Bloomsday 2014
Spokane’s 38th annual Lilac Bloomsday Run brought together thousands of family and friends who spent their Sunday celebrating spring and fitness. The weather cooperated, with temperatures in the low 60s and none of the threatened rain – ideal conditions for 44,626 runners, walkers and rollers who covered the 7.46-mile course.
Section:Picture story
The main field waits for the start of Bloomsday 2014 in Spokane, Wash., Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Start of Race
Bloomsday runners put feet to pavement at the start of the race on Riverside Ave. on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Kayla Foster, left, told her dad, Wayne, he had do something different. He had to wear a wig to Bloomsday 2014. Wayne has run 33 Bloomsdays and Kayla 11 races.
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Bloomsday 2014 volunteer Erma McKay controlls the yellow group near the starting line.
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Wheelchair racers prepare for the start of Bloomsday 2014 with the Spokane SWAT Team members patroling the area.
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Anne Audain, who dominated Bloomsday in the 1980s and competed in the Olympics, waits to serve as official starter of the race Sunday, May 4, 2014 during Boomsday 2014. Audain was also inducted into the Road Runners Club Hall of Fame over the weekend.
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Elite wheelchair races cross the Bloomsday 2014 starting line.
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Volunteer Jason Kissinger of Mead High School takes warm up clothes from elite runner Sara Slattery before the start of the race Sunday, May 4, 2014 during Boomsday 2014. The volunteers transported the elites’ gear to the finish line.
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The main field waits for the start of Bloomsday 2014 in Spokane, Wash., Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Bloomsday 2014 elite racers sprint away from the starting line.
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The main field takes off at the start of Bloomsday 2014 in Spokane, Wash., Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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7-time Bloomsday champion Anne Audain waves the flag at the starting line for as the gun goes off for Bloomday 2014.
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Wheelchair racers prepare for the start of Bloomsday 2014, including David Lucas, 10, at center from Spokane Valley.
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Bloomsday 2014 elite women racers blaze away from the start.
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Costumed characters line up in the orange zone at the start of Bloomsday on Sunday.
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Runners pause for the Star Spangled Banner before the start of Bloomsday on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Bloomsday runners start their race on Riverside Ave. Sunday.
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“This is the 27th year I’ve run as Raggedy Anne”, said Joyce Wilkens as she lines up in the green zone at Bloomsday on Sunday.
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Obie Ocasio keeps his arms warm in the sleeves of his wife Amy’s sweatshirt before the start of Bloomsday on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Tutus were prolific at the start of Bloomsday Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Bloomsday runners put feet to pavement at the start of the race on Riverside Ave. on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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On Riverside Ave., runners line up in the orange zone at the start of Bloomsday, Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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“Just to have a good time,” said Fred Shuman Cheny as he ran in his Wheaties costume during Bloomsday in Spokane, on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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In a blur of motion, Bloomsday runners head west on Riverside Ave. Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Three-year-old Masha Spellman was pushed along by her parents Russell and Nataliya Spellman during Bloomsday in Spokane, on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Miles Barajas, 11, decorated his face during Bloomsday in Spokane, on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Runners made their way through Browne’s Addition during Bloomsday in Spokane, on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Some runners showed their patriotism and carried flags during Bloomsday in Spokane, on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Runners make their way across the overpass above Maple Street Bridge during Bloomsday in Spokane, on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Wheelchair athletes made their way through Browne’s Addition during Bloomsday in Spokane, on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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“It’s just orange juice, honestly,” said Carla Shinkle as she watched runners through Browne’s Addition during Bloomsday in Spokane, on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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A Bloomie waves as she ran through Browne’s Addition during Bloomsday in Spokane, on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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In a blur of motion, Bloomsday runners head west on Riverside Ave. Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Runners cross the T.J. Meenach Bridge during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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The band Nixon Rodeo performs for runners leaving the T.J. Meenach Bridge during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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A runner crosses the T.J. Meenach Bridge during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Aarynn McGee, 5, covers her head and looks to the sky as rain begins to fall, while her brother Denny, 13, pushes her in a stroller during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Miya Eckel, 9, is helped into a poncho by her mother Leslie during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Youngsters race each other during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Bloomsday 2014 elite racers Allen Kiprono, left, Kevin Kochei and Cleophas Ngetich set a fast pace along Government Way. Kiprono pulled away on Doomsday Hill to win the race. Kochei finished second and Ngetich placed third.
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A Bloomie carried a cross through Browne’s Addition during Bloomsday in Spokane, on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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8-year-old Liam Kelly offered high fives to the runners during Bloomsday in Spokane, on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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A tight women’s elite field moves down Riverside Sunday, May 4, 2014 during Boomsday 2014.
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Volunteers at the water station whoop as the elite field passes their station by Spokane Falls Community College Sunday, May 4, 2014 during Boomsday 2014.
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Star Wars fan Garrett Rahn, 14, was on hand to encourage runners during Bloomsday in Spokane, on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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A runner waved as she ran through Browne’s Addition during Bloomsday in Spokane, on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Drummer Patrick Cunningham of the band Black Gingham played for the runners at the intersection of Maple and Riverside during Bloomsday in Spokane, on Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Lineth Chepkuruiu, left, and eventual winner Mary Wacera second from left, lead the leaders’ group up Government way Sunday, May 4, 2014 during Boomsday 2014. Chepkurui is a three time winner and course record holder.
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Spokane Police officer Teresa Fuller high-fives a young boy who was trying to keep pace with the Bloomsday 2014 elite runners on Government Way.
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Allen Kiprono barely touches the ground as he flies down Broadway Avenue as he pulls away from the Bloomsday 2014 field.
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Mary Wacera, left, and Lineth Chepkuruiu, second from left, and followed by RIsper Gesabwa, right run stride for stride up Doomsday hill Sunday, May 4, 2014, during Boomsday 2014. Wacera eventually won the duel on the final stretch.
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Doomsday Hill
Wheelchair competitors battle up Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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A runner dressed as Captain America refuels at the top of Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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The Vulture greets runners cresting Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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A shirtless runner heads up Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Mary Wacera, left, and Lineth Chepkuruiu, right, and followed by RIsper Gesabwa, run stride for stride up Doomsday hill Sunday, May 4, 2014 during Boomsday 2014. Wacera eventually won the duel on the final stretch.
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Mary Wacera, left, and Lineth Chepkuruiu, right, and followed by RIsper Gesabwa, run stride for stride up Doomsday hill Sunday, May 4, 2014 during Boomsday 2014. Wacera eventually won the duel on the final stretch.
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A runner dressed as He-Man waits for his companions at the top of Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Members of Gonzaga’s ROTC cheer as the crest Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Elias Baldwin-Bonney, 10, of Spokane advertises a lemonade stand he and his friend Jack Bacon set up during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Ariel Haworth, 6, of Hawden caries followers she picked during Bloomsday 2014, as she holds hands with her mother Janel on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash. Janel said Ariel picked the flowers at the bottom of Doomsday hill for “a little motivation.”
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Mary Wacera, the eventual winner, is shadowed by three-time winner Lineth Chepkuruiu through the West Central neighborhood Sunday, May 4, 2014 during Boomsday 2014. Wacera eventually won the duel on the final stretch.
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Jolea Davis hands out water at the top of Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Runners react as they crest Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Wheelchair winner Josh George battles up Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Runners and wheelchairs head up Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Oscar Meyer the dog turns his back on the action at the top of Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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A runner stops to tie his shoe on Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Tristan Friebus left, stands with friend Billie Washburn at the top of Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Audrey Bartlett, 5, of Spokane waits with her father for her mother to run by at the top of Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Runners crest Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Runners grab cups of water at the top of Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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A runner reacts as she crests Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Runners hi-five the vulture at the top of Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday 2014 on Sunday, May 4, 2014, in Spokane, Wash.
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Allan Kiprono raises his arms at the finish line as he wins Bloomsday 2014 Sunday, May 14, 2014 in downtown Spokane.
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Finishline
John Hamid, center, volunteered for his first Bloomsday. He worked the tee shirt distribution area on Spokane Falls Blvd.
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Bloomsday 2014 runners stream across the finish line some 2 hours into the race.
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Anna Briggs, 14, of Spokane, hits the Bloomsday 2014 finish line with a time of 1:23. Says Brigg “I’m so happy and proud of myself.”
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Coby Suarez, 14, of Kennewick wore a costume consisting of permanent marker as he finishes the race on the Monroe Street Bridge Sunday, May 4, 2014 during Bloomsday 2014.
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Bloomsday runners finish at the Monroe Street Bridge Sunday, May 4, 2014 during Boomsday 2014.
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Bloomsday runners finish at the Monroe Street Bridge Sunday, May 4, 2014 during Boomsday 2014.
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Bloomsday 2014 participants huddle together to keep warm after the race near the south end of the Monre Street bridge.
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Ethan Yanke, 8, right, of Nelson, B.C., waits with his mom, Arami Yanke, left, who is holding Benjamin Dexter, the child of a friend, for his dad to finish the race on the Monroe Street Bridge Sunday, May 4, 2014 at Bloomsday 2014.
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Bloomsday water station volunteers cheer runners at the end of the race.
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Allan Kiprono raises his arms at the finish line as he wins Bloomsday 2014 Sunday, May 14, 2014 in downtown Spokane.
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Allan Kiprono cools down by washing his face with water after winning Bloomsday 2014 Sunday, May 14, 2014 in downtown Spokane. At right is second place finisher Kevin Kochei.
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Holly Lehrman proudly displays her Bloomsday Tee shirt at the end of the race, Sunday, May 4, 2014.
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Bloomsday 2014 runner Mike Bresson gets a high-five from volunteer Toby Stewart after he finished in 43 minutes.
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Isse, Thomas and Lena Lewis earned their Bloomsday 2014 tee shirts. They ran in honor of their father Steve who passed away in 2007.
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