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William Durfee's family knew he could go the distance. So
did his
friends and coach. For Durfee, a 22-year-old Special Olympics
long-distance runner, it was more about proving it to himself than
pleasing anyone else.
Durfee, of Milton-Freewater, Ore., was one of 254 runners to
participate in the 24th annual Snake River Canyon Half Marathon on
Saturday.
Sponsored by the Palouse Road Runners, the 13.1 mile race was
Durfee's first attempt to run in a timed competitive half marathon. A
half marathon gets its name because it is half the distance of a
traditional 26.2 mile marathon.
"It feels good to finish," Durfee said. "I've never done it before.
It's a relief."
More than just the pride of finishing the race was on the line for
Durfee. If he completed the race in less than two hours, he would
qualify to join thousands of Special Olympics' athletes in Dublin,
Ireland this June for the World Special Olympic Games.
Durfee finished in 1 hour and 37 minutes.
"I stayed focused," he said. "So I kept on going and did my thing."
Durfee may be shy about his accomplishment and upcoming international
competition, but his aunt, Lorri Swiger, never doubted his abilities.
"He was ready for it," she said. "He excels at running. He's been
training hard."
For months, Durfee has trained with Art Pease, a fellow Special
Olympian under the direction of Charles Pease, the long distance
Special Olympics coach in Milton-Freewater.
"William has the ability to run. It takes a lot of fortitude to run
this race," Charles Pease said of the half marathon. "It takes a lot
of courage and guts. Willie's learning to get it."
While Durfee showed up at the Snake River for competition Saturday,
Kelly Lanle, 41, of Palouse, ran the race for fun.
"I run because I can," said Lanle, who has been running since high
school and finished fourth in her age division. "The goal was to
finish."
The annual Snake River Canyon Half Marathon is the first local race
of the year. Some people train during the winter to prepare and some
use the race as a start to the spring running season, said Nancy
Chaney, Palouse Road Runners secretary.
"People are really antsy after a long winter and are ready to get out
onto the roads to run," Chaney said. "And people have to be pretty
motivated to run 13.1 miles."
Todd Williamson, a 19-year-old University of Idaho student, won the
men's 19-and-under competition. He said he trains all year to
maintain his pace and practice endurance.
"My time's better than last year, but it's a challenge to keep
improving," said Williamson, who placed 12th in last year's race.
Williamson said running isn't just about competition. It's about self
control and relaxation.
"It's a lifestyle where your day isn't as good until you get out and
run," he said.
Chaney agrees.
"You feel good when you run. It's beneficial not only physically, but
socially and emotionally," she said. "It's about having a clear head,
being focused and having a sense of accomplishment."
Despite the cold and wind along the Snake River Saturday, people from
as far away as Spokane, Seattle and Boise turned out to compete.
"You have to like what you're doing because it's not warm out here,"
said Gary Bryan, race coordinator. "But once people make up their
minds to run this race, they just get out and go."
Williamson said he enjoys the Snake River Canyon Half Marathon,
noting it is his chance to evaluate his skill level against more
experienced runners and prepare for the upcoming race season.
"It's nice to be with a group and be able to keep up with older guys
on the course," he said. "Youth has its advantages, I guess."
For Durfee, who must now begin a strenuous training schedule to
prepare for the World Special Olympic Games, Saturday's race was a
warm-up.
"It'll be a good experience for him," Art Pease said of Durfee's
chance to compete internationally. "The whole world will be there."
Durfee said he's more concerned about being away from home than he is
with the competition.
"I've never been away from home before," he said. "But all the
training I go through month after month builds up. It's about
building up endurance. It's going to be great." |