Coeur d'Alene's Ethan Garner wins Hayden Lake Marathon
Juliana Hughes of Post Falls is congratulated as she finishes the Hayden Lake half marathon on Saturday.
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Joshua Rekittke of Coeur d'Alene closes in on the finish of the Hayden Lake Marathon Saturday. He completed the 26.2-mile course in 3:14:39.
Ethan Garner of Coeur d'Alene holds up his medal after winning the Hayden Lake Marathon on Saturday.
BILL BULEY/Press
Kari Hamilton is all smiles after finishing first among women on the Hayden Lake Marathon on Saturday.
Jennifer Sexton of Athol runs toward the finish line of the Hayden Lake quarter marathon on Saturday.
BILL BULEY/Press
Julius and Jenna Wirthlin close in on the finish line of the Hayden Lake half marathon Saturday.
BILL BULEY/Press
Travis Anderson of Post Falls competes in the Hayden lake half marathon Saturday.
Holly Dane of Hayden runs in the Hayden Lake half marathon Saturday.
Danae Koeske of Spokane gets a hug after finishing the Hayden Lake half marathon.
Medals for the Hayden Lake Marathon await finishers on Saturday
HAYDEN LAKE — In his first Hayden Lake Marathon in 2023, Ethan Garner placed third.
When the Coeur d'Alene resident ran it again Saturday, he made a few adjustments.
This time, he won.
"I love this course because of the challenge with the rolling hills," he said shortly after crossing the finish line at Honeysuckle Beach in 2 hours, 48 minutes and 6 seconds on a cool, sunny morning.
He added more long runs to his summer training and focused on fuel intake to stay on pace toward his goal of breaking three hours.
"I got in what I needed," Garner said.
It worked, as the 23-year-old ran pretty much alone out front the entire 26.2 miles. He wobbled a bit on the final hills with 3 miles to go but held on.
"I tried to keep telling myself, 'Keep pushing,'" he said
No one was close, as he topped the field of 85 finishers by nearly 15 minutes.
"Just awesome," he said when asked how it felt to win.
Top local men marathon finishers included three from Coeur d'Alene: Joshua Rekittke, sixth place overall in 3:14:39; Chris Dimler, seventh in 3:22:51 and Daniel Daley, 12th in 3:37:14.
Kari Hamilton of Pullman, Wash., led the women with her 3:02:28 in her inaugural Hayden Lake Marathon
"Feels really good," she said.
While she looked relaxed and fresh at the finish line, she said it wasn't easy.
"Very difficult, one of the hardest races I've ever done," the 31-year-old said. "But it was absolutely pristine weather."
Hamilton said the ups and downs of the course that circles Hayden Lake took a toll as she pulled away from the competition.
"That really beats you pretty good," she said.
Her husband, Vince Hamilton, who finished second among the men, kept her on pace.
"He's my training partner, runs every mile with me," Kari Hamilton said. "It's wonderful to have him with me."
Top local women marathon finishers included Becky Thompson in 3:38:27; Kendra Griffitts in 3:41:38 and Madeline Jahelka in 4:13:45. All are from Coeur d'Alene.
About 500 runners completed the half marathon, a quarter marathon and a 5K.
Elissa Sander of Maple Valley, Wash., won the half in 1:27:13. Cyle Teal of Coeur d'Alene place first among the men in 1:30:13.
Dillion Williams of Coeur d'Alene won the quarter marathon in 43:30, while Georgia Mooring of Rathdrum topped the women in 48:47
Matt Roberts of Post Falls won the 5K in 17:05. Katie Delahooke of Athol led the women in 20:23.
Julius and Jenna Wirthlin of Spokane Valley finished the half marathon together, with Jenna supporting her limping husband to the finish line in 2:32:17.
With the end in sight at the Honeysuckle Beach parking lot, Julius was forced to stop when he stuffed a leg cramp. Jenna went back, helped him up, and arms around each other, they walked the final stretch, laughing and smiling as they went.
"She's really patient with me," a smiling Julius said. "I started two businesses so I haven't had as much time to train as I would have liked."
"I thought we did pretty good," Jenna said.
The couple is coming up on their first wedding anniversary and often run together. Both said running strengthens their marriage.
"Absolutely," Julius said.
"It's time for us to be together," Jenna added.
Joshua Rekittke of Coeur d'Alene closes in on the finish of the Hayden Lake Marathon Saturday. He completed the 26.2-mile course in 3:14:39.
Ethan Garner of Coeur d'Alene holds up his medal after winning the Hayden Lake Marathon on Saturday.
Kari Hamilton is all smiles after finishing first among women on the Hayden Lake Marathon on Saturday.
Jennifer Sexton of Athol runs toward the finish line of the Hayden Lake quarter marathon on Saturday.
Julius and Jenna Wirthlin close in on the finish line of the Hayden Lake half marathon Saturday.
Travis Anderson of Post Falls competes in the Hayden lake half marathon Saturday.
Holly Dane of Hayden runs in the Hayden Lake half marathon Saturday.
Danae Koeske of Spokane gets a hug after finishing the Hayden Lake half marathon.
Medals for the Hayden Lake Marathon await finishers on Saturday