Clark Fork grad starting up Wampus Cat Marathon

Emory Clark is an inventor, a running enthusiast and he loves his old hometown of Clark Fork.

Add the three together and you get the inaugural Wampus Cat Marathon on July 30, the brainchild of Clark, who has always been intrigued by the prospect of running from Sandpoint to Clark Fork. It just so happens the two communities are separated by 26 miles of scenic terrain, so the idea for a marathon was born.

Clark graduated from Clark Fork High School in 1957, and the 77-year-old decided that all of the money raised from the marathon will be donated to the Wampus Cats athletic program. He’s hoping to raise $5,000 for his alma mater, through race fees, sponsors and pledges.

“I love the Wampus Cats, that’s why I decided to raise money. My heart’s in Clark Fork, at least a good share of it,” claims Clark, who has since moved away and raised four children. “I just ran my 30th Bloomsday in a row, and my little boy who used to bounce on my leg is now 55. I always wanted to run from Sandpoint to Clark Fork. If I ever wanted to do it, it can’t be just talk.”

Clark is no stranger to marathons. When he was 65, he finished marathons in Seattle, Las Vegas and Phoenix, eclipsing five hours in one of the races. Realizing the rigors of running 26.1 miles, and wanting to get as many people to participate as possible, there is also a half marathon offered, and four-person relay teams are encouraged to run either full or half marathons.

The full marathon will start on Saturday, July 30 at 6:30 a.m. at City Beach, continuing along the Pend Oreille Bay Trail, before finishing along Highway 200 to Clark Fork. A half marathon will start around Trestle Creek at 7:30 a.m. For relay teams, the races could be split into four 6.6-mile legs, or 3.3-mile legs for the half, distances more people can cover.

Clark has been training hard of late, and plans to give everything he has to finish the inaugural race.

“Believe it or not, I love to run,” concedes Clark, who has worked with the Idaho State Police to iron out a safe and scenic race route. “Running gets me that joy. Running is my golf. It keeps me extremely healthy.”

Clark played basketball in Clark Fork growing up, and he and his family attended the Clark Fork Fourth of July Parade for for more than four decades.

Now he lives in Airway Heights, Wash., where he is an inventor or great renown. Clark feels his latest invention, the Swring, is about to explode onto the market. The ringed swing (see www.swring.com) is currently sold in 260 pediatric clinics in the U.S., and is gaining popularity fast.

“It helps vestibular awareness with kids with autism,” describes Clark, noting the Swring also adds social benefits. “They’re rewarded by being close to each other.”

Clark also invented the Noxon Tool line, and his spring-powered products are sold in every Sears and Sherman Williams store, and have also eclipsed $1 million in sales on the QVC network.

He recently ran Bloomsday with his three daughters and a granddaughter, and admits running with family is one of the things he loves most.

The feeling is reciprocated.

“He’s my hero. I’m into working out because I see what he’s doing; it’s so inspiring,” says youngest daughter Kristin Frosaker, 45, who has run half marathons with her old man. “I see other dads my dads’ age and they can’t even go fishing anymore. He has a stellar ability to pull people together and remain physically fit. He radiates good energy and a healthy life.”

Clark almost never runs more than 7.5 miles anymore, but has smartly amped up his training lately to prepare for the grind of running 26.2 miles. His first training run for the marathon showed just what kind of moxie and gumption he has.

“I was only supposed to up it two miles, but got brave and went 12,” admits Clark, who followed that with a 16 miler this week. “I didn’t even feel that tired.”

He’s hoping for at least 50 runners to join him on race day, but would love to see more, and has set a goal of raising at least $5,000 in fees and pledges, all of which will be donated to the Wampus Cats athletic department. Right now he’s selling $200 advertisements, with each business getting its name on the back of the race T-shirt.

For route info, or to obtain an entry form, email Clark at emoryjp@msn.com.

For more information, call Clark at (509) 701-5388.