‘Marathon Man’ Logs 3,917 Miles In Contest
Bill Misner of Spokane was the runningest man in the world in 1997.
The name “Marathon Man” doesn’t do his accomplishment justice. Not in the Million Mile Ultra Run, at least.
Misner averaged nearly 11 miles a day, but from mid-August he routinely chalked up much more than that. He accumulated 3,917 miles in the “competition” being tabulated on the Internet.
Claudia Berryman-Schafer logged the most miles from Jan. 1, 1997, through Dec. 31, an even 5,000. Bjorn E. Jungnelius, just 59 miles behind Misner with a week to go, was third overall and the No. 2 man with 3,673.54 miles. Hometowns and countries aren’t listed for the 149 entrants. Eight of them logged more than 3,000 miles.
Misner, 58, says he did just one race last year, noting “because races will cut down your mileage.”
Instead, he would run 2-3 times a day, generally 13-15 miles a day, mixing in one weekend a month when he would run 39 miles on a Saturday and follow it with 23 on Sunday.
For six weeks his road time was on a bicycle, and last winter’s icy roads restricted his mileage. The first six months he logged “just” 720 miles. Since then, he averaged more than 100 miles a week, generally 125.
“I’ve been running seven days a week,” said Misner. “I’m so tired.”
Many of his “runs,” he confided, turn out to be walks - even walking the dog - to allow his body time to recover from the pounding.
Baseball
Whitworth College will hold its annual youth camp in two sessions this month. Youngsters ages 7-13 will attend Jan. 17-18. Those 14-18 will attend Jan. 31-Feb. 1. Cost is $50.
Info: Keith Ward or Bob Downs in the Whitworth baseball office, (509) 777-4394.
The Cheney Baseball Association will hold its first meeting of 1998 for coaches and interested parents Monday at 7 p.m. in the Cheney High School Library.
Info: Ron Johnston, (509) 235-4008.
Bowling
Amanda Riddle of Medical Lake and Ricky Brown of Cheney earned $500 scholarships by winning their divisions at a junior 10-game scratch tournament Dec. 27 at Matt Surina’s Bowlers World.
Riddle had high game of the tournament, a 270, and averaged 203 for the 10 games. Brown averaged 218 with a high game of 254.
Runners-up were Beth Trudeau of Whitworth College (199 average) and Cory Hultquist of Spokane (212).
The next event will be the Spokane Masters during spring break at Bowlers World and Colonial Bowl.
Volleyball
A USA Volleyball Junior National qualifying tournament, created specifically for the Pacific Northwest, has been awarded to Spokane. It begins in 1999.
The event, scheduled for March 26-28, 1999, is expected to attract more than 250 of the top USAV club teams from the Western United States - and beyond - as they attempt to qualify for the Junior National Championships.
The tournament is one of nine national qualifiers across the country.
Play will be held in area high school and college gymnasiums for girls in age divisions U-14 through U-18. David Hodgin, junior development coordinator in the region, will be tournament director.
“This event is a tremendous opportunity to showcase club volleyball in the region and continue to build Spokane’s reputation as the center for volleyball in the Northwest,” said John Lee of Spokane, commissioner of the USAV Evergreen Region. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo