Founder Don Kardong to retire as Bloomsday race director

Bloomsday 2019 will be the last for Don Kardong as race director. Kardong, who founded the event in 1977 and has participated in every race since, will retire following the May 5 run. He’ll be replaced by Jon Neill, a Spokane attorney who has served as elite race coordinator since 2005.

Section:Gallery

Fri., Dec. 7, 2018

Don Kardong points himself out in the crowd as he's introduced as the race founder before the start of Bloomsday 2016.

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Bloomsday found Don Kardong hit the finish just over the 1 hour mark during Bloomday 2015

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Race director Don Kardong poses for a photo in 2013 at the Bloomsday operation building. Kardong is retiring as race director.

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Don Kardong welcomes 20 year veterans to the start of a fun run following the original Bloomsday course in 1996. Kardong is retiring as race director.

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Runner, Don Kardong, runs the rocky trails at Riverside State Park in 1995. Kardong is retiring as race director.

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Perennial Bloomsday runners Glen MacPhee (left), race founder Don Kardong and Bob Bardero (right) recall details of the first race as they wait for the start of Bloomsday 2005 on Sprague Ave. Kardong is retiring as race director.

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Don Kardong approaches the finish in Riverfront Park during Bloomsday 1978.

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Spokane's Don Kardong placed tenth in Bloomsday 1978.

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Left to right, Don Kardong, Ray Fabien, and Chris Braithwaite prepare for Bloomsday 1977 on the track.

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The start of Bloomsday 1977.

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