MARATHON10 Dec 31st to Jan 7 - 2010
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Index to additional information
At 21:00 New Zealand time, 03:00 Eastern Standard Time on December 31, 2009, I was pleased to announce “ I have great pleasure in now declaring the BIL Marathon10 officially underway – let the cards fall where they will - PLAY BIL BRIDGE !!” Marathon10 was under way
Board 1 in Marathon 2010 was played by two Australian- Hope and Gowanlock and two USA Players TwstofLime and Onlyyuman . Through the next seven days, 1500 boards were played at the main table in Marathon10. The special guests, teachers, mentors, graduates and BIL members, shuffled the cards and played and played as they welcomed in the New Year around the world.
Hoki provided champagne and chocolate fish and the party began!
We wondered would this event eclipse the inaugural Marathon09 which had set the record at
- 577 boards played at Marathon 09 table.
- Event total time: 58 hours.
- average 6.03 min per bd.
- Gavilanes played 300 boards without a break.
The Marathon10 table was supported by a host of other tables often 15 – 18 tables there at any one time, some of which ran for as many as 450 boards.
Our Guests,Teachers, Mentors and Grads made this a very special time for the BIL players as they played at the tables and kibbed giving advice and encouragement creating such a friendly, nurturing atmosphere that several new players found the courage to leave the Kib box and sit at a table.
At Bd 578 Breaking the Marathon09 record , the international love of the game and spirit of the BIL became shiningly apparent when four international players— representing Belgium, Germany, Scotland, and US—exchanged some friendly chat and competitive play!
At Bd 594 58 hours after the start the score was 0.1 imps !!
Just before 15:30 EST on Jan 2, I announced that the Marathon10 table would have to be closed due to some techincal difficulties - this is a screen shot taken shortly after at one of the support tables
Last board
#600, in
Phase I
Iml8 wasn’t the only one querying the need to stop playing - members clamored for the Marathon to continue so with a hurried change of computer the Marathon10 table was reloaded 5 minutes later and play recommenced at 15:35 EST on Jan 2 -
Phase 2 had begun
After the restart who would have guessed that the table would play for another 900 boards
Phase II continued from January 2, 15:35 EST until January 7 at 03:05 EST.
I declared the Marathon officially closed at 3:05 EST, January 7, 2010 – 7 days after it began.
Ne v en, coco24, jpowell, karrolle played the last board, #900 of phase II, making a total of 1500 bds played at the Marathon10 table with a combined total of some 17,000 + boards played by all those who took part.
( many of those I saw playing in the BIL during the marathon have not yet sent in their board numbers - if that is you please do so now ! - you can look up the number in your MYHands record on BBO or send in your best guestimate to admin@bilbridge.com )
Online bridge records set the first week of 2010—
- Continuous play at the Marathon10 table: 7 days (168 hours) .
- Minutes per board: 6.72
- Total number of hands played at Marathon10 table: 1500.
- Hands played at supporting tables: 15,600 + ( yet to be confirmed)
- Most hands played overall by a BIL player : 888 by ne v en ( did he ever sleep !?!)
- Leggygodiv ( BIL Mentor) played 324 bds in Phase 1 150 being played in the first 24 hrs and a further 200 bds during Phase 2
For me the highlights were hearing from new players e.g.
I finally got enough courage to participate in one or two games with other players who were fun and very patient. And, while I was playing one particular hand, Caspar the Ghost dropped in. He did not tell me how to play the hand but he did provide me with sound advice which I followed with success. What a feeling! As a result of the Marathon 10, I am looking forward to playing with other people as well as the robots. Thanks for the wonderful event. Best new year in a long time.
I’m a great kibber. Too nervous to sit , even at the Acol club- anyway this Marathon has got me playing even though they don’t know my system. I’ve enjoyed it so much. Want it to go on forever !!
In the Spirit of the Marathon
“The BIL’s Marathon was so wonderful, as the Olympic Spirit of the MARATHON! And this is awarded to you by a GREEK,” says BIL Mentor and Teacher Eleni on the BIL’s New Year’s Eve Marathon
“The winner may have the golden olive crown forever, but all the participants get the ‘cotinum’ (the olive crown, golden, silver, bronze or even from olive branches and leaves)” she continues, showing the enthusiasm with which she teaches and plays.
“World Class Players, that offer their time to help less experienced players, as well as all the mentors that want to offer their knowledge to the ones that want to participate in the cerebral sport of bridge, also deserve a ‘COTINUM’ for their offer. May they continue to help!” Eleni concludes. The spirit shared among BIL mentors and teachers far and wide is unmistakable
Congratulations and Thanks
Congratulations and many thanks to everyone who played in Marathon 2010 – BIL Players, Special Guests, Teachers, Mentors, BIL Grads who joined the fun to make Marathon 10 the best event ever!
The ultimate Kudos go to The Mastermind – TwstofLime (Sandy) and to Robzim (Roberta) and Onlyyuman (Barbara) of the Special Events Team! What may have started out as Sandy’s flight of fancy last year has become our Signature Annual Event—the MARATHON. The bullying, yes Sandy is! The research—hours upon hours, writing scripts, contacting people and more—all of this Team are to be thanked for their generous gifts of hard work and extensive time.
A beautiful bouquet to them all and dozens of roses to those who always jump in to help—Hope (Nada), who spent many hours inviting a Galaxy of Stars to visit and play with us on New Year’s Eve and the many other volunteers who jumped in with a helping hand!
This is the tip of the annual iceberg of work the Special Events Team does for the BIL. We are so fortunate to have them and the many other volunteers who willingly give so much time to helping the BIL in so many ways throughout the year. Many thanks to all of you!
May your challenges be experienced with victory
and may you and your loved ones share a Bountiful, Healthy, and Happy New Year!
Maureen Hall (aka hallway)
Founder and Manager of the Beginner Intermediate Lounge (BIL)
Mark your calendars now - be ready to take part in next years Marathon