Maryland Takes Center Stage

The weather was perfect this weekend for an exciting and eventful array of sports around the state. From horse racing to cycling to extreme races, there was something for everyone to participate in. Here is a snapshot of why Maryland is a growing Sports destination:

Maryland will have another, as the 137^th Preakness featured the largest crowd ever. Over 120,000 people donned their snazziest outfits, partied, jammed and celebrated horse racing at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore City. The horse racing did not disappoint either. I Will Have Another narrowly defeated Bodemeister to put itself in position to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978. Stay tuned to see if I Will Have Another attempts to make history at the Belmont Stakes on June 9^th.    

Feasting on the Competition over the Thanksgiving Holiday

While many of us were spending time gobbling up Thanksgiving leftovers or camping out for Black Friday deals this past weekend, others were busy competing in some big time tournaments around Maryland.  We talked about the NATT Teams Championship in Baltimore last week, but there were plenty of other events going on in Maryland. These athletes were busy devouring their competition instead of turkey.

Indoors or Outdoors? Runners don’t have to choose

With the temperatures outside taking a dip (and holiday decorations popping up), most Marylanders are realizing that fall is winding down and old man winter will soon be knocking on our doors.  Some local athletes are taking advantage of what little good weather we have left, while some have begun to migrate their activities indoors.  This weekend marks the inaugural Annapolis Half Marathon, taking place in Maryland’s historic capital city.  The Annapolis racers will be braving whatever Mother Nature throws their way while some running enthusiasts in Howard County have moved their event indoors.

Thousands Show their Mettle in the Iron Girl

The pre-race storm was like a blessing in disguise as it gave way to fresh, crisp air that created the perfect atmosphere for nearly 2,250 women to compete, endure and conquer the 2011 Athleta Iron Girl Triathlon at Centennial Park.  Husbands donned, “Real Men…Marry Athletes” t-shirts, children wielded pink and neon green posters declaring “My mom rocks,” and hundreds of local patrons gathered to cheer on 14 to 71 year-old women from 25 states including California, Oregon, and Alaska.  

Weekend Wrap Up: Columbia Invitational

Another successful year of the Columbia Invitational Soccer Tournament wrapped up in and around Columbia yesterday.  Thousands of soccer players and their families invaded the friendly confines of Howard County this past weekend for one of the premier soccer tournaments in the country put on by Maryland’s own Elite Tournaments.  The tournament hosted 462 teams from 18 different states and Canada over the course of the four-day tournament, and OSM stopped by to check out the games and festivities.

. . . And a Hearty Heigh-ho, Howard!! (Another Horse in the Hunt)

Perhaps it is the lively discussion about zoning bees in Howard County, but we feel as if we stirred up a major hive. Buzzing came fast and furious to our remarks about Prince George’s County and their pitch for the Maryland Horse Park.

According to the swarm, we quite unexpectedly stepped into a nutrient pile.

So, Equine Enthusiasts, in the spirit of fair play (which we always espouse at H2P) we will tell you about Howard County’s EARLIER (their emphasis) plans to be the home of a Maryland Horse Park.

Way back in 2007, the Howard County Council appointed a task force consisting of horse people along with county planning, agricultural and economic development officials, to study the prospects of a horse park and even suggest potential locations for it.

 

Their report builds on the findings in the original MSA feasibility study completed in 2006 and they make some very compelling points about why Howard County, using existing facilities and based on their central geographic location, should be the home of the horse park. They also draw some interesting conclusions about the economic and environmental benefits such a facility would bring to our state.

In fact, as one advocate observed, Howard County is the “Middleburg of Maryland.”

This very insightful report, which you can access here, was completed in 2008.

So thank you, Gentle Reader, for bringing this to our attention. And please remember to share your thoughts with Ross Peddicord at the Maryland Horse Industry Board.

( Now put away your stinger and buzz home to the hive.)