently the president of PGRC. In the last two years she has discovered her passion for distance running and wants to share this passion with others. She completed 2 marathons, 4 half marathons, many 5Ks and logged 860 miles last year.
Gary Paradee is a 26 year old runner. While still relatively new to running (less than 3 years), he has completed 6 marathons and 5 half marathons, in addition to various shorter distance races ranging from 1 mile to 10 miles. He enjoys a wide variety of running and cross training workouts including long runs and track workouts with PGRC, weight lifting and racquetball. His goals for the training program are to keep you motivated through the ridiculous summer conditions, provide support, advice, and encouragement during the long runs and most of all help you finish a marathon.
John Giamalva is a big believer in group runs. He has been running with the club since 2002, and has run 4 marathons (Marine Corps Marathon twice, Philadelphia, and Dublin Ireland). This year he is registered for the Hartford, CT marathon.
Joann Thomas, a personal trainer and aerobic instructor, enjoys coaching and motivating others to make a lifestyle transformation to living a healthy life. She ran her first and only marathon in 2001, but has run numerous other races including the National Half Marathon, and Army and Cherry Blossom Ten Milers. She believes the three keys to running are commitment, consistency and courage.
Clarence Williams draws his inspiration from thinking about his father who passed away five years ago and never had the chance to see him run long. Every time he runs he thinks about how lucky he is to be able to plant one foot in front of the other. He used running for many years to get fit for my soccer seasons, and loves the rhythm and variety of running challenges when training. He has completed several marathons (Honolulu, Marine Corps, Baltimore, Richmond, Chicago, Nashville, and Las Vegas) and multiple half marathons and 10 milers on both coasts over the last 10 years. Favorite saying: If you wait too long for the perfect moment, the perfect moment will pass you by, Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--Wow! What a Run.
Elaine Bond
Contact Head Coach Valerie Grasso