CAPITAL CITY MARATHON Since I first ran the Capital City Marathon in 1985, there’s something special about it that always brings me back. It’s the large number of friends that Lenore and I see there every year. Many of them are listed in the Partial List of Finishers. An added treat this year was to link up with our friends from the United Kingdom, Roger Biggs and Jack Brooks. They’re members of the 100 Marathon Club North America that Lenore and I direct while I’m a member of the 100 Marathon Club United Kingdom that they direct. Roger’s marathon total is nearing 600, and Jack’s is close to 250. These megamarathoners are the first two Brits to become 50 States Finishers. On this trip to the U.S. they ran the Windermere Marathon at Spokane on Saturday and then flew to Seattle for the May 16, 2010, Capital City Marathon in Olympia. Another treat was to join our “adopted grandson,” Michael Dutton of Marysville, and his family for a pre-race pasta loading meal at the local Olive Garden Restaurant. The last time that Michael and I got together was on March 27th when we ran side-by-side at the Yakima River Canyon Marathon. Both of us have our longest “running streaks” at the Capital City Marathon. Michael ran his first marathon ever at Olympia in 1994 and has run it yearly since that time for a total of 17, and my total is 26 consecutive marathons here. On race morning Lenore, Michael, Roger, Jack and I took advantage of a continental breakfast offered at the Governor Hotel where we were staying. We then crossed Capitol Way to Sylvester Park, the race headquarters area. There we visited with many friends before we went to the nearby starting line for the countdown and the 7:00 a.m. start. It was good weather for running, with temperatures in the 50’s to low 70’s, cloudy skies and light breezes. In the first and second miles we ran by East Bay of Budd Inlet, the southernmost part of Puget Sound. Then we left the water and mountain views, passed through Priest Point Park’s forest and ran the rural roads northeast of Olympia. I always enjoy my run/walk through this forested, lightly populated area. In the early miles I visited briefly with Peggy Fischer, 63, of Warren, Oregon, and Richard Stablein, 73, of Olympia as they passed by. Eventually, in the sixth mile it occurred to me that I was in last position and losing ground to runners ahead of me. I closed the gap, somewhat, and passed three participants in the 14-16 mile area. Two re-passed me, and I preceded only one other until I ran down Capitol Way to the finish line by the hotel and Sylvester Park. I finished with a time of 6:39:51, 371st of 372 overall, and 4th of four in the 70+ age group. (That’s not a typo……..there was no 80+ age group.) Lenore gave me a hug and found a chair for me after I was given a finishers coaster and a plastic water bottle. I plan to convert my coaster to a ribboned medal and hang it on my finishers medal rack. I congratulated Katie Gates, 20, of Olympia for running her first marathon in 6:21:36. We walked and talked from Miles 18-20 before she continued her running. Then I congratulated Lonnie Zeller, 45, of McCleary who finished his first marathon a few minutes after I came in. Congratulations and thanks to Lesley Roberts as she retires as race director after many years of service! My two suggestions for next year’s committee would be: (1) Return to giving finishers medals; (2) You advertise 5 year increments for age divisions, so please do this for ALL participants. I shouldn’t have to compete against runners who are 11 years younger than I, so include an 80+ group next year. …………………………………………..Written by Bob Dolphin
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CAPITAL CITY MARATHON - Partial Results, May 16, 20102:31:09 John Risk, 26, Lacey, OVERALL WINNER, First in Age Group
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