cunningh@noscvax.UUCP (Robert P. Cunningham) (12/11/84)
THE FIELD
A total of 8,828 runners lined up at 0600 in front of Aloha Tower for the
start of the 26.2-mile, 12th international Honolulu Marathon last Sunday.
There were 10,652 entrants, but early-morning rain and gusty winds
(up to 30-40 miles/hour) made for more than the usual number of no-shows.
The rain let up just before the start, but the wind blew throughout the
race and was felt most harshly on the long stretch from Kahala to Hawaii Kai
along Kalanianaole Highway.
THE WINNER
Although Dean Matthews took an early lead, he was followed closely by a
pack that caught up to him before the halfway point, consisting of 10,
then 8, then 6 runners. At about the 30-kilometer marker, Jorge Gonzales
of Puerto Rico took the lead and never looked back. He was contested towards
the end by Doug Kurtis who couldn't catch him. Matthews caught Kurtis on
the 23rd mile and remained with him until out-running him on the home
stretch to finish second. Jorge Gonzales ended up with a 500-yard lead
as he won the marathon in 2:16:52 (the record is 2:15:30 by Dave Gordon
in 1982).
THE WOMAN'S LEADER
Patti Gray pulled away early from a field of about 2,425 women to finish
first overall in the women's division in 2:42:49, finishing 54th overall.
THE OLD PRO
Frank Shorter, still nursing a year-old ankle injury, ran the Honolulu
Marathon "for fun", finishing 30th in 2:36:57. At 37, Frank has spent most
of his carreer competing in physically taxing road races. In a published
interview he noted: "From the ankles up, I'm OK. I'm in really good
cardiovascular shape. From the ankles down..." And, "This is about the
only marathon I run anymore -- and I'm here as a tourist. I'm not one of
the invited runners, I'm out there like everybody else, I'm here to have
some fun."
THE DEAD
Anthony J. Lewis, a 49-year-old British engineer from Hong Kong collapsed
and died just short of the nine-mile marker -- apparently of a heart
attack. That's the second death in a Honolulu Marathon. In 1982, Robert
Johnson, 62, died of a heart attack shortly after crossing the finish line.
THE MAN WHO STARTED LAST
"I always start last," said Daniel Trickett to a newspaper reporter, "so I
won't get run over." He started last of 8,828. For the first five miles,
as gusty blasts sideswiped the runners, he worried about falling. At the
sixth mile he made his move, running 9-1/2 minute miles. And passed 4,505
unbelieving other other runners to finish in 4:24:00. Five years ago
he lost a leg bone from cancer. The leg was saved; a steel pin runs
from his hip to his ankle. His knee is fused; his left leg is one
inch shorter than his right. He uses special racing crutches and
Wet Grip gloves. Never having ran a marathon until after his operation,
he doesn't really like running, "It's hard work but I've got to have a
goal to keep motivated." He has run two of the world's five top marathons,
wants to run them all, and hopes to crack four hours in 1985.
--
Bob Cunningham {dual|ihnp4|vortex}!islenet!bob
Honolulu, Hawaii