Sunshine Double

Bettie held the first Labor Day Triple in 2022 because she needed a triple that weekend. She was trying to get as many half marathons that year as she possible could and was dismayed to discover there was no triple to be found. She couldn't even find a double. In desperation, she announced a low-key, casual, no-frills event. As long as she was going to have a half marathon, might as well add a 5K, 10K, and full marathon.  The bigger-than-expected response led to all the events since, including the Holiday Five and Sunshine Double.

You might be curious why Bettie needed the runs so much in 2022. Well, Bettie likes setting goals. She first set a goal of running a marathon in all the states, then getting to 100 marathons, then getting to 300 marathons so she could get on the Mega Marathon List, then completing at least 100 marathons in a year, then moving up on the Mega Marathon List, then another 100 in a year, then becoming the third North American woman to reach 600 total marathons. When running full marathons became too much, she  switched to half marathons. At that time (2021), the most half marathons recorded in a year was 143--not too impressive. Hence, another goal:  to break that record.  She managed 156 in 2022, with help of the first Labor Day Triple.

It must be mentioned that in 2023, Bettie's good friend Debbie Del Favero surpassed the 156 in fine style by completing 213! Way to go, Debbie!