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Portland Marathon
October 1, 2006
Race Report by Bob Dolphin
It was a treat for me to return to Portland, Oregon, to run my 21st Portland Marathon. This popular race was held on Sunday, October 1, 2006. This year the medley of running and walking events entertained about 9,000 participants. The selection available was the Marathon Run/Walk, a Five Miler, a Mayor's 10K Walk and the Marafun Kids Run.
It was the 35th anniversary of the Portland Marathon, and the event has reached the pinnacle of recognition. In the Official Souvenir Program for 2006 the State of Oregon Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski stated in part, " I want to congratulate the Portland Marathon on their hard-earned selection as the Best Organized Marathon in North America by The Ultimate Guide to Marathons."
Les Smith, event director for the past 25 years described in the program how the first marathon was held in 1972 on Sauvie Island near Portland. The field of 173 members of the Oregon Road Runners Club ran a double loop course on flat terrain in "The Island Marathon."
Prior to the run/walk events on race day there was a flurry of activity at the Portland Hilton Race Headquarters. On Friday and Saturday there was a Sport & Fitness Expo, packet pickup and late registration. The Saturday night pasta party was held at the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame Museum.
On race morning the drive from our motel unit across the Columbia River bridge in Vancouver, WA, to Portland went quickly, and we found a parking garage near race headquarters. In the Hilton lobby and later at the nearby starting area, we saw a dozen or so running friends.
Before the 7:00 a.m. start, John Keston, record holder for 75-79 males at Portland, sang the national anthem, and then thousands of enthusiastic marathoners enjoyed running and walking at dawn on a moderate morning with the temperature in the 50's. It was a good day to run the scenic loop course under clear skies with light breezes and air temperatures that did not exceed 68 degrees.
The course was variable as it went through the city's downtown, along parks, by commercial areas and into suburbs. The profile varied from flat to gentle grades and rolling terrain with a few challenging hills. I liked running by the riverside park in downtown Portland and near the forested hills to the St. Johns Bridge where I enjoyed the views of the Willamette River several hundred feet below.
Running past the Portland University campus was pleasant as was running by a nearby riverside bluff with distant vistas. There were many bands, musicians and cheerleaders spaced along the route. I can't say enough about the aid stations. There were 16 of them with ample water, Ultima and GleuKos sports drinks, Honey Stinger Gel, Red Bull, Gummi Bears, and Zone Perfect Nutrition Bars. Petroleum jelly was also available to treat blisters and chafing areas.
This is a big race that doesn't offer prize money. As a result, talented American runners have a good chance at placing well in the open competition. It was encouraging that a first time marathoner won the race. Mike Heidt, 23, of Shoreline, WA, (near Seattle) ran with the lead pack until the 8th mile when he made his move. He pulled away to a commanding six minute lead to finish in 2:21:54, the fourth fastest time for a 20-24 male in Portland history. Mike was on a track and cross-country team at Selah High School (near Yakima, WA) and continued his running at Washington State University in Pullman. His Portland finishing time qualifies him to compete in the 2008 U.S. Olympic marathon trials. What a debut marathon!
Brett Winegar, 26, also of Shoreline and fellow Club Northwest team member with Mike ran a 2:28:02 for second place. Close behind in third place was Jim Rucker, 27, of Spokane, WA who ran a 2:28:55.
The winner of the women's division was also a Washington resident. Danita Erickson, 34, of Tacoma pulled away early to finish with a 2:53:18. This was a nine minute improvement over her 2005 finish at Portland when she was the seventh place woman. Laurie Porter, 45, of Brush Prairie, WA, was second with a 2:58:18 while Emilie Miller, 30, of Portland was third with a time of 3:00:31.
Jerry Martin, 58, of Liberty Lake, WA, (near Spokane) set a Portland Marathon wheelchair record of 1:44:48, a 4:00 pace. We're proud to have him as a member of the 100 Marathon Club North America (NA) that Lenore and I direct. In second place for the wheelchair division was Tommy Gun, 26, of Spokane with a 2:05:33. Corey Hartgrave, 26, of Grants Pass, OR, was third (2:59:41). The only woman finisher in this group was Holly Koester, 46, of Walton Hills, OH. Her time was 3:26:38.
My run went well, but I struggled in the last 10K. I finished with a 5:17:04, 4,844th of 7,704 overall, 2,710th of 3,350 males, and third of four in the 75-79M division.
Congratulations to Cliff Richard, 45, of Maple Valley, WA, who ran a 2:46:29, 23rd overall for first 45-49 Male and second Masters Male. Kudos to Larry Carroll, 66, of Liberty Lake, WA, for winning his 65-69M division with a 3:31:01.
Congratulations to record holder Helen Klein, 83, of Rancho Cordova, CA, for winning the 80-84F division with a 5:40:38. She is a member of the 100 Marathon Club NA.
It was great to recognize another 100 Marathon Club member, Don McNelly, 85, of Rochester, NY. He won the 85-89M division and was the oldest competitor. Don walks his marathons now and participates in more marathons per year than most of our club members. His career total is 710+ marathons, and he is ranked 2nd in the United States and 12th in the world for career marathons.
Casey Ford, 28, a Hard Core Runners Club member from Selah, had a great first marathon as he finished in 3:08:45. That's a Boston Qualifier!!! Good job.
Dean Karnazes, 42, of San Francisco, CA, ran a 3:44:12. He was a third of the way toward achieving his goal of running a marathon (or marathon distance) in each of the 50 states in 50 days. To do this, he runs in marathon events on the weekends and on marathon courses during the week. Sam Thompson, 25, a Marathon Maniac from Bay St. Louis, MS, completed a similar feat in August. He was raising funds for building homes on the Mississippi hurricane-ravaged coast.
At the awards ceremony Lenore and I were joined by Fenny Roberts, Janet Green, Jim Scheer, Evan Fagan and Dick Anderson. Dick had run 28 consecutive Portland Marathons, more than anyone else in the room! After the "real" ceremony, we had one of our own as fellow members Janet, Jim and
Evan joined us to welcome Fenny into the 100 Marathon Club. She was presented a club medallion, pin, T-shirt, certificate and newsletter notebook.
Congratulations to Christina Bruce, 15, of Sequim, WA, the youngest Marathon Maniac. She ran the Five Miler in a time of 36:55 to win the 15-19F age division, first of 16 competitors.
The Portland Marathon is one of a group that I try to run each year. I'm looking forward to running my 22nd Portland Marathon in 2007.
Written by Bob Dolphin
Edited, Typed and Distributed by Lenore Dolphin
PARTIAL RESULTS - PORTLAND MARATHON, October 1, 2006
2:21:54 Mike Heidt, 23, Shoreline, WA, First Overall, First in Age Group
2:28:02 Brett Winegar, 26, Shoreline, WA, Second Overall, 1st
2:28:55 Jim Rucker, 27, Spokane, WA, Third Overall, 2nd
2:46:29 Cliff Richards, 45, Maple Valley, WA, 1st
2:53:18 Danita Erickson, 34, Tacoma, WA, First Woman Overall, 1st
2:58:18 Laurie Porter, 45, Brush Prairie, WA, 1st
3:00:31 Emilie Miller, 30, Portland, 2nd
3:00:52 Benjamin Rickey, 32, Yakima, WA
3:01:15 Cliff Banister, 45, Pendleton, 5th
3:05:32 David Murray, 52, Maple Valley, WA, Marathon Maniac (MM), 7th
3:07:15 Dave Miller, 30, Tacoma, WA, MM
3:08:45 Casey Ford, 28, Selah, WA
3:11:42 Jennifer Yogi, 31, Seattle, WA, MM, 6th
3:22:06 Dick Decker, 59, Covington, WA, MM, 5th
3:25:44 Bill Barmore, 54, Gig Harbor, WA, MM
3:28:03 Kurt Lauer, 45, Seattle, WA, MM
3:29:32 Mark Hartinger, 49, Shoreline, WA, 100 Marathon Club (100 MC)
3:29:34 Scott Krell, 46, Snohomish, WA
3:30:18 Michael Wakabayashi, 58, Spokane, WA, 100 MC, MM, 10th
3:31:01 Larry Carroll, 66, Liberty Lake, WA, 1st
3:32:05 Robert Hester, 33, Bonney Lake, WA, MM
3:33:22 Nathan Greene, 25, Seattle, Wa, MM
3:36:58 Peter Carter, 51, Seattle, WA, MM
3:37:28 Marc Frommer, 54, Portland, MM
3:37:58 Lesa Overfield, 47, Tacoma, WA, MM, 10th
3:39:22 Janet Green, 53, Courtenay, BC, 100 MC, 3rd
3:39:25 Roman Kucala, 36, Hillsboro, MM
3:40:19 Pete Nicholson, 47, Vancouver, WA, MM
3:44:11 Steve Walters, 26, Tigard, MM
3:44:12 Dean Karnazes, 42, San Francisco, CA
3:48:12 Judy Fisher, 63, Auburn, WA, MM, 2nd
3:49:41 Eddie Hahn, 40, Rancho Cucamunga, CA, MM
3:52:12 David Jones, 60, Seattle, WA, 100 MC, MM, 7th
3:54:02 Bill Torsen, 57, Bellevue, WA
3:55:45 Ron Fowler, 59, Seattle, WA, 100 MC
3:56:09 Bill Powers, 63, Bremerton, WA, MM, 14th
4:00:14 Lynne Werner, 55, Seattle, WA, 6th
4:02:35 Jim Scheer, 64, Vancouver, WA, 100 MC, MM
4:04:42 Laura Yasso, 46, Center Valley, PA
4:04:42 Jake Lin, 32, Seattle, WA, MM
4:05:03 Bret Henry, 46, Lake Oswego, MM
4:11:20 Keith Fitch, 75, Portland, OR, 1st
4:12:23 Brian Pendleton, 52, Auburn, WA, MM
4:15:58 Mary Klarich, 43, Wapato, WA
4:15:58 James Klarich, 43, Wapato, WA, MM
4:18:42 Richard Dahl, 53, Spanaway, WA, MM
4:23:33 David Stout, 52, Renton, WA, MM
4:24:18 David England, 51, Richmond, BC, MM
4:28:17 Marilou Russell, 45, Olympia, WA, MM
4:29:22 Leslie Miller, 26, Bellevue, WA, MM
4:30:05 Barefoot Jon Gissberg, 63, Seattle, WA, MM
4:30:05 Mike Lewis, 63, Enumclaw, WA
4:32:25 Gail Philips, 45, Lake Oswego, MM
4:33:22 Nathan Greene, 25, Seattle, WA, MM
4:33:52 Ed Hansen, 60, Stayton
4:43:54 Mel Preedy, 73, Ravensdale, WA, 100 MC, MM, 5th
4:44:41 Don Hayes, 75, Boulder, CO, 2nd
4:47:00 Evan Fagan, 69, Victoria, BC, 100 MC
4:50:32 Paul Fouch, 72, Klamath Falls, 6th
4:52:37 Dick Anderson, 67, Longview, WA
4:53:44 Fenny Roberts, 54, Salem, 100 MC, MM
5:08:26 Tim Bruce, 53, Sequim, WA, MM
5:17:04 Bob Dolphin, 76, Renton/Yakima, WA, 100 MC, MM, 3rd
5:20:02 Cynthia Witman, 53, Walla Walla, WA, MM
5:21:15 Edward McGowan, 48, Brooklyn, NY, MM
5:27:56 Bernadette Langdon, 52, Portland, (Walked)
5:31:55 Ralph Riddick, 74, Spokane, WA, 8th
5:37:30 Kamika Smith, 44, Kapaa, HI, MM
5:40:38 Helen Klein, 83, Rancho Cordova, CA, 100 MC, 1st
5:45:29 Ultra Al Miller, 52, Deer Island
5:45:33 Joan Pribnow, 71, Spokane, WA, 2nd
6:00:56 Ryozo Mizutani, 78, Yokohama, Japan, 4th
6:10:52 Cheryl Murdock, 56, Pensacola, FL, 100 MC
6:27:36 Carol Dellinger, 44, Spokane, WA, 100 MC, MM
7:31:59 Jose Nebrida, 64, Chicago, IL, 100 MC
8:25:48 Don McNelly, 85, Rochester, NY, 100 MC, 1st
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