Record field of runners on Sunday
COEUR d'ALENE - A record 2,500 runners are expected for three races in Coeur d'Alene on Sunday.
About 650 are registered for the 34th Coeur d'Alene Marathon, 1,600 for the 20th Half Marathon and another 250 for the 5K race. All begin and end at Riverstone.
"Each year since 2008 we've set a registration record," wrote North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation Manager Charlie Miller.
The men's field features last year's winner, Kjell Schioberg of Moscow, who crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 44 minutes and 47 seconds. He'll be challenged by Chad Wallin of North Dakota.
The two-time winner of the Fargo Marathon with a personal best of 2:28 will be making his Coeur d'Alene Marathon debut.
Both said they're fit and feeling strong for the 26.2-mile race that begins at 7 a.m. and follows the Centennial Trail to Higgens Point before turning back.
"I could have a good race. I could there," the 31-year-old Wallin said.
"I'll do my thing," said the 33-year-old Schioberg. "At the end of the day, I hope I'm the first one across the finish line."
In the women's field, Sandpoint resident Jody Aslett is back to defend the title she earned last year in 3:06:32.
The 42-year-old said she has been training for triathlons and cut back a bit on running, so she's not sure what to expect come race time.
"I just don't know what my body's going to dish up," she said.
Chanda Branson of Post Falls, women's winner of the 2009 Cd'A marathon, is registered.
Other marathon notes:
The race expo is noon to 6 p.m. today on Main Street Riverstone.
There will be packet pickup and late registration. There will also be sports vendors, live music, a beer garden, food vendors and activities for the kids.
Among the marathon runners will be Coeur d'Alene Police Chief Wayne Longo, who will be running his 27th Coeur d'Alene Marathon. Coeur d'Alene's Richard Ochoa, 71, will be running his 30th consecutive Cd'A Marathon.
In a special promotion by sponsor Kundtsen Chevrolet, any man or woman who breaks the world marathon record (2:03:59 for men, 2:15:25 for women) can win a Chevy Cruze Eco.
Sunday morning's forecast calls for clouds and a chance of rain, with temperatures in the 40s.