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It’s Rhody Week!
The DOG & I
Grooming & Boarding & Shaffett Sharpening 531-1501
NEXT TO CHIMACUM VALLEY VET • 385-4116
HAPPINESS IS COMING
Rhody Run XXXI is Sunday, May 17 Race Day Schedule
301000 Hwy 101, Mt. Walker
9 a.m. Pick up your packet (runners only) and late registration 11 a.m. Race begins
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ptleader.com
The Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader May 13-19, 2009 • This Week 3
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Give Fido the day off, go to
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on how to hydrate properly: www.runnersworld. com/marathon/article-new_rules.html. • Don’t hesitate to pause, stop or seek help from aid crews if you think you’re having symptoms of heat exhaustion or other problems. • The Port Townsend School of Massage offers massages before and after the race, and adult runners who finish the race get a free cup of beer from PT Brewing to quench their thirst.
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Rhody Run tips
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“Strollers are welcome,” she said of those who want to make it a family event. Between the economy and the
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If you’re taking the ferry from Whidbey Island, a free shuttle can pick you up from the downtown ferry terminal at 8 a.m. or 9:25 a.m. If you’re taking the water shuttle across Hood Canal due to thebridgeclosure,taketheshuttle bus at the Shine Park-and-Ride to the Haines Place Park-and-Ride in PortTownsend, where you’ll catch a shuttle to Fort Worden at either 8:35 a.m. or 9:35 a.m.
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2 p.m. Awards ceremony
“Uli’s going to have some competition this year.”
• No dogs or other pets, please, except for service animals. • You may only pick up your own race number, not anyone else’s. • Runners younger than 18 must have an adult co-sign their registration. • Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water in advance and during the run, but not so much that you get hyponatremia. Runner’s World offers advice
“Where the good old days have never been better.”
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By last week, the group looked ready, physically and mentally. Back in the cold, dark days of “The biggest mistake people March, Jeni Little launched the make,” said participant Steve annual 10-week training course Taylor, “is taking off too fast.” It’s for the Rhody Run. a mistake elite runners can also After all, if you can show up make, he said. for a running class at 6 a.m. three And despite the closure of times a week, you’ve got what it the Hood Canal Bridge this year, takes to conquer Hastings Hill. some elite runners are expected “It was 32 to be here, said degrees when Little. “Uli’s we started,” going to have said Ginger some comHoshor, one petition this of the paryear,” she said, ticipants. “Jeni referring to brought me frequent wina little flashner Uli Steidl light,” she said, of Shoreline. Jeni Little so she could One of those Rhody Run race director see where she competitors is was running. Joseph Gray, Sometimes called the “Queen who could set a new record for of the Rhody Run,” Little has the event, she said. done it 12 times (62 minutes is “Just enjoy it,” is Little’s her best) and just ran the fabled advice to newbies. “The biggest Boston Marathon for the first reward is being part of a comtime. Plus, she’s the track coach munity tradition – the finale of the at Blue Heron Middle School. Rhododendron Festival.” By Barney Burke of The Leader