There's no question that walking your first marathon is a wonderful, life altering experience. Hey, . . . walking a marathon is hardly task for the average meatloaf. It takes time, commitment, willingness for forgo more than a few of the summer's pleasures for the sake of training, plus, the ability to overcome obstacles and turn them into opportunities.

For some, a marathon is a once-in-a-lifetime is best left in the "once, thank you" category. On the other hand, there is an ever-growing contingent of walkers for whom once is not enough. In fact, they come back year after year to Portland's prestigious marathon to repeat the roughly 55,334 steps required to locomote the 26.2 miles of the course. For them, there is no high like the high that comes when that medal is hung around your neck, there is no gift greater than the friendships garnered through countless miles of training camaraderie. For them, the "I am" of today has been shaped by the challenges they've chosen, the obstacles overcome and the character that evolves from the uniquely marathon experience.

By the end of the day, this elite group will have logged Portland Marathons, some miles! Hats off to one and all!

Rita Grassl Petersen: 10 in a row! Rita Grassl Petersen, 46, of Portland will be completing her tenth Portland Marathon this year. She was minding her own business at work one day when colleague Natalie Lubomudrov reminded her that she had "promised to check out that marathon thing" with her (coincidentally that very evening!). The rest is, as they say, "history"! "I have chosen to walk rather than run over the years." says Rita, "Walking has enhanced my life. I have met wonderful, supportive people and seen beauty around me. I will continue to walk as long as I am able, with my head held high and a fist in the air and the words 'I am an athlete!' on my lips!" Best thing about Rita's first marathon: "Seeing the smile of my coach at the finish line and knowing I had done a great thing." Looking forward to with marathon #10: "I will enjoy this marathon just as much as the first nine and will finish with a smile and a celebration!" Famous Quote: "Walking a marathon is an indescribable high. You get such a feeling of accomplishment and sense of what your potential is that it spills over into all areas of your life."

In addition to training and walking an annual marathon, Rita finds time to raise funds for Oregon Hospice . . . a marathon tradition!

Sharon always has time to offer you a smile!

Sharon Lowell -- 8 Portland Marathon Medals! Sharon Lowell, 54 of Portland, is one of the most supportive people you will ever meet. For her the best part of the journey is the people she's "collected" over the years and it doesn't make much of a difference when she finishes as long as she's given away a full share of smiles and words of encouragement. Over the years, Sharon has taken more than a few of Portland's last finishers under wing and shepherded them to the finish line . . . often with a tear or two streaming down their faces! When you need a smile, look to Sharon. Best thing about Sharon's first marathon: "Learning the journey." Looking forward to with Portland Marathon #8: "Getting my 'goddesses' across the finish line!" Thing she'd most like to say to the walking public: "MOVE IT!!" Famous Quote: "There is another step to take. The journey continues."   Margy Malsch -- 6th Portland Marathon On marathon day, Margy Malsch of Eugene will be a week away from her 60th birthday. Her dry wit and joy she finds in the marathon adventure has made her an inspiration to many a walker. Though her adult kids don't let on when she is listening, they are proud of her accomplishments and of the fact that their mom is still heartily and unflinchingly engaged in life and taking on adventures that only the few imagine. Best thing about Margy's first marathon: "Finishing!" Looking forward to with Portland Marathon #6: "The start of my seventh decade of life!" Famous Quote: "When you walk more, you see more."

Nothing is sweeter than feeling great at the finish line!

Annmarie Bruning, 38, Portland -- #5 Best thing about Annmarie's first marathon: "Finishing." Looking forward to with Portland Marathon #5: "Entering as a racewalker!" Thing she'd most like to say to the walking public: "If I can do it, anyone can!" Famous Quote: "Completing a marathon changes your life. You begin to believe that anything is possible."     Dimitri Ashling, 35, Portland -- #4 Best thing about Dimitri's first marathon: "All the different types of music on the course. It really kept me going." Looking forward to with Portland Marathon #4: "Walk/run with my Mom this year . . . a first for me!" Thing he'd most like to say to the walking public: "Combine some travel with your walking. Races in other cities are a blast!" Famous Quote: "Keep your sights on the stars. You'll be amazed at what you achieve."   Karen Wilson, 51, Portland -- #4 Best thing about Karen's first marathon: "I finished and felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment." Looking forward to with Portland Marathon #4: "Benefit of experience!" Thing she'd most like to say to the walking public: "Don't skimp on the training walks and walk hills!" Famous Quote: "Feet don't fail me now!!"

Deb Woolf, 52, Portland -- #2 Best thing about Deb's first marathon: "I finished with LOTS of fun!" Looking forward to with Portland Marathon #2: "Faster pace and MORE fun!" Thing she'd most like to say to the walking public: "You can really conquer THE World and YOUR own World one step at a time. Get going!" Famous Quote: "Walk and your world will get in step. The world is really a peaceful place   Silvia Tate, 49, Beaverton --#2 Best thing about Silvia's first marathon: "Because of the good training walks with tons of hills, the marathon was really easy! Deb counted the miles backwards. We said 'only 20 . . . we did that already; only 16 . . . that's easy, a cake walk! 14, 12, 10 . . . Hagg Lake was 10; that's easy! The distance melted away and it because easier with each mile'." Looking forward to with Portland Marathon #2: "I hope I am in good shape and will decrease my time a little." Thing she'd most like to say to the walking public: "Walking is very social for me. You are with your friends and you learn a lot about a them and, more importantly, from them. Famous Quote: " When you walk, you are together with nature, you see all the seasons together, all the flowers and colors, the houses . . . everything, and for a moment, you own them all!"

©2003. Ellie Hodder. All rights reserved.
Reproduction without written permission of author prohibited.