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50 States & D.C. Marathon Group U.S.A.
News Items
02/26/10
100 MARATHON CLUB NORTH AMERICA
FOUNDING DATE: March 31, 2001
CLUB ROSTER as of February 21, 2010
Tom Adair, Alpharetta, GA – 1st M,
11/22/94, Atlanta….100th M, 11/23/01,
Atlanta. President of the 50
States Marathon Club. Had 74
consecutive marathon months
by November 2000. Completed 250th M
on 10/7/07 at Cologne, Germany. 300th
M, 5/25/09, Darkside at
Peachtree City, GA.
Michael Alsworth, Swindon Wiltshire,
England – First Marathon, August 1985…
100th
M, February 1998, Las Vegas.
230th M, 2008 Las Vegas.
Daniel Archambeau, Sebring, FL – First
M, August 1980, Paavo Nurmi…100th M,
1998, Nanisivik, Canada.
230th M, Dec. 2008, Las Vegas. 200th,
4/4/09, Yakima
River Canyon.
Newton Baker, Montpelier, Vermont
Gene Bandler, East Meadow, NY – First
M, May 1996, Long Island, 100th M,
October
17, 2004, Pacemaker,
12/24/97. All but 3 M’s since
pacemaker.
Eugene Barker, Louisville, KY – Ran
94.5 miles in Corn Belt 24 Hour Run.
Steve Barrick, Kent, WA – 1st M, Feb.
1989, Trails End….100th M November
2003,
Seattle. Race Director, Green
River Marathon. Has run two sub 3-hour
marathons.
Andrew Bartczak, Apple Valley, MI –
First M, 9/30/79, Warsaw…100th M,
5/4/08 on
his 50th birthday, Lincoln
National Guard.
Dick Bartlett – Roswell, NM – 1st M,
May 1977, Syracuse, NY…100th M,
January 9,
2000, Walt Disney World. 50
States FINISHER, Humpy’s/2008. Total
M’s, 126.
Frank Bartocci, Rochester, MN – First
M, Dallas White, 12/4/83…..100th M,
Mid City
Marathon, Rochester, MN, May
2001….300th M, 7/24/09, Deseret News,
Salt
Lake City, UT. FOUR time 50
States FINISHER.
Dave Bell, Highlands Ranch, CO –
First M., Steamboat Marathon (CO),
6/4/95…100th
M, Steamboat, 6/5/05….200th M,
6/1/08, Steamboat Springs. FOUR time
50
States FINISHER.
Lois Berkowitz, Riverview, MI – First
M, April 1990, Glass City…100th M,
Avalon
Benefit 50 Mile Run….300th M,
4/26/09, Glass City, Toledo, OH.
Victor Bhatt, Sugarland, TX – First M,
May 1972.
Roger Biggs, Stevenage, United
Kingdom – Unique Record: in 1996 did
100th 10-Miler,
100th Half Marathon and 100th
Marathon in consecutive races. First
runner from
the U.K. to become a 50 States
& DC FINISHER……at the Honolulu Marathon
12/9/07. 500th M, June 2009,
Deadwood Michelsen Trail, Deadwood, SD.
Robert (“Cowboy Jeff”) Bishton, Ft.
Myers, FL – First M, October 2004,
Baltimore,
…100th, Snickers, Albany, Ga,
3/7/09, 50 States & DC Finisher.
Jim Bitwood, Laurel, MD
Paula Boone, Humble, TX – First M, May
11, 1996, Antelope Island (Utah)…100th
M,
March 23, 2003, Dallas
Trails. 200th M, 5/20/07, Delaware
Marathon. States
FINISHER twice.
Steve Boone, Humble, TX – Officer in
50 States Marathon Club. 350th M and
third time
states FINISHER, Humpy’s
Marathon (AK), 8/19/07. 400th M, 2009.
Jim Boyd, Seattle, WA – 1st M,
10/14/1978, Heart of San Diego….100th
M, 4/5/97,
Santa Barbara….300th M,
6/14/09, Light at the End of the
Tunnel, North
Bend, WA. 50 States & DC
finisher, October 26, 1997.
Ray Boytim, Spring, TX – First M,
January 1979, Houston…100th M., April
24, 1994.
John Bozung, Orem, UT – First North
American to do all 7 continents in one
year
(1997) and 98 consecutive
months streak as of November 2001.
250th M,
5/5/07, Wild, Wild West, Lone
Pine (GA). As of 2/25/09, 184
consecutive
months of running at least 1 M
per month.
Marv Bradley, Canon City, CO – First
M, June 7, 1992, Steamboat….100th M,
January
1, 2005, Texas, Completed 50
States December 8, 2002, Honolulu.
Robert D. Britain (Doug), Wayzata, MN –
First M, October 2001, Chicago…100th
M, Niagara Falls, 10/26/08. He’s run
a sub 4 hour marathon in each of
the 50 states. First
Clydesdale to run each of the 50
states with a sub 4:00 time..
Jack Brooks, St. Albans, Herts, UK –
First M, 1990, London…100th M.,
December 17,
2003, Majorca. 200th M and
2nd Brit to complete all fifty states,
4/20/09, Country
Music at Nashville, TN.
Mike Brooks, Danville, ME – Completed
50 States & DC June 21, 2003, Midnight
Sun.
First M, 10/15/95, Bay State…
100th M, US Air Force, Ohio, 9/20/03.
Has
conquered Death Valley, run
three marathons in every U.S. state,
endured 24,
48 and 72 hour races……and a 6-
day race. Ran 491 miles in a 10-day
race
starting 4/22/09.
Kevin Brosi, Flower Mound, TX – First
M, 12/14/86, Dallas White Rock…100th M,
Newport (Oregon), 5/30/09.
Lois Brown, Sebring, FL – First M,
December 3, 1988, Blue Angel…100th M,
January 25, 2004, Las Vegas.
Ron Bucy, Bridgeport, WV – Completed
50 States & DC December 9, 2001,
Honolulu.
Cliff Burgess, Hewitt, TX – 3
continents and 16 countries by the end
of 2001.
Janet Burgess, Renton, WA – First M,
May 1998, Vancouver, BC….100th M,
October 4,
2009, Maine Marathon.
Completed 100th Marathon AND finished
50th state
on the same day.
Ed Burnham, Kansas City, MO – Ran
first marathon at age 70 in 1994 at
San Antonio…
100th M, Dec. 2000, White Rock
at Dallas. Last M, Oct. 2004, Des
Moines, IA.
Betty Mae Burrell, Harrison, TN – Only
female to walk a marathon in all 50
states.
Betty Mae Burrell died on July
28, 2007, after a fatal heart attack.
Peter Butler, St. Paul, MN – Has run
25 consecutive Grandma’s Marathons (by
March
2003). 1st M, Oct. 1976, Land
O’ Lakes, Minneapolis, MN….100th M,
1982….
200th M, 1987….300th M,
1992….400th M….1998. 50 States
FINISHER.
Current total 580+. PR 3:02.
Todd Byers, Long Beach,CA – 1st M,
Emerald City, Seattle….100th M,
Seattle.
250th M, Frederick, Md. Runs some
marathons barefoot!
Tim Byrnes,Wichita, KS – First M,
October 21, 1989, Wichita…100th M, May
12, 2000,
Halifax (Nova Scotia).
Chuck Cammack, Albany, OR – Ran a 100
Miler in Vermont in 19 hours and 45
Minutes. 200th M, 4/29/07,
Eugene (OR).
Burt Carlson, Mound, MN – USATF
National Championship Age Group Wins
(by
January 15, 2002): six 24
hours, two 100K’s, one 50 mile trail
run. 300th M,
10/5/08 at age 83!
Bob Carpenter, Cana Point, CA
Big Dave Carter, Bedford Beds,
England – Has a Yakima River Canyon
Marathon
Logo tattooed on his thigh!
Marty Chalfin, Lake Mary, FL – By
2002, one Ironman (November 6, 1999)
and 6
Continents.
Russell Cheney, Torrance, CA – 1st M,
1990, Los Angeles….100th M, 1999, Los
Angeles….200th M, 9/10/05, Bismark,
ND. PR, 3:29:17. Marathon/ultra
Total = 283. Boston 3 times. US
Olympic Torch Bearer. “Russell B
Cheney”
50K, DE. Co-founder of Marathon Drive
Club.
Eliot Collins, Raritan, NJ – 1st M,
Atlantic City Marathon, October 18,
1998…..
100th M, New York City, November 5,
2006. Has run Pikes Peak “double”
(Marathon and Half Marathon on
consecutive days) three times. Total
of 137.
Jim Collins, Sarasota, FL – 1st M,
6/13/87, God’s Country, Galeton,
PA….100th M
1/31/10, Ocala, Ocala, FL. PR
3:07:12. 15 M’s, 85 Ultras. 50
States FINISHER
10/4/08, Bristol, NH.
John Connor, Newport, KY – First M,
Louisville….100th M, March 31, 2007,
Yakima
River Canyon Marathon. 50 States
FINISHER.
Harold Copeland, Richland, WA – 1st M,
11/15/75, Cheney….100th M, 5/24/98,
Coeur d’ Alene. 50+ Course Record,
November 20, 1976, Cheney
Marathon, 3:25:42.
Tony Covarrubias, Auburn, WA
Tom Craven, Honolulu, HI – 1st M,
12/15/74, Honolulu….100th M, 1/17/10,
Redding.
72 M’s, 29 Ultras. Holds
age 60 course record for Bandera 50K.
Francesco Crinity – Philadelphia, PA,
First M, November 19, 2000…100th M,
April 18,
2005, Boston
Rich Cromwell, Ney, OH – First M,
1989, Cleveland.
Harry Curtis, Cincinnati, OH – First
M, 1980, Columbus…100th M, May 5,
2002,
Flying Pig, Cincinnati
Susan Daley, Chicago, IL – 1st M,
1991, Chicago…..100th M, 1997,
Carolina M. in
SC….200th M, 2000, Chicago.
By June 25, 2003, 7 continents and 50
states.
Beth Davenport, Santa Fe, NM, – First
M, 10/19/92, Tour of Albuquerque
…100th M, Yakima River Canyon,
4/4/09. 50 States FINISHER. Total of
114.
Plans to run #200 at YRCM in
2015!
Rich DeCample, Renton, WA – 1st M,
4/14/86, Emerald City, Seattle….100th
M,
5/28/2000, Vermont City.
Finished first 50 States & DC circuit
at Sunburst on
June 10, 2000…finished second
one at Old Mulkey on October 25,
2003. By
Nov. 2009, FOUR time States
finisher and total of 238 M’s.
Eugene De Fronzo, Waterbury, CT – 1st
M. 1961, New York City….100th M, 1998,
Jacksonville. By September
26, 2001, had completed 50 States
twice and all Canadian
provinces and territories. M #300,
Casper, WY, 6/5/06.
6 TIME 50 STATES FINISHER.
Featured in Wall St. Journal article,
11/18/09.
Carol Dellinger, Spokane, WA – At age
35, 2nd youngest female to complete
100
marathons. #215 M, California
International, Sacramento, 12/2/07.
Ran #235 M
1/17/10, Phoenix….9 weeks
after mastectomy surgery!
Tom Detore, Unadilla, NE – First M,
March 1986, Los Angeles…100th M,
November
2000, North Central Trail.
300th M, Texas Marathon, January 1,
2010
Don Dickmeyer, Omaha, NE – 25
consecutive Lincoln Marathons.
Lincoln was his 1st,
25th and 100th marathon.
Brian Doherty, London, England – As
director of the original 100 Marathon
Club
(London) inducted Bob Dolphin
as the first American member in April
1997.
Elaine Doll-Dunn, Spearfish, SD –
Was “Mrs. South Dakota” at age 62….and
ran 26.2
Marathons that year as she
represented her state! Race director
of the Leading
Ladies Marathon, Spearfish,
SD, in August.
Bob Dolphin, Renton, WA – Ran a
3:00:12 PR at age 58, and as a former
Marine was
thrilled to be first of 47 in
the 70+ Male age group at the Marine
Corps Marathon
when he was 74 (2003).
Recipient of the 50 States & DC
Group’s 2007
“Humanitarian Award.”
Completed 400th M, 3/31/07, at Yakima
River
Canyon Marathon (co-director
of this race). From 4/29/07 he ran 7
marathons
in 7 consecutive weekends at
age 77 in 2007. Featured in John “The
Penguin”
Bingham’s October 2007 Runner’s World
article (p. 62). Inducted into
Marathon Maniacs Hall of Fame,
4/4/09. Ran Portland M on 80th
Birthday, 10/4/09. Member #806 of
Japan Joyful 100 Marathon Running
Club. Featured in Seattle Times
article, 11/27/09. Total M’s = 461.
Michael Dutton, Everett, WA – First M,
Capital City (Olympia, WA), May 22,
1994….
100th M, Skagit Flats
(Burlington, WA), September 10, 2006.
Steve Edwards, Ansty Nr Coventry,
England. As of 3/8/09 total M’s = 491.
Don Ellis, Memphis, TN – First M,
October 1990, St. Louis
Eb Engelmann, Salem, OR – First M,
1980, Trails End (Seaside, OR)…His PR
is
3:00:09 and that’s three
seconds faster than Bob Dolphin’s.
Chuck Engle, Columbus, OH –
MarathonGuide’s Male Outstanding
Marathoner
for 2006.
Rosemary Evans, Flemingsburg, KY –
first and second marathons were on the
SAME
WEEKEND!! 1st M, 10/11/97,
Winston-Salem….100th M, 10/20/02, Mt.
Desert Island (ME).
Evan Fagan, Victoria, BC, Canada –
First M, October 1988…100th M, October
2001,
Royal Victoria.
Virginia Farneman, Powell, OH – At the
beginning of 2008…212 M’s and ultras.
50 States finisher.
Sue Fauerbach, Renton, WA – First M,
1999 Portland….100th M, 3/5/06, Little
Rock.
Lauri Fauerbach-Adams, Philadelphia,
PA, 10/21/70 – First M, 11/23/03,
Philadelphia
…100th M, Las Vegas, 12/7/08.
Frank Fleetham, Bend, OR – 1st M,
9/19/81, Royal Victoria….100th M,
5/2/98,
Double Sunflower (Twisp, WA).
Had stent put in rear coronary artery
in
1995….and still runs! He has
two stents now!!
Bob Fletcher, Fredericksburg, TX – 1st
M, 2/5/77, American
National,Galveston….100th
M., 1/19/86, Houston. Ran 50
Marathons in 50 weeks at age 50.
Author of
“Spaghetti Every Friday.”
Brenton Floyd, Harrison, TN – Finished
50 States & DC July 7, 2001, at Snow
Mountain, Winter Park,
Colorado, at age 16 years and 3 months
making him the
youngest person to accomplish
this feat. He’s also the youngest
member of our
club and has run over 200
marathons. In 2006, completed 300th
M, did 1st
100 Miler, won 3 ultras, ran
22 M’s and 28 ultras, finished 50
States & DC
for 2nd time. M #350, Umstead 100
(NC), 3/31/07. 100th ultra, Way Too
Hot 50K, Peach City (GA).
Paul Fournier, Gurnee, IL – 1st M,
10/7/90, Lakefront, Milwaukee,
WI….100th M,
7/1/07, Gold Coast Airport,
Gold Coast, Australia. Ran M #80 &
became a 50
States FINISHER on 54th
birthday, 12/18/05. Completed 6 of 7
continents. Met
future wife running Great Wall
of China, 5/22/04. Honeymooned in
Australia
running Gold Coast M, 7/1/07,
Bill Fornoff, Jarrettsville, MD –
Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run,
1994…
Comrades, 1999.
Ron Fowler, Seattle, WA – “Evil
Triplet”…First M, November 26, 1978…
100th M,
October 1, 2000, Portland.
Ran at least 1 mile per day for 25
years….it
happened on 3/18/08. It’s now
26 years!
Norm Frank, Rochester, NY – 1st M,
4/17/67, Boston….100th M, 9/9/78,
Erie. Has
RUN MORE MARATHONS than anyone
else in the United States. As of
February 2003 had run one
marathon (or more) per month for 216
consecutive
months (18 years). 900+ M’s.
Member #100 of our club! 200th M,
Midnight
Sun….300th M, Almost
Heaven….400th M, 4/16/90,
Boston….500th M,
9/18/93….600th M, 5/26/96,
Vermont City….700th M, 12/10/99, Rocket
City….800th M, 12/14/0….900th
M, Memphis, 2006. Ran 30+ consecutive
Boston Marathons. World
record for most marathon completions
in 1994, 1995
and 1996. 50 States
finisher.
Steve Frederickson, Kent, WA – 1st M,
October 1981….100th M, November 1999,
Seattle. Course record
holder, ultra De Panama (racewalk)
….50.4 miles across
Isthmus of Panama. Has run a
marathon or ultra on all 7 continents.
“Farewell to Marathoning”
article in Dec. 2007 NW runner
magazine. Last
marathon was Marine Corps
Marathon, 10/28/07….due to back
injury. Update:
he’s run a few more! PR,
3:03:30.
Gene Fritzel, Lutherville, MD – 1st M,
Marine Corps, November 3, 1991…..100th
M,
Humpy, August 15, 2005.
Completed 50 states on August 15,
2005, too.
Steve Fuller, North Kansas City, MO –
1st M, May 1979….100th M, May 1992,
Andy
Payne, Oklahoma City. Finished all 50
States December 1986 and all seven
continents October 2002.
Laura Garrett, Copperas Cove, TX – 1st
M, San Diego Rock ‘n Roll, June 4,
2000.
100th M/Ultra, Patriot Run, Olathe,
KS, 9/11/07. 50 States FINISHER.
Finished a Marathan or longer in each
of 7 continents.
Jon Gissberg, Seattle, WA - “Barefoot
Jon” runs most M’s barefooted! First
M,
6/18/77, Anchorage…100th M,
11/25/07, Seattle.
Deborah Gobins, Phoenix, AZ – First M,
August 1986, Pikes Peak…100th M,
October
1992, St. George.
Gayle Godfrey, Louisville, KY – First
M, November 11, 1980, Louisville…100th
M,
September 27, 2003, Walker
North Country.
Cecil Goudeau, Denham Springs, LA –
First and 100th Marathon, Mardi Gras,
February 15, 1987, and
February 16, 2003. Total of 138 M’s
as of 9/10/07.
Peter Graham, London, United Kingdom –
First M, London, 1990…100th M, Abingdon
Oxfordshire, 1999. Former
secretary of the original 100 Marathon
Club
(London).
Janet Green, Courtenay, BC, Canada –
1st M, October 1988, Royal
Victoria….100th M,
October 2001, Royal
Victoria….200th M, 10/12/08, Royal
Victoria. Time for
50% of her marathons is around
3:30,and she usually places in her age
group.
Cheri Gross, SanAntonio, TX – 1st M,
6/4/00, Rock & Roll, San Diego…100th M
Sun Trust Richmond, Richmond,
VA, 11/15/08.
Raef Guirges, Torrance, CA – Wannabe
who runs with U.S. flag all over the
U.S.
Rick Haase, Shoreline, WA – First M,
November 27, 1978, Seattle…100th M,
June 4,
2005, Kettle Moraine 100
Miler. Has run at least one marathon
per year since
1978. 200th M, 6/14/09, Light
at the End of the Tunnel, North Bend,
WA.
Jeff Hagen, Yakima, WA – 1st M, Yakima
Marathon, October 7, 1979……100th M,
Cle Elum 50K, September 2006.
Total mileage for his 101 races (17
marathons
and 83 Ultras) is 8,289 miles
which is equivalent to 316
marathons. Broke 7
American 55-59 age group ultra
records within a 16-month period.
Overall
winner at age 61 of Across the
Year 48 Hour Race at Nordini Manor in
Buckeye,
AZ, on 12/30/08-1/1/09.
Totals: 97 ultras & 20 M’s for a
total of 9,367 race
miles….equivalent to 367
marathons!
Eddie Hahn, Ontario, CA – First M,
9/23/84, Portland (OR)…100th M,
4/26/08, Country Music.
Famida Hanif-Weddle, San Jose, CA –
1st M, 7/21/85, San Francisco….100th M,
6/7/03, Forest of Nisene
Marks, Aptos, CA. PR, 3:58:02. Total
= 155.
Finished Western States 100 M
Endurance Run 6/28/97.
Randy Hansen, Estherville, IA – First,
University of Okoboji…100th M, Jesus
Run
Colorado.
Jamie Harris, London, ON, Canada – 1st
M, 5/19/78, National Capital (Ottawa)…
100th
M, 4/27/08, Waterloo (ON). PR
of 2:50:15.
Boonsom Hartman, Oak Forest, IL –
Completed 50 States & DC December 14,
2004,
Honolulu and 100th marathon a
few months later. #150 M and 2nd time
around FINISHER, 6/23/07,
Mayor’s M, Anchorage, AK.
Mark Hartinger, Shoreline, WA – July
11, 1998, FIRST OVERALL at 34.5 mile
utra,
Climb-a-Mountain, at Spokane,
and set course record (till then) at
4:56:02.
Kevin Hatfield, Hardwick, GA – 1st M,
12/28/03, Light Marathon (Mobile, AL)…
100th M, 5/25/08, Burlington,
VT. PR of 3:29:51.
Roger Hauge, Excelsior, MN
Rick Hermelin, Thousand Oaks, CA –
First M, 6/11/77, Palos Verdes M.
(CA). 100th M
12/2/06, Death Valley Borax
M., Death Valley, CA
Wally Herman, Ottawa, ON, Canada – 1st
M, 10/11/75, K-W Octoberfest Marathon,
Kitchener-Waterloo,
Ontario….100th M 6/14/81, Manitoba,
Winnipeg, Man,
Ont….200th M, 8/4/85….300th M,
9/29/89….400th M, 12/18/93. PR,
3:14:56. Special
accomplishment: “Still living!” As
of a few years ago, he has run
marathons or ultras on 7 continents
and in 99 countries.
Jerry Herndon, Cabin Creek, WV – First
M, 1975, Toledo.
Claude Hicks, Jr., Fort Worth, TX –
1st M, 2/28/04, Cowtown…100th M,
10/19/08,
Louisville….all 26.2 M’s. Add
8 ultras for a total 108. PR of
3:50:36.
Bob Hildebrandt, Fairbanks, AK – 1st M
Snowgoose, Anchorage, AK, Aug. 1993.
100th M Grandmas (MN),
6/16/07. 50 states FINISHER, Oct.
2007, Mt. Desert
Island M., ME.
Harry Hoffman, Jr., Port Salerno, FL –
First M, January 8, 1995, Disney
(Orlando),
100th M Feb. 27, 2005, New Orleans; 7
marathons in 7 states in 6 weeks; 3
marathons in 7 days, 20 in one year.
50 States FINISHER on 6/23/07. Has
run
100 marathons in state of Florida.
Steven Holehan, Austin, TX – 1st M,
1/17/99, Houston. 100th M. 5/6/07,
Vancouver M
(BC). He & his wife Parvaneh
Moayedi became 50 states FINISHERS
Oct. 2006
Cape Cod M. (MA).
Richard Holmes, Durham, NC – 1st M,
11/11/78, Calloway Gardens, GA….100th
M,
11/24/01 N. Central Trail,
Sparks, MD….200th M, 3/8/09, Umstead
Trail,
Raleigh, NC. PR, 3:18:34.
TWO times 50 States & DC FINISHER.
Canadian
Provinces/Territories and
continents FINISHER. Projected
Goals: Third time
States Finisher, 2011; Second
time Canada, 2011; Second time
Continents,
3/7/10; titanium level of
Maniacs (top level), 3/7/10.
Humanitarian of the Year
Award (50 States & DC).
Allen Holtz, Oakdale, MN – 1st M, Oct.
1994, Twin Cities…100th M, Same as #1,
Oct. 2005. Ran inaugural
Yakima River Canyon Marathon,
3/31/01. 50 States
FINISHER. PR of 3:20:55. As
of Feb. 2008, 116 M’s and 62 ultras.
In 2008
finished 8 races of 100 miles
and was one of 6 to complete Grand
Slam of Ultra
Running.
Tom Hosner, Trabuco Canyon, CA – 1st
M, 5/6/90, Long Beach, CA. 100th M,
6/3/07,
San Diego Rock ‘n Roll M. PR
of 3:04.
Christian Hottas, Hamburg, Germany –
Director of 100 Marathon Club Germany.
Raymond Hoyle, Watford Herts, UK –
1st M, 1987, St. Albans, U.K…..100th M,
9/22/1996, Polytechnic. Ran
the Yakima River Canyon Marathon for
6 consecutive years, 2004-2009.
Peter Hudec, Wannabe whose 1st M was
11/6/94, New York City.
Tom Husman, Toledo, OH
Gerry Hynes, Canton, OH – 1st M,
10/10/85, Nashua Johannesburg…100th M,
10/12/08, Towpath. PR of
2:48:00. Permanent #8900 for Comrades.
Deborah Ingram, Gainesville, FL –
Wannabe whose 1st M was Walt Disney
World,
1/9/05. 50 States FINISHER,
10/3/09.
Angela Ivory, Nashville, TN – 1st M,
4/28/01, Country Music M, Nashville.
100th M
8/20/06, Silver State M, Reno,
NV. Ran 36 M’s and 16 ultras in 2006….
with 4 weekend doubles. M
Total for 8 years = 285.
Debbra Jacobs-Robinson, Burbank, CA –
1st M, 1/19/97, San Diego (now
Carlsbad). 100th M, 8/3/08,
San Francisco. 50 States & DC
FINISHER.
Deo Jaravata, Granada Hills, CA – 1st
M, March 1997, Los Angeles…100th M,
November 2005, Long Beach. PR
of 3:30. 150th M, 6/1/08, Rock ‘n
Roll,
San Diego.
Karl Jensen, North Vancouver, BC,
Canada – Grand Slam, 1999. First
Canadian to
Complete The Last Great Race
of Ultramarathoning.
Cathie Johnson, Red Boiling Springs,
TN – First M, Tennessee First,
Memphis, 12/1/96
…100th M, 4/25/-0, Country
Music, Nashville, TN. She’s run 5
marathons in
Europe.
Craig Johnson, Regina, Sask, Canada –
1st M, Sept. 1990, Saskatchewan…100th M
Trestle Valley, Minot, ND,
4/25/09.
(William) Troy Johnson, Red Boiling
Springs, TN – 1st M, 12/1/96,
Tennessee First,
Memphis, TN…100th M, 4/25/09,
Country Music, Nashville. He’s run
five
Marathons in Europe.
Jay Johnson, Sauk Rapids, MN – First
M, October 1994…100th M, October 2,
2005,
Twin Cities. Completed 50
States October 2003. Overall winner
of three
Marathons.
David Jones, Seattle, WA – 1st M,
3/27/83, Emerald City, Seattle….100th
M, 5/5/03,
Yakima River Canyon Marathon.
On 2/18/08 had run at least 1 mile per
day
for 25 years. It’s now 26
years!
Greg Judge, Seattle, WA – First M,
Skagit Flats (Burlington, WA), 1994…
100th M,
March 3, 2002, Napa
Valley. “Evil Triplet.”
Gary Julin, Omaha, NE – By November
23, 2002, had run 106 marathons under
THREE HOURS!!!
Chester H. Kalb, II, Key West, FL –
1st M, 1/6/02, Walt Disney World…100th
M,
9/20/08, Krol’s Diner North
Dakota Rough Rider…..All race walking
with
PR of 4:42:32. PR of 2:50:24 for
prior running M’s. Ran/walked 1,656
miles from Cincinnati to DC to Cape
Kennedy to Disney World. 50 States
FINISHER.
Bruce Katter, Edmonds, WA – First M,
Seattle, Nov. 25, 1989; 100th M, New
Las
Vegas, Dec. 4, 2005; 50
States Finisher, working on
continents. Ran his last
race 3/31/07, Yakima River
Canyon Marathon. Bruce Katter died on
11/11/07
from lung/bone cancer.
Don Kern, Grand Rapids, MI – 1st M,
10/15/95, Chicago…100th M, 12/4/04,
Memphis.
Grand Rapids Marathon R.D. 50
States FINISHER. CONTINENTS FINISHER
THREE TIMES. Only person to
run seven continents twice in one year!
Total M’s, 166 + 3 ultras.
Sharon Kerson, Culver City, CA – Has
run in all Canadian provinces and
territories, on 3 continents, in 4
countries, and all states for the
second time around by 2000.
LeRoy Kessler, Turlock, CA – 1st M,
7/27/86, San Francisco. PR of 3:13.
Total of 104
M’s and 51 ultras. Has run
all of the California M’s except two
new ones.
Annie King, Decatur, GA – 1st M, New
York City, 11/5/89. 100th M 10/20/07,
Green
Mountain (VT). 50 states
FINISHER 6/17/06, Mayor’s Midnight Sun
(AK).
2nd TIME 50 States FINISHER,
Cordova, AK, 7/12/08.
Helen Klein, Rancho Cordova, CA – At
age 81, ran Napa on March 7, 2004, in
4:45:42 and a few weeks later
on April 3rd ran the MORE Marathon for
Women
over 40 years old in 4:49 with
a 25 mph headwind. She’s WONDERFUL AND
AMAZING!!! By end of 2008….
she had completed 242 M’s and was
oldest
person to complete a 100 mile
run. 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).
At age 70, ran 145-mile stage
race in Himalayas. At age 72, 145
stage race
across Sahara Desert and
participated in 370-mile Echo
Challenge in Utah. At
age 74, ran 143-mile stage
race across Peruvian Andes. At age
81, completed
Tahoe Triple. Oldest woman to
have finished these 100 Mile Endurance
Runs:
Western States, Leadville
Trail, Wasatch Trail, Old Dominion,
Angeles Crest,
Rocky Raccoon, Vermont. First
woman ultra marathoner elected to USAF
Hall
of Fame (2004).
Norman Klein, Rancho Cordova, CA –
Former director of Western States 100
Mile
Endurance Run. With wife
Helen coaches a middle school track
and field team.
Ron Knecht, Newport, Or & Sunriver,
OR – 1st M, Newport (Oregon), 5/31/03…
100th M, Newport, 5/30/09.
Qualified for Boston at 1st M a week
after turning
60. finished 50 States at
Honolulu 12/14/08.
Holly Koester, Walton Hills, OH – 1st
M, Oct. 1995, Columbus (OH)…100th M,
5/25/08, Buffalo. First
person ever, male or female, to race a
wheelchair
marathon in all 50 States and
DC! One of 12 wheelchair athlete
veterans on
Cheerios Box (March 2008).
Al Kohli, Jr., Lomira, WI – 1st M,
8/10/85, Paavo Nurmi…100th M, 9/21/08,
Fox Cities. 50 States
FINISHER. PR of 3:30:56.
Dror Kopernik, Skokie, IL – 1st M Fox
Cities, Appleton, WI, 9/26/99. 100th
M….
Mardi Gras, New Orleans,
2/25/07. Ran Tahoe Triple in 2004.
Andy Kotulski, Montclair, NJ – Has run
over 600 marathons in 35 countries.
Has run
30 consecutive Boston M’s.
Scott Krell, Snohomish, WA – 1st M,
Portland (OR), 9/27/87….100th M,
CCC100,
8/28/05. Race Director,
Seattle Ghost and Birch Bay Ghost.
Steve Kruse, Platte City, MO - First
M, November 5, 1994, Kansas City…100th
M,
March 27, 2004, Clearwater
(Florida).
Juergen Kuhlmey, Oldenburg, Germany –
1st M, 9/22/85, Karlsrube, Germany…
100th M, 3/6/01, Dead Sea.
200th M, 4/18/04, Hamburg. Grand Slam…
7 continents in 1 year plus
North Pole M. VP of 100 Marathon Club
Germany. “Snow-birds” to Fort
Lauderdale, FL.
Jim Kunz, Seattle, WA- First M, 1981,
Skagit Flats (Burlington, WA)…100th M,
2001 Honolulu. “Evil Triplet.”
Don Lang, Glendale, CA – By the end of
2002…completed all States & DC a third
time.
All were unrepeated events
(done in different places). Completed
marathons at
the highest elevation and at the
lowest elevation in the world. Don
died on
May 8, 2008.
Bernadette Langdon, Portland, OR –
First M Portland (Oregon), 9/28/97…
100th M
Newport (Oregon), 5/30/09
Kurt Lauer, Seattle, WA – 1st M, Nov.
1977, Hinsdale…100th M, 4/5/08,
American
River 50 Miler. PR of 2:40:17.
Unha Lee, Olympia, WA – 1st M, Skagit
Flats…100th M, 5/18/08, Capital City.
50 States FINISHER.
Bob Lehew, Tulsa, OK – 1st M, 1983,
Dallas White Rock….100th M, 2001,
Boston. PR,
2:51. 50 States FINISHER,
2000. Ran Western States 100 Miler,
1992 and
1995. Consecutive Bostons from 1987
for 15+ years. First president of the
50
States Marathon Club.
Nita Kay LeMay, Hawthorn Wood, IL –
First M, October 25, 1992, Chicago…
100th M,
October 10, 2004, Chicago.
Completed 50 States & DC November 15,
2003, and
Canadian Provinces September
12, 2004. Australia FINISHER.
John Lent, Waltham, VT – First M,
November 12, 1986, Philadelphia…100th
M, April
10, 2005, Glass City.
Completed all States and Canadian
Provinces. Completed
all 50 state highpoints on
July 4, 2001, on top of Kings Peak,
Utah.
John Leonhart, Urbandale, IA – 1st M,
April 1978, Drake Relays Marathon, Des
Moines….100th M, Sept. 18,
2005, Des Moines Marathon. 50 States
& DC
Finisher.
Mark Lidman, Gladstone, MO – First M,
June 5, 1978, Marathon Marathon (Terre
Haute, IN).
Helmut Linzbichler, Austria & Harbor
Springs, MI – First M, October 26,
1985, Graz
(Austria)…100th M, October 11,
1998, Graz. Amazing athlete, mountain
climber,
ultramarathoner etc.
Completed all 50 state highpoints and
photographs of all
state capitols plus DC.
Gina Little, London, UK – 1st M,
4/17/83, London…100th M, 11/16/97,
Kent Coast.
278 total M’s as of 5/16/08.
Record holder Isle of White M (UK).
Phil Little, Apopka, FL – First M,
January 1983, Mt. Doud, FL.
Bob Livitz, Houston, TX – First M,
November 4, 1979, Marine Corps…100th M,
July 2000, Dave’s
Ohio/Michigan Run (Sylvania, OH). 50
States & DC
FINISHER 10/5/02, New
Hampshire M.
Robert Lopez, Seattle, WA – 1st M,
Portland (OR), 2001. 100th M, 3/31/07,
Yakima River Canyon (WA). PR
of 3:38. 200th M, Little Rock,
3/15/09.
Scott Ludwig, Peachtree City, GA – 1st
M, March 1979, Florida Relays. 100th
M, April,
2003, Boston. 200th M, March
2009, Albany. 2003 – Badwater 6th
overall.
2002 – 24 Hour Masters
Champion. 2006 – Western States
finisher. Running
streak 31+ years. Author of
two running books. PR, 2:48:41.
Bill Mack, Defiance, OH – First M,
1980, Columbus…100th M, 1998 Midnight
Sun.
Larry Macon, San Antonio, TX – First
M, November 10, 1996, San Antonio…
100th M, March 7, 2004, Little
Rock. Runs 75+ M’s per year! 10 TIMES
50
States FINISHER. Set Guinness
World Record of running 105 M’s in one
year
(2008).
Steven Madrid, Albuquerque, NM – 1st
M, Bandelier M, 4/29/95. 100th M,
Turtle M
9/3/07.
Jon Mahoney, Vancouver, BC, Canada –
First M, November 25, 1994, Seattle.
#200
at Seattle on 10th anniversary
of #1. #300 was at Victoria, BC, on
10/12/08.
Sherry Mahoney, Vancouver, BC, Canada –
1st M, 2/1/05…..100th M, 1/24/10.
Dave Major, Moulton Northampton,
United Kingdom – 1st M, London, 1996.
100th M
Longford M. (Ireland), August
2004.
Jerry Martin, Spokane Valley, WA – His
PR for a marathon is 1:50!!!
Wheelchair
participant whose first
marathon was in 1982 at Coeur d’ Alene
(Idaho), and his
100th was at Portland in 2000.
Tom “HiGuy” Matti, Arlington Heights,
IL – Ran 96 marathons in first two
years.
Holds world record for running
123+ M’s in sandals.
Dave McGillivray, North Andover, MA –
First M, April 1972. 1978 Run Across
America, 1981 Run up East
Coast, 2004 Relay Across America,
Boston Marathon
Race Director. Total M’s of 123,
including 37 Bostons. The last 21
were run at night after his RD duties
were completed. Career total of
130,000 miles.
Don McNelly, Rochester, NY – 1st M,
4/21/69, Boston….100th M. 11/21/81,
JFK….200th
M, 6/7/87, Lake Ontario….300th
M, 9/30/91, Albequerque….400th M,
7/3/94…Namsuck….500th M,
2/1/98, Ocala. Marathons on 5
continents and 18
countries. As of October 2002
had run 323 marathons and ultras since
turning
70….and 27 since turning 80!
Celebrated 89th birthday 11/11/09….and
he’s still
completing marathons!!!
Kay McVey, St. Peters, MO – First M,
October 1992, Chicago….100th M,
October 2009,
Chicago. Ran 13 marathons in
2008. Finisher of 3 Ironman
Triathlons. 50 States
and DC FINISHER, June 2007.
Sean Meissner, Sisters, OR – PR of
2:51:11. 1st M, Coeur d’ Alene (ID),
May of 1995.
100th M, Chuckanut 50K,
Bellingham, WA, 3/17/07. Four time
winner of
Tahoe Triple. Winner of 2006
Bighorn 50 Miler, 2006 Autumn Leaves
50K, 2005
Rocky Raccoon 50 Miler.
Cyndie Merten, Corvallis, OR – 1st M,
12/7/97, Tucson…100th M, 4/4/09, Yakima
River Canyon.
Leslie Miller, Newcastle, WA – 1st M.,
5/5/02, Cincinnati Flying Pig…100th M,
7/19/08,
Crescent Forest Trail. At age
28, she’s the youngest female to
complete 100
M’s. PR of 4:03:19.
Ultra Al Miller, Deer Island, OR –
300th M, Portland (Oregon), 10/4/09.
Phil Min, Mt. Olive, AL – 1st M,
9/3/2000, Tupelo….100th M, 12/12/09,
Rocket City. 94
Marathons, 6 ultras.
Parvaneh Moayedi, Austin, TX – 1st M,
11/5/00, San Antonio. 100th M, Austin,
2/18/07. 50 states FINISHER
October 2006, Cape Cod M. (MA) with
her husband Steven Holehan.
150th M, 4/20/09, Boston.
Gina Moore, San Marcos, TX – First M,
February 28, 1998, Smoky Mountain…
100th M,
April 18, 2005, Boston.
Paul Morgan, Altamonte Springs, FL –
First M, October 23, 1993, Marine Corps
…100th M, November 23, 2000,
Atlanta.
Dennis Mori, San Leandro, CA – 1st M,
7/12/98, San Francisco….100th M,
2/1/09,
Surf City. Has run 11
international marathons. Total = 117.
Alan Morton, Tywyn-Gwynedd, Wales – By
age 70 had run marathons in 35
different
countries.
Dana Mosell, Walnut, CA – First &
100th M, 1998 & 2006, L.A. Marathon.
50 States
& DC Finisher.
Janice (Kay) Moyer, Wellpinit, WA –
1st M, October 1997, Spokane…100th M,
4/5/08,
Yakima River Canyon Marathon.
PR of 4:00:41.
James Munson, Costa Mesa, CA – First
M, February 3, 1994…100th M, May 2001,
Wyoming. James Munson died in
November 2005. He finished a total of
160
Marathons (40 running and 120
walking). He was walking half
marathons a few months prior to
his passing.
Cheryl Murdock, Pensacola, FL – First
M, 1994 Disney World, Orlando…100th M,
2/19/06, Pensacola Marathon.
50 States Finisher.
Stan Nakashima, Mt. Vernon, WA – First
M, September 29, 1979, Skagit Flats
(Burlington, WA)…100th M,
September 12, 1998, Skagit Flats.
300th M, 9/13/09,
Skagit Flats.
Jose Nebrida, Chicago, IL – 1st M,
October 1986, America’s Marathon,
Chicago….100th
M 10/22/2000, Chicago. After
September 11, 2001, he pledged to run
with old
Glory in a marathon in all 50
states plus DC. Seven months later
after completing
#12, his heart attack and
subsequent surgery put a stop to his
goal only for a short
time. He’s a HERO to many!!
Featured in 12/4/09 Chicago Tribune
article.
Stan Neumann, Timonium, MD – First M,
April 10, 1983, Maryland…100th M,
October 22, 2000, Marine Corps.
K-G Nystrom, Sjuntorp, Sweded – Ran
400 meters in 49 seconds in 1959.
Wally Oakes, Little Lever, Bolton,
England – 1st M, August 1982, Bolton,
U.K…..100th M, 1994, New York….200th
M, 2000, New York. PR, 3:14.As an
unpaid tour leader for Sports Tours
International, he gets to run
New York City Marathon each year as he
takes
approximately 300 people each
year on tours of New York City. In
total they
bring about 2,000 runners and
family members to this marathon each
year.
David Olsho, Seattle, WA – 100th 26.2
M, 4/4/09/ Yakima River Canyon.
Stuart Olson, Chuluota, FL – 1st
M,12/17/94….100th M AND 50 States & DC
Finisher
10/13/02, Providence, RI. PR
4:43:10. Total knee replacement
4/1/09.
Ken Ornellas, Elbert, CO - 1st M,
Winter Park (CO), 7/11/01. 100th M,
10/14/07,
Denver. 50 states FINISHER
10/22/05.
Rosemarie Ornellas, Elbert, Co – 1st
M, Winter Park (CO), 7/11/01. 100th
M, 9/30/07,
Boulder Backroads M. 50
states FINISHER 10/22/05.
Jim Ottinger, Vestavia, AL – 1st M,
New York City, 1987. 100th M,
Mercedes,
Birmingham, AL, 2007.
William Ouchark, Bradenton, FL – 1st
M, 3/19/2000, Shamrock Sportsfest.
100th M
Twin Cities, 10/7/07.
Mae Palm, Garibaldi Highlands, BC,
Canada – 1st M, 1982, Whistler (British
Columbia)….100th M, 2002, Vancouver.
In age 60-64F group, first place in
Ironman Canada in 2000, 2001, and
2002, first place in Ironman World
Championship in Kona, HI, in 2001 and
second in 2002. Western States 100-
Miler, 1994 in 29 hours, 54 minutes.
Pamela Penfield, Highlands Ranch, CO –
First & 100th M, Marine Corps Marathon,
11/7/82 and 10/26/03.
Dean Peterson, Appleton, WI – First &
100th M, Fox Cities, Appleton, WI,
Oct. 1999.
and 9/9/09. 50 States & DC
FINISHER, May 2006.
Russell Petelle, Derby Line, Vermont –
1st M, August 1977, Paul Bunyan,
Bangor, ME
…100th M, 5/24/09, Vermont
City. PR, 3:08.
Lynda Petri, Marengo, IL – received
grant from Balance Bar in fall of 2002
with all
running expenses (flight,
meals, car rental, entries) paid
between October 2002
and January 2003.
Van Phan, Maple Valley, WA – 1st M,
Portland (Oregon), September 30,
2001…..
100th M, Tri Cities (Richland, WA),
October 29, 2006. She ran 53
marathons in 2006 and was Trail Runner
Magazine’s Trophy Series Ultra and
overall points winner. Marathon Guide
#5 Female Outstanding Marathoner of
2006. Ran 51
M’s in 2007. Total of 70 M’s and 90
ultras by mid-2008. Race Director of
Pigtails Flat Ass Marathon and
Lake Youngs Ultra. Inducted into
Marathon
Maniacs Hall of Fame, 4/4/09.
Tony Phillippi, Tacoma, WA – A
Marathon Maniacs founder. First M,
Portland (OR),
10/4/98…100th M, Haulin Aspen (Bend,
OR), 9/14/05. Holds world marathon
record of 2:53:37 for wearing sandals
instead of shoes in race. Director of
Tacoma City M and webmaster for 100
MCNA.
Cheri (Gillis) Pompeo, Woodinville,
WA – On cover of March 2002 Northwest
Runner
Magazine. 1st M, September
22, 1984, Skagit Flats (Burlington, WA)
….
100th M, May 10, 2002, Capital City
(Olympia, WA)
Mel Preedy, Ravensdale, WA – 1st M,
3/27/83, Emerald City, Seattle….100th
M 6/3/95,
Clackamas River Canyon, Estacada,
OR….200th M, 9/30/01, Portland. PR,
2:55:08. At age 59 First Overall at
Birch Bay Marathon on December 5, 1992.
Ran 70 miles for his 70th birthday,
April 8-9, 2003. Inducted into
Marathon
Maniacs Hall of Fame 4/4/09.
Kendel Prescott, Decatur, GA – 1st M,
11/3/90, Marine Corps…100th M, Nov.
1999,
Vulcan (Birmingham)…200th M,
Nov. 2005, Gobbler Grind. Finished
all
continents. FOUR times 50
States & DC finisher.
Walt Prescott, Decatur, GA – 1st M,
1/8/95, Walt Disney World…100thM,
10/11/03
Lake Tahoe…200th M, 6/1/07,
Ridgerunner. Finished all
continents. THREE
Times 50 States & DC
finisher. Completed ten 100 Mile
Ultras.
Ray Prizgintas, Los Angeles, CA –
First M, February 1978, Hidden Valley
(LA)…
November 1994, St. Louis.
Bruce Purdy, Manchester, MI – 1st M,
November 1982, Columbus (OH)…100th M,
9/19/98, Lake Shore 50K. PR
of 2:29:45. As of 4/17/08, totals of
178 M’s,
and 209 ultras (grand total of
387).
Karen Queally, Millbrae, CA – 1st M,
5/20/84, Yonkers, NY….100th M, 9/20/09,
Yonkers, NY. She’s run M’s in
Bermuda, Rome and Dublin.
Steve Radigan, Fremont, CA – Only
person to have run every Napa Valley
Marathon.
Chris Ralph, Kirkland, WA – Four time
Iditasport finisher, foot division.
Ran across
Panama, first woman, 9:07:59,
September 5, 1998.
Dane Rauschenberg, Salt Lake City, UT –
1st M, 11/11/01, Harrisburg…100th M,
8/16/09, Pikes Peak. PR,
2:49:36. 52 Marathon Races in 52
consecutive weeks in
2006, Average 3:21.
Elbert Reed, Omaha, NE – First,
September 14, 1980, Omaha…100th,
October 21, 2001,
Louisville.
Pam Reed, Tucson, AZ – 1st M, 1988,
Phoenix….1st Ultra, July 1990, Elkhorn
100K.
PR, 2:59. OVERALL WINNER Badwater,
2002-2003. Tucson Marathon race
director.
Layne Reibel, Oviedo, FL – First M,
December 17, 1994, Jacksonville, FL…
100th M,
April 7, 2001, Umstead 50
Miler, NC.
Anne Rentz, Marietta, GA – 1st M,
10/27/96, Marine Corps….100th M,
12/19/09,
Florida Marathon. PR
4:53:28. Total includes 39 ultras.
Guillermo Rios, Ventura, CA – 1st M,
11/21/93, New York…100th M, 6/27/09,
Running with the Devil.
Tom Ripley, Sammamish, WA – 1st M,
3/27/83….100th M, 5/22/04, Watershed
Reserve 12 Hour. Five Alaska
Iditasport finishes, 1996-2001. Yukon
Arctic Ultra, 2002. 108.5 miles in
Green Lake 24 Hour 1985. PR, 3:03:40.
Fenny Roberts, Salem, OR – 1st M,
Portland (Oregon), October
1998…..100th M,
Pacific Crest Trail 50K Trail
Run, July 2006. She ran 121 miles
(6/30-7/1, 2000)
in 24 hour run at Salem, OR, &
124½ miles (6/13/-14/2008) at same
race.
Diana Robinson, Bellingham, WA – 1st
M, 1996, Honolulu…100th M, 2007,
Lean Horse 100 Mile.
Edwin Roth, Koeln, Germany – 1st M,
April 1993, Koeln, Germany. Silver
Buckle at
Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run,
1999. 50 states FINISHER, 6/21/03.
Henry Rueden, De Pere, WI – 1st M,
10/30/88, Chicago….100th M, 11/18/95,
Tulsa….
200th M, 5/28/2000, Rochester, MN. M
#400, July 2005, San Francisco…
M #500, 5/20/07, Green Bay, WI….M
#600, 5/17/09, Green Bay. 50 States
FINISHER 8 TIMES. Completed all
Canadian provinces. Finished all
7 continents. Completed an
inaugural marathon in all 50 states &
DC.
Edson Sanches, New York, NY – 1st M,
10/27/85, New York City….100th M,
12/14/91….200th M, 11/02/97, New York
City….300th M, 12/08/01,
Palermo, Sicily, Italy. Finished 50
States & DC for third time in Richmond,
VA, November 9, 2002. 2nd
time Australian FINISHER.
John Schaap, Louisville, KY – First M,
February 26, 1989, 3rd Olympiad
Memorial
Marathon, St. Louis. 100th M,
6/2/02, Suzuki Rock ‘n Roll, San Diego.
Ray Scharenbrock, South Milwaukee, WI –
1st M, October 1982, Lakefront,
Milwaukee….100th M, 5/16/92, Ice Age
50 Mile Trail Run, South Kettle,
WI….200th M, 9/24/95, East Lyme,
CT….300th M, 3/13/99, A. P. Trail Run,
Littleton, CO….400th M, 5/16/92, Great
North American Tim Tam, Ames, IA.
Ran his 500th marathon on April 3,
2004, at the Yakima River Canyon
Marathon.
Has completed TEN 50 States & DC
Circuits!!! Has completed a M and a ½
M on all 7 continents.
Del Scharffenberg, Milwaukie, OR – 1ST
M, 11/30/74, Sauvie Island (Portland,
OR)….100th M, 11/26/94,
Seattle….200th M, 4/23/95, Falls to
Gasworks.
Longest race, New Astley Belt SIX-
DAY, April 1985, 384 miles. Also a
multi-sport competitor.
Jim Scheer, Vancouver, WA – First M,
October 28, 1979, Portland…100th M,
Portland,
2000….300th M, 12/19/09,
Christmas Marathon.
Steve Schumacher. Orange, CA – 1st M,
December 1978, Fiesta Bowl…100th M
1999,
Fort Wayne. Has run every day
for 29+ years.
Frank Searfus, Coos Bay, OR
Suzy Seeley, Houston, TX – First M,
1995 Houston….100th M, Houston,
1/15/06.
Terry Sentinella, Anacortes, WA – 1st
M, 6/16/03, Inaugural North Olympic
Discovery,
Port Angeles…100th M, 6/7/09,
North Olympic Discovery. Overall
Winner of 10
Marathons. Race Director of
Skagit Flats Marathon.
Clay Shaw, York, PA – 1st M., July
1979, San Francisco….100th M, 5/31/98,
Russian
River, Ukiah, CA. Completed a
marathon in each of 13 Canadian
Provinces and
Territories. PR, 2:53:51.
Overall winner 1993 Wyoming and 2000
Nunayut
(Canada). 1/31/01, Inducted into York
Sports Hall of Fame (Pennsylvania).
Ran 5th continent, 1/22/09. Total of
167.
Michael Shiach, Bainbridge Island, WA –
1st M, 1978, Seattle…100th M, April
4, 2009,
Yakima River Canyon Marathon.
Dan Shuff, San Antonio, TX – 1st M,
Nov. 1992, San Antonio….100th M, July
2003.
Myron Sidloski, Dallas, PA – 1st M,
11/25/84, Philadelphia….100th M,
3/19/06, Los
Angeles. Total = 109
(Recovering from knee & back
surgeries.)
Jim Simpson, Huntington Beach, CA –
First M, March 6, 1988, Los Angeles…
100th M,
March 1, 1998, Los Angeles.
500th M, Baltimore, 10/13/07. NINE
time 50 states
FINISHER. Has stayed in a Wal
Mart parking lot in all 50 states!
Myron Sidloski, Dallas, PA – 1st M,
Philadelphia, 11/25, 1984…100th M, Los
Angeles,
3/19/2006.
Arthur Stanger, Boca Raton, FL – 1st
M, November 1988, New York City….100th
M,
August 2001, Pocatello….200th M,
6/16/07, DuluthRan Four Marathons in a
nine-day period. Attempting to be
first U.S. dentist to have run a
marathon in all
50 states & DC and first to have run
100 or more marathons! PR, 3:31:30.
Mark Stodghill, Duluth, MN – 1st M,
Grandma’s (Duluth), 6/24/78. 100th M,
Twin
Cities 10/3/99. Completed 3
100-milers in 2000 (Old Dominion,
Leadville,
Wasatch). 200th M, 5/25/08,
Mid City. Completed 50th State at
Choteau, MT,
8/1/09, Grizzly Marathon.
Working on continents. Total M. = 230
Pete Stringer, Osterville, MA – 1st M,
Boston, 1978. 100th M, Hyannis (MA),
February
1999. First Cape Cod resident
to run 100 M’s.
Jerry Sullivan, Metairie, LA – First
M, October 14, 1997, Chicago…100th M,
August 10, 2002, Resurrection
Pass 50 Miler.
Dianna Sulser, Denison, TX – 1st M &
100th M, Dallas White Rock Marathon,
12/1/92
and 12/11/05.
Seth Sundin, Vancouver, WA – First M,
April 13, 1986, Emerald City, Seattle…
100th
M, October 22, 2000, Marine
Corps.
Craig Swanson, Plymouth, MN – 1st M,
Twin Cities (MN), 10/5/97. 100th M,
Boston,
41706. 50 states FINISHER.
PR of 3:27:36.
Gunhild Swanson, Spokane, WA – At age
57, overall woman winner of Inaugural
Whidbey Island Marathon.
200th M, Tacoma City (WA), 5/13/07.
Jack Swanson, Spokane, WA – First M,
May 1979, Coeur d’ Alene (Idaho)…100th
M,
May 31, 1998, Columbia River
Gorge. 200th M, Seattle, 11/25/07.
Jack lost
his battle to Chronic Lymphocytic
Leukemia on September 19, 2008.
Michael Swanson, Plymouth, MN – 1st M,
10/05/97, Twin Cities…100th M, 11/16/08
Rock ‘n Roll San Antonio.
Annie Thiessen, Tacoma, WA – 1st M,
November 1995, Seattle…100th M,
5/31/08,
Newport (OR). She set her PR
of 2:56:12 at her 100th Marathon….AND
was the overall women’s winner
that day! After her 4/5/08 YRCM win,
she
was the winner at her next
four marathons (Whidbey Island,
Tacoma, Capital
City & Newport). That’s 5
wins in 5 consecutive races (4/5/08-
5/31/08). Was
women’s winner of 2008 Seattle
Marathon, her 8th in 2008 and 30th of
her career.
Ralph Thompson, Akron, OH – First M,
May 1984, Revco…100th M, June 1995,
Mayors Midnight Sun.
Julia Thorn, Brighton, Victoria
AUSTRALIA - 1st M, 5/3/97, Rotorun
M., New
Zealand….100th M, 12/114/08,
Honolulu. PR 3:28:43. Will be first
Australian woman to complete
100 26.2 mile M’s on 3/27/10, at Yakima
River Canyon Marathon.
Robert Toonkel, Arlington, VA – 1st M,
9/20/98, Yonkers…100th M, 2/4/07,
Pacific
Shoreline. PR of 3:19:56. 50
States FINISHER. 121+ M’s.
Gene Trahern, Sisters, OR – First M,
June 24, 1979, Homestead (Roseburg, OR)
…
100th M, November 15, 2000,
Seward Park 50K (Seattle). Of first
110 marathons,
21 are 26.2 races, and 89 are
ultramarathons. Total now = 173 (144
ultras & 29
26.2 races).
Cathy Troisi, Seneca Falls NY – 1st M,
1992, Boston Marathon Jimmy
Fund….100th M
8/2/02, Around the Lake, Wakefield,
MA. Has run the Boston Double (start
at
Boston to Hopkinton to Boston). Has
been a companion to Achilles Athletes
(runners with some type of
disability). TWO TIME STATES
FINISHER. Total
of 268.
Ginny Turner, Hillsboro, OR – 1st M,
9/19/90, Portland…100th M, Vina del
Mar, Chile,
12/10/06, 50 States FINISHER,
7-Continents FINISHER TWICE…Guinness
Book of World Records for the
shortest overall time to complete a
marathon
on each of the seven
continents by a woman…in 113 days…..
and for shortest
overall time to complete a
marathon on each of the seven
continents and the
North Pole by a woman…in 324
days.
Zach Van Black, Colorado Springs, CO -
First M, Austin…100th M, Steamboat
Springs,
(Colorado)
Dave Vent, Spokane, WA – 1st M,
11/24/79, Seattle….100th M, 4/20/92,
Boston. Ran
TWO different marathons in one day,
THREE marathons in three days, SIX
marathons in 16 days.
Charlie Viers, Natchitoches, LA – 1st
M, October 1976, Festival Marathon,
Shreveport,
LA….100th M, 2000, Ridge
Runner WV .
Bill Voiland, Richland, WA – 1st M,
May 1991, Coeur d’ Alene…100th M,
October
2007, Bellingham. Evil
Triplet!
Michael Wakabayashi, Spokane, WA –
First M, July 24, 1983, Capital City
(Olympia,
WA)…100th M, October 5, 2003,
Portland.
Neil Wakelin, North Vancouver, BC,
Canada – Ran three marathons in 8 days
to make
Vancouver #100 in 2004.
Gregg Walchli, Seattle, WA – First M,
November 28, 2981, Seattle…100th M,
November 30, 2003, Seattle.
MarathonGuide #7 Male Outstanding
Marathoner
For 2006. 50 States FINISHER.
John Wallace, Longboat Key, FL – 1st
M, Sept. 1982, Silver State, Reno,
NV….100th M,
April 1996, Boston. PR, 2:58:03.
FINISHER 50 & DC, Canada, 7 continents
and all 51 countries in Europe.
Current total: over 311 M’s and 100
countries.
TWO TIME STATE FINISHER. Set WORLD
RECORD on 2/8/09 by running
a marathon in 100th country at French
Polynesia Island of Moorea. Country
#101, Singapore M in 4:43.
Ross Waltzer, Tulsa, OK – 1st M, 1978,
Tulsa. Ran 100 mile trail runs at 71
years of age
in Vermont and Arkansas…..108 miles at
age 65 in 24 hour runs in Florida &
California.
William Watson, River Ridge, LA –
First M, 1982, Mardi Gras…100th M,
2001,
Portland (Maine).
Darwin Weimer, Emerald Park,
Saskatchewan, Canada – 1st M, 9/23/03,
Inaugural
Queen City, Regina, SK…100th
M, 6/7/09, Mickelson Trail, Deadwood,
SD.
Carol Westerman, Louisville, KY –
Enjoys the 100 Marathon Club
newsletters!
Bill Whipp, Harrison, OH – 1st M,
2/27/94, ORRRC Marathon….100th M,
3/31/01,
Martian. 199+ marathons/ultras on
total knee replacement.
TWO time States & DC FINISHER.
Lou Wilson, The Woodlands, TX – 1st M,
9/27/98…100th M, 5/16/09, Brookings
(SD)
13 marathons in 13 weekends
with streak ending two weeks before
70th
birthday.
Jay Jacob Wind, Arlington, VA – First
M, 1978 Marine Corps Marathon….100th,
2004
MCM. Winner of 1980 Delaware
Minuteman Marathon and 2000 East Coast
USATF 1,500 Meter Championship.
Mike Wojcio, Kenilworth, NJ – 1st M,
September 1978, Sacramento…100th M,
November 2006, New York City.
PR of 3:17:05. Has carried two
American
flags in about 95 M’s.
Ray Wold, Lebanon, OR – 1st M,
2/25/78, Trails End….100th M, 5/19/92,
Capital City.
In 1988 to do something different, he
ran two miles in nine different states
in 22
hours and 55 minutes. The states were
Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona,
Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and
Wyoming.
Rick Worley, Kingwood, TX – 1st M, May
1982, Fun Fest. Completed 200
marathons in
159 CONSECUTIVE weekends with no
weekends off!!! Is in the Guinness
Book of World Records. Completed all
50 states within calendar year 3 years
in a row, 1997-1999. Completed all 50
states & all 13 Canadian
Provinces/Territories within a
calendar year, 1998.
Amy Yanni, Rapid City, SD – 1st M,
9/6/03…100th M, 6/1/08, Steamboat
Springs. Has
Placed 1, 2 or 3 in her Age
Group in 96 of 104 M’s and has been
overall
women’s winner in some.
Lynn Yarnall, Edmonds, WA – 1st M,
9/23/84, Portland….100th M,9/27/97,
Cle Elum
Ridge 50K. PT, 3:12. As of the end
of 2002…..12 successive Western States
100 Mile Endurance Runs
winning SEVEN silver buckles and age
group four
times. Silver buckle at
8/22/93 Leadville Trail 100.
Steven Yee, Renton, WA – First M,
October 16, 1983…100th M, December 12,
2004,
Honolulu. Ran 41 marathons in
2004 and 52 in 2005. A founder of
Marathon Maniacs.
Dale Zanchi, Louisville, KY – First
overall in the North Dakota Marathon.
Sandra Zanchi, Louisville, KY – First
M, November 1994, Columbus…100th M,
September 27, 2003.
John Zelenznikow, Victoria, Australia –
Spends an average of one month per
year in the
U.S. 1st M, July 1972,
Victorian Country…100th M, 8/26/02,
Lonford, Ireland.
Total =
159+.
02/02/09
Larry Welch ON THE RUN...IN CAMBODIA
NANCY BRINKER’S TIPS FOR SUCCESS
YOU NEED VISION TO SEE AND ARTICULATE
YOUR GOALS. AS HELEN KELLER SAID WHEN
SOMEONE EXPRESSED SORROW AT HER BEING
BLIND, THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN
BEING ABLE TO SEE AND HAVE NO VISION.
YOU NEED TO BE A STRONG LEADER TO
ENLIST THE SUPPORT OF OTHERS AND MAKE
YOUR VISION A REALITY. YOU NEED TO
KEEP YOUR FOCUS RAZOR SHARP. IF YOUR
LENS BECOMES UNFOCUSED, CHAOS WILL
ENSUE. YOU NEED TO CREATE A TEAM TO
REALIZE A DREAM. YOU MUST PERSUADE
PEOPLE TO SHARE SUCCESSES AND THE
DISAPPOINTMENTS—AND TO SUPPORT EACH
OTHER. YOU NEED TO BE PERSISTENT. AS
MY DAD TOLD ME, MOST PEOPLE FAIL
BECAUSE THEY JUST GIVE UP. HE WAS
RIGHT. IT TAKES COURAGE TO NOT ONLY
HOLD TRUE TO YOUR UNIQUENESS, BUT TO
EMBRACE IT, KNOWING THAT MANY WILL NOT
GET IT. THAT’S OKAY. AS YOUR
UNIQUENESS OPENS NEW DOORS FOR YOU
AND YOUR APPRECIATION OF WHO YOU REALLY
ARE EXPANDS, YOU’LL SEE THAT YOU’LL
SEE THAT YOU HAVE A UNIQUE
WAY TO EXPRESS YOURSELF IN THIS
WORLD...A WAY THAT NO ONE CAN
DUPLICATE. Cynthia Kersey, founder,
Unstoppable Enterprises; author of
Unstoppable; motivational speaker;
established the Unstoppable Foundation
to raise funds and awareness for
women’s issues worldwide REMEMBER,
WHAT YOU GET BY REACHING YOUR
DESTINATION ISN’T NEARLY AS IMPORTANT
AS WHAT YOU BECOME BY REACHING YOUR
GOALS – WHAT YOU WILL BECOME IS THE
WINNER YOU WERE BORN TO BE! Zig
Ziglar, author, salesman, motivational
speaker, author of God’s Way is Still
the Best Way MANY PERSONS HAVE A WRONG
IDEA OF WHAT CONSTITUTES TRUE
HAPPINESS. IT IS NOT ATTAINED THROUGH
SELF-GRATIFICATION BUT Nancy Brinker,
breast cancer survivor; founder of The
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer
foundation; women’s health
care advocate; US Ambassador to
Hungary (2001-2003); Chief of
Protocol, US State Department (2007-
09); Time magazine List of the 100
Most Influential People in the World,
2008; recipient of numerous awards for
unstinting devotion to improving
women’s health care as well as love and
admiration for her humanity;
political activist who promotes
public service; and philanthropist
THROUGH FIDELITY TO A WORTHY PURPOSE.
Helen Keller (1880-1968), author,
political activist, lecturer,
traveler, first deafblind person to
earn a bachelor of arts degree;
founder, The Helen Keller Foundation
and co-founder, American Civil
Liberties Union Welcome to On the
run..., it’s a personal e-news about
positive thinking and travel
adventures written for people striving
to be their best. If you received this
publication in error please send
response with the word unsubscribe in
the subject line to lnwelch@aol.com.
If you would like to extend On the
run... to your friends ask them to
write the word subscribe in the
subject line. On the run... is written
by Larry Welch, an American living in
Thailand. In his day-to-day routine,
Larry is owner of the Full Moon
Rubber Plantation at Nakhon Phanom and
teaches English at the Suankularb
Wittayalai Rangsit School in a
northern suburb of Bangkok.
Angkor Wat, Khmer Stories in Stone
Most people would agree that the two
most memorable experiences in Asia are
to visit the Great Wall of China and
Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Saving the
Great Wall of China for another day,
what follows is some of the Khmer
Stories in Stone that I learned
from spending a highly enjoyable
Christmas holiday surveying Angkor Wat
at Siem Reap, Cambodia. By way of
orientation, Angkor Wat (wat means
temple in both Thai and Khmer, the
national language of Cambodia) was
constructed in the early 12th century
by King Suryavarman II. At the time it
was dedicated to Vishnu, the ultimate
Hindu god. The Khmer Empire,
comparable in historical significance
to Europe’s Roman Empire, was a
major Asian power from 802 to 1432.
Initially a nation of Hindu
worshippers, the kingdom also learned
of Buddhism and the two religions
often competed for prominence,
sometimes peacefully, sometimes not.
Angkor Wat is one temple; however, the
term Angkor refers to Cambodia and can
be synonymous with the collection of
wats that comprised the Khmer Empire.
In Siem Reap Province (the equivalent
of a county in the USA or UK), there
are 292 ancient temples, 40 of which
have been sufficiently restored to be
safely visited by tourists. In
Cambodia, there are nearly a thousand
ancient temples with the Angkor Empire
extending across Thailand, Myanmar
(formerly Burma), Laos, and Vietnam.
There are more ancient temples in each
of those countries. But Angkor Wat
remains the crown jewel and is the
only wat that has been continuously
occupied since being constructed.
It is also the largest monument
dedicated to religion in the world.
The wats of Angkor are mostly
amidst heavy jungle with back
roads to transport tourists,
researchers, and the small army
of engineers and archeologists
that have been focused on
learning and preserving the
temples for 102 years. It is an
endless job given the ravages of
the tropical environment not to
mention the greed of art thieves
who continue to steal whenever
anyone turns their back. Since the
Cambodian civil war (1970-75) and
Khmer Rouge genocide regime (1975-79),
other temples continue to be mined
with unexploded munitions that have
not yet been cleared.
One of the main features of Angkor Wat
is that it uses the symbolism of Mount
Meru, which is part of both Hindu and
Buddhist mythology. The legend goes
that the world is divided into regions
with heaven above and hell below.
Sound familiar? The mythical Mount
Meru separates earth from the heavens.
There are five peaks at Mount Meru.
As a result, Angkor Wat has five
towers; the main tower is 213 feet
high. As noted, the The sunrise
photograph above shows the moat with
the Angkor Temple complex in the
background.
The moat is 660 feet wide and was once
filled with crocodiles to discourage
invaders. On the left is the
causeway that allowed worshippers to
enter the 500-acre grounds. Now the
partially rebuilt causeway
transports a million tourists annually
to see the ruins, reconstruction
efforts, and feel the mood of such a
grand structure. There is one common
goal in the heart of every Cambodian
and that is to visit Angkor Wat once
in their lifetime. Photograph below is
an aerial view of Angkor Wat
surrounded by jungle. The moat is
credited with benefiting preservation
of the temple because it kept
encroaching jungle from invading the
grounds. Photograph below is aerial
view of the temple showing moat, west
and east causeways. Angkor Wat at
Sunrise complex is surrounded by a
moat; the waters in the moat represent
the mythical oceans surrounding the
earth.
Angkor Wat is a majestic complex. The
beauty and its impact on the human
spirit are astonishing. There are
stone carvings that tell stories of
everyday life, religious mythology, and
heroic battles defending the kingdom.
The symmetry of the architectural
layout provides mirrored images,
profiles and silhouettes that
keep observers in awe. What made
construction of such impressive
structures possible was the
relationship between the king and the
gods. Upon taking office, the king
would construct an impressive
temple to confirm his good
relationship with the gods. The theme
of these temples was dedicated to
whatever religion the king believed in.
It was also common for a king to
dedicate a temple to his parents and
other ancestors. So many of these
temples were constructed over the 500
year history of the Khmer Empire
because once a king died, they were
not re-used by a succeeding ruler.
In the case of Angkor Wat, it was
initially dedicated as a Hindu place
of worship, but later events changed
the orientation to Buddhism. Although
almost all statutes have been either
stolen or removed for safekeeping, the
thousands of bas (low relief) stone
carvings on the inner and outer walls
is sufficient to give pilgrims the
sense that they are The gopura or
gateway entrance is the main
architectural feature of the wall that
surrounds any Khmer temple. Photograph
above shows the gopura to Angkor Wat.
It is 750 feet wide with five
entranceways: three for pedestrians
and two are large enough for vehicles
and elephants. The southern pedestrian
entrance on the right is dedicated to
the Hindu god Vishnu (shown at left).
The three principal Indian
gods at Angkor Wat are Shiva, Brahma,
and Vishnu. Vishnu is known as the
Protector and is shown in a typical
position: standing with four arms and
holding a conch shell for sounding
victory over chaos; a ball
representing the Earth; a mace which
is the symbol of his power; and a
discus, an invincible weapon. A good
god, whenever the world is threatened
by evil, he assumes the role of savior
and descends to Earth, usually
reincarnated as a human or animal
and guides mankind through the
dissemination of his love, which
ultimately triumphs over the forces of
evil. Gopura, Angkor Wat walking
through what was once a celestial
paradise and that is precisely the
mood that the architects and
artists intended to convey.
The area around Angkor Wat was the
largest preindustrial city in the
world with an estimated population of
one million people. Many of the
citizens were artisans and working
class people who built and maintained
the temple complexes in the area. At
Angkor Wat an estimated 97,000 people
were involved with construction and
the ongoing maintenance. Angkor Wat
was constructed of two primary
materials: Laterite, which was cut
from the ground, especially the moat
area, dressed into building blocks
and left in the air to cure.
Relatively soft mudstone, when exposed
to the air and sun it became quite hard
and proved an excellent material for
foundations and interior structures.
Reddish in color, it is porous and
not suitable for outer decoration or
carving. Sandstone is the other
natural resource mined and moved to
Angkor Wat. The sandstone was
quarried in the Kulen Hills, located
about 30 miles northeast of Angkor
Wat. It was first moved on the
Siem Reap River, then transferred to
elephants, carts, and a roller-pulley
mechanism for transportation to
the building site. The sandstone was
used for all facing on the laterite
and it is on the sandstone that
we see the beautiful carvings. The
stones vary in color from grey to
pinkish, yellowish to greenish.
Missing building materials are wood
and paint, which have deteriorated to
nonexistence. Further, Angkor Wat was
sacked by invading Thais who not
only carted off tapestries, carpets,
furniture and jewelry, but also took
thousands of slaves back to Siam for
temple construction of its own. As an
aside to the capture of slaves, the
king’s Apsaras (royal dancers) were
also captured and became the genesis
for classical dance in Siam (now
Thailand).
Historians suspect that this massive
attack on the Khmer capital was one of
the major factors in crumbling of the
empire. Besides incursions by the
Thais, the Chams from Vietnam were
regular attackers. Even today
Apsaras There are many fine sculptured
features at Angkor Wat, but none is
more intriguing or beautiful than the
Apsaras, which adorn the inner and
outer walls. At Angkor Wat there are
2,000 of these celestial dancers who
entertained the gods and were the
sensual rewards of kings and heroes
who died bravely. In Khmer mythology
they were elevated alone to special
importance in temple decoration. All
of the 2,000 Apsaras at Angkor Wat are
shown with a smiling face, beautiful
costumes, and jewelry. They are carved
in low relief (bas) in sandstone and
stand from 2-5 feet in height.
The human dimension that made such
grandeur possible was a caste system
similar to the hierarchy in ancient
Egypt and Mexico where the Pharaohs
and Maya erected their pyramids. There
was a long line of kings, a class of
priests, and merchants, and a pcaste
of slaves (captives of war), laborers,
masons, sculptors, and decorators.
Architects and the artisans at Angkor
Wat were part of the lower level of
society. The area around Angkor Wat
was comparable in size to Greater
London, held far more people, making
it the largest population center in
the pre-industrial world.
In preserving Angkor Wat, the ravages
of nature are one thing to contend
with in the encroachment of jungle and
harsh tropical climate, the other is
encroachment by all of us. There are
now a million visitors annually to
Siem Reap where we find luxury hotels,
golf courses, swimming pools,
restaurants, and transportation. In
our human wake we leave pollution, the
Siem Reap River is now terribly dirty,
but worse is the lowering water table.
As the groundwater lowers beneath the
temple complex, buildings sink, tilt
and ultimately collapse.
In closing, I thank my guide, Meng
Chhieng Yin (nickname Tiger), for his
explanations and patiently answering
all my curious questions about not
only the temples at Angkor Wat, but
also life in Cambodia. Professional
guides are expected to go the extra
mile with their clients, but Tiger put
his heart into being more than what one
would expect. Thank you also to
Michael Freeman and Claude Jacques for
the education I received in reading
their book, Ancient Angkor (River
Books, 2008); and to Dawn Rooney for
all the knowledge she shared in her
book, Angkor (Airphoto, 2005).
Where would we be without books and
teachers who give light on our journey
of discovery?
I hope you will continue your stroll
along the following pages for more
photographs and captions of the
interesting world at Angkor Wat.
King Suryavarman II and his Entourage
In an area nearly 300 feet long on
what is referred to as the South
Gallery, there is a continuous
sculpture of a military procession,
which has an historical basis. It
shows King Suryavarman II, the
temple’s builder, and his army. This
small section shows the king seated
and in keeping with his rank, larger
than any other figure. The entire
procession features war elephants,
priests, soldiers, musicians,
servants, standard bearers, Siamese
mercenaries, princesses, ladies of the
court, ministers and army commanders.
The detail is sufficiently rich that
educated observers can easily identify
ranks and nationalities, and the
royal symbolism intended by the
artists. These bas reliefs have a
total extent of 1,800 feet by
6-feet high and are one of the most
famous creations in Khmer art. Besides
the military procession shown above,
most of the themes are from Hindu
sources and feature the gods with all
their bravery, challenges and ultimate
triumphs.
Weather Worn Angkor Wat This view of
east side of Angkor Wat shows years of
tropical weathering. What isn’t shown
because it was closed for restoration
is one of the greatest scenes ever
sculpted into stone, Churning of the
Ocean of Milk. In Hindu mythology,
Churning of the Ocean of Milk is a
famous event in which the gods and
demons churn the ocean in a tug
of war that lasts 1,000 years. In
the end, an elixir is produced
giving the gods immortality and
incorruptibility. More than
immortality the gods are rewarded by a
three-headed elephant named Airavata,
the goddess Laksmi, a milk-white
horse, Chanda the moon god, and a cow
of plenty among other prizes. Out-of-
sight in this photograph is
scaffolding being used by workers
sponsored by India who are making an
effort to preserve the building and
important sculptures. Central Tower
There was nothing built at Angkor Wat
without design, purpose and
calculation. At left is the temple’s
central tower. It is surrounded by
four lesser towers. The collection of
five is shaped in the form of a lotus
bud. The central tower rises from the
center of the temple 213 feet
representing the mythical Mount Meru,
which according to Buddhist and
Hindu legend is situated at the center
of the universe and is home of the
gods. The towers are symbolic mountain
peaks, the outer wall of the temple
are mountains at the edge of the
world, and the surrounding moat is the
oceans beyond. The stairs take
climbers up 40 steps (131 feet) at a
70 degree angle. The climb isn’t easy
and is characteristic of many Buddhist
temples. The trek up is intended to be
a formidable experience representing
the climb up a real mountain.
These two Apsaras (heavenly dancers)
are upper left are part of the
collection of 2,000 that adorn the
walls at Angkor Wat. At first glance
they appear repetitive, and then you
realize that each is different in
personality. Although all have an
adorable smile, faces are different as
well as costumes, hairstyles,
headdresses, and jewels that are
uniquely their own. Some are dark,
others light and that reflects
cleaning for preservation. Left to
nature’s way, the entire temple
complex would be covered in black
mildew and mold. In the photographs at
upper right are two real life Apsaras
from a dance troupe at Siem Reap. The
graciousness of their movements and
physical beauty are qualities that
never tire the eye. There are stories
in stone a thousand years old and
stories that are told in their dance
equally distant from our day and age.
Photograph at left shows history in
the making at Angkor Wat as I
sampled my first ever glass of
palm juice. Besides the refreshing
pick-me-up (high sugar content), I
met Sophan Pring, a 22-year old
palm juice maker and saleslady.
Business was slow, she smiled, I
smiled, and we got our picture
taken together. The grounds of
Angkor Wat are filled with the
Asian Palmyra Palm, producer of
this great tasting juice. Palm juice
can also be distilled into beer and
wine while the palm leaves are
used to weave baskets, fans, hats,
mats, and umbrellas. Asparas, Then and
Now Palm Juice and a Pretty Girl
~ In Closing ~ Thanks for being the
good readers that you are and hanging
onto every last detail.
As I reflect on Siem Reap and the
temples at Angkor, it is seems that I
had the perfect holiday for meeting
people, seeing sights, and learning
more about the world.
Now living in the reality of being a
school teacher I reflect and write
while finding myself caught in the joy
of being amidst 3,300 smiling
youngsters. I’ve decided that it is
all but impossible to have a bad day
in such circumstances; the personality
power behind those smiles just won’t
let it happen. I know that some of
them think I am the best thing since
the invention of fried rice, but from
my sense of being it is the reverse
that is true.
Living in Pathumthini Province just
north of Bangkok, we’ve just come off
of a cold snap, the chilliest in 10
years. Kids came to school wrapped in
scarves, sweaters and jackets. Their
teeth chattered, they had goosebumps,
and there was a rash of runny noses.
The temperature had dropped to 59F
degrees. I also put on a jacket, but
it was a little out of sympathy for my
family and friends in Michigan who are
under Jack Frost’s thumb with subzero
temperatures along with snow and wind.
It is now in the 70-90F temperature
range in the Bangkok region and I am
not exactly chomping at the bit for a
family reunion in Michigan.
Hello! Very nice to meet you. Thank
you for coming to see Angkor Wat. I
give you flower for souvenir. I wish
you good luck with your job and all
your family. Nice to speak with you.
I’m very happy to meet you. I hope you
coming again. I hope to see you again.
I like your smile.
I hope you coming to see Angkor Wat
again. I hope you like my flower. I
hope you don’t forget me. From Sary,
good bye! Good bye! Drawn on the
handwritten note was a bouquet of
flowers and each small merchant: Sach,
Sary, and Sreyoun, (photograph at
right) gave me a note with identical
handwritten wording. This excellent
public relations maneuver on the
grounds near Angkor Wat almost swayed
me into buying something, instead I
gave the girls a monetary donation,
and they in turn gave me samples of
what they were selling. They also made
me promise that if I saw them again I
would buy substantial quantities of
merchandise. Sadly the local police
shakedown many children like these for
$1 a day for them to stay in business.
If it doesn’t show in the
photograph, please know that these are
among the most adorable kids in the
world.
Sach, Sary, and Sreyoun Two weeks ago,
I had a rare opportunity to visit with
two of my former workmates from
Singapore. This was the first time I
had met with any of the old gang since
retiring 18 months ago. Frank Boyd and
Jack Stanley were passing through
Bangkok on a Navy assignment at the
nearby beach resort of Pattaya. Frank
in particular makes a
specialty of being selected for these
locations! We had a great lunch and
chit-chat at Finnegan’s Pub and it was
yet another experience proving that
old friends are the best friends. We
talked about old times and new times.
Returning home by taxi I decided
that I am glad that the old times are
in the past and that I am now having
new times in the sunny radiance of
Thai kids.
You may be pleased to know that in the
next issue of On the run... I’ll
continue to explain more about the
wonderment at Angkor. I want to show
you where Angelina Jolie and Harrison
Ford filmed parts of their now classic
movies, Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones,
Raider’s of the Lost Ark,
respectively, plus so much more.
Keep being your best!
12/19/02
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