Race Hoopla A Difficult Time For One Family It’s Been 5 Years Since Donald Kamp Died

The Kamp family used to celebrate on Bloomsday.

Now, they mourn.

Donald A. Kamp, an avid runner and Bloomie, died five years ago while running the race.

He was 64. The Spokane School District 81 math consultant had run every Bloomsday since 1982.

He died near the 3-mile point on Government Way.

This year, Brian Kamp of Spokane wants to remember his father with a memorial near the spot where he died.

“In memory of Donald Kamp,” is the message on a 2-by-2-foot piece of poster board.

“People in Spokane are really jazzed about Bloomsday,” said Brian Kamp, 35. “But for me, it’s a really depressing time.”

Every year around this time, the Kamp family leaves Spokane. It’s still hard to watch people celebrate, Brian Kamp said.

A Montana native, Donald Kamp had already survived one heart attack, in 1981. After he was brought back to life with electric shock, he completely changed his lifestyle. Nutrition and exercise became his priorities, his family said. He started running every day, sometimes as far as 10 miles.

That’s also when he decided to run his first Bloomsday.

His best time was in 1987. He finished the race in an hour and 8 minutes.

“Dad epitomized rebirth,” Brian Kamp said. “He was nice to everyone, a real cool guy. Everyone liked him.”

Donald Kamp’s death was one of two in the race’s history.

In 1987, a 37-year-old Tacoma man died in the race during which three people suffered heart attacks.

This year, Bloomies will fly in from as far away as Germany, Australia and even Thailand to run the race.

More than 1,000 will come from Canada, and all but three states (Ohio, Louisiana and Rhode Island) will be represented.

As of April 12, 52,375 people registered on time for the race. Officials expect another 8,000 or so to sign up today.

About half estimated they would finish in less than an hour and a half.

Running for office can translate into running in Bloomsday some years, but this year the number of politicians on the course probably will be low.

U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton is signed up, as usual. But he’s an accomplished runner in masters’ competitions and isn’t facing re-election until 2000.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, who built a political reputation on being “a mom in tennis shoes,” isn’t running this year. But don’t be surprised to see her next year, when she’s up for re-election.

U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt, a frequent Bloomie in the past, was unable to schedule a trip back this weekend because of family commitments. “I wish I were running,” he said.

Most local elected officials, including the county commissioners, Mayor Jack Geraghty and most of the Spokane City Council are taking a pass. Councilman Jeff Colliton, however, is running with the city’s corporate cup team.

Brita Bowman, daughter of past Bloomsday T-shirt designer Tom Bowman, has been fighting leukemia for nearly a year.

Donations to help Brita receive a bone marrow transplant will be taken during the Bloomsday Trade Show at a booth run by Ronald McDonald House and Buckeye Beans and Herbs Inc.

The Bloomsday Plate, a collectible featuring 20 years of Bloomsday T-shirts, is now on sale.

Each limited-edition plate is 9-1/2 inches in diameter and hand-numbered.

The cost is $49.89, which includes tax, shipping and handling. Send checks to Bloomsday 20-year Plate, 125 S. Stevens St., Spokane, WA 99204.

For more information, call Dan Eagle at 624-5288.

Another opportunity to carbo-load takes place tonight at Manito United Methodist Church, located on the corner of South Grand and 33rd Avenue.

The meal will be served from 5:30 to 8 p.m. by Boy Scout Troop 325.

Donations are welcome.

Free spinal screenings are available at the Bloomsday Trade Show.

Six Spokane chiropractors are donating their time to promote general health without the use of medication.

A $10 donation is recommended. Proceeds will go toward the Special Olympics.

Call Dr. Gina Yaritz at 484-7578 for more information.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Photos (1 Color); Graphic: Bloomsday ‘97 map

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: BLOOMSDAY INFO Starting times: Wheelchair racers start at 8:40 a.m., followed by elite women runners at 8:45. Other runners, including men’s elite, start at 9 a.m. Walkers start at 9:05, followed by people pushing strollers and wheelchairs at 9:10. Check-in: Runners can pick up their race numbers and packets today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ag Trade Center. Only out-of-town runners will be able to get them Sunday, at 7 a.m. Late registration: The late fee is $25. Runners can still sign up for the race today at the late registration desk. There will be no late registration Sunday. Trade show: The annual Bloomsday trade show continues today until 8 p.m. at the Convention Center. Parking: Runners can park at the Spokane Arena for a small fee. There will be several lots open downtown, and additional parking south of Sprague, east of Division, west of Lincoln and north of Spokane Falls Boulevard. Street closures: The police department will close streets on the race course starting at 6:30 a.m. Sunday. Vehicles left parked on the course will be towed at the owners’ expense, starting at 6 a.m. Buses: Bloomies can avoid driving and parking hassles by riding Spokane Transit Authority shuttles. During the trade show Saturday, a special shuttle will operate from the arena parking lot to the Convention Center. The shuttle leaves from the bus shelters on Boone between Howard and Washington. The last bus will depart the Convention Center at 8:35 p.m. Fare is 25 cents each way. Stick-on passes good all day on any STA buses cost $1. Get them today at the Bloomsday Trade Show or the downtown bus Plaza, 701 W. Riverside. STA also will provide additional transportation services this weekend. Call 328-RIDE for the schedule. Worship: A Christian worship service is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Sunday in the Lilac Bowl at Riverfront Park. Race results: Finishers will receive a postcard from the Bloomsday association listing their time and place. The Spokesman-Review will publish a complete list of finishers in a special edition Monday afternoon and in regular editions Tuesday morning. Computer-literate Bloomies can find race results on Virtually Northwest, The Spokesman-Review home page, starting about 2 a.m. Monday. Point your browser at http://www.virtuallynw.com. Finishers can see their times for 1997 and from 1996, and a variety of other data, such as their rank among other racers in the same age group, from the same town or with the same last name. Bloomsday’s own home page will list the names and times of top finishers. Point your browser at http://splnet.spokpl.lib.wa.us/ bloomsdy.html. Radio/television: Many stations are covering the race live, with the most extensive coverage on the various KXLY stations. KXLY TV-4 will offer live coverage from 8 to 10 a.m. The station also will broadcast a Bloomsday special at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. A repeat of the 8-to-10 a.m. show will air at 11:30 p.m. Live radio coverage also can be heard on Newstalk 920, KXLY.

The following fields overflowed: BYLINE = Virginia de Leon Staff writer Staff writer Jim Camden contributed to this report.