By Matt Moss

Sports editor

There were a lot of tired people in Coupeville this past weekend.

Tired but happy as 133 people finished the first ever “Wings of Gold” Whidbey Island marathon held on Saturday. An additional 305 people ran in the half marathon which began at North Whidbey Middle School.

Event organizer John Kaiser was pleased with how everything turned out.

“I couldn’t be happier,” he said. “People were coming across the finish line with smiles on their faces and no one got hurt. That’s all you can ask for.”

The marathoners began the race at 8 a.m. just over the Deception Pass Bridge. After crossing the bridge, the runners headed down parts of Troxell Road, Taylor Road, and through Oak Harbor. After racing through the city, runners enjoyed the beautiful views from Scenic Heights and Penn Cove roads. The racers’ big finish came down Madrona Way and ended at the finish line at Town Park.

“It was a beautiful course, it was fun to see all the little sights,” said marathon winner Doug Kurtis. “It was an awesome start. It was nice to see the view from the bridge.”

Kurtis came all the way from Livonia, Michigan to compete in the event. A marathon guru, Kurtis holds the world record for most marathons won (Wings of Gold was his 40th victory), and most sub 2:20 runs. He has raced in 194 marathons including all the big ones like the New York and the Boston.

Kurtis didn’t run Wings of Gold under 2 hours and 20 minutes, but he had a good excuse.

“I had a cold earlier this week so I didn’t want to do anything stupid,” he said. “I was so far ahead I could pace myself. It wasn’t my best time but when you win who cares?”

Kurtis won the event with a time of 2 hours, 44 minutes and 35 seconds, almost 15 minutes faster than runner-up John Hahn of Kirkland.

After the race Kurtis had nothing but praise for the event and hopes to defend his title next year.

“I couldn’t believe where he got all the cones, the race was very well organized,” he said. “I would love to come back next year, it’s always fun when you’re the defending champion.”

Gunhild Swanson of Spokane took the women’s marathon division, running the 26.2 miles in 3 hours, 30 minutes and 21 seconds. Oak Harbor graduate and current Lakewood resident Laurie Buskala finished second in her first-ever marathon, five minutes behind Swanson.

“Running on the island meant a great deal to me,” said Buskala. “The course was fairly difficult but it was laid out really well. Hopefully this will become a yearly event.”

Kaiser, who spent countless hours since last August organizing the race hopes so as well.

“Hopefully we’ll get invited back next year and make it a kickoff event for Holland Happening,” he said. “We hope to have it the weekend before and get more people from the community involved.”

Kaiser wanted to thank all the law enforcement officers involved as well as the Deception Pass State Park officials.

“The race put a lot of pressure on the local law enforcement because of Holland Happening, they did a tremendous job,” he said. “I have nothing but praise for the Deception Pass State Park guys. They did a great job with the traffic and the bridge. I just hope they will allow us to do it again next year.”

Runners came from all around to compete in the event. Lynn Edwards, 79, of Brevard, North Carolina completed the marathon in just under seven hours. Edwards is working toward competing in a marathon in all 50 states and can now cross Washington off the list.

“It was really a great story with the lady from North Carolina,” said Kaiser. She was high in spirit if slow in foot. She was a very hearty soul and was going to complete that 26.2 miles no matter what.”

The award for farthest distance traveled to compete belonged to Robert Brown, who came all the way from England to run in the half-marathon in which he finished second with a time of 1:21.01. Brown, a pilot with British Airways, found out about the race online and set up his work schedule to compete in the race. He flew into Seattle on Friday and drove up to the Island the day of the race.

“I enjoyed the race, it was quite a test. A lot of little ups and downs,” Brown said about the event. “The beauty of the course is the sea and the mountains. It was really fantastic.”

Would he be back next year?

“If I can,” he said. “Next time I’ll try and get first.”

Bellingham resident Greg Becker took first in the men’s division half-marathon with a time of 1:18.53. Phoenix resident Elizabeth Esser won the women’s half-marathon with a time of 1:29.08. Clinton’s Marti Riemer-Reiss and Coupeville’s Keri Fezzey took second and third respectively.

All and all it turned out to be a beautiful day for a race, with the sun shining and the cherry trees blossoming at the finish line. Kaiser is taking a little bit of time off before getting ready to plan the 2003 event.

“It was quite an experience,” he said. “Kind of scary. I’ve never done anything like that before. I hope we can do it again.”

I’m sure many of the competitors said the same thing when they were done running.

MARATHON results:

MARATHON – Mens Division: 1.Doug Kurtis, Livonia, MI, 2:44:35; .2. John Hahn, Kirkland, WA 3:02.46; Dan Silvernail, Portland, OR, 3:04.36; Mark Franklin, Bremerton, WA 3:11.19; Christopher Warren, Renton, WA, 3:13.59. Local competitors: 15. Wayne Goodman, Oak Harbor, 3:28.44; 18. Dan Frost, Oak Harbor 3:32.38; 22. Eric Jensen, Oak Harbor, 3:36.15; 24. Paul Tremblay, Oak Harbor, 3:38.01; 25. Willy Mendoza, Oak Harbor, 3:38.34; 29. Dale Folkestad, Coupeville, 3:44.52; 30. Edward Brun, Oak Harbor, 3:45.05; 50. Edward Meehan, Oak Harbor, 4:03.54.

Women’s Division: 1. Gunhild Swanson, Spokane, WA, 3:30.21; 2. Laurie Buskala, Lakewood, WA, 3:35.24; 3. Kasey Treger, McMinnville, OR, 3:39.01; 4. Mikki Hebl, Palo Alto, CA 3:39.11; 5. Loretta Ulibarri, Denver, CO 3:40.00. Local competitors: 7. Sharon Jensen, Oak Harbor, 3:42.27; 25. Linda Hennings, Oak Harbor, 4:29.14; 33. Kristen Buckley, Oak Harbor, 4:41.34; 34. Stephanie Sullivan, Oak Harbor, 4:41.34; 37. River Powers, Oak Harbor, 4:46.12; 40. Theresa Rumble, Oak Harbor, 4:46.12; 44. Arlene Taylor, Oak Harbor, 5:13.59; 47. Cathy Queeno-Wall, Oak Harbor, 5:50.03.

HALF MARATHON – Men’s Division: 1. Greg Becker, Bellingham, WA, 1:18.53; 2. Robert Brown, London, England, 1:21.01; 3. Scott McCoubrey, Seattle, WA 1:22.43; 4. Mike Eilmes, Bremerton, WA, 1:22.46; 5. Michael Brisbois, Redmond, WA, 1:24.31. Local competitors: 6. Curtis McLaurin, Oak Harbor 1:25:32; 11. Charley LeWarne Clinton, 1:29:50; 12. Matthew Simms, Langley 1:29:50 25. Fran Einterz, Oak Harbor, 1:41:39; 50. Greg Banks, Freeland, 1:54:09; 52. Chris Strawn, Oak Harbor, 1:55.04; 54. Joe Burgin, Oak Harbor, 1:57.07; 59. James Reynolds, Oak Harbor, 1:58.30; 61. Rich Almberg, Oak Harbor, 1:58.38; 63. Wesley Martin, Coupeville, 1:58.45; 66. Christopher Cannon, Oak Harbor, 1:59.37; 67. Tracy Diller, Coupeville, 2:00.32. 69. Robert Wilson, Oak Harbor, 2:01.43; 74. Karl Neilsen, Oak Harbor, 2:04.05; 78. Mark Hickinbottom, Oak Harbor, 2:04.55; 79. Victor Taflinger, Oak Harbor, 2:04.55; 83. Joe Burcar, Coupeville, Wa, 2:06.38; 85. Lawrence Mickunas, Coupeville, 2:07.07; 92. Peter Plumly, Oak Harbor, 2:09.08; 93. Jamie Conrad, Oak Harbor, 2:09. 39; 96. Timothy McGrath, Oak Harbor, 2:11.1-, 97. Samuel Schumacher, Oak Harbor, 2:11.23; 100. Skip Chesnut, Oak Harbor, 2:13. 11; 104. James Mikos, Oak Harbor, 2:16.11; 105. Randle Groves, Oak Harbor, 2:16.18; 108. Larry Merrell, Oak Harbor, 2:22.12; Rich Becker, Oak Harbor, 2:22.25; 116. Craig Meaders, Oak Harbor, 2:39.07; 117. Patrick Amersbach, Oak Harbor, 2:39.44; 120. Steve Judy, Oak Harbor, 2:42.59; 121. William Seelman, Oak Harbor, 2:47.25; 125. Dennis Brakebill, Freeland, 3:10.46; 128. Tom Lovett, Oak Harbor, 3:20.20.

Women’s Division: 1. Elizabeth Esser, Phoenix, AZ, 1:29.08; 2. Marti Riemer-Reiss, Clinton, 1:29.47; 3. Vanessa Sage, Vaughn, WA 1:30.36; 4. Keri Fezzey, Coupeville, WA, 1:34.53; 5. Mandy Giblin, Portland, OR, 1:39.09. Local competitors: 6 Sara McGrath, Oak Harbor: 1:40:59; 13 Valerie Keller, Langley: 1:45:18; 14 Katherine Rogers, Clinton: 1:45:18; 18 Leonila Celestino, Oak Harbor: 1:46:36; 20 Rachelle Jensen, Oak Harbor: 1:46:58; 21 Liz Doyle, Oak Harbor: 1:47:07; 31 Teresa Simpson, Oak Harbor: 1:54:48; 35 Cindy Norman, Oak Harbor: 1:55:40; 40 Theresa Martinez, Greenbank: 1:57:57; 44 Marijes Jones, Greenbank: 1:58:13; 61 Valerie Freer, Oak Harbor: 2:02:07; 71 Taylor Hogsett, Coupeville: 2:06:09; 72 Lisa McGeachy, Coupeville: 2:06:38; 73 Lare Bradley, Freeland: 2:06:38; 77 Anne Fox, Oak Harbor: 2:09:36; 78 Tracey Conrad, Oak Harbor: 2:09:39; 80 Lisa May, Coupeville: 2:10:02; 81 Donna Keeler, Coupeville: 2:10:10; 83 Renee Berge, Oak Harbor: 2:10:48; 88 Mary Robertson, Oak harbor: 2:12:39; 90 Heidi Bohn, Clinton: 2:13:05; 92 Angela Mazer, Oak Harbor: 2:14:47; 93 Ashley Zinkus, Oak Harbor: 2:14:47; 99 Christine Becker, Oak Harbor: 2:16:48; 107 Katherine Jones, Oak Harbor: 2:20:19; 108 Karen Jones, Oak Harbor: 2:20:20; 113 Renee Finch, Oak Harbor: 2:21:52; 119 Jerry Crabtree, Oak Harbor: 2:23:19; 124 Janis Dyment, Clinton: 2:25:28; 126 Patricia Buchanan, Langley: 2:28:39; 127 Charlene Hickey, Oak Harbor: 2:29:01; 129 Ann Louise LaGreco, Coupeville: 2:29:42; 133 Megan Hall, Oak Harbor: 2:31:25; 138 Kim Cundiff, Oak Harbor: 2:33:24; 140 Kelly Hall, Oak Harbor: 2:35:22; 146 Cindy Judy, Oak Harbor: 2:39:43; 147 Erin Hickey, Oak Harbor: 2:41:26; 149 Joy O’Neil, Oak Harbor: 2:42:59; 140. Kelly Hall, Oak Harbor 2:35:22; 146. Cindy Judy, Oak Harbor, 2:39:43; 147.Erin Hickey, Oak Harbor, 2:41:26 149. Joy O’Neil, Oak Harbor, 2:42.59: 154. Shannan Seelman, Oak Harbor, 2:48.41; 156. Deana Weldon, Oak Harbor, 2:48.41; 158. Ann Ghezzi, Oak Harbor, 2:49:36; 166. Lisa Banta, Oak Harbor, 3:19:56;167. Pam Swan, Oak Harbor, 3:20:18; 168. Victoria Lovett, Oak Harbor, 3:20.29; 171. Rosa Merrell Oak Harbor, 3:26:58