In
the midst of massive media marketing for the “first” Little Rock
Marathon--to be held this May 4th, here is an account from the Big Shot of
another marathon (in
a time far removed)
once held in Little Rock . Was it an official marathon? You decide.
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Feb
20th the La Petite Roche Marathon, Little Rock's First Unofficial
Marathon. 7:00 a.m. from Sportstop on Rodney Parham; ends at Mac's Cabin
on Lake Norrell- Water, Beer 5 miles. T -shirts to finishers- $5.00 entry.
A brunch and transportation will be provided. Register before Tuesday Feb
16th at Sportstop in the Heights. For More info- Gary Smith at 666-1720.
--Race
Calendar listing from the February 1982 issue of THE RUNAROUND
|
From
the March 1982, issue of THE RUNAROUND (Little Rock Roadrunner Club newsletter)
The
La Petite Roche Marathon race report
By
Charley Peyton
On
Lawson Road, head down and chin on chest. A pick-up truck slowed and from a
rolled down window a long-haired young man asked, "Is this a marathon or
something? What's its name? " I replied that it had a funny, little French
name but really it was Little Rock's first marathon. "Oh ", he
answered and coasted on. I turned, placed my chin securely on my chest again and
cog-wheeled up some nameless hill. I
thought to myself, “How do you really pronounce that little French name and
why am I here.”
The La Petite Roche Marathon, Little Rock's first unofficial marathon was
possibly Little Rock's finest fun running hour. It was what running is meant to
be. The organizers, sponsors, volunteers and runners were greeted by spring like
weather that prevailed from start to finish. In case you haven't heard any of
the details, let me satisfy your curiosity.. This was a very hard; hilly 26.2
miles that started from the Sportstop on Rodney Parham. At 7:00 am, the gun
sounded and the race proceeded through Pleasant Valley for "make-up"
miles and then circled back past Rodney Parham and out into the back roads of
Pulaski County to Lake Norrell near Benton. Approximately 75 runners and two
hours and 57 minutes later Eddie Mulkey, David Norton, Henry Hawk and Randy
Taylor tied at the finish.
No official times were kept at the
finish; instead you were greeted by Bob McGowan's cabin on the lake where cool
drinks, hot coffee, yogurt, pancakes, eggs and bacon were being served to order.
What fellowship. After R and R,
there was transportation back to the starting point.
Bob McGowan and Steve Tilley who
conceived and organized this run are to be commended.
Also all those volunteers who had water stops, cooked and transported and
in short gave of themselves so that we could do our thing are to be
commended.
And yes, if you ran the thing you are
too commended, too. The bragging rights are yours. If someone could hammer out
those hills it would measure at lease 35 miles. Even though “unofficial”,
I’m notching it as a marathon, La Petite Roche Marathon. My T-shirt now.
La
Petite Roche Marathon finishers
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