100 MARATHON CLUB NORTH AMERICA
Newsletter Number Nineteen – September 14, 2009
October 4, 2009 – Bob Dolphin’s 80th BIRTHDAY in Oregon at the Portland Marathon. If you’re planning to be there for this race, please let us know your T-shirt size as soon as possible. We’re having a special T-shirt made that will be similar to the one we had for his 300th marathon a few years ago in Victoria, BC. We’ll be staying at the Hilton Hotel (race headquarters) and invite you to come to our room for birthday cake and to pick up your T-shirt on Saturday, October 3, 2009, from noon on. The marathon Information Table will be able to give you our room number…..or call the hotel at (503)226-1011 to call our room. Some runners plan to join Bob near the finish line to run in with him on race day. I’ve checked with Les Smith, the race director, and this is okay with him as long as you remember to remove your disposable chip…….or don’t cross the finish line again.
October 2009 – Run Through China’s History: 2009 Beijing International Marathon. For information contact Wang Ting from the Wild China Co. Ltd. At ting.wang@wildchina.com.
January 9, 2010 – Mississippi Blues Marathon and Half Marathon, Jackson, Mississippi. There is a $10.00 discount for club members. To register, go to www.marathonguide.com and enter 100MarathonClub as the code. For more information, visit www.msbluesmarathon.com
March 26-28, 2010 – Second Reunion of the 100 Marathon Club North America at the Yakima River Canyon Marathon. On March 26, 2009, there will be a meeting at the Selah Civic Center (just north of Yakima) at 4:00 p.m., followed by a group picture and a pasta meal (with reserved tables) and guest speakers. On March 27, 2010, the marathon (on an awesome course) will start at 8:00 a.m. in Ellensburg……and the awards ceremony/meal will be at the Selah Civic Center at 4:00 p.m. The next morning (Sunday, March 28, 2010) there will be a no-host breakfast at Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel in Yakima at 9:00 a.m.
May 2, 2010 – Tacoma City Marathon, www.tacomacitymarathon.com, directed by club member Tony Phillippi. It’s a Marathon Maniac reunion. Register early…..and plan to have dinner with Dick Beardsley.
Hanging on the wall at Bob Dolphin’s Yakima home is a framed certificate sent to him by Jerry Schaver of the 50 States & DC Group acknowledging him as the club’s Humanitarian Award Winner of 2007. We’re happy to congratulate Dane E. Rauschenberg as the Humanitarian Award Winner for 2009!! In their newsletter it’s written, “Setting a goal of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks is a daring thing to do. This is even more daring when you first start planning to do so you have only run six marathons in your entire life. Announcing your goal to the public where any slipup renders the entire project moot intensifies the pressure even more. And if that is not enough, perhaps you should also take time to start a new marathon and be the race director, add a charitable fundraising side to your running, endeavor to speak on the radio, television and newspapers to raise funds and awareness for that charity, continue working a full-time job and maybe also even squeeze in a personal record or two along the way.”
With the addition of the 21 members welcomed in Newsletter #18 on August 2, 2009, and the current three new members, our total membership is now 254. On the roster the runners who have passed away are listed in bold face italics.
What follows is the update on member activities, accomplishments etc. for the past nine months.
On May 25, 2009, Tom Adair (Alpharetta, Georgia) ran his 300th Marathon, the Darkside Marathon at Peachtree City, GA. His total includes 60 ultras. The Japanese running club, Full Hyaku Club, is developing and managing a World Mega Ranking list to include runners with 300+ marathons (ultras included). Tom is assisting them in compiling a list from the 50 States Club and Group, Marathon Maniacs and our club. In 2008 he completed the States for the Third Time. Michael Alsworth (Swindon Wilshire,England) sent us a postcard from Las Vegas last December where he ran his 230th marathon, his 8th Las Vegas. He ran 15 marathons in 2008, and his best time was 4:01. It was great having Dan Archambeau and Lois Brown (Sebring, Florida) join us at our April 4, 2009, Yakima River Canyon Marathon (YRCM)…..Dan as a runner and Lois as a volunteer. It was exciting to assign Bib #200 to Dan and be able to present him with flowers and a personalized poster at the finish line and a medallion and “200” pin at the awards ceremony. Because of “doctor’s orders” this 200th marathon was his last…..but he’ll be able to continue participating in half marathons.
Steve Barrick (Kent, Washington), race director of the Green River Marathon (Kent to Seattle, WA), ran his 9th consecutive YRCM (that’s all of them!!!) on April 4, 2009. Dick Bartlett (Rock Hill, South Carolina) became a 50 States & DC Finisher. It was good seeing Frank Bartocci (Rochester, Minnesota) at the Newport Marathon in Oregon last May. He completed Marathon #300 at the Deseret News Marathon in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 24, 2009. He’s close to finishing the States for the 5th time. It’s always great to have Dave Bell (Highland Ranch, Colorado) join us in Yakima, and this year he received his “200” pin. Joining the increasing numbers who have reached marathon #300 is Lois Berkowitz (Riverview, Michigan). She ran this one on April 26, 2009, at the Glass City Marathon in Toledo. Our paths cross once or twice a year with our good friends from “across the pond.” We joined MM Roger Biggs Stevenage, United Kingdom) and Jack Brooks (St. Albans, United Kingdom) at the Myrtle Beach Marathon in South Carolina on February 14, 2009. Roger completed his 500th Marathon at the Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon at Deadwood, South Dakota, in June. We appreciate receiving the many postcards he sends us from his marathon travels AND the “GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR MARATHON SATURDAY” that arrives a few days before our YRCM each year. Good to hear from Steve and Paula Boone (Humble, Texas). Steve recently completed his 400th marathon. Jim Boyd (Seattle, Washington) ran his 9th consecutive YRCM on April 4, 2009, and Marathon #300 on June 14, 2009, the Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon at North Bend, WA. We hope the running streak for John Bozung (Orem, Utah) is still going. As of February 25, 2009, his total was 184 consecutive months of running at least one marathon per month. Robert (Doug) Britain (Wayzata, Minnesota) became a 50 States Finisher on June 23, 2007, and was the first Clydesdale to run each of the 50 states with a sub 4:00 hour time! He’s currently working on completing the Canadian provinces. Congratulations to Jack Brooks for being the second (and younger) Brit to become a 50 States finisher AND for completing Marathon #200 at the Country Music Marathon in Nashville (wearing a Roman Centurion costume) on April 25, 2009. We appreciate the postcards he sends to us. Mike Brooks (Danville, Maine) recently sent me his favorite race picture. It’s one of Mike and me just after he crossed the finish line of the April 4, 2009, YRCM. He said that it’s his favorite, so it must be true!! In the last 13 years Mike has conquered Death Valley, run three marathons in every U.S. state, endured 24, 48 and 72 hour races and a 6-day race. This year he started a 10-day race at noon on April 22 in Queens, New York City, to raise money for Camp Sunshine in Maine, a week-long retreat for very sick children and their families. His goal was to run 500 miles and raise $10,000.00. His results were 491 miles (WOW) and $11,000.00+……enough money to send seven families to Camp Sunshine. It was good to hear from Ed Burnham (Kansas City, Missouri) who ran our inaugural YRCM on March 31, 2001, at the age of 81! At age 89, he let us know that he ran his last marathon at Des Moines, Iowa, in October of 2004 in 7:43:13. Because of feet and knee problems his running is now limited to 5K’s, 10K’s and occasional half marathons. For our records, he “completed 141 marathons from October 29, 1989, to October 17. 2004…..each one a challenge and a fond memory.” After last summer’s San Francisco Marathon, an article in the New York Times titled “Wiggling Their Toes at the Shoe Giants” started with these two words, “Todd Byers.” The article was about runners who participate barefooted in races. Todd (Long Beach, California) has completed over 70 marathons without shoes. He ran his 250th marathon at Frederick, Maryland, on May 3, 2009. In accomplishing this, he has visited most the U.S. and a number of countries on six continents.
Chuck Cammack (Albany, Oregon) had a variety of health issues last year….but is doing well now. By the end of 2008 Eliot Collins (Raritan, New Jersey) had completed 91 marathons and 31 ultras for a total of 122. At the October 2008 Ted Corbitt 24-Hour Run in Queens, NY, he walked 81.99 miles. In 1996 John Connor (Newport, Kentucky) had run races no longer than a half marathon when he decided to run his first marathon. It was the JFK 50 Miler. That’s a good jump from a half marathon to 50 miles! Good to hear from Harry Curtis (Cincinnati, Ohio),
We were happy to welcome Susan Daley to our YRCM #9 last April. Good to hear from Beth Davenport (Albuquerque, New Mexico). Rich DeCample (Renton, Washington) has completed the 50 States & DC for the FOURTH time! As of November 2009 he had a total of 238 marathons and ultras. Eugene DeFronzo (Waterbury, Connecticut) is a SIX TIMES STATES FINISHER!! Congratulations to Rich and Eugene!!! Good news from Carol Dellinger (Spokane, Washington)…..she’s finished five marathons since her knee surgery. The Skagit Flats Marathon at Burlington, WA, was marathon #450 for MM Bob Dolphin (Renton & Yakima, Washington), and he’ll celebrate his 80th birthday on October 4, 2009, by running the Portland (Oregon) Marathon that day. Team Dolphin, MM#32, was inducted into the Marathon Maniacs Hall of Fame on April 4, 2009, at the MM reunion race. “Adopted grandson” Michael Dutton (Marysville, Washington) marked the 15th anniversary of his first marathon and his 16th consecutive Capital City Marathon in Olympia, WA, on May 17, 2009. This race was his 100th 26.2 mile marathon that brought his overall total to 108.
As of March 8, 2009 Steve Edwards (N.R. Coventry Warwks, United Kingdom) had completed 480 marathons and 11 ultras for a total of 491. Good to see Eb Engelmann (Salem, Oregon) at the Newport Marathon in Oregon on May 31, 2009. Chuck Engle (Dublin, Ohio) won the 2009 Whidbey Island Marathon on March 29, 2009, at Oak Harbor, WA, and continues his marathon winning ways.
“5-F” Frank Fleetham had a local “Ultra Runners” Reunion at his Seattle home before his summer move to Bend, OR. Good to hear from Robert Fletcher (Fredericksburg, Texas). Another club member who has completed all NINE YRCM’S is “Evil Triplet #3” Ron Fowler (Seattle, Washington). He continues his running streak of 26+ years by running at least one mile per day. As an avid soda bottle collector he has been working non-stop on the “Hutchison Bottle Directory” in his spare time.
Jon Gissberg (Seattle, Washington) sent us an interesting e-mail about his latest trip to Japan when he became member #803 of the Full Hyaku Club there. Tom Adair (#620) is the designated U.S. representative of the club, and other members who belong are Don McNelly (#570), Paul Morgan (#627) and Susan Daley (#632). Another Brit who sends us frequent postcards from his marathon travels is Peter Graham (London, England). It was good seeing Janet Green (Courtenay, British Columbia) at the North Olympic Discovery Marathon (Sequim to Port Angeles, WA) on June 7, 2009. Almost all of her road marathons have been completed in under four hours.
Rick Haase (Shoreline, Washington) ran his 200th marathon at the Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon at North Bend, WA, on June 14, 2009…..the same day that Jim Boyd ran #300. Both of them had run the Lake Young’s Ultra the day before. Old news, but worth knowing ……wearing bib #178, 61 year old Jeff Hagen (Yakima, Washington) was the overall winner of the Across the Years 48 Hour Race at Nardini Manor in Buckeye, AZ, on January 14-15, 2008. He ran a total of 581 laps to complete a total of 180.508 miles….in a field of 21 runners ages 28-70. The e-mails we receive after sending out a club newsletter are rewarding and interesting. Eddie Hahn (Crestline, California) let us know that he enjoyed reading about two new members featured in Newsletter #18, Russ Petelle (Derby Line, Vermont) and Guillermo Rios (Ventura, California). Eddie was featured in a recent Marathon and Beyond magazine with an interview about his experience of losing most of his marathon medals and memorabilia in a home fire and how the race directors he contacted made great efforts to replace things. It was great having Claude Hicks, Jr. (Ft. Worth, Texas) and his wife Debie Johnson join us for the 9th YRCM on April 4, 2009. Both were super volunteers, and Claude was a runner, too! We hope Bob Hildebrandt (Fairbanks, Alaska) has recovered from his health challenges. In December of 2008 Harry Hoffman, Jr. (Stuart, Florida) had a total of 165 marathons and completed his 100th in the state of Florida. He wonders how many other club members have run 100 marathons in one state. Another 50 States Finisher is Allen Holtz (Oaksdale, Minnesota). In 2008 he finished eight races of 100 miles or more, including being one of only six to complete the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning (unique because of the wildfire-caused cancellation of Western States). He ran the Arkansas Traveler 100 the week after he completed the Bear 100……and was the only person (of 8) to go past 110 miles in the McNaughton 150 mile race. Raymond Hoyle (Watford Hertz, United Kingdom) completed his 6th consecutive YRCM last April. Good to hear from Tom Husman (Toledo, Ohio).
Angela Ivory (Nashville, Tennessee) runs 40 marathons a year and has completed 152 marathons and 83 ultras for a total of 285 in 8 years!
Good to hear from Debbra Jacobs-Robinson (Burbank, California). Deo Jaravata (Granada Hills, California) sent pictures from his 2007 YRCM and a flag of the Phillipines. He, Jose Nebrida, Monte Pascual and Quicksilver all ran the 2007 YRCM and may start a Filipino running group called the “filipino-American running team”….f.a.r.t. David Jones (Seattle, Washington) is one of 25 runners who has completed all NINE YRCM’S…….and his streak of running at least one mile per day continues for 26+ years!
Chester Kalb II (Key West, Florida) is a 50 States & DC finisher. Bob Dolphin was happy to see Sharon Kerson (Culver City, California) at the June 27, 2009, Seattle Rock ‘n Roll Marathon. As I was listening to Seattle’s music station (KIXI) on Sunday morning, May 24, 2009, I heard the announcer mention some things about 86 year old Helen Klein (Rancho Cordova, California). She’s “MY HERO”!!! Here are some of her accomplishments as of the end of 2008: (1) Completed 100 marathons and 142 ultras; (2) Oldest person to complete a 100 mile run; (3) At age 66 was one of the first women to complete the Grand Slam (five 100 mile mountain trail runs in a 16 week period….only 4 needed). This included 175,000 feet of elevation change; (4) At age 70, ran the 145 mile stage race in the Himalayas….at age 72, ran 145 mile stage race across Sahara Desert and two weeks later the 370 mile Echo Challenge in Utah; (5) At age 74, ran 143 mile stage race across the Peruvian Andes; (6) At age 81, completed the Tahoe Triple; (7) Oldest woman to have finished the following 100 mile Endurance Runs: Western States, Leadville Trail, Wasatch Trail, Old Dominion, Angeles Crest, Rocky Raccoon, Vermont; (8) First woman ultramarathoner elected to the USATF Hall of Fame (1999); (9) Road Runners Hall of Fame (2004); (10) 2002 Olympic Torch Bearer. Good to hear from Al Kohli (Lomira, Wisconsin). Dror Kopernik (Skokie, Illinois) ran his first marathon in 1999 and ran the Tahoe Triple in 2004. (Same as Helen Klein.) Good to hear from Evil Triplet #2 Jim Kunz (Seattle, Washington).
Unha Lee (Olympia, Washington) celebrated the 10th anniversary of her first marathon at the Skagit Flats Marathon on September 13, 2009. MM#111 Robert Lopez (Seattle, Washignton) ran his 200th marathon at Little Rock, Arkansas, on March 15, 2009.
Another member to set a Guinness World Record is MM Larry Macon who completed 105 marathons in 2008!!!!! To accomplish this, he ran multiple races on most weekends and even ran two marathons in one day (Darkside Marathon in Georgia and Vermont City Marathon on May 25, 2008). In addition to his marathon travels he works full time as a lawyer and still finds time to send special e-mails to me when he know that I’m having another “health challenge.” We saw MM’s Jon and Sheri Mahoney (Palm Desert, California) at the Skagit Flats Marathon in Burlington and look forward to seeing them in Portland. Jerry Martin (Spokane, Washington) won the wheelchair division at the April 4, 2009, YRCM. Bob and I have put November 13 or 14, 2010, on our calendar to be at the marathon in Columbus, OH, or Harrisburg, PA, to help Don McNelly (Rochester, New York) celebrate his 90th birthday which falls on 11/11/10. The 2009 Portland Marathon will be Marathon #300 for Ultra Al Miller (Deer Island, Oregon). Another Brit who sends us frequent postcards and letters is MM Alan Morton (Tywyn Gwynedd, Wales). He ran his 6th consecutive YRCM this year. Parvaneh Moayedi (Austin, Texas) ran her 150th marathon at Boston on April 20, 2009.
Stan Nakashima (Mt. Vernon, Washington) completed marathon #300, the Skagit Flats Marathon at Burlington, WA, on September 13, 2009. Jose Nebrida (Chicago, Illinois) and David Olsho (Seattle, Washington) have completed all nine YRCM’s. Good to hear from Jim Ottinger (Vestavia Hills, Alabama).
Good to hear from Linda Petri (Marengo, Illinois). MM Van Phan (Maple Valley, Washington) and MM Mel Preedy (Ravensdale, Washington) were inducted into the Marathon Maniacs Hall of Fame on April 4, 2009, at the Marathon Maniac reunion. Mel is a NINE time YRCM finisher. MM#3 Tony Phillippi (Tacoma, Washington) directed another successful Tacoma City Marathon on May 3, 2009. This race will be a Marathon Maniac reunion on May 2, 2010. Good to see Cheri (Gillis) Pompeo (Woodinville, Washington) at YRCM #9 and grateful for copies of her book 50 Trail Runs in Washington that she donates each year for drawing prizes.
Good to hear from Chris Ralph (Kirkland, Washington) and Tom Ripley (Sammamish, Washington). MM Fenny Roberts (Salem, Oregon) has run all NINE YRCM’s. MM#30 Diana (Slug) Robinson (Bellingham, Washington) plans ahead and will run with bib #508 at the March 27, 2010, YRCM to commemorate 500 other races (not marathons) PLUS 8 consecutive YRCM’s. By this date she will have run 30 ultras and 100 half marathons and this day will complete her 100th 26.2mile race. It was great seeing MM Henry Rueden (DePere, Wisconsin) on Valentine’s Day at the Myrtle Beach Marathon and at other races during the year. He continues to add new statistics to his running adventures. He has…..(1) Completed an inaugural marathon in all 50 States & DC; (2) Run a marathon on all 7 continents TWICE; (3) Run a marathon in all 50 States & DC SEVEN TIMES; (4) Completed Marathon #600 at Green Bay, Wisconsin on May 17, 2009.
Ed Sanches (New York, New York) is a SECOND TIME AUSTRALIA finisher. MM Ray Scharenbrock (South Milwaukee, Wisconsin) became a 50 States Finisher for the TENTH TIME early this year and plans to be an ELEVEN TIME finisher this fall. I want to share part of Ray’s thank you note that he sent to us after running YRCM #9. “It just boggles my mind when I think of the hundreds of race directors and the thousands of volunteers and event supporters who have made my numbers possible. They share in my finish lines; without their hard work I wouldn’t have been able to reach any of my finishing lines. I am so appreciative!” Del Scharffenberg (Milwaukie, Oregon) at age 63 was one of six cyclists featured on January 8, 2009, at RoadBikeRider.com. The title was “The Ride of Your Life: aligning heart and mind for success in long distance cycling.” Although cycling is primary now, he continues to run some races and is glad that his son Erik is joining him in these events. His longest run in a long time and his best since 1997 was the Pier Park 6-hour Run on February 7, 2009, when he completed 31 miles in 5:59. MM Jim Scheer (Vancouver, Washington) has run all 9 YRCM’s. The Columbian newspaper in Clark County (southwest Washington State) featured Jim on April 27, 2009, in an article titled “Marathon Man.” It was part of their local coverage of the Boston Marathon, the 289th marathon that Jim had just completed. Good to hear from Steve Schumacher (Orange, California) who has run every day for 29+ years!!! Terry Sentinella (Anacortes, Washington), race director of the Skagit Flats Marathon at Burlington, WA, is a 50 States Finisher. Clay Shaw (York, Pennsylvania) sent an update of his marathoning. By November 26, 2008, he had run 159 marathons, was the first Pennsylvania runner to complete 50 States & DC (1995) and first to complete Canada (2002). He’s still struggling to complete the continents and is working on the 2nd time around the States. He hopes to run the YRCM on March 27, 2010. Jim Simpson (Huntington Park, California) has stayed in a Wal Mart parking lot in all 50 States and has completed a marathon in all 50 States & DC EIGHT TIMES. Good to hear from MM#851 Mark Stodghill (Duluth, Minnesota). After some surgeries last fall MM Gunhild Swanson (Spokane, Washington) is able to start running again.
Periodically, MM Annie Thiessen sends a cheery e-mail my way to brighten the day. She continues her “Winning Ways” at many marathons. Last year’s victory at the November Seattle Marathon was the 30th marathon win of her career and her EIGHTH win of 2008.
Good to see MM Michael Wakabayashi (Spokane, Washington) at the Skagit Flats Marathon on September 13, 2009.. MM Gregg Walchli (Woodinville, Washington) ran his 200th marathon at the Tacoma City Marathon. Wearing bib #100 on February 8, 2009 in the French Polynesian Island of Moorea John “Maddog” Wallace (Longboat, Florida) crossed the finish line of the marathon in his 100th country to break the previous record of 99 set by Wally Herman (Toronto, Ontario). Ross Waltzer (Tulsa, Oklahoma) shared a reprint of an article from the Tulsa World of August 7, 1996, entitled “Globe-trotting Dentist Not Ready to Retire.” On the back was printed the humorous invitation to his 80th birthday party with the following serious quote: “Life is a joy, full of fun and is a great success because I’m still here. My life is better for having known all my friends as part of my history.” He has run a total of 162 marathons and ultras and at age 67 he was the oldest male runner to complete Western States. At age 86 he wrote, “The only run I can do now is to the bathroom!” Bill Whipp (Harrison, Ohio) completed his SECOND ROUND OF THE STATES on October 18, 2008, at the Green Mountain Marathon in South Hero, Vermont. At the time his totals included 234 marathons and ultras. Because of a complete knee replacement on December 15, 1997, he keeps two sets of records…..total marathons 207 (180 with new knee) and 27 ultras (20 with new knee). In a recent e-mail from Mike Wojcio (Kenilworth, New Jersey), he inquired about megamarathoner K-G Nystrom from Sweden. If anyone has a current e-mail address for him, please let us know what it is.
Main Maniac (#1) Steve Yee (Renton, Washington) sent us his annual Christmas card from Hawaii with the following note, “Sue (Fauerbach..Renton, Washington) and I missed you in Honoulu this year…..” Thanks, Steve…..the 2008 snows kept us housebound for Christmas of 2008! Steve is a NINE TIME YRCM FINISHER!!
WOW! I finally made it to “Z” and I don’t want to “short-change” John Zeleznikow (South Caulfield, Victoria, Australia) whose first marathon was the Victoria Country Marathon in July of 1972 at the age of 22. His 100th marathon was on August 26, 2002, in Lonford, Ireland. He has run 153+ marathons and has a PR of 3:19:45.
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If you need help, here are the answers to the 10 questions about our club members.
(1) Van Phan, Mel Preedy and Bob Dolphin (Team Dolphin); (2) Jim Simpson; (3) John Connor; (4) Don McNelly; (5) Larry Macon and John (Maddog) Wallace; (6) Jack Brooks; (7) Ross Waltzer and Helen Klein; (8) Steve Schumacher…David Jones and Ron Fowler; (9) Annie Thiessen; (10) Mike Brooks.
The 100 Marathon Club North America has no dues but meets its expenses from donations and through a small profit made on the sale of club T-shirts, pins (in increments of 100) and personalized medallions. Please contact us if you’re interested in making any purchases…….and let us know about your activities.
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