GRAND RAPIDS MARATHON
October 19, 2008
It’s an annual tradition for Lenore and me to participate in the Marine Corps Marathon every year at Washington, DC, and to add a new state to my 50 States List. We do this by traveling to the Midwest or Eastern United States a week before the Marine Corps Marathon or by staying a week afterward.
Whenever possible, we coordinate our travel with our friends from the United Kingdom, Roger Biggs and Jack Brooks, fondly known as “The Brits.” Roger is the chairman of the 100 Marathon Club United Kingdom, and both he and Jack are members of the 100 Marathon Club North America that Lenore and I direct. He’s the first 50 State FINISHER from the U.K., and Jack will be the second when he finishes within a few months.
For this trip to the U.S. Jack ran a “Double,” the Indianapolis Marathon on Saturday, October 18, 2008, and the Grand Rapids Marathon on Sunday, October 19, 2008. An injury prevented Roger from running, so he ended up being Lenore’s “support person.”
Because I hadn’t run a marathon in Michigan, this fit into our plans well. All of us had met race director Don Kern at the Portland Marathon and its Race Directors Workshop several years ago. Running the Grand Rapids Marathon was a good decision for us, and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Don provided the leadership for several running events that were well organized and ran smoothly throughout the marathon weekend.
Lenore and I arrived in Grand Rapids on Friday evening and took a taxi form the airport to the Days Inn Hotel that’s located across the street from the President Gerald Ford Museum in the City Center. The accommodations were excellent, and the restaurant there was a good one that we visited several times during our stay.
The next day we walked several blocks to the YMCA which was the center of race activities. During our walk we witnessed the 1.2 mile race for kids. Then we picked up my runner’s bib, timing chip and long-sleeved technical shirt. There was a lot to see at the Expo, and I purchased a cap and a jacket and wind shirt from previous marathons.
An “Orientation” presented by Don Kern was helpful as he provided information about the race course, weather, and entry totals for the races. At this meeting Lenore and I welcomed Don into the 100 Marathon Club North America and present him with a certificate, a 100 marathon pin and a long-sleeved, white club T-shirt.
At the conclusion of the meeting we met Boonsom Hartman and her husband Scott of Oak Forest, Illinois. She gave me a copy of a proclamation from the Illinois State Legislature which recognized and honored her for her many running accomplishments and her recent completion of finishing a marathon in all 50 States for the SECOND TIME. This Marathon Maniac (known as “The Lipstick Lady”) is a member of the 100 Marathon Club NA…..and from this group, we add our “Congratulations” to her.
It was also good to see Dave Bell from Littleton, Colorado, again. He’s a fellow 50 Stater, Marathon Maniac and 100 Marathon Club member.
Twice at past Yakima River Canyon Marathons Nelsen Petersen has traveled from Nebraska to Washington State to film our race for his “Destination Marathons” website. We also spent an enjoyable weekend with him at Craig, Alaska, at one of the three Prince of Wales Island Marathons that we attended. It was great to see him again and have a chance to visit as he filmed this race.
On Sunday morning several thousand runners of the combined fields of the marathon and half marathon gathered at the start/finish area on a closed side street near the YMCA. After the singing of the Canadian and American national anthems, the race began. The sky was clear, and the temperature was in the 40’s. It was good weather for a race.
At first we ran through a business area, but in a few miles we were in a large, open park. By then I had warmed up, so I shed my TyVek jacket and ran comfortably in a Marathon Maniac singlet and shorts as the temperature rose to the low 50’s.
The course was rural and relatively flat with few minor hills. Much of the route was out-and-back on a level, paved road by the Grand River. The running was good because large trees in a riverside forest provided shade and a windbreak. Runners going in the opposite direction were generous in providing greetings and encouragement. Jack Brooks was one of them as he ran in front of the four-hour pace group. In spite of recovering from a knee injury and running the Indianapolis Marathon the previous day, he finished in 3:53:04!
As I was running along the scenic river toward the halfway turnaround, many four-hour finishers passed me going in the opposite direction. Among them was a runner about my age, and we exchanged greetings in passing. Later, I found out he was Jerry Johncock, an 80 year old runner from Rockford, Illinois, who is well known in the Midwest for his fast times. He finished in 4:14:14 for first place in the 75+ division. He certainly impressed me!!
My race went better than usual, and I finished with a 5:05:50 for second place in the 75+ division. This was the best finishing time for me in over a year, and it will help me set new goals for future marathons.
Finishing first, second and third overall were Ryan Greutman, 30, of South Bend, Indiana, with a time of 2:26:46; Josh Miller, 25, of Rockford, Michigan, in 2:32:48; and Leo Foley, Jr., 27, of Howell, Michigan, in 2:33:47.
Three women from Grand Rapids, Michigan, were the overall winners for the women. In first place was Janet Becker, 34, with a 3:00:39; in second place was Jessie Klooster, 26, 3:01:49; and in third place was Melissa Currie, 34, 3:02:34.
Thanks go to race director Don Kern, his committee and the many volunteers for putting on this great race. I’m glad that the Brits encouraged me to join them in Grand Rapids as Jack Brooks and I both added MICHIGAN to our States Lists.
………………………………………Written by Bob Dolphin
Edited, Typed and Distributed by Lenore Dolphin
2:26:46 Ryan Greutman, 30, South Bend, IN, OVERALL WINNER, First in Age Division
2:32:48 Josh Miller, 25, Rockford, MI, SECOND OVERALL, 1st
2:33:47 Leo Foley, Jr., 27, Howell, MI, THIRD OVERALL, 2nd
3:00:39 Janet Becker, 34, Grand Rapids, MI, FIRST WOMAN OVERALL, 1st
3:01:49 Jessie Klooster, 26, Grand Rapids, MI, SECOND WOMAN OVERALL, 1st
3:02:34 Melissa Currie, 34, Grand Rapids, MI, THIRD WOMAN OVERALL, 2nd
3:53:04 (Arthur) Jack Brooks, 56, St. Albans, United Kingdom
4:01:09 Boonsom Hartman, 51, Oak Forest, IL, Marathon Maniac (MM)
4:14:14 Jerry Johncock, 80, Rockford, IL, 1st
4:16:06 Steve Rice, 49, Portage, MI
4:16:46 David Dicks, 31, Grand Rapids, MI
4:44:53 Dave Bell, 45, Littleton, Co, MM
5:02:47 Norman Larson, 69, Williamsburg, MI
5:05:54 Bob Dolphin, 79, Renton/Yakima, WA, MM, 2nd
5:11:36 Jennifer Savage, 37, Warsaw, IN, MM
5:24:42 Greg Terry, 49, Tipp City, OH, MM
5:56:41 Don Kern, 52, Grand Rapids, MI