HARRISBURG MARATHON
November 14, 2010
Don McNelly was 90 years old on November 11, 2010, and we were in Pennsylvania to help him celebrate his new “age group” as he participated in the Harrisburg Marathon on November 14, 2010.
He drove to Harrisburg from his home in Rochester, New York, the day before, arriving in time to join us at the marathon’s pasta dinner that was held at the Convention Center adjacent to the Radisson Penn-Harris Hotel.
Race director Chad Krebs gave Don a plaque in honor of his 90th birthday race, his 745th marathon!! As co-directors of the 100 Marathon Club North America, we presented him with a “700” pin and a special medallion in “honor of his 90th birthday at the Harrisburg Marathon.”
Seated at the table with us were Lora Eklund (from Phoenix, Arizona) who would become a 50 States FINISHER the next day……and other Maniacs, 50 Staters and/or 100 Marathon Club members: brothers Mike and Craig Swanson & Marius Hansen from Minnesota, Susan Spencer from North Carolina, and Bill Murphy from Rochester, NY. After the meal three Texans, Steve & Paula Boone and Clyde Shank, joined us for hugs, picture-taking and more visiting.
On race morning I arose at 4:15 a.m. and was the first person to board the shuttle bus that took 60 runners and walkers from the hotel to a recreational park on City Island located on the Susquahana River by Harrisburg. Joining me for the 6:30 a.m. “early start” were Malcolm Anderson & Lori Brake from Ontario, Canada, Paula Boone and some others whom we had met at packet pickup the day before. Henry Rueden from DePere, Wisconsin, was there, too, to complete his “weekend double’ of a marathon in Georgia and one in Pennsylvania.
The morning temperature was cool as Henry and I spent the first hour together. We crossed a bridge to a river strip park in the early light and saw the attractive state capitol building in the distance. By Mile 5 we passed through a commercial district, and then the course took us to an unpaved trail and some riverside streets.
My plans were to walk the entire marathon, but by Mile 10 I concluded that my walking pace was too slow. I shifted to a 50/50 walk/run pace through the attractive suburbs, commercial area, fields and forest. By Mile 16 the sun was shining, the temperature was in the 60’s, and I had to revert to my “walking pace” again.
The final miles were laborious, but kind words from my Renton neighbor Janet Burgess and others picked up my spirits. When I looked ahead, I could see the finish area arch and Lenore waiting near the finish line. I was happy to cross the river on the footbridge to the island and complete a marathon in PENNSYLVANIA, my 39th state! My time was 7:28:21, not last, but 905th of 917 finishers.
When I was running on City Island in my eighth mile, I saw the regular start of the marathon as the runners were crossing the Market Street Bridge from City Island to Harrisburg. When I crossed a nearby footbridge, I had a good view of hundreds of runners moving swiftly into Harrisburg.
In less than an hour three lead runners passed me in the Upper Riverfront Park. One of this trio most likely was Lowell Ladd, 35, who won the race in 2:33:21. In second place was Matthew Deblander, 22, who ran a 2:43:07. Close behind was Rick Lader, 25, running a 2:44:04 for third place.
Rachel McGinnis, 31 was the women’s winner with a 3:06:08. Following close behind in second place was Kathleen Miller, 31, with a 3:07:30. In third place was a runner from my home state, Regina Joyce, 53, of Lynnwood, Washington, who crossed the finish line in 3:16:48. Regina was the women’s winner of the 2010 Humpy’s Marathon and the North Olympic Discovery Marathon…..and placed second at the 2010 Surf City Marathon. We’re proud of our fellow Washingtonian’s racing accomplishments!
90 year old Don McNelly crossed the finish line with a time of 8:50:00, looking GOOD…and then drove home to Rochester, NY. He’s an inspiration to all of us “younger kids,” and we’re glad that we were able to share in this milestone weekend of his.
……………………………………..Written by Bob Dolphin
Edited, Typed and Distributed by Lenore Dolphin
2:33:21 Lowell Ladd, 35, FIRST OVERALL
2:43:07 Matthew Deblander, 22, SECOND OVERALL
2:44:04 Rich Lader, 25. THIRD OVERALL
3:06:08 Rachel Mcginnis, 31, FIRST WOMAN OVERALL
3:07:30 Kathleen Miller, 31, SECOND WOMAN OVERALL
3:16:48 Regina Joyce, 53, Lynnwood, WA, THIRD WOMAN OVERALL
3:58:40 Bart Muzzin, 31, Marathon Maniac (MM)
4:05:00 Bob Jacobowski, 44, MM
4:22:23 Mike Swanson, 59, MN
4:22:23 Craig Swanson, 56, MN
4:37:33 Steve Boone, 61, Humble, TX, MM
4:44:49 Clyde Shank, 63, Dallas, TX, MM
5:16 10 Janet Burgess, 49, Renton, WA, MM
6:21:29 Paula Boone, 44, Humble, TX, MM
6:22:23 Lora Eklund, 52, Phoneix, AZ, MM
6:26:18 Henry Rueden, 60, DePere, WI, MM
6:43:48 Susan Spencer, 61, NC, MM
7:28:21 Bob Dolphin, 81, Renton/Yakima, WA, MM
7:47:08 Bill Murphy, 62, Rochester, NY
7:49:40 Jean Evansmore, 69, MD, MM
8:01:52 Lori Brake, 37, Ontario, Canada
8:01:53 Malcolm Anderson, 49, Ontario, Canada, MM
8:50:00 Don McNelly, 90, Rochester, NY