The race he’s running is much longer than the 26.2 miles marked on the North Olympic Discovery Marathon map.
Neil Jervis, who with his wife, Sara, has volunteered and participated in the marathon and half-marathon events each year since its inception, has been battling late stage cancer since being diagnosed in 2006.
In honor of his efforts, race organizers are dedicating the seventh-annual event, slated for June 7, to Jervis.
"Our race committee, our friends and our entire community have been touched by the perseverance, the determination, the grace and the courage of IronMan Neil," says Larry Little, in a message posted on the race Web site.
More than 1,200 athletes already are confirmed for the pair of races, the longer version serving as a qualifier for the exclusive Boston marathon.
Registration still is open; register by following links at www.nodm.com.
The top three in each age group, male and female, receive awards, plus top overall male and female for each event. All participants receive a performance garment. Finishers of both events receive a medal. Clothing drops are available at the start of both events. Belongings are transported to the finish compound at the Port Angeles City Pier to be claimed and gear bags are provided at packet pick-up.
The full marathon begins near Carrie Blake Park and winds around the park before heading west on the Olympic Discovery Trail.
The half marathon starts on North Barr Road adjacent to the Agnew soccer fields and converges with the Olympic Discovery Trail.
Both races finish at the Port Angeles City Pier.
The weekend is also home to the Olympic Medical Center 10K/5K races, set the same day as the marathon (June 7) beginning at 9 a.m. at the Port Angeles City Pier. This ninth-annual event is family friendly: last year’s participants ranged in age from 7-75. Cost is $30 or $25 for medical center employees. Register online at www.nodm.com.
This year, marathon officials are urging runners to donate to the Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics, a free medical clinic serving the underinsured of Clallam County. The clinic provides medical care and referral services to the working poor, people who are trying to stay off welfare but cannot afford the care they need.
Little said the race group’s goal is to raise $15,000, or about 10 percent of the entire operating budget for the volunteer group in 2008.
In its sixth incarnation last year, the North Olympic Discovery Marathon saw about 1,500 runners and walkers finish the pair of races.
Chuck Engel of Ohio won the marathon in 2008 with a 2:48:54 mark while Laura Gould of Sequim took home the women’s title in 3:17:14. Sequim’s Stephanie Marcy and Kelly Fulton of Montana took home half-marathon crowns.
North Olympic Discovery Marathon and Half Marathon
When: 9 a.m. Sunday, June 7 (7 a.m. for full marathon walkers)
Where: Marathon begins at Carrie Blake Park in Sequim; half-marathon begins in Agnew; both finish at Port Angeles City Pier
Cost to register/deadline: $95 for marathon; $85 for adult half-marathon; $55 for youths 17 and younger half marathon; $10 for Kids Marathon; registration closes June 5
Web site: www.nodm.com
Kids Marathon set
Youths in Sequim, Port Angeles, Joyce and across the peninsula have been running since April, tracking miles for the fifth-annual North Olympic Discovery Marathon Kids Marathon, set for 4 p.m., June 6 at the Port Angeles City Pier. Many have already tracked more than 50 miles, some even 75 miles and others are working toward 100. The event is open to all youths. Registration forms can be found at the YMCA or at the marathon Web site www.nodm.com.
