1st Annual MarathonGuide.com Outstanding Marathoners of the Year – 2005
by MarathonGuide.com Staff

On this page MarathonGuide.com starts a tradition of honoring the true heroes of marathoning in the USA. These are the men and women who have made marathoning a part of their lives and provide more inspiration to us normal runners than even the USA’s recent Olympic marathon medalists can provide (sorry Meb, sorry Deena). Many of us will know one or more of the runners on this list – we have seen them leading local and regional marathons (among the 53 people listed here are 84 marathon victories in 2005) and we’ve met these marathoners running with our clubs and on our streets.

The criteria to make this list for 2005: i) run at least 3 marathons in the year (our initial filter for the ultra-committed marathoner), and ii) achieve a top-3 finish in at least three marathons (these runners are leaders). What this means is that most elite runners will not be here: they are running one or two major marathons only, focusing on appearance money and paydays (and there’s nothing wrong with that). But in our book, it’s the runners on this page – and we’re not excluding elites on this list – who are the present and future of marathoning. These are not necessarily the fastest runners in the world, but they are the ones who work the hardest at the marathon and who give the most to our sport. They provide the competition at most of the 300 marathons that take place in the USA each year – and especially in the marathons where mortals can hope to compete. They run hard to run well – even without the promise of major prize money – it’s about the running, nothing else.

In short, these are the committed runners we aspire to be. We salute these outstanding athletes and thank them for the inspiration they provide to all of us – they show us that there is no limit to the human potential. Thank you for what you give to us and good luck with your running in 2006!

2005 Outstanding Marathoners: Male Marathoners | Female Marathoners

2005 Male Outstanding Marathoners of the Year

Name (SexAge) Hometown		2005 Experience		2005 Top 3 Finishes
Engle, Chuck (M34) Jackson, MS		7 Marathons Best: 2:41:22		7 Top 3 Finishes: Oklahoma Marathon (2); Baton Rouge Beach Marathon (2); First Light Marathon (1); Lewis & Clark Marathon (MO) (2); Midsouth Marathon (1); Tupelo Marathon (1); Whidbey Island Marathon (2)
Walchli, Gregg (M43) Seattle, WA		18 Marathons Best: 2:51:37		7 Top 3 Finishes: Shore to Shore Marathon (3); Pacific Crest Marathon (1); Skagit Flats Marathon (2); Valentine Marathon (1); Christmas Marathon (1); Gateway To The Pacific Marathon (1); Leavenworth Oktoberfest Marathon (3)
Wardian, Michael (M31) Arlington, VA		10 Marathons Best: 2:24:36		6 Top 3 Finishes: Reggae Marathon (2); Vermont City Marathon (2); Knoxville Marathon (2); Frederick Marathon (1); Delaware Marathon (1); Steamtown Marathon (3)
Benchina, Michael (M22) Chisholm, MN		4 Marathons Best: 2:31:43		3 Top 3 Finishes: WhistleStop Marathon (1); Walker/North Country Races (1); Paavo Nurmi Marathon (USA) (1)
Herr, David (M40) Canaan, VT		5 Marathons Best: 2:34:52		5 Top 3 Finishes: New Hampshire Marathon (1); Jay Mountain Marathon (2); NipMuck Trail Marathon (3); Sugarloaf/USA Marathon (2); Mount Desert Island marathon (2)
Nyamongo, Sammy (M32) Augusta, GA		5 Marathons Best: 2:18:33		3 Top 3 Finishes: Rocket City Marathon (1); Mercedes Marathon (1); Memphis Marathon (2)
Ndambuki, Jonathan (M30) Santa Fe, NM		4 Marathons Best: 2:20:41		3 Top 3 Finishes: Big Sur International Marathon (1); Columbus Marathon (2); Deseret Morning News/KJZZ-TV Marathon (1)
Gillette, Justin (M22) Niles, MI		5 Marathons Best: 2:29:14		3 Top 3 Finishes: Johnstown YMCA Marathon (1); Springfield Marathon (1); Midsouth Marathon (2)
Vergunst, Leonard (M49) Ocean Springs, MS		5 Marathons Best: 2:40:46		3 Top 3 Finishes: Mississippi Marathon (1); Mardi Gras Marathon (2); Tupelo Marathon (1)
Johnson, Timothy (M40) Minneola, FL		3 Marathons Best: 2:51:49		3 Top 3 Finishes: Space Coast Marathon (1); Ocala Marathon (1); X-Country Marathon (2)
Wilson, Joseph (M29) Ogden, UT		4 Marathons Best: 2:22:23		3 Top 3 Finishes: St. George Marathon (1); Deseret Morning News/KJZZ-TV Marathon (3); Ogden Marathon & 5K (1)
Kamindo, Charles N (M23) Kenya		4 Marathons Best: 2:16:12		3 Top 3 Finishes: Kentucky Derby Marathon (1); Akron Marathon (1); Detroit Free Press International Marathon (3)
Martin, Preston (M28) Boise, ID		3 Marathons Best: 2:47:45		3 Top 3 Finishes: Pocatello Marathon (1); Idaho Great Potato Marathon (1); City of Trees Marathon (3)
Phillippi, Tony (M44) Tacoma, WA		18 Marathons Best: 2:55:45		3 Top 3 Finishes: Coeur d’ Alene Marathon (2); Halloween Marathon (1); Valentine Marathon (2)
Dunlap, Scott (M36) Woodside, CA		5 Marathons Best: 3:06:41		3 Top 3 Finishes: Waterfalls of Big Basin (2); San Pablo Bay Trail Run (2); Palo Alto Vista Trail Run (1)
Rono, Elly (M35) Chapel Hill, NC		5 Marathons Best: 2:15:36		3 Top 3 Finishes: Las Vegas International Marathon (3); Salt Lake City Marathon (2); Fox Cities Marathon (1)
Rades, Paul (M32) Silver Spring, MD		3 Marathons Best: 2:31:17		3 Top 3 Finishes: Mad City Marathon (Madison) (3); B&A Trail Marathon (1); Frederick Marathon (2)
Ramacier, Jim (M41) White Bear Lake, MN		4 Marathons Best: 2:37:39		3 Top 3 Finishes: Paavo Nurmi Marathon (USA) (3); Fargo Marathon (2); Trailbreaker Marathon (1)
Pearson, Forrest (M44) Hudson, WI		9 Marathons Best: 2:50:17		3 Top 3 Finishes: Pine Line Trail Marathon (1); Lakeshore Marathon (3); Valley of the Sun Marathon (2)
Musuva, Andrew (M35) Santa Fe, NV		6 Marathons Best: 2:24:11		4 Top 3 Finishes: Little Rock Marathon (3); Mercedes Marathon (3); San Diego Marathon (1); Mystic Places Marathon (3)
Lipsie, Tom (M38) Indiana, PA		4 Marathons Best: 2:44:04		3 Top 3 Finishes: Rochester Marathon (3); Green Mountain Marathon (2); Harrisburg Marathon (2)
Smith, Bryan (M43) New Orleans, LA		4 Marathons Best: 2:48:52		3 Top 3 Finishes: Midsouth Marathon (3); Mississippi Coast Marathon (3); Baton Rouge Beach Marathon (1)
Mcdermott, Jack (M36) Tallahassee, FL		13 Marathons Best: 2:50:48		4 Top 3 Finishes: Crater Lake Marathon (3); Museum of Aviation Foundation Marathon (2); Spinx Run Fest (3); Tupelo Marathon (3)
Hibbs, Stephen (M34) Brooklyn Park, MN		24 Marathons Best: 2:56:15		3 Top 3 Finishes: Shiprock Marathon (2); Eisenhower Marathon (3); Breakers Marathon (3)
Emerson, Dave (M47) Coppell, TX		9 Marathons Best: 2:59:31		3 Top 3 Finishes: Andy Payne Marathon (3); Seabrook Lucky Trail Marathon (2); Miracle Match Marathon (3)
Jensen, Eric (M40) Athena, OR		12 Marathons Best: 3:03:15		3 Top 3 Finishes: Columbia River Gorge Marathon (3); Idaho Great Potato Marathon (3); Tri-Cities Marathon (3)

2005 Female Outstanding Marathoners of the Year

Name (SexAge) Hometown		2005 Experience		2005 Top 3 Finishes
Thiessen, Annie (F34) Tacoma, WA		16 Marathons Best: 2:58:40		11 Top 3 Finishes: Columbia River Gorge Marathon (1); Pacific Crest Marathon (1); Gateway To The Pacific Marathon (2); Crater Lake Marathon (1); Capital City Marathon (2); Foot Traffic Flat Marathon (1); Med-City Marathon (1); Newport Marathon (1); Birch Bay Marathon (1); Whidbey Island Marathon (1); Yakima River Canyon Marathon (2)
Pacev, Tania (F46) Littleton, CO		8 Marathons Best: 3:11:20		7 Top 3 Finishes: American Discovery Trail Marathon (1); Bataan Memorial Death March (1); Casper Wyoming Marathon (1); Mt. Rushmore Marathon (2); Olathe Marathon (1); Wichita Marathon (2); Wyoming Marathon (1)
Yogi, Jennifer (F30) Seattle, WA		14 Marathons Best: 3:09:16		8 Top 3 Finishes: Wenatchee Marathon (1); Leavenworth Oktoberfest Marathon (1); Pocatello Marathon (1); Tri-Cities Marathon (1); Shore to Shore Marathon (1); Last Chance Marathon (3); Haulin’ Aspen Trail Marathon (2); North Olympic Discovery Marathon (2)
Yanni, Amy (F51) Rapid City, SD		18 Marathons Best: 3:19:38		11 Top 3 Finishes: American Discovery Trail Marathon (2); University of Okoboji Marathon (2); Montana Marathon (3); Moab Marathon (3); Leading Ladies’ Marathon (3); Great Southwest Marathon (2); Wyoming Marathon (3); Brookings Marathon (1); Casper Wyoming Marathon (2); Desert Classic Marathon (2); Foot Traffic Flat Marathon (3)
Nishide, Yukiko (F44) Rye, NY		12 Marathons Best: 3:07:13		7 Top 3 Finishes: Washington’s Birthday Marathon (2); Tybee Marathon (2); Towpath Marathon (3); Lost Dutchman Marathon (1); Crater Lake Marathon (2); Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon (2); Heart of America Marathon (2)
Vollweiler, Jill (F37) Purchase, NY		4 Marathons Best: 2:55:12		4 Top 3 Finishes: Jacksonville Marathon (3); Yonkers Marathon (1); Harrisburg Marathon (1); Westchester Marathon (1)
Gortmaker, Valerie (F30) Omaha, NE		5 Marathons Best: 3:05:13		4 Top 3 Finishes: Siouxland Lewis & Clark Marathon (IA) (1); Lincoln Marathon (3); Eisenhower Marathon (1); Kansas City Marathon (1)
Akor, Mary (F29) Los Angeles, CA		7 Marathons Best: 2:37:19		5 Top 3 Finishes: Deseret Morning News/KJZZ-TV Marathon (2); Vancouver International Marathon (2); Big Sur International Marathon (1); Columbus Marathon (3); Quad Cities Marathon (2)
Kryza, Wioletta (F37) Olsztyn, Poland		5 Marathons Best: 2:35:25		4 Top 3 Finishes: Houston Marathon (2); Detroit Free Press International Marathon (1); California International Marathon (2); Akron Marathon (2)
Bychkova, Marina (F29) Ivanovo, Russia		7 Marathons Best: 2:38:47		6 Top 3 Finishes: Akron Marathon (3); Freescale Austin Marathon (3); Baltimore Marathon (3); Bermuda Marathon (1); California International Marathon (3); Richmond Marathon (1)
Michailova, Larisa (F36) West Chester, PA		4 Marathons Best: 2:41:01		4 Top 3 Finishes: Columbus Marathon (2); Green Bay Marathon (1); Knoxville Marathon (2); Philadelphia Marathon (2)
Kimball, Nikki (F34) Bozeman, MT		3 Marathons Best: 3:09:08		3 Top 3 Finishes: Idaho Great Potato Marathon (1); City of Trees Marathon (2); Lewis and Clark Marathon (MT) (1)
Bogacheva, Irina (F44) Gainesville, FL		3 Marathons Best: 2:37:48		3 Top 3 Finishes: Deseret Morning News/KJZZ-TV Marathon (1); Knoxville Marathon (1); Salt Lake City Marathon (3)
Loken, Susan (F42) Phoenix, AZ		4 Marathons Best: 2:43:10		3 Top 3 Finishes: More Marathon (1); Twin Cities Marathon (3); Vermont City Marathon (1)
Hanna, Mary (F44) Maple Valley, WA		5 Marathons Best: 3:03:11		3 Top 3 Finishes: SEAFAIR Marathon (3); Green River Marathon (1); Yakima River Canyon Marathon (1)
Karnatsevich, Halina (F35) Belarus		4 Marathons Best: 2:27:14		3 Top 3 Finishes: Grandma’s Marathon (1); Austin Marathon (2); New Las Vegas Marathon (2)
Lewandowski, Cindy (F48) Sartell, MN		4 Marathons Best: 3:16:35		3 Top 3 Finishes: Leading Ladies’ Marathon (2); Fargo Marathon (1); Moose Mountain Marathon (3)
Lowrance, Becky (F48) Branson, MO		7 Marathons Best: 3:14:22		3 Top 3 Finishes: Heart of America Marathon (1); Oklahoma Marathon (2); Maryville Marathon, The Chamber Country Classic (2)
Rhoden, Marla (F50) Topeka, KS		8 Marathons Best: 3:17:41		3 Top 3 Finishes: Olathe Marathon (2); Mountain Home Marathon for Kenya (1); Eisenhower Marathon (2)
Seeley, Suzy (F46) Spring, TX		7 Marathons Best: 3:19:02		3 Top 3 Finishes: Texas Marathon (2); Fargo Marathon (2); Seabrook Lucky Trail Marathon (1)
Kolpokova, Elvira (F33) Russia		6 Marathons Best: 2:43:33		3 Top 3 Finishes: Mystic Places Marathon (2); Richmond Marathon (2); Marathon of the Palm Beaches (3)
Bleakley, Laura (F35) Rochester, NY		12 Marathons Best: 3:14:10		4 Top 3 Finishes: Napa Valley Trail Marathon (1); Estes Park Marathon (2); Monster Trail Marathon (3); Adirondack Marathon (3)
Terris, Wendy (F36) San Antonio, TX		3 Marathons Best: 2:53:02		3 Top 3 Finishes: San Antonio Marathon-Marathon of the Americas (3); Portland Marathon (2); Des Moines Marathon (1)
Kirby, Lenna (F42) Dayton, OH		10 Marathons Best: 3:21:27		3 Top 3 Finishes: Pocatello Marathon (3); Gobbler Grind Marathon (1); Ellerbe Springs Marathon (3)
Phan, Van (F34) Maple Valley, WA		10 Marathons Best: 3:23:32		3 Top 3 Finishes: Last Chance Marathon (2); Birch Bay Marathon (2); Haulin’ Aspen Trail Marathon (3)
Mills, Nicole (F31) Naperville, IL		27 Marathons Best: 3:45:14		3 Top 3 Finishes: Run With the Horses Marathon (2); Andrew Jackson Marathon (3); Gateway To The Pacific Marathon (3)
Major, Sara (F24) Pittsburg, KS		6 Marathons Best: 3:11:40		3 Top 3 Finishes: Olathe Marathon (3); Little Rock Marathon (3); Eisenhower Marathon (3)