Race Information: Crater Lake Marathon

Running the Crater Lake Marathon is one of my major marathon adventures of the year. On August 11, 2001, I ran it for the 10th time and enjoyed the experience. My times at Crater Lake are about an hour slower than usual due to the 6,000-8,000 foot elevation, the hilly nature of the course, and the summer heat that is often a factor.

At the Crater Lake Rim Runs there were about 335 runners and walkers on hand for the combined start of the 6.7 run and walk, the 13.0 run, and the full marathon. The location of parking lots on the Rim Drive accounts for the distances of the shorter races. There were 135 finishers in the 6.7 run and 21 in the walk. The 13.0 run had 88 finishers, and the marathon had 67. The total for all events was 311.

The marathon was won by Bob Shorrock, 40, of Lake Oswego, OR, and northern England. His time of 2:56:37 was just short of his last year’s winning time. Shorrock is the only runner to win back-to-back marathons in the 26 year history of the race. He had a 17+ minute lead over Mark Reis of Mukilteo, WA, whose finishing time was 3:12:18. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that the women’s winner of the marathon was a running acquaintance. Congratulations to Yunae Wilson, 30, of Tacoma who was the 15th finisher overall and had a time of 3:48:57 for her win. She finished seven minutes ahead of Tracy Shaff of Austin, TX (3:55:32). Yunae’s father, Greg Judge of Des Moines, WA, ran well, too……finishing with a sub-4 of 3:58:48. Other running friends in the marathon were Richard Ketchum, Kent, WA (4:02:42), Phil Weiser, Auburn, WA (4:40:52), Paul Fouch, 67, Klamath Falls, OR, (4:43:47), and Ed Hanson, Stayton, OR (4:58:49). These runners ran well in spite of air temperatures that rose from 52 degrees at the 8:30 a.m. start to the mid 80’s by early afternoon while they were still on the course.

In the history of the 13.0 race, Lori Stich-Zimmerman, 31, of Portland, OR, became the first woman to be the overall winner. She had an excellent time of 1:30:32 and finished more than 8 minutes ahead of Richard Spaccarelli, 52, (1:39:28) of Lake Oswego, OR. Both did well running a 932 foot elevation gain in 3.4 miles at 7,000-8,000 feet elevation just before the finish line. Harry Kittleman, 65+, a friend from Bend, OR, ran injured to a 2:23:44.

As what often happens to me at Crater Lake, my race went well for about 22 miles and then deteriorated in the last 4 miles on Grayback Mountain. Calf cramps became more prevalent as I ran/walked up the steep switchback, dirt road for a mile. Then I walked slowly to the turn-around at 24.2 miles. Because of the cramps, the downhill return was a run/walk. I crossed the finish line in a state park with a time of 4:51:48, 51st of 67 overall and first 70+ male.

While I was sitting in the shade recovering, I was surprised that I had attracted the finish line medical team. I was asked to lie prone on a picnic table as my vital signs were checked. I had low blood pressure, low blood oxygen, and a high pulse rate. They concluded that I had heat exhaustion. Later I looked up the symptoms for this affliction, and there were some that I didn’t have (e.g., nausea). I will concede that I had dehydration and some fatigue from running a difficult marathon. At any rate, the oxygen and the unit of intravenous fluid that were administered to me accelerated my post-race recovery. Many thanks go to Caroline Collin, Laina Holland, Mary King, and Kevin Groh for their conscientious and expert care during the brief time that I was their patient. I didn’t need further treatment, but a park ranger insisted that I ride in the finish line ambulance that was going to the main lodge anyway. Along the way, they checked my post treatment recovery before releasing me.

As co-directors of the YAKIMA RIVER CANYON MARATHON, Lenore and I learned much about medical procedure in the finish area that will be useful to us. Every marathon is an adventure, and this one certainly was an unusual one for me. In 20 years of marathoning, this was my first medical treatment. It will be interesting to see if I can go for another 20 years without needing further medical assistance.

Written by Bob Dolphin