MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Little

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING TRACI STOCKDALE NULL OF CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI, FOR HER FIRST PARTICIPATION IN THE 104TH RUNNING OF THE BOSTON MARATHON.

WHEREAS, the 104th running of the Boston Marathon will have a Mississippi flavor as Mrs. Traci Stockdale Null of Corinth, Mississippi, will join 17,998 other runners in her inaugural trip through the 26-mile course; and

WHEREAS, this year's Boston Marathon will host the largest field since the 100th running in 1996, and those watching the race, which begins at 11:00 a.m. CST on Monday, April 24, 2000, should look for Mrs. Null wearing runner number 13,027; and

WHEREAS, running enthusiasts can't just call up Boston Athletic Association officials and turn in entry forms; in order to run the Boston race, a runner has to qualify in another certified marathon to make it; Null qualified by pulling out a 3:41:30 finish time in the Rock and Roll Marathon, a fundraiser for leukemia, in San Diego, California; and

WHEREAS, training for a 26-mile run is a lot different than training for a 10K race and for Null, her training became a continuation of what she had done to get ready to run in California, running five out of seven days with Friday and Sunday being rest days including a short run which is 12 to 14 miles, and a long run which is 18 to 24 miles; and

WHEREAS, the biggest part of running a road race of this caliber is the mental portion and according to Traci, the end of the race is probably the hardest part of it; and

WHEREAS, Boston Marathon history records the first race in 1897 pitting 15 men who started from a line drawn in the dirt with the heel of a shoe; today, runners' times are kept track of with microchips attached to shoes and more than 6,000 volunteers are needed to keep the race going; and

WHEREAS, running the Boston Marathon has not been a life-long dream for Null, but qualifying to run was an opportunity she couldn't pass up; and

WHEREAS, traveling to Boston with Null will be her daughter, Sadie, and her parents, Truman and Elaine Stockdale, and her sister, Tina, while her husband, Ray, and other daughter, Samantha, will watch the race on television; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the athletic ability and determination of this citizen who brings honor to her family, her community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Traci Stockdale Null of Corinth, Mississippi, for her first participation in the 104th running of the Boston Marathon, and wish her success in this most prestigious race and in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Traci and her family, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.