Race Writeups

Christmas Marathon
December 23, 2001
Race Report by Bob Dolphin

It wasn't a white Christmas. Actually, the weather on Sunday, December 23, 2001, was nearly ideal for the running of the Christmas Marathon and concurrent half-marathon and 5K run. Under clear skies, the air temperature was 40 degrees at the 10:30 a.m. start, and it didn't rise above 45 degrees. Air movement was light......no more than 5 mph. It was just a good day for running in a rustic setting from Millersylvania State Park near Maytown to I-5 north of Centralia on a rolling-to-flat out-and-back course. Snow covered Mt. Rainier in the distance was a pleasant backdrop to the forest and pastoral setting. It was a white Christmas Marathon after all!

The marathon and half marathon fields ran together until the quarter marathon point where the marathoners continued on, and the half marathoners turned back to the park. As I was running toward the half marathon turn, I saw James Matsusaka, 34, of Seattle running a step behind another runner. I predicted that James would eventually pull away.....and he did so to finish with a 2:44:16. In second and third places were Cliff Gill, 37, (2:46:19) of Aloha, OR, and Tom Stewart, 40, (2:48:10) of Revelstoke, BC.

In the women's race, it was almost a photofinish with Leanne Leitner, 37, of Seattle finishing in 3:27:10 with a scant two second lead over Mimi Peabody, 30, of Palmer, AK. Jill Townsend, 33, of Vancouver, BC, was third with a 3:42:20.

After several years of racewalking marathons, Eb Engelmann, 60, of Salem, OR, felt that a chronic hip injury had healed enough to run a marathon again. He had a great race, finishing with a 3:17:32 and causing concern among the 55-59M frontrunners who didn't know that Eb was in a more senior division. Eb was delighted to run a Boston qualifier with a 23 minute edge. He registered online for the Boston Marathon promptly when he returned home.

There was a race in the 55-59M division with Jim Boyd, 59, of Seattle, a 50 States and DC finisher, leading the way to a 3:23:23 finish. Not far behind was Herb Allen, 59 of Bainbridge Island finishing in 3:29:23. Mel Preedy, 68, of Ravensdale had another good race and won the 65-69M division handily with a 3:40:40.

Ray Scharenbrock 67, was on hand as he wrapped up another fantastic year of marathoning. This retired schoolteacher from South Milwaukee, WI, ran his 51st marathon of the year in a time of 6:11:22. He planned to run his 52nd the following weekend at Mobile, Alabama. Obviously, this is a marathon per week average with a lot of travel involved. The previous year he ran 48, so he can maintain this pace year after year. The Christmas Marathon brought his marathon total to 431 (a constantly changing figure!) In 2002, his goal is to set a new Guinness World Record by running marathons on all seven continents, including Antarctica, in less than 99 days. Ray also is on his seventh 50 States and DC marathon cycle. What a truly amazing megamarathoner!!!

Other running friends and acquaintances in the field whom I know are listed below in chronological order of their finishing times.

     3:34:44  Phil Weiser, 45, Federal Way, WA
     3:38:10  Ron Fowler, 54, Seattle, WA
     3:51:35  Greg Gormley, 46, Puyallup, WA
     4:19:36  Diane Wilcox, 49, Yarrow Point. WA
     4:22:36  Cheri Gillis, 49, Woodinville. WA
     4:25:10  Paul Piplani, 53, Mesa, AZ
     4:25:23  Melinda Moore, 48, Tacoma, WA
     4:33:04  Jim Scheer, 59, Vancouver, WA
     4:33:19  Fenny Roberts, 49, Salem, OR
     4:47:45  Richard Andrews, 58, Mukilteo, WA

Race director Bob Green provided the runners with a fine event as he always does. There were 7 aid stations that the marathoners ran by twice, so water, sportsdrink and GU gel were adequate. He always has a good crew of vounteers who give the runners helpful assistance and encouragement. Lenore always enjoys working with Bob and his crew at packet pickup at a picnic shelter and at the adjoining finish line.

Written by Bob Dolphin