By Tom Rohrer
Completing the 26.21 miles of a marathon has been a standard of athletic excellence for centuries, beginning with the Greek messenger Pheidippides.
However, completing just one marathon is not enough of a challenge for some, as many distance runners continue to push themselves week after week.
On Sunday Aug. 12, Marie Zornes will participate in her 100th marathon at the Transcendence Ultra 12 Hour Endurance Run put on by Guerilla Running at Marathon Park in Olympia.
Zornes, a 48 year old Gig Harbor resident ran her first marathon in 2005 in Portland. A year later, she ran in the same event. In the years to come, Zornes took her passion to another level, participating in a daunting gauntlet sure to make the most endurable runners quiver.
“In 2007, I ran in eight events, then high teens the following year,” Zornes said in a phone interview with ThurstonTalk.com. “But the last three years, it has increased to around 20-to-25 a year. I don’t have time for running during the week, so it’s just been race or nothing. It’s a huge stress relief and a great way to be a part of the community.”
While now holding an impressive distance resume to her name, Zornes wasn’t always an eager runner, and decided to begin jogging as a way to get back into shape.
“I began running after my mom passed away in 2001 and I just decided to get fit and into shape,” Zornes said. “I was starting to put on weight and I didn’t want for that to happen and I noticed running worked. I started running during my son’s soccer practice and at one point there were nine other parents running. Then I started running a few races, a 5K, a 10K, and finally decided to run a half marathon. It was so hard, I hurt so bad, but I really enjoyed myself and thought that I would like to attempt one marathon.”
99 finish lines later, Zornes is happy about the physical enjoyment she receives by pushing her distance limits, but enjoys the camaraderie of the running community and the relationships she has built just as much.
“What brings me back are my friends and the opportunity to meet people,” Zornes said. “I’ve met people all over the country, some of the coolest, most supportive and most positive people on the planet. I’m not a fast runner by any means, and I enjoy observing the scenery and talking to others and developing relationships. That’s the main part for me.”
Due to the course layout at this weekend’s event, Zornes will have plenty of opportunities to connect with old friends and forge relationships with new individuals.
“This is the third year of the (Transcendence Ultra 12 Hour Endurance Run) and also the third time I’ve raced in it, and what is awesome is that the course is just a one and a half loop continuously,” Zornes said. “So you have fast runners, slower runners, and walkers all mixing together and seeing each other continuously. There are tons of opportunities to socialize, to offer words of encouragement or support to others and just have fun. It’s really a big party.”
Along with the accomplishment of completing 100 marathons, the completion of another milestone for Zornes means twice the celebration.
“I just completed my master’s degree to become a nurse practitioner, so it’s a two-way celebration for me,” Zornes said. “The fact that I can get to celebrate with my friends and family is just another positive aspect of the race.”
Zornes, along with husband Jim, is the parent of two teenage boys, all of whom have raced together in previous events. The family support she has received over the years has meant a lot to her racing career.
“My family has been there, the kids came to my earlier races, and that has always been great,” Zornes said. “My husband has run one marathon and quite a few half marathons. Lately, he’s been running half if I run full. My husband is great, and he knows I’ll be running and is very supportive and he knows I need it for my sanity.”
Keeping ones sanity when running/walking for over twenty-six miles can be a daunting task for marathon participants.
“To me, it’s a mental thing,” Zornes said about running marathons. “I’ve hit the wall before, but you have to tell yourself that you have put in the training time, you’ve completed a race before, and have that confidence in yourself to ignore and overcome the physical challenges. That’s what makes running long distances such a great and beneficial challenge.”
Before becoming an accomplished distance runner, Zornes had to take baby steps herself, something she tells others who are skeptical in their own ability to complete a race or run for an extended period of time.
“My advice to others is just start somewhere, doesn’t matter how fast or slow,” Zornes said. “Just go out, start walking, and enjoy the scenery. If you want to run, add some running and slowly decrease the walking. I started at ground zero. I ran the 100 meters in high school and the coaches wanted me to run in the 200, but I thought it was too far. For people to see me go from nothing to where I am, they think to themselves that they can do it too.”
On the brink of a milestone, Zornes is thankful for the running community she is a part of and the support it has given her.
“Rachael (Jamison) and Craig (Dickson) of Guerrilla Running have been awesome, and there are so many other people who have helped me and encouraged me to where I am today,” Zornes said. “I don’t look at it as a huge accomplishment, because so many others have done it. But people make me feel special. Rachael (Jamison) made a special racing marker for me this weekend, and stuff like that really means a lot.”
100 down, 100 more to go? Zornes does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
“I love to run, and now that I’ve completed school, I’ll have more time to train,” Zornes said. “I’m running in two marathons in Hawaii in September, and I will be running in events for as long as I physically can. Hopefully, I can add 100 more to the list.”
For more information on the Guerilla Running, visit www.guerillarunning.com.
