For the first time in three years I was able to run the Spokane Marathon because it was held on an open weekend that didn't conflict with the dates of the Royal Victoria Marathon. This was the reason for missing the 2002 and 2003 race. In 2001, I was injured. Lenore and I attended anyway that year, but I was a spectator at the finish line. Prior to that, I had a string going from the inaugural Spokane Marathon in 1996.

Then and now I am attracted by the beauty of the Spokane River Valley as viewed from the marathon course. However, the correlation between beauty and difficulty applies here as it does on most attractive courses. Because of the many steep hills, this is a difficult course. If you've run Bloomsday, you've been challenged by the half-mile Doomsday Hill which is at Mile 22 of the marathon.

The race started at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 17, 2004, in downtown Spokane near Riverfront Park. Like the weather for the inaugural Spokane Marathon, it rained and air temperatures were in the low 50's with a little wind.

Most of the field of 100 entrants sought shelter under building overhangs and doorways before the marathon started. This provided an opportunity to visit with some of the 15 Marathon Maniacs (MM) on hand and with other friends as well.

As we ran beyond downtown Spokane, the rain abated temporarily. At that time I had a chance to visit with Steve Moe, 60, of the Seattle area. He told me that he was training to run the Bangkok Marathon in November. I suggested that he run the Tri Cities Marathon on October 31, 2004, as a training run before leaving for Thailand.

At about 10K into the race we ran on the paved Centennial Trail and had our first view of the turbulent Spokane River several hundred feet below in a narrow valley. It flowed by native Ponderosa pines, and yellow-leafed black cottonwoods were located by its banks. The fall color was striking. Yellow foliage of pink dogbane plants and red-purple foliage of smooth sumac trees were conspicuous.

In a mile or so, a climb on a steep hill brought the runners to the attractive campus of Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) and then onto the grounds of historic Fort George Wright. Shortly afterward, we were on the Centennial Trail again on hills that were steep, but short.

At this place and for two miles, half marathon runners started running by as they had by-passed the SFCC loop. In that group were Pat Quinn, 71, of Spokane (1:56:21), Keith Wood, 75, of Seattle (1:56:58), and Phil Walchli, 49, of Hermiston, OR (2:06:40).

The combined field split in our 10th mile, and the marathoners continued downstream away from Spokane while the half marathoners ran back to the city. In this stretch, I ran alone and sometimes caught a glimpse of Jack Swanson, 70, a good friend and fellow MM from Spokane Valley. During the race he had a faster pace than I, but occasionally I would get close to him.

In the 15th mile of the course we crossed over the 7-mile Bridge to the other side of the river and reversed direction to head back to Spokane. We ran on a hilly two-lane, paved road (the Aubrey White Parkway). As we approached Spokane, the Doomsday Hill awaited the runners. This hill reguired brisk walking for me, but it went well. The last four miles to the finish in Riverfront Park included some welcome downhill running. The rain and wind increased in the latter miles, but it was tolerable.

I followed Jack to the finish line. He had a 4:45:24 for first place in the 70+M division, and I finished in 4:46:00, 82nd of 96 finishers and 2nd 70+M. Ralph Riddick, 72, another Spokane friend, finished in our division with a 5:36:09.

Congratulations to Sue Fauerbach, 57, for finishing first in the 55-59F group with a 4:49:40.....in spite of a foot injury that was troubling her.

It was good to see Lenore, Jack and Gunhild Swanson at the finish line. We moved quickly to the race recovery site at a nearby Irish pub/restaurant. It was great to see the many MM's gathered there....Steve Yee, Chris Warren, Tony Phillipi and others.

At the invitation of MM Chris Marr, we were transported to the Spokane Club for showers and lunch. There were 12 of us at this delightful meal to talk about marathoning and enjoy the fellowship of friends. Thanks to Chris for his generosity. It was a pleasant surprise.

The race was won by Michael Berquist, 31, who received aid from an accompanying bicyclist. His finishing time was 2:59:52. In second place was MM Gregg Walchli, 42, (3:04:42) of Seattle whle Troy Nelson, 36, was third with 3:05:14.

Lori Buratto, 34, was the first woman with a time of 3:12:28 (8th overall). In second and third places were Susan Pevovar, 23 (3:26:47) and MM Jennifer Yogi, 29, (3:37:50) of Seattle.

We were glad to be in Spokane again for the marathon and appreciated the hospitality of our friend Bev Gibson during our visit.

It is timely to note that two runners we know have interrupted their marathoning to serve in the military in a war zone. Henry Rueden of DePere, Wisconsin, a 50 State & DC finisher and 100 Marathon Club North America member, has volunteered for active duty and is now in Iraq. Sgt. Eddie Hahn, U.S. Army, is also headed to Iraq. Prior to his departure, he ran the Portland Marathon on October 3, 2004. We appreciate their service and sacrifice and encourage our running friends to communicate with them by letters and e-mails.

.................................................Written by Bob Dolphin

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Partial Results.................Spokane Marathon

Wheelchair Participant: 2:17:00 (Unofficial), Jerry Martin, Greenacres

(1) 2:59:52 Michael Bergquist, 31, (Not included in age division in official results)
(2) 3:04:42 Gregg Walchli, 42, Seattle, MM, First in Division
(3) 3:05:14 Troy Nelson, 36, 1st

(1F) 3:12:28 Lori Buratto, 34, (Not included in age division in official results)
(2F) 3:26:47 Susan Pevovar, 23, 1st
(3F) 3:37:50 Jennifer Yogi, 29, Seattle, MM, 1st

3:16:29 Tony Phillippi, 43, Tacoma, MM
3:28:04 Robert Hester, 31, MM, 3rd
3:28:29 Kevin Carroll, 50, Spokane, 3rd
3:37:51 Chris Warren, 37, Renton, MM
3:39:40 Gunhild Swanson, 60, Spokane Valley, MM, 1st
3:42:20 Larry Carroll, 64, Spokane, 1st
3:42:30 Chris Marr, 50, Spokane, MM
3:46:21 Steve Yee, 45, Renton, MM, 3rd
3:52:13 Guy Yogi, 50, Seattle, MM
3:55:26 Steve Barrick, 42, Kent, MM
4:03:11 Bill Voiland, 56, Spokane
4:12:23 Heather Dutton, 18, Camano Island/Pullman, 2nd
4:20:11 Dave Dutton, 48, Camano Island
4:24:11 Steve Moe, 60, Seattle, 2nd
4:28:07 Dennis Spurlock, 42, Spokane, MM
4:45:24 Jack Swanson, 70, Spokane Valley, MM, 1st
4:46:00 Bob Dolphin, 75, Renton, MM, 2nd
4:49:40 Sue Fauerbach, 57, Renton, MM, 1st
5:02:11 Jonathan Eggleston, 33, Yakima
5:35:57 Janice (Kay) Moyer, 39, Wellpinit, 2nd
5:36:09 Ralph Riddick, 72, Spokane, 3rd