Planet News Archive For the week of Dec. 18 - 24, 2005 Monday
(Dec. 19, 2005)
Registration Opens for the 2006 a2a Resurrection! - "The Athens  to Atlanta Road Skate is back and this time we're not going to back down." That's the message today from Scott Jones, one of the organizers. He announced that registration is now open. He also gives a thumbnail history of the world's longest running point-to-point road skate. (Go to his announcement.) Online Inline Half Marathon Set for June - Organizers have  scheduled June 10th as the date for the fifth-annual Online Inline Half Marathon in Baxter (near Brainerd), Minn. Last June, the event drew 176 skaters, making it one of the largest freestanding half marathons in North America. (Go to the Planet's Summer Event Calendar.) On the Forum
Would You Skate a Houston Marathon? - Jmac is serious about creating a Houston inline marathon, possibly in mid-October. But he has a couple of questions: Would skaters support it? And, what can he do to make it the best marathon ever? (Give him some feedback!) Tuesday
(Dec. 20, 2005)
Rollerblade Drops Pro Aggressive Team; Adds National, Regional Teams -  Rollerblade says it's not turning its back on aggressive skating — just changing its strategy. With few big aggressive events left these days, it is replacing its salaried TRS team with a 10-member national and 50-member regional team. (Go to Planet story.) Organizer Promises Good Time at New Mardi Gras Marathon - The new Mardi  Gras Marathon looks like a winner. Not only is it an inline event, but it coincides with the second largest Mardi Gras celebration in North America. The marathon is Feb. 25th in Lafayette, La., the heart of Cajun and zydeco country. ... What we have here, skaters, is a new destination event! (Go to event info.) Wednesday
(Dec. 21, 2005)
The Top Ten Holiday Gifts for Skaters - Dream big,  skate hard and be good for goodness sake! Or would you rather have your stocking stuffed with rusted bearings. Not likely, especially after you read Trish Alexander's Top Ten List of Holiday Gifts for Skaters. It's brimming with sweet skate swag! (Go to the top-ten list.) (Dec. 21, 2005) Organizers Set April Date for Indoor Marathon - The  marathon season will start early in Minnesota again next year. Though snow may still be falling, skaters will be rolling in the second annual Metrodome Inline Marathon on April 22nd. The event — the only indoor marathon in the world — drew 271 skaters last year, making it the fifth largest skate marathon in the country. (Click here to register.) (Dec. 21, 2005) Thursday
(Dec. 22, 2005)
Inline Skates Become Darling of Transit Strike -  The New York City transit strike is doing a nice job of showing off the commuter potential of inline skating. Lots of stories have listed inline skating as one of the creative ways New Yorkers are getting to work. And a favorite strike photo has featured commuters on skates. (Go to the Planet story.) Friday
(Dec. 23, 2005)
Inventor Makes Hybrid Quad-Inline Skate -  Inventor Pat McHale says his skates offer the best of both worlds: the speed of inline and the stability and control of quad. His patented "Street Rails" have five wheels: three mounted on the inside of the frame, two on the outside. (Go to the Planet story.) Date Set for 2006 Seattle Skate for MS - Organizers  have set a date of Aug. 27th for the 2005 Seattle Skate and Walk for MS. The event includes a full and half marathon and a 5K. It's not officially a "race," but some of the skaters (about 200 participate each year) like to push the pace. Last year's "winner" (Chuck Hendrick) finished with a time of 1 hour, 19 minutes and 38 seconds. Proceeds go to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of King Country. (Go to 2006 event calendar.) | 
