Marathon Date Moves Up
Saturni, Aquarius 14, 2077, m249
Runners will need to get ready ahead of schedule as organizers up the race dates.
Pathfinder Organizers change to accommodate the MAFL playoff schedule.
In a press release, organizers stated “In light of the recent news and schedule changes made by the MAFL, we and our sponsors have agreed that it is in the best interest of all parties to adjust marathon dates to minimize overlap.”
This is welcome news for sport fans who would have had to choose between sports. This is, no doubt, sponsor driven. With a captive audience and many of the same partners involved in both MAFL and Pathfinder Marathon, this is just a logical business decision. Drinqium, the Earth beverage and lifestyle conglomerate, is a major stakeholder in both, having recently closed a deal for 2077 media rights for the playoffs.
According to a Drinqium spokesperson in Marineris, “Mars sports are refreshing and express the same vitality and spirit as our family of brands.”
Some runners have express concerns, even though the new dates are only days ahead of the original schedule.
Challengers like Maria Rivers knows how mental readiness factors into Pathfinder. She's been training since the first announcement that the race would be open to colonists back in the month of Simha, m248.
“It may only seem like a few days, but the women’s run starts a full week ahead of plan.”, said Maria Rivers of San Olympus, “This is severe disruption. My mental conditioning program can’t be shortened, so it forces me to scrap a significant portion of my training.”
Off-colony critics have a simple response, “Suck it up”.
“These colonists need to get with the program,’ says Garin Papaviny, former winner, “It’s a highly dynamic sport. Everyone knows anything can change at a whim. The conditions can change, the course can blow away, and yes, the start date can change. There isn’t a beauty salon stop on this course. If they can’t handle this aspect of the race, they really shouldn’t be here.”
Pathfinder Marathon Schedule:
- Men’s Start - 8:00 Mercurii, Aquarius 18
- Women’s Start - 8:00 Veneris, Aquarius 20