02 October 2005

Dave Berardi and Paul Rades ran the final nine miles of last Sunday’s Metric Marathon together, and they fought such a challenging duel that at 14  miles they decided to call it a draw.  The two had easily outpaced third-place Chris Chattin, who had faded on Toll House Road, and found their only competition was themselves.  "Basically, we decided we wouldn’t try to kill each other any more," explained Berardi.  "We agreed to finish the race together."  So for the first time in the 29-year history of the Metric Marathon, the 16.3 mile road race ended in a tie.  Dave and Paul clenched hands as they crossed the finish line with identical times of 1:34:32.  Interestingly, they both ran in the same type of racing shoes.  Berardi is the only person every to win the race at least once in the last three decades.

Julie Thienel made no such agreement in the women’s competition.  She took the lead near nine miles and extended it, finishing over three minutes ahead of the second place woman.  "I kept thinking some one was going to pass me," she said, although no one challenged her after she took the women’s lead.  A former Howard County Runner of the Year, Julie plans to run no more marathons this year!

"The fast guys in front of me were supposed to go off course," explained Jason Tripp, winner of last year’s Metric Marathon.  Jason actually ran this year’s Metric Marathon (26.2 km, or 16.3 miles) faster than last year but his plan didn’t work and he finished fourth.  No one in front of him went off course, although some runners behind him did.  For some minutes, a course marshals was missing at a crucial turn from the bike path onto Tamar Drive.  Mike Dusenberry continued down the bike path rather than turning and ran an extra mile before correcting his mistake.  He didn’t suffer much, though, because he won the 25-29 Men’s age group (1:58:26).

Those not up for the Metric Marathon could run an accompanying 5k race.  Unfortunately, the re-measured 5k course could not be run because it didn’t exactly conform to the parade permit route.  "We were one intersection short," said Phil Lang, who led the 5k on his bike.  Instead, runners started at a point about 0.1 mile up the street, making the course closer to a 3 miles.  In the event, Delaware University student Craig Lebro outlasted Devon Gillett to win the men’s race, while Tiffany Hevner easily won the women’s 3 miler.  Craig’s time of 16:51 would have been a personal record, too.

This year marked the 29th anniversary of the Metric Marathon.  Tim Beaty ran the first one in 1978 and his completing this one marked his last race ever.  In fact, it was his last run ever.  The deteriorating condition of his knees finally forced him to conclude his running career, and he chose the 2005 Metric Marathon as the last hurrah.

John and Ann Worley directed the Metric Marathon.  This year’s winners won commemorative plaques and gift certificates from Feet First of Wilde Lake.  All finishers received the trade-mark Metric Marathon gloves, as well as a long sleeved t-shirt.  106 completed the 3 mile run, while 265 finished the Metric.  Mr. Kevin Giffhorn enjoyed the distinction of being the most improved runner — he improved his metric time from 2:43:05 in 2004 to 2:22:32 this year.  Finally, in a major break from tradition, Jerry’s Pizza and Subs supplied 60 pizzas to this year’s finishers.  "Ledo’s wouldn’t answer our phone calls," Mrs. Worley said.

-- by Jim Carbary