The inaugural Eugene Marathon on April 29, 2007, was an event whose time had come.  After all, Eugene, Oregon, home of the University of Oregon, is a world renowned mecca for distance running.  It had been over 23 years since the last runners’ marathon, the Nike Marathon, was held at Eugene.  It is appropriate that the new marathon and accompanying events started by the University’s Hayward Field where I was reminded of track and field events that had taken place there.

Brought to mind were legends such as Steve Prefontaine of track fame, Nike’s Bill Bowerman who coached many track stars, Mary Decker Slaney, Kenny Moore and Alberto Salazar.  It’s appropriate that the motto of the new Eugene Marathon is “Running in the Footsteps of Legends.”

My first visit to Hayward Field was to watch many events during the World Veteran Games in early August of 1989.  I have a vivid recollection of watching 82 year old retired jockey Ed Benham run 400 meters at an eight minute pace to enhance his international stature.  At that time he held the 80+ marathon record with a 3:43.

The next day, August 6, 1989, I joined Lary Webster of Seattle, Washington, and many others to run in a games marathon.  We ran on paved trails by the Willamette River and on back roads by the nearby Autzen Stadium on a warm, clear and calm day.  I ran a 3:08:24 and was out of the running for 50+ males.  Lary ran a sub three-hour marathon for a second place in this division. 

The next time that I visited Hayward Field was with Lenore when we came to watch our grand-nephew Kevin Kahle, son of nephew Lynn Kahle and his wife Debi Eisert of Eugene, as he ran well in a school track event there.

Several years ago Richard Maher and his nephew Andy Heily talked about developing a marathon in Eugene.  As the plans were developed and others joined in the effort, Richard became the race director, and Andy would be his associate.  The end result was the inaugural Eugene Marathon that was very successful.  Lenore and I had a great time and plan to return next year with Lenore volunteering at the finish area while I run.

The day before the marathon, Lenore and I went to the Hilton Eugene race headquarters for.... Read More

Written by Bob Dolphin
Edited, Typed and Distributed by Lenore Dolphin