LAKE TAHOE MARATHON Running the Lake Tahoe Marathon was something that I had always wanted to do. Lenore and I had driven around the lake and visited South Lake Tahoe and adjacent Stateline in California in the past when we were in the area. We met Les Wright, the race director, at the Portland Marathon’s Race Directors’ Workshop quite a few years ago and have seen him there and at other marathon expos since that time. We appreciated his invitation to run his Lake Tahoe Marathon, but it was always on the same weekend as the Portland Marathon or the Royal Victoria Marathon which are on our yearly schedule. Because this year’s date for the marathon was September 28, 2008, I could add it to my fall schedule of “ Six marathons in six consecutive weekends.” The Lake Chelan Marathon had been #1 and we planned a 13 day trip to and from California to include the Lake Tahoe Marathon (#2) and the Portland Marathon (#3). On our way south we visited with Lenore’s college roommate Sandy Palmer in Albany, Oregon, and met Joe Henderson in Eugene for brunch the next day. Then our destination was Kensington, California, (near Berkeley) to visit daughter Jan Stensland and her husband Simon Patton. Jan took over as our chauffeur, and we enjoyed the drive from the Bay Area through the Sierra Mountains to South Lake Tahoe and Stateline, CA. We crossed into Nevada and checked in at the Horizon Casino Resort, the race headquarters. Our packet pickup timing was perfect, and we had a chance to visit briefly with Les Wright before Dick Beardsley’s presentation. As always, it was inspirational and instructive as we heard tales of his early marathoning experiences. Throughout the years he has continued his training and can still run a 2:47 marathon! After Dick’s talk, we had a chance to visit with him and with many of our running friends. These included Chuck Engle from Ohio, Cathy Troisi from New York, Laura Garrett from Texas, Todd Byers, Linda Melton and Chuck Walsh from California, Cyndie Merten from Oregon, and locals Lynn Werner, David Olsho and Ray Shaw. The “Tahoe Experience” offers challenges for runners of all capabilities including 5K and 10K races, two and five person relays, half marathon, 20 miler, full marathon, the Tahoe Triple (three marathons in three consecutive days around the lake) and the ultra (72 miler around Lake Tahoe that started at midnight). On race morning I went to the bus pickup area behind our hotel for the scheduled 6:40 a.m. departure for the ride to the starting area. We were transported counter-clockwise around Lake Tahoe on Highway 50, Nevada #28, California #28 and #89 to the Tahoe City staging area. Along the way we passed ten or more of the 72 mile ultra runners. At 8:00 a.m. the marathon race for the elite women began. The sky was clear, there was no wind, and the temperature was a comfortable 60 degrees at 8:30 when about 400 marathoners began their race. The temperature eventually reached 75 degrees maximum, but in the first half it was relatively cool running with shade from Ponderosa Pines and other trees and a lake breeze that appeared. We ran through villages and by lakeshore cottages on Highway 89 or on nearby paved foot and bicycle trails. Periodic openings permitted running close to the lake that gave us a chance to look across it. I had some running company, most of whom were running the Tahoe Triple Marathon. Beyond the halfway mark, the highway running course left the shore and began ascending and descending hills in roller coaster fashion. Many hills would be considered major, and on a sign one was named “The hill from HELL.” At 6,000-7,000 feet elevation the “thin air” became apparent, but the benefit was the great views of distant mountains and Lake Tahoe from an elevated viewpoint. It was a pleasure to look down on Emerald Bay and its islet. In the last 5K we entered the level forest and field area of Camp Richardson and ran on trails and service roads to eventually cross the common finish line. My time was 6:30:08. I was the 353rd of 379 marathoners to finish and placed third in the 70+ Male Division. Without timing chips, it was remarkable that the timing was accurate and results were quickly available. For the third, consecutive year the marathon was won by Tony Torres of Cedar Glen, California. His 2:40:32 finish was an excellent time for a course with major hills. Lynyrd Skynrod, 25+, of Reno, Nevada, was second with a 2:51:22. He was the 2007 winner of the Tahoe Triple. Chuck Engle, 35+, a Marathon Maniac from Dublin, Ohio, finished third with a 3:04:36. The first woman to cross the finish line was Kristi Arthur of Reno, Nevada, who was 4th overall in 3:05:19. It was her second win at Lake Tahoe. The second and third women were Diana Vickerman of Bear Valley, California, who ran a 3:23:26 and Margaret Ashe of Olympic Valley, California, with a 3:30:37. The Marathon Triple was won by the third place finisher, Chuck Engle. His daily times were 3:12:36, 2:57:15 and 3:04:36 for a total of 9:14:27. David Spooner, a Marathon Maniac of Buckley, Washington, was third overall with times of 3:35:13, 3:39:03 and 3:25:25 for a total of 11:06:41. Most of the Marathon Maniacs at Lake Tahoe were participating in the Tahoe Triple and are recognized by a capital “T” after their names in the Partial Results. Congratulations to these Maniacs for their magnificent performances. Other non-running activities in the Lake Tahoe Marathon Events included Kayak, Kayak Tandem (two persons), Exhibition Crafts, Swim (1/2 mile, 1 mile, 2 miles), Bike 72 mile race, and Bike 20 or 35 mile race/rides. It is difficult to comprehend how Les Wright can coordinate all of these events, running and non-running alike, during a one-week period. He also is the race director for the inaugural Maui Oceanfront Marathon on January 25, 2009, in Hawaii. This event follow the Maui 15K and 5K on January 18, 2009. Thanks to Les, his staff and volunteers for putting on a well-organized marathon that was scenic, challenging and had many well-stocked aid stations. The wind shirts, finishers medals, and age class awards provided to the runners were first class. I enjoyed this marathon a lot and I’m glad I finally had a chance to be a participant. The next morning we drove to Truckee, California, for brunch with nephew Jack Kuhlman and his wife Pam in the lovely, new home they built. Then we traveled back to Kensington for socializing with college friends and others before heading north. Marathon #2 was history and we looked forward to #3 the next weekend in Portland. ………………………………………Written by Bob Dolphin
PARTIAL RESULTS – LAKE TAHOE MARATHON…..September 28, 20082:40:32 Tony Torres, Cedar Glenn, CA, FIRST OVERALL, First in Age Division
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