Recreation feature

By KURT NICOLL

Date published: 5/16/2008

Stick to a pre-race strategy or satisfy your biggest fan?

Bert Jacoby faces a difficult decision when the Fredericksburg school teacher joins over 5,000 entries in Sunday's inaugural Marine Corps Historic Half marathon.

"I want to run fast, but I'm smart enough not to go out too quickly at the start," the 25-year-old said. "I haven't set any individual goals other than running the best race that I can."

Tall, lanky and sporting a beard, Jacoby should be easy to spot even in a crowded field, but that won't aid Elizabeth Jacoby's view of the race from her home on Caroline Street. Unless his pace quickens, Mrs. Jacoby will be attending church service by the time her son reaches the seventh mile of the race.

Jacoby described the layout as "good, but challenging."

While the 1-mile straight stretch along Caroline Street might be daunting for some runners, Jacoby's greatest worry is over a possible bottleneck when runners leave the Canal Trail and pick up U.S. Route 1 South (near Taco Bell).

Jacoby has a special affinity for the Marine Corps Marathon. He watched his father, the late Albert "Buck" Jacoby, compete in the first two events that were held, whetting his appetite for running.

"I think it will be great for the Fredericksburg area and I hope they can resolve any problems so it can stay here in the future," he said.

Except for a broken foot suffered in a fall two years ago, Jacoby has remained durable during his running career, knowing when to push himself and when to scale back.

The College of William & Mary graduate formed the Team Blitz running club that is still going strong in Williamsburg, and the Lions Running Club he formed this school year at Lafayette Upper Elementary School numbered over 100 participants.

The students in Jacoby's third-grade class don't seem too impressed with his race efforts or upset when he switches to his running garb for the final hour of class in preparation for the Lions' after-school practice.

After Jacoby's high finish at the Las Vegas Marathon was included among the school announcements, several students responded: "All right. How much money did you win?"

Jacoby's 2-hour, 32-minute clocking represented a personal best for that distance.

While appreciative of fan support, Jacoby has one bit of advice for spectators and participating runners who are finished and in their cooling-down stage.

"Don't tell us we're almost there. You're never almost there until you can see the finish line," he said.

Kurt Nicoll: 540/374-5441
Email: knicoll@freelancestar.com

MARINE CORPS HISTORIC HALF MARATHON WHEN: Sunday, 7 a.m. START/FINISH: Fredericksburg Expo Center, Central Park

Date published: 5/16/2008