by Carl Jackson
 |
| Jason Wolfe
(33) at mile 13 at the 5th Annual Sedona Marathon. Jason
set a record official time of 2:44:22. |
SEDONA, AZ (February 6, 2010) - Overcast skies and
cold weather in the low 40s didn't stop the more than 1,700
entrants from all fifty states and internationally; and hundreds of spectators from turning out for the
5th Annual Sedona Marathon on February 6, 2010.
Although it is attracting international attention, one of the best things
about the Sedona Marathon is that it's also a community event where
families and friends of all ages gather to watch, walk, or run in either a 5k, half-marathon, or the full
26.2 mile marathon largely along open forest service roads, making it one of the most
stunningly scenic marathons in the world.
Like last year, the start and finish lines were at the site of the
old Sedona Cultural Park. This year, local entertainer Shondra
Jepperson played emcee and introduced Yavapai County Supervisor Chip
Davis and Sedona Mayor Rob Adams who welcomed the crowd to Sedona.
Local singer and school teacher Jeanie Carroll sang the Star Spangled
Banner.
Being an election year in Sedona, political signs were on display as were candidates Dan Surber, Nancy Scagnelli, and Rob Adams. Dan
Surber was the sponsor of the "aid relief station" tent, and Nancy
Scagnelli was a station volunteer.
Local school teacher Marc Sterling and the Director of the Sedona
Film Festival, Patrick Schweiss, participated in the 5K run.
Sedona Chamber of Commerce CEO Jennifer Wesselhoff ran the 1/2 marathon.
As a tie in to the Sedona Film Festival that will take place later
this month, the documentary "My
Run" which is entered in the Festival was screened earlier in the week
in Sedona to kick-off the marathon. Narrated by Billy Bob
Thornton, the documentary tells the inspiring and extraordinary story of Terry Hitchcock who
in his mid-50s ran the equivalent of 75 marathons in 75 consecutive days. Hitchcock was on
hand for the Arizona premier and the Sedona Marathon.
Said Hitchock to the marathon crowd, "If I can do it, you can do
it, so don't give up. I ran 2,100 miles, a marathon a day for 75
straight days...When you get out there and hit the wall, remember this guy with
white hair made it, so can you."
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The full marathon started promptly at 8 a.m. with Flagstaff
resident Jason Wolfe taking an early lead and holding it throughout
the race.
Last year elite runner Chuck Engle
won with an official time of 2:45:50. For the two years prior to that,
Sedona local Joseph Fuss won with an official time of 3:02:45 in 2008
and 2:55:15 in 2007. Mr. Fuss did not participate in the Sedona
Marathon this year.
Jason Wolfe (33) set a record official time of 2:44:22. He
came in third in the 2008 Flagstaff Half-Marathon with a time of
1:22:42.
Official Results:
5K Run
Half Marathon
Full Marathon
Photo Gallery: 5th Annual Sedona Marathon 2010
