Elwha – A Bridge Too Far
02/14/2021
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7210 E Greenlake Dr.,N. Seattle & 16095 Cleveland St. RedmondM
xxxxxxxxxxExxxxx XlElwha Bridge 5k, 10 & Half
xBxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx By Arne HalesElwha Bridge Half – what a difference a location makes!
When I accepted the challenge of the Distance Derby, my plan was to run each race on the course associated with that event. In these times it pays to be flexible.
Upon closer inspection of the schedule I decided that traveling to the Jefferson & Clallam Counties entailed more ferry rides than I was prepared for. Also, when the Half Marathon was added to the Elwha Bridge run I became cautious about attempting a half marathon unsupported on a trail I was not familiar with.
Plan B was to run my virtual run locally and then take an easy day trip to Port Angeles. Jean was all for getting out of the house on this excursion.
Traveling back through Sequim we located the Railroad Bridge Park for a photo op there also. Thereby eliminating at least one ferry ride.




I will say that both locations were very inviting. I could have easily talked myself into pounding out a 5K just to see what the trails were like. It was a beautiful day in Port Angeles. A little cold but nothing that a good run would not have taken care of.
I believe the NODM goes across the Railroad Bridge, but I don’t remember it from 2019. But then, there are a lot of things I don’t remember. And not just from that marathon!
For my actual run I chose the morning of Super Bowl Sunday. In normal times Jean and I would be in Green Valley, AZ (south of Tucson). My 4 or 5 year tradition is to compete annually in the Fleet Feet Arizona Trail Race.
Up at 0 dark 30 to drive an hour + in the dark to the La Posta Quemada Ranch for a somewhat grueling 8 mile trail run beginning just as the sun comes up.
Showing how small the world is: last year at the start line I lined up with Martinho Riberio. I’m sure several Striders remember Martinho. We met up again at the finish (he waited around for me) and we compared scraped knees.
This year I made it easier on myself and started south from Lake Forest Park on the Burke – Gilman trail at about 9:30 AM. Plenty of time to get home for the Super Bowl. At least I hoped!
I could have chosen a better day for weather – mostly rain. When my daughter inquires how my runs go I usually respond “a walk in the park.” Truth is, I actually did walk a bit towards the end. Although I have been working on ramping up my training, this was my longest run since… the Skagit Flats Marathon in September of 2019.
I do wonder if getting my first shot of the Moderna Vaccine two days earlier might have caused some of my fatigue.
In all I was satisfied with my results and recovery. However the next several races do look a little daunting. Maybe my choices of the longer distances was a mistake?
Jean and I are both hopeful that by May we can plan on staying overnight in Port Townsend with me running a real race once again with the Silver Striders. And then on to the NODM!
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Jerry’s notes:
Elwha Bridge Results For Derby Players
MEN
Men 5k
M55-59
Allen Walker 29:26
M60-64
Ken Peper 22:56
Karl Johnson 26:44
Brett Langlois 38:48
M65-69
Steve Husko 26:06
M70-74
Ray Arrington 35:00
M75-79
Bob Davies 38:53
Steve Ramsdell 47:24
M80-84
Larry Larsen 53:67
M85-89
Jerry Dietrich 42:22
Men 10k
M65-69
Ed Barney 56:35
MEN HALF
M65-69
David Anderson 1:45:12
Dave Sherman 1:48:32
M70-74
Nick Bailey 2:29:49
Jim Dollar 5:27:53
M75-79
Arne Hales 2:24:09
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WOMEN
Women 5k
W55-59
Cherie Langlois 44:58
Linda Walker 53:20
W65-69
Charlea Sherman 29:23
Patty Husko 47:59
W70-74
Nanci Larsen 35:26
Karen Lichtenstein 30:18
W75-79
Gretchen Ramsdell 41:52
Diane Johnson 42:43
Betty Dietrich 63:47
W80-84
LouiseMihay 34:26
Molly Childs 53:59
Women 10k
W65-69
Marsha Murray 1:57:28
W70-74
Diane Martin 1:40:01
W75-79
Isabelle Noiret 68:18
W80-84
Edythe Hulet 1:57:07
Women Half
W60-64
Tiare Bailey 2:23:00
W75-79
Judy Fisher 2:13:48
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xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxF oFxxxxoFormatted by Bruce Fisher
