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Green River Marathon
June 3, 2006
Race Report by Bob Dolphin
As Lenore and I drove into the parking lot by a riverside park in Kent near the starting area of the Green River Marathon, we were surprised to see so many runners and volunteers already there. It was Saturday, June 2, 2007, and twenty of us were allowed to take the 8:30 a.m. early start. It was clear and calm with the temperature at 60 degrees when race director Steve Barrick started this group of runners and walkers. Later in the day, the temperature rose to 80 degrees, but cooling, light winds and tree shade made the run tolerable.
It was a pleasant run on a paved trail by the Green River in park settings for 16 miles, followed by roadside trails and a tour of South Park Village. The last four miles of the course were a delight as we followed the shoreline of Elliot Bay in West Seattle with a clear view of downtown Seattle several miles away.
As Duwamish Head, a promontory broad point, was passed and Alki Beach was reached, there was a view of small boats and ferry boats on Puget Sound. Here, the participants of the marathon, half marathon and relay teams had to share the trail with bicycles, rollerbladers, runners and walkers on the way to the finish line two miles beyond the Head.
Marathon Maniac Gregg Walchli of Seattle was the overall winner in a time of 3:17:04. He's a member of the 100 Marathon Club North America, and this brings his total overall wins to 17!!! Congratulations, Gregg!
For whatever reason, I had a slow run. It took me almost three hours to run to the 13th mile aid station at Interurban Avenue and the I-5 overpass. Lenore was there, and I estimated at that time that I would see her at the finish line in a time of over six hours.
After the 16th mile aid station, I began a 50/50 walk-run for awhile and then went to a brisk walk for the last nine miles at a 15 minute pace. It was a pleasant walk on the paved beach trail, but I was relieved when I saw Lenore's yellow Marathon Maniac jacket in the distance as she stood at the finish line recording the finishing times. I crossed in 6:16:00, last finisher of 52.
We then joined other runners and volunteers at Spuds Fish & Chips Restaurant across the street to celebrate this "marathon amongst friends" and Valentine-John Ridao's new status as a "Marathon Maniac." It was another well-organized race, and we appreciate the efforts of Steve Barrick, his co-director Jim Anderson, and the many volunteers who made this fun event happen.
On a personal note, a few hours before the marathon I received word that my 96 year old mother, Lillian Hanson Dolphin, had just passed away at a hospital near Providence, Rhode Island. She had lived most of her life in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she raised my younger brother and me. I dedicated this year's Green River Marathon to her memory.
Written by Bob Dolphin
Edited, Typed and Distributed by Lenore Dolphin
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