Inaugural Wampus Cats Marathon is in the books
—Photo by ERIC PLUMMER Emory Clark runs across the bridge over Lake Pend Oreille on Saturday. The 77 year old, who organized the race, made it 20 miles and plans to finish the race by starting earlier next year.
By ERIC PLUMMER
Sports editor
CLARK FORK — Even though he didn’t finish what amounted to his own race, Emory Clark was buzzing with pride on Monday, as he presented Clark Fork High School with $2,900, money raised during the first-ever Wampus Cats Marathon on Saturday.
Clark, a member of the CFHS class of 1957, was attempting to finish his fourth marathon, an amazing feat considering he’s 77 years old. But after pounding the pavement of Highway 2 for 4:33 hours, he was just approaching the 20-mile mark.
Knowing that he still had more than 90 minutes left, and not wanting to hold everybody up who was waiting at the finish line, Clark opted to end things early so he could be a part of the post-race revelry.
But if you thought Clark was bummed out, or feeling the least bit sorry for himself about not being able to finish, you don’t know the inventor and running enthusiast.
This was merely the first marathon from Sandpoint to Clark Fork, and Clark said he plans to do the race every year for the rest of his life.
“I’m going to make the 26 next year. I’m going to start at 4:30 a.m. next year,” said Clark, who enjoyed bringing together 20 participants and their families for the inaugural event, including many of his own kinfolk. “My kids had such a splendid time, and that’s pretty darn important. The coming together of like-minded people that have enthusiasm for life.”
The race started at the Elks Golf Course in Sandpoint, then followed Highway 2 all the way to Clark Fork, wending along incredibly scenic stretches of Lake Pend Oreille. The Bloomsday Running Club donated cones and signs to mark the course.
Annika Scharosch was the top finisher in 3 hours and 52 minutes, just missing the qualifying time for the Boston Marathon. Bill Fitzner and Tiffany Korver of Spokane ran together, finishing in 4:23, the only other full marathon finishers.
Team Currie — Bill and Christine Currie of Hope, George and Becky Thornton of Clark Fork, and Derrick Hagstrom (Sandpoint) and David Higgins (Clark Fork) teamed up to finish the marathon in six hours and 22 minutes.
Bill Condee, from Hope, won the half marathon in 1:45, followed by Spokane’s Larry Carroll (2:08) and Deer Park’s Wendy Herbes (2:21). Clark’s family teamed up to finish the half marathon in 2:22, led by Greg Clark (Denver), Pam Logan (Richland), Teresa Kincaid (Spokane), Michelle Henry (Bellevue), Lauren Henry (Bellevue) and Olivia Clark (Veneta, Ore.).
Spokane’s Larry Carroll, 76, was presented with a lifetime achievement award plaque, after finishing his whopping 170th marathon. Along with the plaque, he and his family get free entry for life into the Wampus Cats Marathon, and Clark plans to make the award annual.
Clark praised the community of Clark Fork for its help, including a special surprise dinner, courtesy of an old friend in Doug Speelmon.
“When I got there (finish), he had a roast of venison and noodles,” recalled Clark of Speelmon. “He’s got such a kind heart. That’s why I hold him in such high respect.”
Clark is already thinking about next year’s event, possibly moving it to mid-June, and hopes to get more than a one-month start to hype the scenery and hometown feel of the event, as he did this year. The more people who participate, the more money that can be donated to Clark Fork High School, which is the entire point of the race.
“Wouldn’t it be nice in two or three years if we could get 500 people and make more money? I want to make it so attractive that people will put the Wampus Cats Marathon on their calendar,” said Clark, who now lives in Airway Heights but admits his heart will always be in Clark Fork. “I was lucky that’s where I grew up. One of my underlying principles is doing something that helps other people. Bringing peace, joy and love to other people.”
Clark Fork teacher K.C. MacDonald had nothing but respect for the vision of Clark, and how he wanted his alma mater to be the beneficiary. Clark Fork principal Phil Kemink, who along with MacDonald ran one of the water stations, said the money will be used in a variety of ways at the school, appreciative of the donation from Clark.
“Emory organized this whole thing,” said Kemink. “He’s hoping for this thing to grow much larger.”