Marathon Legends at BCM
Marathoners, half-marathoners, and Expo attendees will be treated to the wisdom and insight of some of America’s most respected voices in running at the 2nd annual 26.2 with Donna, the National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer. Race organizers have worked diligently to provide a panel of experts for this year’s Speakers Bureau presented by Novartis to encourage all runners and walkers to achieve their personal best, and there is no doubt the inspiring stories this year’s panel has to share will have everyone pumped up and stretching for the finish line!
Jeff Galloway
One of the strongest advocates for 26.2 with Donna, Olympian Jeff Galloway has worked with race organizers from the earliest stages of planning for the inaugural event to assure it would be a success. Jeff is known to runners around the world as one of the top marathon and half-marathon coaches in the country. His beginning runners’ column in Runner’s World magazine and best-selling books have encouraged a generation of Americans to get off the couch and start a healthier lifestyle. Jeff’s Galloway Training Program is one of the largest marathon and half-marathon training programs in the world, with groups meeting weekly in well over 50 cities around the world.
At the BCM Expo, Jeff will be talking about How to Run your Best Race; Eating, Drinking, and Motivation for the Big Event; 5 Tips to Improve your Performance; and Everything You Want to Know about Running but Were Afraid to Ask.
Joan Samuelson
1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson is the true Rock Star of women’s running. Author if Joan Samuelson’s Running for Women and Running Tide, Joanie has quickly become a great friend of 26.2 with Donna and of the event’s namesake, Donna Deegan. Joanie travels the nation as a Nike consultant and featured speaker. She still runs fast races, but her heart is for growing the sport at all levels.
Look for Donna’s interview with Joan Samuelson in next month’s Newsletter.
Bill Rodgers
"Boston Bill" is no stranger in Jacksonville. The winner of the inaugural Gate River Run is a local favorite as a speaker and motivator, but the rest of the country knows him best as a 4-time winner of both the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon. Bill is the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Running, 2nd Edition, which he will be signing at the Expo in addition to being a featured speaker.
Keith Brantly
Olympian Keith Brantly serves on the BCM Board of Directors and has worked diligently to recruit elite runners both to compete and to speak at 26.2 with Donna. Keith is an 8-time United States National Roadracing Champion in the 10k, 20k, 25k, and marathon, and his experiences competing at the top level of racing keep him in demand as an inspirational and entertaining motivational speaker. In addition to speaking engagements and volunteer work, Keith manages an online personal coaching program at BrantlyRunning.Com. His sincerity, wit, and expertise will relax and inspire beginning runners and aspiring elites alike.
