ASR Science Teacher Wins Marathon

May 3, 2009, dawned cloudy and 55 degrees, a perfect day for the Second Annual Cox Providence Rhode Races. Thousands of runners, ranging from children to senior citizens, raced through the streets of downtown Providence, RI, but it was ASR Science teacher, Drew Best, who won the marathon. Although Drew says he had "hoped to run faster," he set a course record with his 2-hour, 35-minute, 19-second time - 27 seconds faster than the runner-up.

This race was Drew's first win over the marathon distance. He feels he made a "rookie mistake" by not eating during the race, and he also came upon a problem with the course planning in the last few miles - he was running into some half-marathon finishers.

Asked how it felt to win, Drew says, "It was a great experience to win a marathon, and I might not get that chance again, because I usually focus on more competitive races. Other than the complications towards the end, it was a great course."

In preparation for the race, Drew's training involved running 70 - 85 miles per week, with long runs every weekend and a great deal of running at marathon race pace (5:50 per mile). He is currently working with a new coach, reworking his training to include a variety of shorter and faster workouts, more mileage, and more focus on shorter-distance races. He notes that his colleagues and supervisors at ASR have been very supportive, enabling him to steal away for occasional lunchtime workouts. "I appreciate that a lot," Drew states.

Drew has found that distance running can be a great therapeutic tool. "Rarely in life do we have endeavors with clearly focused goals, steady results, and unambiguous standards against which to measure ourselves...in this way, running can lend a lot of meaning," he says. Drew encourages ASR students to try running, and several have competed in local races. Although none have really gotten "the running bug," Drew feels the experience has been helpful for them.

ASR staff and students offer Drew hearty and sincere congratulations on this major accomplishment!