Are kilts cool?

According to Ray, the answer is, "yes!"  Today, he ran the Hatcher Pass marathon in a kilt.  After attending the AK Scottish Highland Games a few weeks ago, Ray was determined to get closer to his ancestors by sporting the kilt.  I have to admit, I was a little hesitant to watch him run in a skirt…oops, I mean kilt.  ;  )  I didn't know if he would get razzed by the other athletes.  I just wasn't so sure how cool running in a kilt would be.  So, what do you think…..are kilts cool?  Do you think a man in a kilt is a man and half?  Well, the company that Ray ordered his kilt from will tell you just that.  Their motto is:  "A man in a kilt is a man and a half."  So, while cheering on Ray during the marathon event, the kids and I would shout that very motto out to him.  It made him smile every time.  So, here is a look at Ray running 26.2 miles in a kilt up in the mountains.  This course was 25 miles of uphill, 1.2 mile of downhill.  This is Ray's 3rd year running this race.  

Ray carrying Stephen in a firemen's carry prior to race start.  Maybe the kilt made him feel stronger.

Here's the starting line up.  Not very many people sign up to run this marathon.  It is tough.  The guys and gals in this group are super strong…mentally and physically.  Look at the quads on the dude w/ the long sleeve green shirt.  He ran w/ his shirt off most of the race and he honestly looked like the incredible hulk in the upper body (not that I was checking him out or anything.)  What is a girl to do when a guy runs with his shirt off?
Notice the guy on the far right w/ the green bandana…he was the winner of the day, finishing an uphill marathon in 2:51!!!!!  That is the record and that is an amazing feat.  His finish time is faster than most people finish a flat or downhill marathon course.  He was kickin' some bootie out there.

 Here is a picture of our buddy "ponytail Dave."  He runs Ultra marathons and does some of his training runs w/ Ray.  He won a 350 mile race last winter.  He is such a positive guy with a "can do/nothing will stop me" attitude.

Stephen and McKinley made many runners smile with their cheering signs.

Here comes Daddy to get some 'power' from his kids.

This is the toughest chick I know.  Shawn is amazing!  She has run a 1,000 mile race in the winter 

and survived.  She won 1st place for women today.  

Time to splash in mud puddles while waiting to cheer on Daddy.

Stephen and McKinley playing in the creek while waiting for Daddy to run by.

So glad we brought the rubber boots.

Stephen is loving it!

Happy kids!

McKinley couldn't wait to dip her feet in.  Off came the rubber boots.

Look what I found!

Ahhh!  This is the life!

Still cheering runners/climbers on to victory!

Ray running with some buddies.  Mile 19.  Still climbing.  

We found some more kids at mile 24 waiting for their Mom, so I passed out cheering signs to them.  

There is just something precious and so encouraging when kids are holding the signs.

Ray cooling off while dumping cold water over his head.  Notice the mud on the right calf.

This is a rugged run for sure.  You got this Ray!

Almost there!  One more hill to climb.  

Sprinting to the finish on the downhill!  Go Ray!  

After the finish, with his friend Brandon.  

Ray finished in 4:22.  Well done!

Today was a fun family day.  I loved driving and cheering others on.  There was one time that I felt impressed to go turn the car around and go cheer on this lady who was struggling and had started the marathon an hour and half early so she could finish within the 8 hour allotted time.  I went back and put the "touch here for power" sign out my window and she smiled.  Then I held out the sign that said:  "Remember how strong you are!"  And, she smiled again.  We all need to keep cheering each other on.  It will make all the different in someone's day.  What 'sign' will you hold up today?