100 MARATHON CLUB NORTH AMERICA

                      NEWSLETTER NUMBER FOURTEEN – NOVEMBER 22, 2007

 

The first-ever reunion of the 100 Marathon Club North America will be held on the weekend of the April 5,

2008, Yakima River Canyon Marathon (YRCM) (co-directed by Bob and Lenore Dolphin).  Plan to attend the

meeting during packet pickup on Friday, April 4th, at 4:00 p.m. with a group picture at 5:00 p.m.   The pasta

feed will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will feature the Marine Corps Marathon Race Director Rick Nealis as our guest

speaker (around 7:00 p.m.)  If you want a guaranteed entry form to the October 26, 2008, Marine Corps

Marathon, they will be available from Rick after 3:00 p.m. when packet pickup begins.

 

We’ve received a new order of 100 Marathon Club T-shirts that can be purchased at a cost of $15.00

plus $3.00 for postage.  They are available in sizes small, medium, large, extra large and XXL.  The short

sleeved shirt is teal colored with a red logo on the left front and white 100 MARATHON CLUB on the back.

The long sleeved shirt is white with the red logo on the left front and red 100 MARATHON CLUB on the back.

Personalized medallions are available for a cost of $20.00 each.  Because this club is one that doesn’t charge

dues, the small markup on the above items and contributions from members help with the expenses of postage

and supplies.  To order shirts or medallions send a check made out to Lenore Dolphin to our address at 10519

126th Avenue S.E., Renton, WA 98056.

 

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WELCOME to twenty new members.  The list includes two married couples and two

 wannabes who have reached their goal of completing 100 marathons.  Congratulations to all!!

 

When we saw John Connor from Newport, Kentucky, at the November 2006 Louisville Marathon, he mentioned that he was nearing his 100th marathon and was planning to make our YRCM on March 31, 2007, the day that he would meet this goal.  Wearing bib #100, he completed his 100th marathon that day.  He’s asked us to reserve #200 for him for our 2009 YRCM.  It pays to plan ahead!!

 

The first marathon for Rick Hermelin of Thousand Oaks, California, was the Palos Verdes Marathon in California on June 11, 1977.  He completed his 100th marathon on December 2, 2006, at the Death Valley Borax Marathon in Death Valley, CA.

 

Bob Hildebrandt came all the way from Fairbanks, Alaska, a few years ago to run our YRCM.  His son joined him that day to run his first marathon, and his nephew “Fast” Eddie Hahn was here to make it a real “family” event.  It was at this time that Bob heard about the 100 Marathon Club North America, set another goal for himself to become a member and kept in touch with us as a “wannabe” until he reached this goal at Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota, on June 16, 2007.  It had been less than 14 years since he had run his first marathon, the Snowgoose Marathon, at Anchorage, Alaska, in August of 1993.  His first goal since he took up running was to run a marathon in all 50 states.  He became a States FINISHER at the Mt. Desert Island Marathon at Bar Harbor, Maine, on October 14, 2007.  Congratulations, Bob!

 

Steven Holehan and his wife Parvaneh Moayedi, from Austin, Texas, reached their 100th marathons within a few months of each other.  Steven ran his first marathon on January 17, 1999, the Houston Marathon at Houston, Texas, and his 100th marathon was completed on May 6, 2007, at the Vancouver Marathon in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.    He has run 38 Texas marathons and will run his 10th consecutive Houston Marathon in 2008.  He and Parvaneh became 50 States FINISHERS in October 2006 at the Cape Cod Marathon at Falmouth, Massachusetts, and they plan to run all of the continents together with Antarctica and South America on their 2009 schedule.  Parvaneh ran her first marathon on November 5, 2000, the San Antonio Marathon at San Antonio, Texas, and her 100th was at Austin, Texas, on February 18, 2007.  She, too, has run 38 Texas marathons and has won numerous age group awards.  She was the first female finisher at the Trestle Valley Marathon in Minot, North Dakota, on April 29, 2005.  Great accomplishments, Steven and Parvaneh!

 

Marathon Maniac Tom Hosner from Trabuco Canyon, California, ran his first marathon at Long Beach on May 6, 1990, and completed his 100th at the San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon on June 3, 2007.  He has a great Personal Record (PR) of 3:04.

 

Another wannabe to move up to full membership is Marathon Maniac Angela Ivory from Nashville, Tennessee.  The Country Music Marathon on April 28, 2001, at Nashville, Tennessee, was her first marathon, and she reached #100 on August 20, 2006, at the Silver State Marathon in Reno, Nevada.  Her total now includes 150 marathons with 52 of them being added in 2006 when she ran 36 marathons and 16 ultras!!  That included 4 weekend doubles!!  WOW!!!

 

The first marathon for Annie King from Decatur, Georgia, was the New York City Marathon on November 5, 1989.  Her 100th marathon was the Green Mountain Marathon on October 20, 2007, at South Hero, Vermont.  Congratulations on becoming a states FINISHER on June 17, 2006, at the Mayor’s Midnight Sun Marathon in Alaska.  Her totals are now 100 marathons and 10 ultras.

 

From Skokie, Illinois, is our next new member, Dror Kopernik.  Marathon #1 for him was the Fox Cities Marathon at Appleton, Wisconsin, on September 26, 1996, and #100 was the Mardi Gras Marathon at New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 25, 2007.  He has run 89 marathons/ultras in the United States (26 states and D.C.), 5 in Canada, 4 in the Netherlands and 2 in Israel.  That’s marathoning in four countries and on three continents.

 

Robert Lopez from Seattle, Washington, chose our March 31, 2007, YRCM for the running of his 100th marathon.  Because John Conner had already asked for #100, Robert ran with his Marathon Maniac #111 that day and left after the race to run marathon #101 somewhere else the next day!  Robert’s first marathon was the Portland Marathon in October of 2001 at Portland, Oregon.  He completed his first 100 in less than six years, but he’ll get to 200 in less time.  He ran 36 marathons in 2006 and plans to do 50-60 in 2007!  Another WOW!  He has a PR of 3:38.

 

Steve Madrid from Albuquerque, New Mexico, claims the Bandelier Marathon on April 29, 1995, as his first marathon and the Turtle Marathon on September 3, 2007, as his 100th.  His total includes 90 marathons and 10 ultras.

 

We’re happy to have another Brit join our group.  Dave Major from Moulton Northampton, United Kingdom, ran the 1996 London Marathon as his first and went to Ireland in August of 2004 to run his 100th at the Longford Marathon.  Here is the quote from his “Special Accomplishments”….”I am known for having a drink (alcoholic) before (during, sometimes) and after a marathon and certainly believe in celebrating each marathon achievement before it happens as well as afterwards.  I ran 52 marathons in 2006 in 52 weeks and have run in 17 European Capitals and 21 countries.  Normally found roaming around the southern states in the USA during the European winter, as I am addicted to sunlight.”  We hope he’ll join us for the 100 Marathon Club North America reunion race at our April 5, 2008, YRCM!!!  He sounds like a fun person to have around!  Dave highly recommends the “In Flanders Field Marathon” in Belgium and has sent us a great write-up and pictures. .

 

One of the best PR’s for this club belongs to Marathon Maniac #92, Sean Meissner of Sisters, Oregon.  It’s a 2:51:11!!  Sean’s first marathon was the Coeur d’ Alene Marathon at Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, in May of 1995, and his 100th was the Chuckanut 50K at Bellingham, Washington, on March 17, 2007.  His total of 100 includes 27 marathons and 73 ultras.  He is a four-time winner of the Tahoe Triple, winner of the 2006 Bighorn 50 Miler, winner of the 2006 Autumn Leaves 50K, and winner of the 2005 Rocky Raccoon 50 Miler.  From 2002 until the present time he has been the race director for the Peterson Ridge Rumble 60K/30K.  Of his 27 marathons, 15 have been at the Tahoe Triple.  Congratulations on these great accomplishments!

 

Our second married couple is Ken Ornellas and Rosemarie Ornellas from Elbert, Colorado, who ran their first marathon at Winter Park, Colorado on July 11, 2001.  Because Rosemarie added the Pikes Peak Marathon in Colorado on August 17, 2003, and Ken didn’t, she reached #100 two weeks before he did at the Boulder Backroads Marathon on September 30, 2007.  Ken’s 100th was at the Denver Marathon on October 14, 2007.  Congratulations to Ken and Rosemarie for becoming 50 states FINISHERS on October 22, 2005!!  In their 6+ years of running marathons they’ve averaged 13-17 per year.  Ken is the first person from Hawaii to complete 100 marathons.

 

Our next new member was featured on page 34 of the June 2007 issue of Runner’s World magazine.  Jamezell “Jim” Ottinger of Vestavia, Alabama, was mentioned in an article for his 100th marathon completion at the 2007 Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham, AL, at age 73.  He ran his first marathon at New York City in 1987.  He has a PR of 4:32.  The following are his favorite running experiences: (1)

Running a portion of the Great Wall of China in 1984; (2) Running the 100th Boston Marathon in 1996; (3) Running the 1993 Marine Corps Marathon with his oldest son and two grandsons; (4) Running the Los Angeles Marathon 15 times; (5) Running San Francisco 8-10 times; (6) Running New York 6-8 times.

 

We met our newest member, William Ouchark from Bradenton, Florida, when his wife Cristy introduced themselves to us at the pasta feed of the Marshall University Marathon at Huntington, West Virginia, on Saturday evening, November 3, 2007.  The Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon on March 19, 2000, was his first and the Twin Cities Marathon on October 7, 2007, was his 100th marathon.

 

Mark Stodghill ran his first marathon in his hometown of Duluth, Minnesota.  It was the June 24, 1978, Grandma’s Marathon.  His 100th was in the same state on October 3, 1999, when he ran the Twin Cities Marathon.  Up until March 2, 2007 his totals included 124 marathons and 51 ultras.  He’s most proud of finishing 100 marathons between 1990 and 2000 AND completing the Old Dominion 100-miler, Leadville 100-miler and Wasatch 100-miler in the summer of 2000.  Another WOW!

 

It was on Patriot’s Day of 1978 that Pete Stringer from Osterville, Massachusetts, ran the Boston Marathon, his very first one.  Then his 100th was run in February of 1999 at the Hyannis Marathon.  Up until February of 2007 his total included 132 marathons and 32 ultras.  He set an age group course record at the Nifty Fifty Mile and was the first person from Cape Cod to have completed 100 marathons.  He’s run 25 Boston Marathons and has finished eight 100 Milers including Leadville and Western States.  In his plans for the spring of 2007 was his first six-day race in New York City.

 

Marathon Maniac Craig Swanson from Plymouth, Minnesota, began his marathoning in his home state by running the Twin Cities Marathon on October 5, 1997.  The April 17, 2006, Boston Marathon was #100.  As of March 4, 2007, his totals were 124 marathons and 3 ultras.  He’s a 50 states FINISHER with a PR of 3:27:36 who has reached the highest Maniac level of Titanium, 10 Star!!  Congratulations!!

 

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We want to share the article “He did it!  50 States, 100+ Marathons” that Bob Hildebrandt wrote about his running.

 

“When I started running again as an adult, I only wanted to lose weight and improve my overall health.  I had no idea of how many races I would run.  The 5K’s and 10K’s led to longer races and eventually to the marathon.

 

My journey down the marathon trail began with the Snowgoose Marathon in Anchorage on the 16th of August 1993.  I had no idea what to expect.  I was surprised.  I enjoyed my first marathon, finishing in 4 hours, 29 minutes.

 

One marathon led to another:  the Equinox here in Fairbanks, Portland (Ore.), crowded Los Angeles, foggy Big Sur, the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C.  I was getting hooked.  I was enjoying the journey.  In October 1997 while running the Mount Rushmore Marathon in South Dakota, which just happened to be on my 49th birthday, I met a group of runners from a new organization:  the 50 States Marathon Group.

 

The goal of this group was to complete a marathon in all 50 states and DC.  So I decided to give running 50 states a try.  At that time a marathoner had to have run a marathon in 20 different states before being able to join.  I reached state No. 20 with the Volcano Marathon on the Big Island of Hawaii in July, 2000.

 

Some of the marathons I have run more than once.  Others only once.  I ran Roswell, N.M., in the desert heat.  Tupelo in hot and humid Mississippi.  Coeur d’ Alene in the rain.  Steamtown in an early snowstorm in Pennsylvania.  The Avenue of the Giants Marathon through the mighty redwood forests.  The list goes on.  All were interesting.

 

While running the Yakima River Canyon Marathon in eastern Washington I met another group of marathoners.  This was the 100 Marathon Club.  Now I had two goals.  Running a marathon in all 50 states and DC, plus completing at least 100 marathons.  I wanted to reach both goals before I reached the age of 60.

 

Along the way, some of the marathon trips turned into vacations with my family.  Both of my children became marathon runners.  They used to watch me run, now they run marathons with me.  My son, Dietrich, Joined the 50 States Club in October, 2005, after we both ran the Breakers Marathon in Rhode Island on a Saturday and then Mystic Places Marathon in Connecticut the next day.

 

Of course this summer the marathons continued.  On June 16, I ran Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn., for the third time.  This was marathon No. 100 for me.  I had reached one of my goals.  A week later Dietrich and I ran the Mayor’s Marathon in Anchorage.  This was Dietrich’s 29th.  After that I did Humpy’s in Anchorage on Aug. 19, the Equinox in Fairbanks on Sept. 15, and the New Hampshire Marathon on Sept. 29.

 

At the age of 59, I then gained my 50th state at the Mount Desert Island Marathon in Bar Harbor, Maine (in a time of 6:21:25).

 

Along the way I have had support from many people. No. 1 has been my wife, Patsy.  Without Patsy’s help I never would have made it.  Also my son Dietrich and daughter Kyndall.  And support from my marathoner nephew, Fast Eddie Hahn, has also been great

 

I may have run more than 100 marathons in all 50 states, but the journey is far from over.”

 

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We look forward to a great 100 Marathon Club North America reunion during the first weekend of April 2008.  It will be a fun time with a race on an awesome course.  Plan to attend and let us know your total marathon count before you arrive.  Maybe we’ll set some records!!

 

 

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Bob and Lenore Dolphin

100 Marathon Club North America

10519 126th Avenue S.E.

Renton, WA 98056

 

(425)226-1518, Renton

(509)966-0188, Yakima

(425)681-0154, Cell

e-mail:  dolphinmteam@earthlink.net