Posted on: Friday, April 23, 2004
Heat, support greet Island runners
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Advertiser Staff
Sweltering heat greeted one of Hawai'i's largest running contingents in Monday's Boston Marathon, causing some to collapse and others to wobble across the finish line.
The 85-degree temperature in Boston surprised Hawai'i runners who anticipated much cooler temperatures for 108th running.
Of Hawai'i's 38 registered entrants, 35 finished the race, according to the marathon's Web site.
"It's one of the toughest marathons to run," said Waimanalo resident Tim Noonan, who finished in 3 hours, 29 minutes, 35 seconds. "It could be snowing. It could be 85 degrees. You never know."
At least 800 runners sought medical attention along the course, and 136 were transported by ambulance to hospitals, organizers said. Most of the problems resulted from the heat. No major injuries to Hawai'i runners were reported to The Advertiser.
As America's oldest marathon and one of its most prestigious, the Boston Marathon featured 20,344 entrants. Of those, 17,950 started the 26.2-mile race and 16,743 finished.
Every runner must qualify for the Boston Marathon with a certain time standard according to one's age.
• Timothy Noonan, 34, Waimanalo, acoustical engineer with D.L. Adams Associates Ltd., 3:29:35: Noonan called Monday's run the hottest marathon he's ever run. It was Noonan's second Boston Marathon and 17th marathon overall. "As soon as we got going, it was hot," Noonan said. "I had to stop every mile at the water stops and drink. It's something I don't usually do."
Noonan said the heat took a toll on many runners, including competitors from Hawai'i. Hawai'i's top women's runner, Sayuri Kusutani (60th, 3:16:13), said she suffered from dehydration following the race.
"In a marathon, when you get temperatures that hot, you can expect to run a minute per mile slower for the 3-hour marathoners and slower," Noonan said. "So you're going to be at least 26 minutes slower usually than your goal time."
Noonan said he would recommend practicing downhill and uphill running for anyone interested in running the hilly Boston Marathon.
"That's the most important thing you can do for Boston," Noonan said. "At least once a week, or once every other week. You have to strengthen your quad muscles."
• Brenda Yim, 45, Honolulu, medical assistant, 4:35:52: Yim called her first Boston Marathon a memorable experience. She started triathlon training four years ago, and took three years to qualify for the Boston Marathon. "The whole time while I was here in Boston, I couldn't believe I was here," Yim said. "I was just so touched to be able run in this thing. This has got to be the Rolls Royce of all marathons."
A few miles from the finish line, Yim said she collapsed. She recovered and completed the race.
"I thought I was going to be able to do a (personal record)," said Yim, who is married and has six children. "I hit the wall at mile 21 and so did my friend Kelly Noonan. I told everyone you would have to scrape me off the ground from exhilaration. But I was on the ground from exhaustion. This was the hardest I've ever had to dig down."
• Mollie Chang, 71, Honolulu, retired, 5:47:29: Chang finished first in her age group in the Boston Marathon. Chang, who ran her first Boston Marathon 14 years ago, said Monday's weather was nearly unbearable.
The weather in Boston had been in the 40s and 50s a few days before, but it was 85 degrees on race day, she said.
"We train in the heat, so we have an idea on how to prepare," said Chang, who wore shorts and a running top. "People who live here were not prepared."
• Dr. Paula Vanderford, 46, Honolulu, Kapi'olani Medical Center in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, 4:00:10: Vanderford completed her first Boston Marathon after years of waiting. Vanderford canceled three previous Boston Marathon trips because of work-related issues. She also overcame a hamstring injury just a month before this marathon. "I thought I was going to have to cancel again," Vanderford said. "I came here not knowing if I would be able to finish. I felt some twinges on the uphills, but I didn't start limping until mile 24.
"I was ecstatic to finish. I was just so happy to be there because this was the fourth time I thought I was going to have to cancel. I'm very excited."
• U'i Pauole, 36, Honolulu, attorney, 4:01:09: Pauole said the overwhelming support from spectators was one of the best parts of the Boston Marathon.
"There's support from the start to the finish," said Pauole, who qualified for the Boston Marathon by finishing last year's Honolulu Marathon in 3 hours, 39 minutes. "They're not only there to support you, but they're there to give you water, oranges."
Pauole said she started running about five years ago. Monday's Boston Marathon was her third marathon since 2000.
Results of Hawai'i residents in Boston Marathon.
