Oct. 3 was THE day to run.

Approximately 7,000 took to the streets of Portland that Sunday morning for the Portland Marathon.

The Marathon consisted of several events, including the marathon, half marathon and Marathon walk. The course, standard marathon distance of 26 miles, led runners - and walkers - from City Hall downtown to Waterfront Park through Northwest Portland to Forest Park, then over the St. John's Bridge, along 3-mile bluff, adjacent to the Willamette River, across the Steel Bridge and back down Naito Parkway to the finish line at the Justice Center. Designed to minimize turns and narrow streets, the course boasted a mere 21 turns and is one of few courses to be certified by the Association of International Marathons (AIMS).

Each race was divided into several divisons, mainly the age divisions (five-year increments ranging from 19 and under to 90 and over), but others defined by abilities. The divisions included teams, wheelchairs, Clydesdale and Bonnydale (plus-size), masters, race walkers, and pump and run muscle, which required entrants to bench weights prior to start.

An $80 entry fee was required to participate, $125 for late registration after Sept. 1. The Marathon began at 7 AM, and the course remained open for eight hours. Upon finishing, all participants received a medal, long-sleeved Marathon shirt, poster, pin, rose, seedling tree, and certificate as well as food, beverage, space blanket, and medical care as needed.

Ed Bolibol, Lacey, completed his first marathon, having ran the Seattle Half Marathon last fall and Capital City's half marathon in May.

"It's (the Marathon) an accomplishment that I feel good about myself," Bolibol said. "I'm happy to have had that experience."

In addition, several bands entertained Marathon participants and spectators. Even the weather cooperated.

Because of leg cramps, Bolibol didn't match or beat his projected time, though he still finished.

"The first 17 miles went fine, until I hit the St. John's bridge, which was about 17.5 miles into the race. That's when all 'hell' broke loose. My left calf and shin started to tighten up on the descent of the bridge. I thought that I could run it off, but, unfortunately, shortly after that, that's when the cramps came into play and plagued me the rest of the run," he explained.

The pain and cramping required Bolibol to stop and stretch several times, resulting in a 4:33:01 finish, a half hour or so more than he'd anticipated. Overall, Bolibol ranked 2,854 out of 7,000 and was 318 in his division (35-39).

However, by the race's end, Bolibol had managed to pull it back together.

"I fed off the crowds that (were) cheering us on, and it was like I had no pain from the joints and leg cramps, and I actually picked up the pace and finished strong at the end," he recounted.

Next, Bolibol plans to participate again in the Seattle Half Marathon and the Capital City Marathon, where he'll run his second full marathon, as well as the Seattle-to-Portland (STP) bike race, which he hopes to complete in one day.

Portland will likely be remembered, for Bolibol, as a good, endurance-building experience.

"I'm glad to have run in it, and the experience was just awesome," he said.

And as for meeting his projected time?

"Maybe next time," Bolibol hoped.

For more information about the Marathon, visit http://www.portlandmarathon.org.

Ed Bolibol, Lacey, grimaces as he nears the finish line.
(Photo courtesy of Ed Bolibol)

Copyright © 2004, Talia M. Wilson
posted: Oct. 10, 2004

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