Corning, NY - When Brendan Glover decided to run the Wineglass Marathon last year, he really wasn't sure what to expect. He'd been running competitively since high school, but he'd never tried to run a marathon before. He'd been training, but the hectic schedule that accompanied his summer wedding didn't leave him much time to build up his miles prior to the race. He didn't have high expectations going into last year's Wineglass Marathon. But he didn't do too badly, all things considered. He came in third! And this year, he's the favorite to win the whole thing.
"It's very humbling," said Glover, 28, about being pegged to win the 31st Wineglass Marathon, "but I know I have a long way to go to keep improving." This year's marathon will take place on September 30.
Glover started running track his freshman year of high school, and it quickly became evident he had a knack for it. He had a lot of success, placing decently within his team - and it inspired him to keep training and improving. He continued running throughout college, enjoying the camaraderie and challenge that competitive running brought with it.
After graduating from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, he took a job at Sikorsky, leaving his home in New Hampshire to move to the Southern Tier. He currently works for Corning Incorporated.
Glover came in third place in the Wineglass Marathon last year, with a time of 2 hours and 38 minutes - just five minutes more than winner, Bryan Morseman. This year, he's hoping to improve his time and placement - and he's been working hard to ensure it happens.
Following a rigorous training schedule, running 80+ miles per week, Glover feels he's better prepared for a run of such great distance. He completed his second marathon in the spring, which he said gave him a little more experience. He ran the Pocono Marathon: Run for the Red, placing fifth, with a time of 2:40. However, he ended up missing a turn due to lack of course markings, and ran 26.8 miles instead of 26.2.
This year's Wineglass will be his third marathon, and he's hoping to make Boston his fourth. He just signed up last week, and is already looking forward to it. Since he is originally from that area, it has always been a goal of his to run in Boston, but he has started to feel a similar pride for Corning.
"It would mean a lot to me (to win the Wineglass Marathon), living in the area," said Glover. "I feel like it's a great race locally, and gets a lot of local people involved in running as well."
Glover's wife, Jenelle, is also a runner and chronicles their athletic efforts on her blog, Mile Twenty-Eight: http://miletwentyeight.com/. Jenelle will also be running this year's Wineglass Marathon.
Make sure to support Glover by cheering him on along the sidelines this year! Viewing points include E. Morris Street and Main Street in Bath, Campbell-Savona Central School, West High School in Painted Post, and Market Street in Corning.
This year's Wineglass Marathon weekend begins on Thursday, September 27th as the community welcomes this year's special guest, Olympic gold medalist and international running icon Joan Benoit Samuelson during a special event at The Corning Museum of Glass. Runner registration and expo begin on Friday at the Corning Community YMCA, followed by the 5K and expo on Saturday, September 29th. The half-marathon and marathon begin at 8:00am on Sunday, September 30th, with both events crossing the finish line on Historic Market Street in Corning's Gaffer District. For more information or race registration, find us on Facebook, follow Wineglass Marathon on Twitter using @wgmarathon or visit www.wineglassmarathon.com.