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At last year's Sri Chinmoy Marathon we were led to believe by signs in Myrtle Edwards Park in Seattle where the race is held that a major public works project was imminent. This would necessitate a relocation of the race. Happily, this hasn't happened yet, and 27 runners were given the opportunity again to run alongside Elliott Bay and admire Mount Rainier in the distance, the Seattle skyline, the Space Needle, and watch the ferries and boats on the bay. Floating bull kelp offshore reminded us that we were on the edge of marine habitat.

We ran the one mile loop counter-clockwise....appreciative of the easy grades and the few curves in the pavement which added variety to the course. Every mile we passed a small rose garden that was a riot of color. I never tired of going by the finish area every mile. There I would receive words of encouragement from Lenore and other volunteers as I picked up water and sports drink.

A mile marker cone on the course was a welcome sight as I counted laps but also a constant reminder how much my pace was slowing. An initial 8:30 mile pace degraded to 11:00 before I crossed the finish line for the last time. In my case, I attribute the pace degradation to physiology and the weather.

It was spectator weather with sunny skies and air temperatures that rose from the high 60's to the low 80's during the morning and early afternoon of the race. A north wind intensified from a breeze to a strong wind of 15-20 miles per hour. This combination of weather factors always slows me down, adds to discomfort perception, and causes some leg cramps in the late miles.

While a starting field of 27 would make for a lonely event in most marathon courses, on a one-mile loop you see all of the runners once or twice a mile for every mile, at least in the early miles. As the front runners finish, the runner contact decreases for those still on the course. Passing is interesting on a one-mile loop. As the fast runners go by, you can admire their running prowess while reflecting on how many miles they are ahead of you. Still it's a time to chat briefly or exchange greetings and words of encouragement.

There were many old running friends on hand to visit with before, during, and after the race. Mike Dutton, our adopted grandson, was on hand to run his 40th marathon. He led the race in the early miles until Leland Wakelin took over. Eventually, Michael Wakabayashi took over the lead and won the race in 3:17:33. Mike re-passed Leland and came in second with 3:28:05, and Leland finished third (3:33:00.)

I finished 13th of 24 finishers at mid-pack. Cheri Gillis, first woman finisher and running friend from Marathon Achievers, passed me in the last 10K. I tried to catch up with her but couldn't. I followed her into the finish chute, 4 seconds back, with a 4:14:21, only 2-3 minutes slower than times of recent years in this race. I was the only runner in the 70+ division.

It was good to see John Gissburg again. He is the only friend that I have who runs some races barefooted (e.g. Sri Chinmoy 10K on April 2, 2000 and this marathon.) John lives in Juneau, Alaska, where he is an attorney specializing in fishery law. He maintains an office in Seattle, also, and combines business and racing with the Seattle visits. He has run many marathons in Alaska and elsewhere in the United States.

June 25, 2000, was a special day for Andrew Hare of East Sound in more ways than one....he ran his FIRST MARATHON on his 21st BIRTHDAY!! Congratulations to Andrew....

We appreciate the efforts of Race Directors Girilal (Scott) Hansen and Prarphana (Theresa) Canfield and the volunteers who put on this classy event every year.

Sri Chinmoy Marathon Race Results....June 25, 2000

 1. 3:17:33  Michael Wakabayashi, 52, Spokane
 2. 3:28:05  Michael Dutton, 30, Everett
 3. 3:33:00  Leland Wakelin, 41, White Rock, B.C.
 4. 3:36:02  Dave Dutton, 43, Mt. Vernon
 5. 3:36:27  Davey Jones, 54, Seattle
 6. 3:36:44  Mel Preedy, 67, Ravensdale
 7. 3:39:38  Don Feldman, 45, Silverdale
 8. 3:40:18  Gary Cervenika, 36, Seattle
 9. 3:49:51  Tony Covarrubiss, 38, Auburn
10. 3:50:44  Steve Barrick, 38, Kent
11. 3:59:09  Jim Kunz, 51, Seattle
12. 4:14:17  Cheri Gillis, 48, Woodinville
13. 4:14:21  Bob Dolphin, 70, Renton
14. 4:18:09  Andrew Hare, 21, East Sound
15. 4:18:11  Todd Byers, 37, Long Beach, CA
16. 4:21:20  Julie Payne, 31, Seattle
17. 4:21:20  Peter Slowiaczek, 40, Lakewood
18. 4:26:29  Jon Gissburg, 57, Juneau, AK
19. 4:30:36  Stan Nakashima, 48, Mt. Vernon
20. 4:40:22  Michael Shepherd, 46, Bremerton
21. 4:43:30  Ted Clelland, 56, Seattle
22. 4:43:47  Richard Andrews, 56, Mukilteo
23. 5:41:07  Carol Dellinger, 38, Spokane
24. 5:58:14  Jimmy Smith, 58, Bremerton