Start time was 8 a.m. at the Sedona Red Rock High School football field, and the air was electric with the anticipation of the starter's horn.

More than one thousand runners were in attendance to take part in the event's 5K, half marathon, and full marathon races.  Runners of all ages participated in the various races, making this a community and family event.

Skip Stewart from Remax Sedona, a 30 year Sedona resident, was on hand to spread good cheer and urge on tired runners.

Canyon Moon Theatre's, Executive Director, Mary Guaraldi, was on hand prior to the race to introduce Sedona Mayor Pud Colquitt, Yavapai County Supervisor, Chip Davis, and Arizona Senator and Sedona resident, Tom O'Halleran, who each welcomed the crowd to Sedona.

Local DJ and entertainer, Jeanie Carroll, gave a stirring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, and the musical group Chun-Ji-Mu-Joong, consisting of Arang Park, Gaye Anthony, Anita Nickerson, Rebecca Cheema, and Erik Sandstrom, performed Korean Modumbuk drumming.

The real excitement of the day was, of course, the marathon itself. 

Sedona hometown favorite, Joseph Fuss, took an early lead along with Matt Estes from Manchester, Connecticut.  Mr. Fuss appeared confident early on and it looked even then that he might take it, but Mr. Estes kept pace for much of the race.

At mile 6 and throughout much of the race, hometown favorite, Joseph Fuss (r.) and Manchester, Connecticut resident, Matt Estes, were neck and neck.  Mr. Estes finished second with an unofficial time of 3:05.

By mile 22, Mr. Fuss had pulled far ahead.  With no one close behind, Mr. Fuss took a short detour to the sideline, right before the finish line, to give a quick kiss to his wife and daughter before crossing with an unofficial winning time of 3:03; not as strong as his winning time of 2:55:15 last year.

By mile 22, Joseph Fuss, with no one close behind, appeared relaxed and ready to win his second consecutive Sedona Marathon.  He won with an unofficial time of 3:03.

Other than a few cramps, Mr. Fuss was smiling, relaxed, and talkative.

Mr. Estes came in second at an unofficial time of 3:05 and noted that he found the terrain and altitude difficult, having run 2:40 in his last marathon on flatter ground.

The surprise of the day was Sedona resident, Sherry Kristoff, who won the women's full marathon with an unofficial time of 3:09, likely placing her in the top 10 overall.

Sedona resident, Sherry Kristoff (46), gave the men a run for their money, finishing as the leading woman with an unofficial time of 3:09.

With the Sedona elections on March 11, 2008, some of the candidates took advantage of the event to shake hands and pass out their election materials.  Along with Matthew Turner, who is running for Sedona mayor, city council candidate, Marc Sterling, was all smiles with a table set up on the Sedona Red Rock High School football field right next to the starting line. A large "Marc Sterling for Council" banner was prominently displayed behind him.

Marc Sterling, city council candidate and teacher at the Sedona Red Rock High School, was cheerily shaking hands and passing out his election material to spectators at this year's Sedona Marathon 2008.

FINAL RESULTS

Top 5 (all categories) - Full Marathon 2008

Top 5 (all categories) - Half Marathon 2008

Click to open .pdf of Sedona Marathon Course Map
 

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