Race Information: Easter Marathon Runoff

The Easter Marathon at Millersylvania State Park near Olympia, WA, on Saturday, March 30, 2002, was run under nearly ideal conditions. Throughout the race on a double out-and-back course, the temperature was in the 50’s. It was overcast, and the winds were light for most of the time. A mixed field of 21 marathoners and 41 half marathoners left the park at 8:00 a.m. and ran on flat to gently rolling terrain through forest, marshes, farms and rural housing areas on a state highway and a country road. This course is usually a simple out-and-back course that Bob Green, the race director, uses for his holiday marathons…..Valentine’s, St Patrick’s, Halloween and Christmas.

Because the YAKIMA RIVER CANYON MARATHON and the Boston Marathon were upcoming in one and two weeks, this race was just the kind of training run that I needed. The aid stations at 1.5 mile intervals gave ample opportunity to stay hydrated and fueled with water, sports drink and GU gel.

In the first half there were many runners in view. Many of them were half marathoners who concluded their runs after the first out-and-back circuit to the park. As I left the park in the 14th mile, there were no runners in view going in the same direction. The first one to approach me and pass going in the opposite direction was our friend Jeff Giesbrecht, 33, of Vancouver, BC, who ran unchallenged to a 3:11:30 win. The next runner to pass was Clay Harris, 25, of Salem, OR, (3:17:40). In sixth place and first woman was Alicia Britt, 39, of Seattle who ran a 3:40:57. Van Phan, 31, of Maple Valley, WA, was the second female with a 3:55:52.

Two running friends approached later in the race. They were Jim Scheer, 60, of Vancouver, WA, (3:48:21) and Steve Frederickson, 54, of Kent, WA (3:58:50). At the 3/4 marathon turn-around, I greeted Kathleen Malekzadeh, 42, of Eugene, OR, as she was closing in on me. Fenny Roberts, 49, of Salem, OR, (5:11:59) a good friend of ours, passed as she approached the turn-around. We exchanged pleasantries and moved on. About three miles from the finish at the park, I overtook Chuck Bryant, 45, of Miami, FL…..walking. He is a one-legged amputee who had taken an early start and completed the marathon in 5:50:57. One has to admire his courage to walk a marathon with the aid of a prosthesis.

My race time was 4:21:24, quite a bit slower than last year’s Easter Marathon. However, I was content because the hamstring that I pulled last September 30th in Portland had not completely healed. This was my first sub 4:30 since that injury, so that was encouraging.

Other runners whom we knew who competed in the 5K Race were: Erick Lindbergh, 50, 21:27; Robert Reed, 70, 25:08; Sally Lindbergh, 56, 26:11; Jimmy Smith, 61, 29:53. In the Half Marathon were: Alan Thompson, 60, 1:37:57; Steve Moe, 57, 1:39:52, Pete Dawson, 62, 2:01;54.

It was another good day for racers who could choose the 5K Race, Half Marathon, Full Marathon, Duathlon…..or the combination of a shorter race AND the duathlon. As usual, there were awards for everyone and a lot of good food. It was a great training run for me and a chance to see a lot of friends.

Written by Bob Dolphin