Schabort uses mental edge for fourth consecutive title

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By Casey McGuire-Turcotte
Special to The Advertiser

For the winner of the wheelchair division of the Honolulu Marathon, it was mental preparedness rather than physical toughness that gave him the edge this year.

Krige Schabort, left, finished just ahead of Saul Mendoza to win the wheelchair division of the Honolulu Marathon yesterday. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

"We were racing together, racing a very technical race until about 500 meters left," said Schabort. "I was waiting for him to go and he was waiting for me. I was just lucky to have a little bit more at the end."

Officially, both finished in 1 hour, 37 minutes, 29 seconds for the 26.2-mile race, averaging 3:43.1 per mile.

Schabort raced in the New York City Marathon earlier this year as part of his rigorous training schedule. But after experiencing "technical difficulties" with his wheelchair, he learned that when racing for 26.2 miles, he had to be prepared for anything.

"After the flat tires at the 11th and 19th miles at NYC, I worked on the mental part of the race," Schabort said. "It's the little things that make you feel you've got the edge. For this race, I even bought a little light so I could see my speedometer in the dark."

That mental confidence came in handy when Schabort found himself in fourth place shortly after the race began.

"I couldn't see anyone until about the eighth or ninth mile," Schabort said. "I caught Jacob (Heilveil, third, 1:44:22) at mile 15 and then Saul at around 20."

Schabort and Mendoza stayed close all the way to the finish line at Kapi'olani Park.

"I didn't think I could (win) four in a row," Schabort said. "It's wonderful."

Schabort says his wife, Caron, is his inspiration and motivation for big races like the Honolulu Marathon.

"This race is our annual vacation," Schabort said. "I figure as long as I keep winning and getting the invitation to come back, my wife won't leave me!"

Quick spins: Chantal Petitclerc of Canada won the women's race in 2:18:17.... Bong Ho Lee of Kailua, Kona finished fifth in 2:04:26 and was the first Hawai'i finisher.

RESULTS

1. Krige Schabort, 38, Cedartown GA, 1:37:29. 2. Saul Mendoza, 34, Wimberley TX, 1:37:29. 3. Jacob Heilveil, 31, Bothell WA, 1:44:22. 4. Nobukazu Hanaoka, 25, Japan, 1:44:25. 5. Bong Ho Lee, 32, Kailua Kona, 2:04:26. 6. Ron Amundson, 55, Hilo, 2:08:44. 7. Joey Hamilton, 35, Los Angeles CA, 2:09:59. 8. Randy Caddell, 34, Kailua Kona, 2:12:58. 9. Chris Houde, 42, Carmichael CA, 2:13:00. 10. Chantal Petitclerc, 31, Canada, 2:18:17. 11. Rose Winand, 41, Eugene OR, 2:18:55. 12. Yumi Kawasuima, no age, hometown listed, 2:25:14. 13. Nobuhiro Saito, 29, Japan, 2:30:22. 14. Hiroshi Wachi, 36, Japan, 2:30:22. 15. James A Hustvedt, 32, Canada, 2:45:50. 16. Neal Snarr, 41, Wailuku, 2:59:00. 17. Shigemi Ishikawa, 54, Japan, 2:59:03. 18. Heinrich Koeberle, 55, Germany, 3:09:45. 19. Roger Somera, 39, Honolulu, 3:31:18.