My Better Half Marathon,10k & 5k

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The My Better Half Marathon, 10k & 5k

By John Phillips
with photos by Bruce Fisher

2/8/26 – Steilacoom
The My Better Half, put on annually by Orca Running, is expected to be cold and forbidding.  This year we got a break as it was in the 40’s at the start and no rain.  Better than and not even half expected.

One welcome feature of this event is a warming tent stocked with food and snacks, much appreciated.  After the run, many lounged just outside at water front tables with great views of Mt Rainier.  

As usual the event sold out early so many Silver Strider regulars were left out of the cold and could not get in.

But Silver Striders were represented in all three distances offered.

The 1/2 marathon got started right on time at 8:00 AM, much appreciated by us standing at the start waiting in the cold,  The 10K and 5K’s each followed ten minutes apart.

For each start there is a nice somewhat steep hill in the first mile which got our blood flowing early.

While running up the east side of Seward Park we all had nice views of Lake Washington and what there was of a sun rise.  After completing the loop around the park path, we ran up along Lake Washington.  The lake was mirror smooth on this windless morning.  The foot path has gotten inundated with roots under the payment, risking falls but fortunately the worst areas have now been repaved.

One benefit of Running the 1/2 M is the two loop format with two out and backs, getting to see and cheer on many other runners a couple of times.  

As the morning wore on, Striders running the 1/2 M who had also run the Resolution Series 10K just the day before were greatly affected by two grueling events back-to-back.  This is brave, but definitely not a recommended undertaking and it showed in the later stages of the 1/2 M event.

The oldest male and female finishing any of the three distances offered were Silver Striders Judy Fisher 82 and myself 83 years old.  

Judy did the 10K the day before and put in an impressive hard-fought 1/2 M performance finishing with her trademark smile to well deserved special announcements and enthusiastic cheering for her effort this day. This effort, this day, adding yet one more finish to her many years of incredible running records and achievements.  In classic style, after the finish she just said, I want to get something to eat.  I’d say that snack was very well deserved.

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Results in photos by Bruce Fisher

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