Wheel chair and Marathon Race 2008 ST.George, Ut

The St. George Marathon began in 1977 with only 57 runners.

It is one of the largest Marathons and runners can qualify for the Boston Marathon ,which several local runners have participated in.

In 2004, our granddaughter Allie R.Guthrie Thornbrue ran her first Marathon in St. George. She was 26 years young, two children and ran the course in 4 hours, 43 minutes. She sprinted across the line so fast we didn't have time to hold up her sign. It was awesome. Jane and I decided to do the Mayors Walk to support her. I had trained a little but not too much and the 2.1 mile seemed to take forever. But we made it and when we saw the first wheelchair come in we were hooked and so was the rest of the family.

In 2005 I walked with Shaunna Mitchell and her friend from the post office. They were in great shape because of all the walking they did delivering mail.

2006 I walked with my friend Shelli Campbell. (She was my visiting teacher when we lived in the Ivins 3rd ward and we are still friends. She and our granddaughter Allie have helped me with my blog.) 2007 had no one to walk with but we did go see some of the runners and wheelchairs come in. We had another granddaughter Melissa K. Guthrie run the Logan Utah Marathon. She ran it September 26,2006. Her time was 5 hours,53 minutes and 44seconds. We were unable to see her run but her family from Washington was there to support her as well as her husband Jarom and many friends.

This year Salty walked the Mayors Walk with me. He went to make me happy and I couldn't find anyone who was that interested. He said, "It was harder walking then it is to run around the bases." He was happy he went and he even talked on the megaphone and said it was his first time and he was amazed at all of the people who were there in the rain.





Neil Harding of West Bountiful won in the hand crank division. He expressed thanks to the motorcycle police who shined their lights on the road because there were times when he really didn't know where he was.

Katie Terry of Highland was the first women hand crank participant in the race. She had been a athlete all her life and 6 years ago a automobile accident broke her back. She wanted to be an example to women to show them "There is life after an accident."

MARK CURRELL from Cedar City,Utah
Crossed the finish line first !!!!!
2 Hours, 22 Minutes, and 22 Seconds.

It was a wet rainy day for the 5,180 runners Saturday October 4,208. Despite the cold weather the faithful Marathon runners kept up a good pace. The course record is 16 minutes and 42 seconds. There were approximately 5,035 who finished the race. This marathon is always a challenge and it has been 25 years since it rained here. One lady from the Bay Area said she was glad it rained, she trained in the rain and was afraid it would be too hot to run. There were well wishers all along the course, along with plenty of water for the runners to keep them from dehydrating. There was a handful of runners still on the course at 2:30. One of the softball field directors ran for the first time. Her time was around 5 hours but she said she stuck to it and was glad she finished.

There are many hats worn the two weeks of activity in St. George. The Marathon runners leave on Sunday and the Huntsman World Senior Games start the following Monday. Many thanks to everyone who is a volunteer or a participant in both events.