Branson back to defend title

COEUR d'ALENE - The last marathon Chandra Branson ran, she won.

Sunday, the Post Falls woman hopes to do it again as she defends her title at the Coeur d'Alene Marathon.

"My training has been great this year," she said.

The 32-year-old has suffered some recent setbacks, including a foot injury and an inflamed tendon. But physical therapy, ice and tape have done wonders.

"I feel ready to go," Branson said.

The 33rd annual Coeur d'Alene Marathon, the 19th annual Half-Marathon and a 5K will start and end at Riverstone. The marathon begins at 7 a.m., the half at 7:30, and the 5K at 8. A record 1,500 runners are registered for the half-marathon, nearly 500 for the marathon and another 200 for the 5K.

"We keep growing it," said Charlie Miller, director of the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation, which the event benefits.

Its popularity can be attributed in part to the scenic out-and-back course that primarily follows the Centennial Trail.

"This course features spectacular views of Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Spokane River, making it one of the best courses in the Northwest," said race director Mac Cavasar.

Branson, a fitness instructor, runs 50 miles a week and mixes in weights and elliptical training, while looking after three children and a husband.

To prepare for the 26.2-mile Coeur d'Alene Marathon, she's completed long runs of 20 miles and competed in several shorter races, including the 7.46-mile Bloomsday, where she earned a medal in her age division.

She said it's a "fun pressure" going after her second marathon title. She hopes to use a similar strategy to the one that worked well last year when she won in 3 hours, 20 minutes and 16 seconds - go out steady, pick up the pace, finish strong.

"I'm not going to go out sprinting by any means," she said with a laugh.

Brian Hadley of Coeur d'Alene, who topped the men's field in 2009, is not registered this year.

One who could challenge to break the tape is a member of the Michelob Ultra Elite running team that's bringing eight runners for the marathon and half-marathon.

Jackson Johnson is expected to run around 2:50, which could be good enough to win.

"He should be up there. He'll be competitive," said Jeff Bockhorn, team captain.

The Michelob Ultra Runners are a St. Louis-based group of adults who range from Olympic-caliber athletes to runners aiming to just finish a race. The team of 80 athletes has been running together for seven years.

One, Bryan Glass, is running the half-marathon. He won the Montana Governor's Cup marathon in 2008 and recently won the Abe Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon in Springfield, Ill.

Glass should be in the 1:10 range Sunday.

"We expect him to have a strong performance at Coeur d'Alene," Bockhorn said.

Bockhorn and his wife Joanne have run 36 marathons in the past three years, including one a month in 2008 and 2009. Both will be running Sunday and expect to finish in about four hours.

Their streak - which took them across the nation - ended after they ran a marathon in Utah in January wearing snowshoes.

"That did us in," he said with a laugh.

Bockhorn said being on the Michelob team "is more than just showing up for a race.

"It's showing support for each other and really, a lifestyle," he said.

Marathon notes:

Some hometown favorites will be back this year, including Coeur d'Alene's Richard Ochoa, 70, who will be running his 29th consecutive Coeur d'Alene Marathon, and Coeur d'Alene Police Chief Wayne Longo, who will be running in his 26th Cd'A Marathon.

Mark Hensley, Riverstone development manager, said they're happy to host the event for the third year after it moved from its longtime start and finish at North Idaho College.

"Not only do we support the mission of the Foundation, but we also have all the amenities needed, like parking, food, hotel accommodations and the Centennial Trail itself," he said.

Runners 21 and older will get a free beer after the race, courtesy of Michelob Ultra and Centennial Distributors. The beer garden is hosted by The Mill.

The youngest marathon entrants are Robert McMillan of Rathdrum and Mariah Mielke of Davenport, Wash., both 16. The oldest is 83-year-old Bob Hayes of Missoula.

Registration and packet pick up is noon to 6 p.m. today at Main Street at Riverstone. There will be free bus tours of the course.

The forecast for Sunday is mostly cloudy with temperatures in the 50s when the races begin.