EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) -- Descending on Track Town U.S.A., thousands from around the globe took to the streets of Eugene Sunday for the fifth round of one of Eugene’s largest events, which saw two winners from Colorado.
Justin Ricks of Pueblo West, Colorado won the men’s full marathon race, and Katie Blackett of Boulder, Colorado, won women’s full marathon race at the Eugene Marathon on Sunday, May 1st, 2011.
“They know how to put on a good marathon, which is amazing because I think it's like their fifth year, so they're pros, you can tell it's a running town,” said Blackett.
The annual race drew in more than 8000 runners on Sunday, one of the largest turnouts for the event in the last few years. In 2010, more than 9,400 runners participated.
But just five years ago, the pounding of the pavement, the run and gun to the finish line and the agony of exhaustion was all but a pipe dream in Eugene’s running scene.
Today, the marathon is running strong, with participants this year from 48 states, 4 Canadian provinces, and 10 different countries.
“It always impresses me... we've grown, we've more than doubled our size in five years,” said Richard Maher, Race & Event Director for the Eugene Marathon. “We learn something every year, we tweak it.”
With the variety of participants from various locations across the globe, one thing that’s clear at the Eugene Marathon is how it means something different to virtually everyone.
For some, it’s the fans.
“You can't beat the crowds, the crowds are awesome,” said Heather Daniel of Portland, a runner in Saturday’s race.
“They give me as much as I give them,” said Blackett, who ran into the finish line giving crowd members high fives and pumping her fists.
For others, it’s the setting.
“We're in Oregon and there's not a cloud in the sky,” said Carrie McGill of Albuquerque, New Mexico, another runner in Saturday’s race.
“When I started hitting those hills I thought, oh this is going to be a horrible time. But actually, my time was quite good,” said Michael Hawkes, another runner in Saturday’s race, coming from from Reno, Nevada.
But with the race finishing at hollowed ground, Hayward Field, for some, it’s the history.
“I always wanted to run a race on this track,” said men’s marathon winner Ricks.
“We live in Southern Oregon, and this is one of the best races,” said Jessicca Haynes another runner in the marathon.
Bringing in runners from across the globe, in its fifth year, the Eugene Marathon has hit its stride, and for now, there’s no turning back.
“First time I've ever run the Eugene Marathon... and I will be back, I am your... going to be their biggest recruiter, I'll tell everybody to come here, just, it's.. It's gorgeous,” said Blackett.
“The word's getting out.. I mean we have a beautiful finish, beautiful weather, flat course, its fast... We've had some Olympic qualifying times, and it's been a great day,” said Maher.
