Summerlin resident finishes marathon

Summerlin resident Maria White, 51, participated in her first marathon when she ran in the third annual Las Vegas marathon Dec. 2.

White said she ran the marathon for all women older than 50 and to honor six family members who have died during the last five years.

Wearing a red T-shirt emblazoned with the words: "For all of you, I do 26.2," White finished the race in 5:07:40.

A nearly 10-year resident of Summerlin, White said she decided to make her first marathon a memory run in October when she started training for the race.

"Those six family members were people who significantly contributed to my growth and development as a person," she said. "It was an honor to run in their memory, and it's a big reason I feel like I finished strong."

"As we age, it's important to stay healthy and active," she said. "I am proud to say I'm in the best shape of my life and it feels wonderful."

With only two months to train, White contacted Chicago-based marathon coach Valerie Ellsworth Gattis who created a custom weekly training schedule. The training included running about 40 miles a week, cycling and weight lifting.

"Of all the activities, my favorite was running," White said. "And my favorite place to run was down the tree-covered streets of Hills Center Drive. The picturesque setting was calming to my spirit despite the physical demands of training for a marathon."

White lives in The Trails Village with her husband, Don, owner and president of Pageantry Homes and Summerlin's newest home builder. The company will soon develop a multifamily neighborhood in The Mesa Village, Summerlin's newest and most southern village.

"We enjoy living in Summerlin," White said. "We not only live and work here, we play here, too. Summerlin is a beautiful place to live, train and work."

White said her new goal is to run a marathon every year.

"It's a great achievement, especially at this stage of my life," she said. "Despite my aches and pains, I can honestly say I am looking forward to my next marathon."

Summerlin has long been known as an active and vibrant community, and according to Kevin Orrock, top division executive for The Howard Hughes Corp., developer of Summerlin, that claim is supported by thousands of community residents who incorporate fitness in their daily routine.

"The community is home to dozens of large community parks with a variety of athletic fields; more than 150 miles of trail system ideal for walking, running or cycling; and gyms that feature a variety of weight and cardio machines as well as a full list of specific classes that are designed to accommodate individuals of varying skills and abilities," he said. "On any given day, Summerlin residents can be seen throughout the community enjoying these amenities as they work toward their own physical fitness."

The 22,500-acre community began to take shape in 1990 and is located along the western rim of the valley.

The community is home to more than 95,000 residents. It has about 7,500 acres still to develop.

The development offers single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and lofts. Prices range from the high $200,000s to more than $2 million.

For more information, visit summerlin.com or call 888-898-5015.