SKAGIT FLATS MARATHON The Skagit Flats Marathon is a favorite summer marathon of the Dolphin Marathon Team. I run/walk it, and Lenore, the finish line hugger, volunteers there. I ran my first Skagit Flats Marathon on September 8, 1990, at the age of 60, and I’ve participated in most of them since then. Many times it was a struggle to make it through the heat of the day to the finish line. A big exception was my first one when it was a cool, rainy day and I ran a 3:05:16 to set the course record for 60+ runners. As incomprehensible as it seemed in 1990, I knew then that if I didn’t retire from marathoning I would move from the top 15% of the field to the last 15%…..and finally be the last one to cross the finish line. At the 31st anniversary of this out-and-back course on September 7, 2008, at Burlington, Washington, the first few miles were different this year. Due to road construction in front of Burlington-Edison High School where the race starts and finishes, the change eliminated the only hill on the historical course…..an overpass on Interstate 5 in the first mile. Instead, we started in the opposite direction near the school and ran through an underpass to bypass I-5. It was a treat to be on a familiar part of the course going in the opposite direction while we were still fresh. The weather was sunny with a 5-10 mph cooling wind and 65 degree temperature initially that rose to 75 degrees by the end of the race. Because the marathoners and half marathoners started together, I could greet some of the half marathon runners after they made their turn-around. It was good to see Doug MacLean of Talking Rain, who provides water and sports drinks to many Washington races. Then I saw Craig Romano, contributor and photographer for Northwest Runner Magazine. At the Expo Craig autographed and sold me his new book, Day Hiking North Cascades, published by the Mountaineers. Keith Wood, 79, the fastest 75-79 male marathoner in the area, came by, too. He had chosen the half marathon and finished it in a time of 1:55:39. At the 6.5 turn-around, the half marathoners whom I had been running with reversed course. I ran on alone and tried to close in on a marathoner in the distance. Several miles later and with a commanding lead the first marathoner returned. Peter Oviatt, 38, would finish as the winner with a 2:47:33. In second place was Matt Krier, 26, of Lynnwood who ran a 2:50:51. Russ Tkebuchava, 27, of Vancouver, WA, was third with a 2:56:08. The first woman to finish was Catie Rodeheffer, 42, with a 3:17:26. Jenny Horstmann, 30, was second, (3:18:43) and Marathon Maniac Mary Hanna, 47, was third (3:19:56). Eventually, all but two runners had passed me as I reached the 13 mile turn-around and ran with the cooling wind. I enjoyed the views of Mt. Baker, the Cascade Mountains and the rural countryside. As a former U.S. Department of Agriculture employee, I enjoyed looking at the livestock in pastures and the fruit and vegetable fields along the course. A turkey vulture, a group of four killdeer shore birds and several ravens and crows flew overhead as I ran through the flatland. Expecting to finish in over six hours, I raced the clock. When I reached the school campus and saw the track with the finish line only 100 yards away, I knew I was able to make my sub-six hour finish. I followed Yau-Ming Chien, 65, a friend of 20 years, through a “Marathon Maniac” arch of uplifted arms (a nice touch!) to the finish line. I finished with a 5:57:16 and placed 174th of 179 (coming in ahead of some early starters) and second 70+ male. Lenore gave me a hug, and I thanked Race Director Terry Sentinella for putting on another great Skagit Flats Marathon. Thanks go to all of the friendly volunteers, including medical personnel and sheriff’s deputies. Rodolfo Lucena, 51, was waiting at the finish for me, too. He’s a friend from Brazil and Marathon Maniac #370 who came to Seattle on a business trip and found this marathon to run! He’s a journalist with a Sao Paulo newspaper and interviewed me for a marathon article several years ago. We became friends by telephone, e-mail and the exchange of reports on our respective races. This was marathon #26 for him, and he ran it in a time of 5:03:54. Congratulations to two first-time marathoners: Oliver Chapman, 50, finished in 4:40:13……and Donna Johnson, 67, (and wearing bib #67) had a 4:57:04 race. Eighteen years after running my first Skagit Flats Marathon, I enjoyed the latest one and look forward to returning in September of 2009. …………………………………… Written by Bob Dolphin
PARTIAL RESULTS – Skagit Flats Marathon…..Sept. 7, 2008
2:47:33 Peter Oviatt, 38, OVERALL WINNER
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