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Columbus Day Run
Results,
2006
HUSBAND CHASES WIFE
AT HIGH SPEED TWICE AROUND ISLAND
There was multiple
lightning at Kwajalein Running Club’s (KRC’s) 29th annual
Columbus Day Run on Tuesday morning. The first lightning was pre-race
and estimated by the weather forecaster on duty to be 30-miles out to
sea and moving away, so KRC’s officers proceeded with the 6:00am start
at Namo Weto Youth Center. The second was right on the course, human
lightning in the form of Cathy Stores. Cathy broke the Women’s Open
record for the 13.04 mile distance set back in 2001 by a walloping
5-minutes and 40 seconds, to finish in 1:31:44. After 28 annual events,
these records usually inch down, so this was the most remarkable
performance achievement of the day.
Cathy’s husband Abe
was 2nd overall across the line in the 13.04 mile distance,
winning the Men’s Masters Division in 1:35:42. This event has two
distance options: 6.52 miles and 13.04 miles (~1/4 and ~1/2 Marathon).
These correspond to either one or two loops of the Island. Whether
running one or two laps, they all start at 6:00am and in optimum years
get to witness the sunrise when passing through the Golf Course area.
This year there was cloud cover, but the distant lightning was
dramatic. Ironically, Cathy and Abe were first in the entire field to
finish lap 1, even though only half way done at that point.
Doug Hepler continues
his 6-year long metamorphosis to “Distance Runner” and ran his first
half Marathon distance ever in 2:34:19. Doug was accompanied by
training buddy and fellow High School teacher AnnElise Peterson.
The total field was
diverse in age, ability, and intensity. The youngest participants were
in jog strollers. The youngest self propelled participant was 6-year
old Grace Everts, whose entire family of parents and three children
finished. At the other end of the age spectrum were a few SSE
contestants (Social Security Eligible . . . 62-and-over). This event
has a long history of heavy participation by groups of casual walkers
out to jump start their Columbus Day holiday. Event organizers were
pleased to see the return of many walkers this year, running the
participant count up to 91 compared to 46 last year. With some prodding
by Spartans I soccer coach Paul McGrew, High School boys participated in
larger numbers than usual. There was a relaxing BBQ with presentation
of Certificates and custom T-Shirts at Emon Main Pavilion following the
event. Now . . . go ahead and pencil in “Columbus Day Run” for that
empty 6:00am 09-OCT-2007 slot on your calendar.
Belated thanks
to the Boy Scouts who manned the water stations, and to Scout Leader
Gregg Hogan who led them. Thanks again to Bob DeJoie, Ed Lyvers & Judy
Kirchner who staffed the Race and BBQ. And thank you Janey!
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