This was the scene along the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail shortly after Saturday's start of the Columbia Valley Girls on the Run 5K and 2K race.

WENATCHEE — There may not have been a more festive place in the entire Wenatchee Valley on Saturday morning than at Pybus Public Market.

Yes, the new public market was enjoying its second weekend of business, with the farmers market and inside vendors attracting a large crowd. But the market also was the staging area for the inaugural Columbia Valley Girls on the Run 5K/2K race, which attracted an additional estimated 500 participants, spectators and volunteers. It was the first sporting event held at Pybus.

The scene was colorful with some girls getting their hair painted in the group’s trademark colors of green and pink, and others milling about inside with their families. Outside, the adults who had come to race readied themselves along the adjacent Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail.

Although the event was officially for Girls on the Run and Peshastin Striders members, organizers opened it up to the general public and to adults as a fundraiser.

When the race finally began at 9 a.m., a large hoot arose from the runners and walkers — both big and small.

“There was a lot of excitement in the air, and the focus really was on the girls,” said Marlen Mendez, director of Girls on the Run. “Pybus is a really good venue. It gave us a lot of exposure, and we brought a lot of people to the venue who hadn’t been here before.”

Girls on the Run is an after-school nonprofit program for third- through fifth-graders that is affiliated with Columbia Valley Community Health. Besides instilling fitness, the program is meant to help girls develop a positive self-image and to better handle peer pressure.

Peshastin Striders is a running club for elementary school students in the Peshastin-Dryden area.

On the racing side of things, Doug Wood captured the men’s 5-kilometer title, covering the course in 18 minutes, 43.4 seconds, and averaging 6:02 a mile in the process. Finishing second was Wenatchee’s Dan Kavet, who was clocked in 19:25.6. Third was Erik Johnson in 21:56.0.

East Wenatchee’s Melissa Fenter won the women’s 5K in 23:22.3. Wenatchee’s Roselle Wood took second in 23:55.5.

There was plenty of cowbell heard along the course.

In the 2K race, McKenna White came away with the overall title in 23 minutes and 2.2 seconds. Will White was runner-up in 24:12.7, and Molly Oswald was third in 24:15.5.

More than 360 people registered for the event, which raised money for local Girls on the Run scholarships. That included about 130 elementary school girls and their adult running buddies. The rest of the field was made up of the general public and about 40 Peshastin Striders members.

“This program is impacting the entire community,” Mendez said. “It’s a family event, and it’s getting everyone out and everyone running. And it doesn’t feel like it’s hard. It feels fun.”

“The event went just fantastic,” said Joel Rhyner of RunWenatchee, which organized and directed the event for Girls on the Run. “We had a huge outpouring from the community in registration numbers and volunteer support. And working with Pybus was great. Everybody I ran into who hadn’t been down there was blown away by how cool it is. Those who had been there said it was amazing to be able to do a race from there.”

Mendez said she anticipates the Girls on the Run event returning in 2014.

“There will be a Part II,” she said.

Columbia Valley Girls on the Run
Saturday
Pybus Public Market, Wenatchee
5K — Top 10 Men
1. Doug Wood,18:43.4
2. Daniel Kavet, 19:25.6
3. Erik Johnson, 21:56.0
4. Billy Conner, 22:25.5
5. Ed Knobel, 23:58.2
6. Tanner Rodelard, 24:20.3
7. Gibson Tarr, 24:34.4
8. Conner Smith, 24:57.0
9. Heath Allen, 24:58.5
10. Jaxon Cosina, 26:01.8

5K — Top 10 Women
1. Melissa Fenter, 23:22.3
2. Roselle Wood, 23:55.5
3. Nevlyn Harper, 24:04.5
4. Emelia Burgess, 24:14.8
5. Jennifer Madrigal, 24:16.6
6. Casi Tarr, 24:31.8
7. Kellie Dillin, 24:35.6
8. Ella Polley, 24:43.0
9. Jennifer Polley, 24:48.3
10. Marissa Hand, 26:05.8

2K — Top 20 Overall Finishers
1. McKenna White, 23:02.2
2. Will White, 24:12.7
3. Molly Oswald, 24:15.5
4. Fran Oswald, 24:17.0
5. Alberto Granados, 24:35.0
6. Geovanna Granados, 24:36.3
7 Jennifer Witherbee, 24:59.0
8. Jose Sanchez, 26:17.0
9. Gabriela Lozano, 27:12.3
10. Jesus Lozano, 27:20.3
11. Lydia Montalvo, 27:30.7
12. Mackenzie Williams, 27:46.5
13. Alison Williams, 27:47.4
14. Jaqueline Adamek, 27:53.9
15. Cynthia Sanchez, 27:56.2
16. Talitha Zelaya, 28:09.7
17. Lorinda Parks, 28:09.7
18. Elizabeth Anderson, 28:25.0
19. Wendy Bowman, 28:29.5
20. Rhonda Bekker, 28:29.6

Note: For complete results, visit http://www.buduracing.com/

Girls on the Run participants register inside Pybus Public Market on Saturday morning.

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SATURDAY’S GIRLS ON THE RUN 5K AND 2K

Hello, runners and walkers! Thank you for registering for this Saturday’s Columbia Valley Girls on the Run 5K and 2K! It’s going to be a momentous occasion — the first Girls on the Run event in the Wenatchee Valley and the first race ever held adjacent to the new Pybus Public Market.

Pybus Market officials want to welcome all runners/walkers and their families and friends to this beautiful new facility. They encourage you to check out the market before and after the race.

If you are driving to Pybus, please park in the lot directly north of the market along Worthen Street (see below for more).

Girls on the Run participants, volunteers and spectators are asked to park in the parking lot just north of Pybus Public Market.

Here are some last-minute instructions for those of you participating in either the 5K or 2K:

Location: Pybus Public Market is located at 7 N. Worthen Street (near the corner of Worthen and Orondo streets). The Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail, where the 5K and 2K runs/walks will be held, is located directly behind Pybus Public Market above the Columbia River.

Race start time: 9 a.m. Saturday

Start/finish area: Runners and walkers will begin and finish the event at a spot along the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail directly behind Pybus Public Market, 7 N. Worthen St. From the start, participants will head north on the trail to their turnaround spots and then back.

Parking: This will be just the second weekend of Pybus, so market officials expect a big crowd to visit. As a result, they are asking everyone associated with the Girls on the Run event — participants, volunteers, spectators — to park in the large lot directly north of the market off Worthen Street. We will have volunteers on Worthen Street directly vehicles into this parking lot.

Road closure: With the City of Wenatchee’s approval, we will be closing River Drive, from Worthen Street to just before the boat launch entrance. This is being done to ensure a safe race.

Packet pickup/registration: This will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday and from 7:30 to 8:50 a.m. Saturday at tables set up inside Pybus Public Market. If you are a member of a Girls on the Run team, look for your individual table. The same goes for community members who have signed up.

Raffle: Girls on the Run will be raffling off a Garmin Forerunner 210 (with heart-rate monitor and strap) on Saturday after the race. The Garmin is valued at $250. Raffle tickets are $1 each and can be picked up at the Columbia Valley Community Health table at Pybus on Friday evening and Saturday morning.

T-shirts: If you forgot to order a shirt or want one anyway, we will have a limited number of shirts on sale Friday evening and Saturday morning during packet pickup/registration. They will be on sale for $12. If you paid for a shirt while registering, you can pick up your shirt at the same times.

Timing: Buduracing is the official timer for the Columbia Valley Girls on the Run 5K and 2K. Timing mats at the start/finish area will be used to record your time.

Results: Buduracing will post the results by Sunday at www.buduracing.com. There also will be a link on www.runWenatchee.com

Aid stations: We will have two fully stocked and staffed aid stations on the course — one at the 2K turnaround and the other at the 5K turnaround. Big thanks to our volunteers for making this happen.

Refreshments/food: We will have nourishment for runners and walkers to replenish themselves at the finish area.

Thanks again and have a great race!

Marlen Mendez
Columbia Valley Girls on the Run director

Joel Rhyner
Michele Rhyner
Steve Maher
RunWenatchee

The high point in Saturday's Horse Lake Trail Run was at 2,400 feet in elevation. Views of the Columbia River were to the east and the Cascades to the west.

WENATCHEE — The Horse Lake Trail Run was held under cloudy skies and temperatures in the high-50s and low-60s on Saturday, May 11, in the Wenatchee Foothills about four miles northwest of the city of Wenatchee.

Here are the results:

Horse Lake Trail Run
Horse Lake Reserve, Wenatchee Foothills
Saturday
5-Mile Race
Men
1. Clayton Belmont, 39:20
2. Luke Hakensen, 39:41
3. Mike Carter, 40:55
4. Ron Martin, 41:25
5. Corey Stephens, 41:34
6. Nik Winjum, 41:43
7. Matthew Tangeman, 42:56
8. Eli Kahn, 42:59
9. Sean Seaford, 43:44
10. Welcome Sauer, 44:01
11. Eric Bryan, 44:51
12. Derek Gildersleeve, 45:10
13. Allan Galbraith, 47:00
14. Caleb Hoosier, 47:59
15. Garrett Fish, 52:55

Wildflowers were aplenty on Saturday at Horse Lake and the Wenatchee Foothills.

16. Travis Dolge, 53:00
17. Michael Garrity, 53:05
18. Mark Van Reenen, 53:29
19. Adam Brunner, 53:42
20. Jim Mott, 54:04
21. Ted Mischaikov, 54:17
22. Marc Macias, 54:28
23. Chris Yankoviak, 55:11
24. Kevin Wieczorek, 55:21
25. Wyatt McCredy, 57:10
26. Nathan Harmon, 58:36
27. Ray Oliver, 58:54
28. John Whisler, 1:00:15
29. Siverio Sierra, 1:02:00
30. Jim McCredy, 1:06:43

5-Mile Race
Women
1. Jennifer Vazquez-Bryan, 44:44
2. Angela Mischiakov, 45:57
3. Jenni Hakensen, 46:20
4. Holly Eagleston, 47:45
5. Jane Davis, 48:27
6. Melissa Fenter, 48:28
7. Christina Cuevas Albert, 49:22
8. Julie Christensen, 49:22
9. Renee Wilkens, 49:22
10. Karen Gemeinhart, 50:06
11. Stephanie Cosina, 51:14
12. Lorena Boyd, 51:38
13. Jennifer Korfiatis, 51:46
14. Angeline Kong, 52:32
15. Laura Monda, 52:51
16. Emily Barto, 53:07
17. Erin Stitt, 53:36
18. Elise Richman, 53:37
19. Elizabeth Mullan, 53:43
20. Angela Hendrick, 54:18
21. Penny Paus, 55:05
22. Lily Wieczorek, 55:25
23. Erin Davidson, 55:40
24. Brenda Yankoviak, 55:51
25. Katy Joslin, 55:51
26. Megan Middleton, 56:14
27. Delcie Mott, 56:22
28. Gara Odenrider, 56:37
29. Susanne Cushman, 56:40
30. Logan Blomberg, 57:58
31. Constance Mehmel, 58:08
32. April Winn, 58:22
33. Janell Robertson, 58:52
34. Sabra Siltman, 59:29
35. Ashley Thomas, 59:52
36. Kim Tangeman, 1:00.07
37. Jenny Fasching, 1:00:26
38. Diane Davis, 1:00:56
39. Nella Bella, 1:01:08
40. Rinne Lamberjack, 1:01:18
41. Natalie Lamberjack, 1:01:18
42. Anwen Cartwright, 1:01:21
43. Joanne Thomas, 1:01:48
44. Nicole Brunner, 1:01:50
45. Emily Phillipi, 1:01:57
46. Tanya Smith, 1:02:04
47. Frances Mullan, 1:02:46
48. Sonya McCredy, 1:06:43
49. Nicole O Brien, 1:08:04
50. Wendy Monette, 1:08:06
51. Angela Allyn, 1:10:25
52. Emily Brown, 1:19:56
53. Vicki Shaver, 1:21:16
54. Jodi Lester, 1:35:04

10-Mile Race
Men
1. Andy Johnson, 1:08:22
2. Will Young, 1:10:47
3. Chad McBride, 1:13:43
4. Michael Broxson, 1:14:10
5. Steve Tidd, 1:19:04
6. Brent Biggar, 1:19:04
7. Paul Heffernan, 1:19:40
8. Emerson Peek, 1:27:05
9. Dayle Massey, 1:28:17
10. Sam Dilley, 1:32:59
11. Chris Goehner, 1:36:28
12. Steve Schwind, 1:39:02
13. Craig Root, 1:42:58
14. Martin Weis, 1:47:03
15. Rufus Woods, 1:51:15
16. Dave Allyn, 1:52:54
17. Rob Lowry, 2:19:50

10-Mile Race
Women
1. Sibyelle Wilbert, 1:36:50
2. Kari Hall, 1:38:37
3. Maria Holman, 1:40:15
4. Mary Lou Guerrero, 1:57:58
5. Raema Hickey, 2:06:53
6. Jan Albin-Bullock, 2:09:22

Runners hit the first stretch of trail on Saturday during the Horse Lake Trail Run near Wenatchee.

Chad McBride, right, and Andy Johnson, left, were the first to top elevation spot (2,400 feet) on the 10-mile course. Johnson went on to win the race. McBride finished third behind Will Young.

By Steve Maher
RunWenatchee.com

WENATCHEE — If the reaction from runners is an indication, Saturday’s Horse Lake Trail Run will not be the last.

The inaugural event in the Wenatchee Foothills northwest of the city came off flawlessly and had participants clamoring for more.

“You should do it every year. It’s perfect,” said Wenatchee’s Andy Johnson, who won the men’s 10-mile race.

Runners charge out along the Horse Lake Reserve road moment after the start of Saturday's event.

About 150 people signed up for either the 10-mile or 5-mile runs. The event was organized by RunWenatchee as a fundraiser for the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust’s Wenatchee Foothills Campaign.

The recent heat wave in the Wenatchee Valley wasn’t a factor. Early morning cloud cover, a slight breeze and the higher elevation (1,750 feet at the start; 2,400 feet at the highest point) left temperatures ideal for the run.

“Everything went smoothly, the volunteers were fantastic, the runners had a great time and the weather held up nicely,” said race director Joel Rhyner of RunWenatchee. “It was a privilege to have the opportunity to hold an event up on the Horse Lake Reserve with the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, and we hope that we can make this an annual event.”

Many of those who participated — including runners from as far away as San Francisco, Bend and Bellingham, but also some from Wenatchee — had never been to the Horse Lake Reserve before.

Megan Middleton and Mark Macias moved to Wenatchee just a week ago from Seattle — Megan for a position at Fibro Corp. and Mark for a position at Alcoa — and were amazed at Horse Lake’s sights and close proximity to the urban area.

“It’s really cool to see so many people out for trail runs in Wenatchee,” Middleton said. “I’m from Seattle originally and there are trail runs over there, but I didn’t think there would be any here. To be able to see the Cascades and the Columbia River — there’s so much to see here — it’s amazing.”

“Over on the west side, there are so many trees, you really can’t see the mountains,” Macias added. “Over here, it is so open.”

Johnson was in a tight race early with Wenatchee’s Chad McBride. Both crested the first hill climb in the loop course step for step. But Johnson had broken away by the 5-mile mark. McBride was eventually passed by Cashmere’s Will Young and finished third. Mike Broxson of Wenatchee was a close fourth.

Johnson was clocked in 1 hour, 8 minutes and 22 seconds; Young in 1:10:47; McBride in 1:13:43; and Broxson in 1:14:.

“I thought the climbs were a perfect distance, and the banked turns are my favorite,” Johnson said

In the women’s 10-mile race, Seattle’[s Sibylle Wilbert placed first in a time of 1:36:50. Taking second was Kari Hall of East Wenatchee in 1:38:37.

Wenatchee's Jenn Vazquez-Bryan captured the women's 5-mile race in 44 minutes and 44 seconds. Bellingham's Angela Mischaikov was second in 45:57.

"This is a really fantastic trail run," Vazquez-Bryan said afterwards. "It was well groomed. And with all the wild flowers and views, there is a lot to look at. I loved that downhill (stretch). I flew on that."

Clayton Belmont took the men's 5-mile run in 39:20, defeating Wenatchee's Luke Hakensen, who was clocked in 39:41.

By the end, as runners and spectators mingled around the refreshment tent, the talk was already about next year.

Chelan-Douglas Land Trust executive director Bob Bugert said he was impressed with how flawlessly the event went off and credited RunWenatchee for its organizational and race course management skills. He also was appreciative of the shuttle service provided by the Mission Ridge Ski Team. Nearly 70 runners used the van shuttle to get from the Wal-Mart parking lot to the trailhead, and then back later.

Joel Rhyner

“The Mission Ridge Ski Team shuttle was a great asset,” Rhyner said. “It really helped keep the road congestion to a minimum. Wal Mart’s parking space was key to that as well.”

“I was impressed,” said Emily Bjork of Wenatchee. “It’s very beautiful here. And there are great views of the mountains. The course was tough but very satisfying.”

“It was hard but I expected it to be,” said Susanne Cushman of East Wenatchee.

Added Tacoma’s Elise Richman, “It was just awesome. I’m glad there are plans to do this again. We’ll be back for sure.

Horse Lake Trail Run
Wenatchee Foothills
Saturday
Men’s 10 Mile
1. Andy Johnson, Wenatchee, 1:08:22
2. Will Young, Cashmere, 1:10:47
3. Chad McBride, Wenatchee, 1:13:43

Men’s 5 Mile
1. Clayton Belmont, 39:20
2. Luke Hakensen, Wenatchee, 39:41
3. Mike Carter, Wenatchee, 40:55

Women’s 10 Mile
1. Sibylle Wilbert, Seattle, 1:36:50
2. Kari Hall, East Wenatchee, 1:38:37
3. Maria Holman, Wenatchee, 1:40:15

Women’s 5 Mile
1. Jenn Vazquez-Bryan, Wenatchee, 44:44
2. Angela Mischaikov, Bellingham, 45:57
3. Jenni Hakensen, Wenatchee, 46:20

Note: Complete results will be posted later today or Monday at www.runwenatchee.com.

Will Young, left, and Mike Broxson, right, near the top of the course on Saturday during the Horse Lake Trail Run.

Nicole Brunner, left, and Joanne Thomas, take a break at the aid station at the 2,400-foot-elevation point on the course. Volunteers Charlie Naismith and Miranda Silvestre staffed the aid station.

A group of Wenatchee friends — Jennifer Korfiatis, Jane Davis, Stephanie Cosina, Julie Christensen and Christina Cuevas Albert — pose before the start of the race.

Runners heading along the trail shortly after the Horse Lake Trail Run's start on Saturday.

Gosselin, a former Gonzaga University runner who hails from Tacoma, easily captured the men’s division of the 26.2-mile race, coasting home in 2 hours, 39 minutes and 12 seconds. That was more than 10 minutes faster than runner-up Spencer Plumb of Moscow, Idaho.

Meanwhile, Seattle’s Pritchard won the women’s marathon, finishing in 2:56:57, about 18 minutes better than runner-up Sandra Pellon of Kirkland.

Nearly 1,500 runners and walkers registered for the ninth-annual event and its marathon, half-marathon and 10-kilometer races. The start and finish were at the Stanley Civic Center Plaza in downtown Wenatchee.

Wenatchee runners fared better in the other two races, with Sarah Barkley winning the women’s half-marathon in 1:25:39, Casi Tarr claiming the women’s 10K in 39.51, and Andy Johnson finishing first in the men’s 10K in 39:55.

In the men’s half-marathon, Wenatchee’s Caleb Ambrose (1:18:42) took second behind winner Chris Tolonen of Renton (1:15:58).

See below for top placings in each race. For complete results, visit http://results.bazumedia.com/event/results/event/event-3826

Wenatchee Marathon
Saturday
Men
1. Matt Gosselin, Tacoma, 2:39:12
2. Spencer Plumb, Moscow, Idaho, 2:50:37
3. Jason Houck, Issaquah, 2:56:47
4. Michael Bergquist, Medical Lake, 3:02:52
5. Scott Hippe, Spokane, 3:02:50

Women
1. Jaime Pritchard, Seattle, 2:56:57
2. Sandra Pellon, Kirkland, 3:15:28
3. Jodi Brautaset, Mount Vernon, 3:23:45
4. Julie Peterson, Shoreline, 3:32:23
5. Shannon Block, Walla Walla, 3:42:28

Wenatchee Half-Marathon
Men
1. Chris Tolonen, Renton, 1:15:58
2. Caleb Ambrose, Wenatchee, 1:18:42
3. Kevin Saur, Snohomish, 1:20:14
4. Will Young, Cashmere, 1:21:21
5. George Velazquez, Wenatchee, 1:24:42

Women
1. Sarah Barkley, Wenatchee, 1:25:39
2. Rachel Henghan, Seattle, 1:31:06
3. Christina Bruce, Great Falls, Mont., 1:33:29
4. Danielle Nestor, Boise, Idaho, 1:36:12
5. Shelby Port, Kirkland, 1:36:34

Wenatchee 10K
Men
1. Andy Johnson, Wenatchee, 39:55
2. Thomas Hansen, East Wenatchee, 41:12
3. Seth Andersen, Ellensburg, 45:12
4. Don Stone, Wenatchee, 45:25
5. Steve Bovingdon, Chelan, 45:44

Women
1. Casi Tarr, Wenatchee, 39:51
2. Heidi Loewen, Wenatchee, 42:52
3. Kari Vreugdenhil, Renton, 43:05
4. Amy Sheehan, Rock Island, 44:53
5. Karen Weber, Wenatchee, 45:08

“We want to provide a way for people to come together and to show their respects toward those impacted by this horrific act of violence,” said Steve Maher, a partner in RunWenatchee. “We also feel it’s important to show resolve that runners everywhere won’t be deterred by what happened Monday.

“The entire community is invited. People can walk if they would like. In fact, many of the participants in our regular weekly event walk the course. So you don’t necessarily need to be a runner,” Maher said.

RunWenatchee is encouraging participants to wear a running shirt if they have one. RunWenatchee also will have on hand a limited number of ‘Remember Boston’ bibs for people to wear.

The weekly run/walk begins outside Saddle Rock Pub & Brewery at First and Columbia streets in downtown Wenatchee, gets on the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail and then returns to the starting point. People can check in anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday and run or walk at their own pace and distance. There is no charge.

RunWenatchee has been holding the weekly run/walk since early January. About 150 people typically show up. After completing 10 of the runs or walks, participants receive a free shirt noting their accomplishment.

Founded in 2008, RunWenatchee holds several official running events each year, including the Red Devil Challenge Trail Run, Lake Chelan Marathon and Half Marathon, River Run, and Turkey on the Run. The group also puts on the weekly Thursday runs, track workouts and social events.

I love how disparate parts of my life collide when I least expect it. They throw me off guard and provide me with a lovely “Ah, hah!”

Right now I’m thinking about ants and running. Ants are my recent obsession. Not from a pest-control perspective, but from that of a curious explorer, taking a “Journey to the Ants” with authors Bert Hölldobler and E.O. Wilson. In this amazing book I am learning about ants’ myriad ways of labor division, resource gathering, reproduction and colony construction. All these elements come together and raise ants to preeminence in many ecosystems.

Leaf-cutter ants move fast and hold up under weight

Running is always an obsession, but in March it monopolizes larger chunks of my brain as I devise training schemes, start to trail run and dream of future races. But what does running have to do with these busy hordes of insects, each less than an inch long?

The athletic geniuses of our species have pushed the limits of what we think humanly possible. Usain Bolt can run 23.35 mph when running for 100 meters and Patrick Makau can run 12.72 mph when running 26.2 miles. But we are out of our league, physiologically, when we think of pronghorns and cheetahs. Perhaps if we made the cheetah or pronghorn run backward, Bolt would stand a chance. Or if we strapped an eight-pound weight to their heads (to mimic the human head, our evolutionary choice over quadrupedal locomotion), Makau might cut the tape.

How often do we consider other, less conspicuous inhabitants of the planet and applaud their speed, agility and endurance? Holldobler and Wilson magnify the world of leaf-cutter ants to the human scale. They explain that while foraging, a leaf-cutter ant runs the equivalent of 10 miles at a 16-mph pace. Not too impressive, perhaps. However, then the forager picks up a burden of 600 pounds or more and runs back to the nest at a 15-mph pace! This “marathon” is repeated multiple times in a 24-hour period, for the sake of colony success. There is no massage, dinner buffet or propping one’s feet up for these serious athletes. The foragers often run their routes until they literally fall over. Dead.

Looking for endurance? Try these white-rumped sandpipers that cruise 9,000 miles at 15,000 feet.

Another book that added perspective to my sense of endurance is “Why We Run” by Bernd Heinrich, a biologist, award-winning nature writer and ultramarathoner. Heinrich studies long distance migratory birds. Their feats, when fully comprehended, are mind-blowing. We humans have our 100-mile races and 24-hour endurance runs and even, for those looking for extra challenge, the multi-day events across deserts or the Antarctic. But consider the white-rumped sandpiper. It has a complete journey of more than 9,000 miles, almost from pole to pole, twice a year. The middle chunk of the journey, of just under 3,000 miles, is done non-stop over at least three days and nights. Birds may not suffer rocks and creek crossings and steep climbs as encountered by a trail racer. Rather they cruise at 15,000 feet, where drag is minimal, but so is the oxygen. And there’s no aid station table, laden with salted potatoes, sandwiches and candy, just around the next bend. These migrants carry their aid station on their backs, or more correctly, around their tummies, where they store enough fat to sometimes start at double their finishing weight.

To compare my pedestrian miles to the achievements of ants and birds is a humbling experience. My legs will never be as slender or as numerous as an ant’s. There’s no way for me to hollow out my bones like a bird’s. Like my feathered and six-legged friends, my evolutionary history is one of movement. Long distance running and walking, to be exact. My brain evolved to devise ways to run a little less to reach my goal. My ancestors might have been bee-lining for a fresh carcass, while I run tangents and hug the insides of curves to shorten a race course. I marvel at my athletic betters, under my feet and above my head, while I do what I do best, putting one foot in front of the other. And that fraction of day I devote to endurance exercise really feels quite small, compared to those animals that have made it their livelihood.

Marlene Farrell is a Leavenworth writer and long-distance runner who has qualified twice for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. She also helps coach the Peshastin-Dryden Striders kids running club.

“Girls On The Run is so much fun…yay!” The positive cheer with which we end each lesson sums up the whole Girls On The Run program perfectly.

I’ve long been enamored with Girls On The Run. As a teacher with a special affinity for both girl empowerment and physical activity, I have incorporated similar elements into my curriculum while teaching at a girls’ school in Bellingham and also at schools and community youth programs in New Zealand. But this past spring marked my first opportunity to help out with the official Girls On The Run, as a running buddy to a friend’s fifth grade daughter. After running the 5K with Sophia, I was hooked and wanted to find a way to help out even more.

When Marlen Mendez, Columbia Valley Girls On The Run director, put out a call for coaches, I found my chance. An athletic group of women (and also one man — men can assist with GOTR, too!) filled the training session with positive energy and fresh enthusiasm. After the thorough afternoon of coach training, I was jazzed to find a team.

When a last-minute conflict came up for a coach scheduled to lead Sunnyslope Elementary School’s team this fall, I stepped in to help lead alongside Mendez. We recently wrapped up a fantastic 11-week program, and I already miss these girls so much!

It was amazing to me that in such a short time a group of 15 fourth- and fifth-grade girls not only gained the proper physical conditioning to successfully complete their first 5K run (generously sponsored this time by RunWenatchee with help from Libke Insurance and Wenatchee Valley Medical Center), but just as importantly they gained a level of confidence and trust in themselves and each other that will stick with them for life.

The girls learned valuable tools for healthy all-around living. They gained tips about proper nutrition, how to work as a team and support each other productively, the power of positive thinking, the importance of self-esteem, how to stand up against peer pressure and bullying, and how to transform, plan and take action for causes they believe in. They improved their public speaking skills, carried out a successful kid-designed community project, and routinely blew their coaches’ minds by expressing mature, profound statements about their perspective on the world.

We were flattered that every girl that participated in the Sunnyslope program this fall wanted to sign up again in the spring, but we also want to ensure that there’s enough space and coaching staff for new students to join the fun.

If you are interested in finding out more about volunteer coaching opportunities with Girls On The Run, please contact Marlen Mendez at (509) 661-3623. Marlen is seeking coaches for Morgan Owings School in Chelan and for a few schools in Wenatchee.

To register to coach, visit http://www.regonline.com/coachregistration.

Also, here are coach training dates that are coming up:

— Jan. 26, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 317 Johnson St., Chelan

— Feb. 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 600 Orondo Ave., Wenatchee

— Feb. 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 600 Orondo Ave., Wenatchee

If you were at Turkey on the Run on Thanksgiving Day in Wenatchee, you most likely saw Scott Kabrich of San Antonio, Texas.

He was hard to miss in his bright orange shirt, even more so with the words, “I beat cancer. Never give up!,” stamped on the back.

Scott Kabrich — a.k.a. Scottydog — takes a photo of Turkey on the Run participants at Rotary Park in Wenatchee on Nov. 22.

Kabrich was in Wenatchee with his wife, Gail, to visit his in-laws for the holiday. And that opened up an opportunity for the avid runner and walker to do RunWenatchee’s Turkey on the Run, which in turn provided fodder for the “photo race reports” he does for Runner’s World around the country.

In his blog, the cancer survivor goes by the pen name of Scottydog, a take on his penchant for handing out dog biscuits to the four-legged variety he meets on his jaunts. He posts tons of photos, of course. Because of spinal arthritis, he no longer runs an entire event but instead employs the run-walk method. That allows him to tote along his camera and shoot away whenever he wishes.

“I’m on what I call the ’2F Plan,’ which stands for Fun and Finish,” Kabrich writes with good-natured humor.

Of his visit here, Kabrich writes of participating in Turkey on the Run as well as taking jaunts on his own in the Wenatchee Foothills, along the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail, and in Cashmere.

“(Turkey on the Run) is a very fun event in a very friendly town with lots of friendly folks,” he writes. “Although the weather was a bit ‘brisk’ for this South Texas cold weather wimp, it could have been a lot worse from what the locals told me. … So I consider myself very luck to have had a 35 degree temperature, no wind, and sunshine. When they found out I was from San Antonio, a few of the participants jokingly thanked me for bringing some warmer weather with me this year.”

He came away impressed with the loop trail, finding it similar in ways to San Antonio’s famed River Walk. In Cashmere, he wished the riverfront trail was longer (don’t we all!) but loved the river views. And when he visited Saddle Rock, he ran into our friend, Charlie Naismith, who gave him the “low-down” on all the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust doings in the foothills. Way to go, Charlie!

Again, check out Scottydog’s blog here. He took so many photos that if you did Turkey on the Run, there’s a decent chance he got a shot of you. And it’s always interesting to get a visitor’s take on our stunning Wenatchee Valley.

Steve Maher, a partner in RunWenatchee and AdventureWenatchee, is an avid runner and recreationalist. He also is a freelance magazine and online writer. Prior to joining RunWenatchee, he was an editor and reporter at The Wenatchee World.

Scott Kabrich talks to a supporter prior to the start of Turkey on the Run in Wenatchee on Nov. 22.

The three leaders in the men's 5K race run in a pack Thursday on Springwater Avenue. John Dunley, center, won the race in 19 minutes and 33 seconds. Cole Christman, left, was second in 19:34, followed by Austen Lane, right, in 19:35.

By Steve Maher
RunWenatchee.com

WENATCHEE — About 700 runners and walkers laced up their shoes Thursday morning for Turkey on the Run, and in the process easily set a new participation record for the annual Thanksgiving Day event.

The previous mark was established a year ago when 400 participants finished the event’s 5K and 12K races.

Marlene Farrell of Leavenworth won the women's 12K race in 47:34.

There were plenty of reasons to take part in the fifth-annual running of the race, chief among them nice late fall weather and the chance to support a good cause, the Women’s Resource Center of NCW.

Shortly after the start at Rotary Park, a steady stream of runners could be seen stretching for blocks along Western Avenue.

“Things went way beyond our expectations,” said Joel Rhyner, race director and a partner in RunWenatchee, which organizes the race. “We knew going in that registration numbers were way up, but we had no idea we would get this sort of turnout. The weather was fantastic, and people like helping out a charity. I think they also really enjoy this course and the variety it offers — the terrain, the views, the neighborhood feel. It’s become a holiday tradition in Wenatchee.”

Marcell McArthur, 38, of Wenatchee, cruised to the men’s 12K championship in a time of 45:23, with Drew VanPolen, 17, second in 46:28. Leavenworth’s Marlene Farrell, 37, captured the women’s 12K in 47.34. Selina Danko, 43, came in second in 51.29.

In the 5K race, Wenatchee’s John Dunley, 18, collected the men’s title in 19:33, edging out Cole Christman, 16, 19:34, and Austen Lane, 15, 19:35. On the women’s side, Wenatchee’s Emily Nordt, 18, clocked 20.55 to come out on top. Meghan Johnson, 16, was second in 24:06.

From Rotary Park, 12K runners traverse Western Avenue, Springwater Avenue, Woodward Drive, Fifth Street, before reaching the end of Number One Canyon Road, and then returning to the park. The 5K course follows the 12K course except participants turn around at Woodward and Fifth and return to the park.

For complete results, please click here.

This year’s race drew participants from around the state — many here in town for the holiday — and as far away as Texas.

Turkey on the Run had just 100 runners and walkers its first year. But it has grown significantly the past couple years, from 220 in 2010 to 400 in 2011 and finally to the 700 who showed up Thursday. That was the number who participated. The number who registered was slightly higher.

This Girls on the Run volunteer came in style!

“We want to continue to get better,” Rhyner said. “We had great weather this year but we’ve had cold years and people still showed up. It’s really a reflection of the people in the valley here. People love getting out here. And they love raising money for a great cause.”

This year’s event also showcased 25 local elementary school girls who are part of the national Girls on the Run program, which aims to boost the self-esteem and fitness level of girls. Each of the girls were accompanied by an adult running buddy and each successfully completed their first-ever 5K. The program is overseen by Marlen Mendez of Columbia Valley Community Health in Wenatchee.

Along the course, spectators were spotted cheering the girls on.

“They had a ball,” said Michele Rhyner, who also helps organize Turkey on the Run.

Presenting sponsors this year were Black Diamond Sports Therapy and SET Coaching. Team Reliv also served as a sponsor, providing energy drink. Two other local businesses, Wenatchee Valley Medical Center and Libke Insurance, helped pick up the costs of the Girls on the Run program.

 Steve Maher is a partner in RunWenatchee, along with Joel and Michele Rhyner.

Kids and families were everywhere along the Turkey on the Run race course.

The Women's Resource Center and its volunteers took away boxes and boxes of food donated by runners.

Runners and walkers stretched for blocks along Western Avenue after leaving Rotary Park.

Wenatchee's Marcell McArthur nears the home stretch on the way to his 12K men's title. McArthur ran it in 45:23.

Every dog has his day.

Turkey on the Run is pet-friendly!