Bravo, Mrs. Jones Spokane Runner Wins Bloomsday For First Time

Charging up the hills of her hometown with a strength that defied her 39 years, Kim Jones realized the thrill of her life Sunday in the 21st Lilac Bloomsday Run.

The Spokane mother of a high school sophomore won the elite women’s division of the 12-kilometer (7.46 miles) race in 40:34 - 6 seconds faster than runner-up Carol Zajac.

“This is the biggest thrill of my life, winning Bloomsday,” Jones said. “This is where I started my career, and I ran faster today than I did then (13 years ago).

“It encourages me to go on, to train and win races.”

Jones matched strides with the 24-year-old Zajac through five miles until the two turned onto Pettet Drive for the duel up Doomsday Hill.

There, the up-hill strength that Jones had unleashed earlier on Cemetery Hill at the three-mile mark began to tell in a bigger way.

“I was going to follow Carol up the hill but I thought if I’m going to go, I’d better go now,” said Jones, who only 13 days before ran ninth in the Boston Marathon. “I was hurting but I knew everybody was hurting. I just started pushing from there.”

A two-time NCAA cross country champion, Zajac, in her first Bloomsday, watched Jones widen the gap between them from a stride to about 30 yards.

“I probably should have conserved a little bit in the beginning,” Zajac said, “and not been so anxious to take the lead. It caught up with me on Doomsday.”

Zajac was almost forced to run with the early leaders, who nearly dawdled through the first mile.

“I’m just glad they went out at a 5:30 pace, because I was very comfortable with that,” said Jones, who ran in a six-pack of early contenders that included 28-year-old Kari McKay, a former Eastern Washington University standout from Almira.

McKay, who led briefly before settling for sixth, said she was satisfied with her race - and happy for Jones.

“I was gearing on Kim,” McKay said. “I figured she’d be a little bit slow since she had just gotten off the marathon. She starts slow anyway, so I was just going in my comfort zone until I got to the hill and then I died.

“Kim had a lot of pressure taken off her today,” McKay added. “It was time.”

It was a race almost scripted for Jones. The marathon-like pace, the cool, pollen-free air (she is asthmatic) and spectators who greeted her with applause and shouts of encouragement all worked in her favor.

But with Zajac patiently padding after her in the last downhill stint, it was left to the leader herself to deal with the stress from Boston, that settled in what Jones called her “braking muscles” - the quads.

“I worked harder than I’ve ever worked in Bloomsday and it paid off,” Jones said. “I felt it going down the hills but I was strong enough to get going again - to regroup on the uphills.”

What If Zajac had summoned more zip heading down Lincoln?

“I could have have probably reacted but I don’t know for how long,” said Jones, who had to run 6 seconds faster last year just to place fifth. “I was working so hard to finish that I really couldn’t enjoy the moment like I wanted to.”

Prize money was doubled for American runners. Zajac, who ran at Villanova University, pocketed $9,000. Jones’ share was $14,000.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo Graphic: How Bloomsday was won