May 1, 2011

Bloomies wait in anticipation for the start of Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Left, Maid of honor, Dawn Fall, watches as Michael Smith and Karen Fall seal their nuptials with a kiss before Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

The elite men take off at the start of Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

The first wave of corporate cup and runners with brown numbers run down Riverside Avenue at the start of Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

The second wave of runners with yellow numbers run down Riverside Avenue at the start of Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

The lead pack of four pulls away as two of the elite runners fall behind on Doomsday HIll during the Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Wheelchair racers struggle up Doomsday Hill during the Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

The elite women and the early starting wheelchair racers meet at Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

“This is my first Bloomsday ” said Allison Johnston of Spokane as she cheers on the crowd in Browne’s Addition.

Runners make their way through Browne’s Addition during Bloomsday 2011.

Billy Ward, 16, of Spokane plays the drums with his band, Blame The Average, during Bloomsaday 2011.

“When I get to the finish line today, I will have run in every one,” said Jack Rogers, 87, of Spokane as he runs in Bloomsday 2011.

“Free high fives,” said Riley Knecht, 3, as he and his dad, Adam, greet the Bloomsday runners as they make their way through Browne’s Addition on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

The lead pack of elite women runners attack Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

“This is like my fifth Bloomsday,” said Dani Reilly, 16, of Spokane as she wears her bee costume while making her way through Browne’s Addition during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Hillary Morley held up a V8 Splash mimosa in honor of the Bloomsday runners as they make their way through Browne’s Addition on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

“I’m Avatar,” said Randi Jordan, 16, of Spokane as she runs her third Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Just yards from the finish line, Misiker Mekonnin, left, and Wude Ayalew match stride for stride as they kick away from several other runners at the lead of the women’s race on Monroe St. at Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011. Mekonnin won the race.

Just yards from the finish line, Misiker Mekonnin, left, checks her fellow Ethiopian Wude Ayalew as she cruises to the win on Monroe St. at Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

The leader of the elite wheelchair racers takes the turn at the top of Doomsday Hill with a comfortable margin over the rest of the pack during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Elite wheelchair racers pack together and try to catch the leader at the top of Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Wheelchair racer Amber Weber is met by her support crew halfway up Doomsday Hill durng Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

A group of elite women runners in the lead pound down Riverside hill well ahead of the pack at Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011. JESSE TINSLEY

The lead pack of elite men race up Doomsday Hill during the 2011 Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Misiker Mekonnin (9) stays with the lead group the womens race before breaking away on Monroe St. to win it at Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

The lead pack of elite women racers works up Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Melissa Case, 7, and her brother Jesse Case, 12, take a passive approach to cheering on their mother, Holly Case, while they watch the race at Bloomsday on May 1, 2011 in Spokane.

Melissa Case, 7, and her brother Jesse Case, 12, take a passive approach to cheering on their mother, Holly Case, while they watch the race at Bloomsday on May 1, 2011 in Spokane.

Runners shadows hit the pavement in Browne’s Addition during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

“I love this, “said Renee Rahn as she watches Bloomsday runners approach Browne’s Addition on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Misiker Mekonnin (9) runs in the center of the lead group of ten going up Doomsday Hill in the women’s race before breaking away on Monroe St. to win it at Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Misiker Mekonnin (9) runs in the center of the lead group of ten going up Doomsday Hill in the womens race before breaking away on Monroe St. to win it at Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Friends, from left, Kelly Jaske, Amanda Rice and Kristen Rohde celebrate their finish at Bloomsday, May 1, 2011, on the Monroe St. Bridge.

Dave Cook, Sports Information Director at EWU, is fresh and still running at the top of Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

“The Recycle Man” gets his gloved hand up for high fives at the top of Doomsday Hill during the Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Tyler Alsin, left, and Shane Polley pound their collection of can drums at the top of Doomsday hill during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

A spray of water helps at the top of Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

After a record cold and wet spring, there were few blooms showing for Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011. Runners top Doomsday Hill and make the turn past one of the few trees in bloom.

Runners take water at the top of Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Tired but happy Bloomies stream across the Monroe Street Bridge at the end of Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Runners jostle for water at the top of Doosday Hill during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

A fruit enhanced hat decorates a runner as he checks his time on Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

A splash of water cools a runner at the top of Doomsday HIll during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

The early leader for briefest costume heads up Doomsday Hill during the Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Timothy Diko wears a Welsh football hat as he claps for runners along Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Shortly after Doomsday Hill sweaty and oxygen depleted Bloomies run into Adrienne Bousquet singing torch songs during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Adrienne Bousquet takes a high five as she belts out romantic songs at the corner of Gardner and Lindeke during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Not your average garage band. Adrienne Bousquet belts out torch songs at the corner of Gardner and LIndeke during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Shortly after Doomsday Hill sweaty and oxygen depleted Bloomies run into Adrienne Bousquet singing torch songs during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Sue Thompson hung out 26 Bloomsday shirts on her fenced yard at Broadway and Lindeke for Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

A painted window encourages runners as they move through the last miles during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Tyler Alsin, left, and Shane Polley improvise drums out of trash cans at the top of Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

While runners struggle through the last mile behind him, Mike Murphy keeps several BBQs going with ribs and fish on Broadway during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011. The music of choice at this gathering was Jimmy Buffett, CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON

The few trees that have blossoms frame runners along Broadway during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Shaun Greer gives out free high fives to runners in front of his grandmother’s house on Broadway during Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Natalie Matlock, 4, holds a dripping snowcone and gives out sticky high fives to passing runners on Sunday, May 1, 2011 at Bloomsday.

Art Hilton (tongue hanging out) cools himself down at the water station on Broadway at Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Melanie Jones of Post Falls pours water on the head of her son Grant, 9, at the water station on Broadway at Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Occasional water fights break out at the water station on Broadway during Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Bloomies cool down at the water station on Broadway at Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Bloomies stream across the Monroe St. Bridge after finishing Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Wheelchair competitors, from left, Jordan Bird, Grant Berthiaume and Zach Abbott chat before the start of their race on Riverside Avenue on Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Watching the action along Broadway are, from left, Patty Felland, Georgia Kasten, Bobbie Sue Glennon and Katie Kasten at Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011. The latter three are visiting Spokane from Nevada.

2001 Men’s Bloomsday winner, Simon Ndirangu, leads the pack heading up the cemetary hill before Spokane Community College.

2011 Men’s Bloomsday winner Simon Ndirangu (107) keeps an eye on Kenyan running mate Allan Kiprono (104) for much of the race until he out sprints him for the victory.

Simon Ndirangu sprints by fellow Kenyan Allan Kiprono as they round the corner of Broadway and Monroe his way to the Men’s 2011 Bloomsday title.

Gary Schmidtke, right, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, gets some encouragement from his nephew, Matthew Heimbigner, left, along Broadway during Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Jimbo Boyd, of Alpharetta, Georgia pumps is chair down Broadway at Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011. Boyd is one of the first quadraplegic athletes to participate in Bloomsday, which he did for the first time in 1984.

Brenda Craig of Spokane wrapped herself in a $2 Goodwill blanket to keep warm with at the start of Bloomsday, Sunday, May, 1, 2011. Chilly temperatures didn’t stop her, Andy Kirk of Anchorage (in neon), or her husband from getting to the start of the yellow group at 6:30 am to get their spot in the front row .

Josh Fletcher of Hayden, Id., and his sister Christine Fletcher of Sacramento, Ca., try to keep warm before the start of the 2011 Bloomsday Race. “We’ll get warm once we get running,” Christine said. The two hoped to run under an hour.

The five Gonzaga University women’s basketball seniors were the celebrity starters for the 35th running of Bloomsday, Sunday, May. 1, 2011. From left; Courtney Vadersloot, Claire Raap, Carter Schick, Tatriana Lorenzo and Janelle Bekkering.

Former Bloomsday Wheelchair Men’s Open Champion, Saul Mendoza, whirls at the started of the 2011 race. He now competes in the Masters Division.

“Walk and roll,” sang Justin “Elvis” Gardella, and he walked down Riverside at the beginning of 2011 Bloomsday Race. “I’m just trying to get to Memphis,” he said.

Bloomies walks through hundreds of discarded cups at the water station on Broadway during Bloomsday Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Bloomies check out the t-shirts they earned after running the 12K 2011 Bloomsday Race.

Runners and walkers were still streaming down Riverside Avenue to start the race well after 10:am Sun., May 1, 2011.

Ten of thousands of Bloomies lined up for the 9:00 am start for the 35th running of Bloomsday, May 1, 2011.

The Rev. Steve Dublinski blessed Bloomsday runners as they ran and walked past the Catherdal of Our Lady of Lourdes, Sun., May 1, 2011.

Runners flood the finish line and the Monroe St. Bridge at the end of 2011 Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

The Bloomsday finish line is flooded with brightly colored and sweaty runners during Bloomsday 2011 on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Riverside Avenue in downtown Spokane, Wash., is littered with clothing after the start of 2011 Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Riverside Avenue in downtown Spokane, Wash., is decorated with clothing after the start of 2011 Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Riverside Avenue in downtown Spokane, Wash., is decorated with clothing after the start of 2011 Bloomsday on Sunday, May 1, 2011.