|
| Lopez Island | Orcas Island | Visitor's Guide |
            
        
|
|
|
SAN JUAN ISLAND MARATHON |
|
Email this page to a friend Related pagesSecond annual San Juan Marathon attracts more runners Second page of photos of the 2004 marathon 2003 Franco wins half-marathon (2003) Half-marathon a 'blast' with help of a two-legged guide Four-legged 'Little Ferry' helps Darlene cruise through the islands Complete results are available on the San Juan Island Marathon Web site |
Half-marathon a 'blast' with help of a two-legged guideBy Matt Pranger
posted 06/10/03
"This was a great challenge," beamed Darlene after the race. Wahl, an interpreter at the San Juan Island National Historical Park's American Camp, suffered a severe knee injury 15 years ago. She resumed jogging a year ago on the Friday Harbor track with her faithful, furry service dog Fayette. Darlene completed the 5.5-mile Island Loop Run last August. She decided to run the half marathon this February but figured that would be a bit more than she could ask of her four-legged guide. A familiar two-legged guide -- Jodie Ryan of Bellingham -- filled in for Fayette. "We had a blast," said Jodie, who became friends with Darlene while working with the Services for the Blind of Washington State. "It just smells so good," Darlene said of making the trip around the center of San Juan Island with its wildflowers, crops and other farm smells. "It was so much more fun than going around, and around, and around." Jodie painted the pastoral, mountain and marine scenes for Darlene. "It was so much fun describing the views," Jodie said. Darlene instincts pull her to the center of the road. Walking on the outside of the roadway, Jodie would guide Darlene by lightly touching her elbow to move her out of the path of other half-marathoners, cars, bicyclists and other obstacles. "Without Jodie I wouldn't of been doing it," Darlene said. The pair finished well before several of the half-marathoners. "We had a system and it worked…. We talked and laughed the whole way through," Darlene said. "The communication was great," Jodie said. Since Jodie lives in Bellingham, Eric Krieger helped Darlene train for the half marathon. He guided Darlene once a week since the end of February. "It was really sweet of him," Darlene said. Race helpers also assisted in making the race memorable for Darlene and Jodie. "The volunteers were awesome," Darlene said. Other runners overcame a challenge -- cerebral palsy, diabetes, asthma, arthritis -- and finished a half or full marathon. "It was neat to see people who really want to do something to find a way to do it," Darlene said. "Folks of all types can do stuff." Expect to see Darlene running the next San Juan Island Marathon. "It's going to be an annual event," Darlene declared. In the meantime Darlene will be happy to continue her training regimen with training with her loyal canine companion. "It was weird without Fayette there," Darlene said. |
||
|
SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2010 About Us | Advertising Info | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
|
|||
