Sept. 11, 2011
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -
ANDREW LANG - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
Jordan Welling has ran just about every inch of Bellingham, including the 15K loop from Fairhaven along Bellingham Bay, up to Zuanich Park and back. It's the same route 562 runners navigated during the Fairhaven Runners Waterfront 15K on Saturday, Sept. 10.
Utilizing course familiarity, 23-year-old Welling set a Waterfront 15K course record, finishing in first place with a time of 48 minutes, 10.01 seconds.
"It feels great to win," said Welling, who recently finished his final year of eligibility running cross country and track for Western Washington University. "It's always fun to run a course you feel comfortable with. I've ran thousands of miles in Bellingham, probably so much I don't appreciate the beauty of this course like I really should."
David Palermo finished second with a time of 50:39.3 and Mark Burke finished third with a time of 50:55.1.
In the women's division, Shauna Skinner claimed first place with a time of 55:17.1, Kristen Carter finished second at 57:53.9 and Nikki Vander Wiele finished third at 1:00:28.7.
For Welling, winning the Waterfront 15K was a pleasant way to welcome himself back to town. On Thursday, Sept. 8, Welling finished a summer internship with Nike in Beaverton, Ore., where he is set to work full-time once he graduates from WWU in the winter with a degree in manufacturing and supply chain management.
"I met a great group of guys while I was down there," Welling said. "I was able to train during my lunch breaks. (Nike) is really supportive of athletes. I was able to meet a coach, and we formed a club team called Bowerman AC, which Nike funds."
Welling's main goal is to compete in the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 9. He hopes to qualify for the Olympic time trials there.
Welling's training regiment in preparation for the marathon is rigorous.
"I run about 10 times a week and log 100 miles," Welling said. "On the weekends, I've been running 10 to 20 mile runs to see what it's like to run when my legs are really tired."
While Welling recorded the fastest time, the performance of 40-year-old John Tai, who finished in 98th place, was just as impressive.
Tai ran with a little extra baggage - a baby stroller.
"There was a bit of gravel during one part of the race, and I was a little nervous," said Tai, referring to his 8-month-old daughter Amelita Tai, who was riding in a secured baby stroller. "She woke up, but she was all happy and smiling. Your shoulders get really tired, especially on the uphill parts. And downhill, the stroller tends to drag you, and your legs can get a little out of control."
A handful of others completed the course with strollers, but no one matched the 1:12.08 time Tai finished in. Tai's pace with a stroller equated to a 7 minute, 36 second mile.
In the female division, Skinner's 55:17.1 time was good for a 10th overall finish. Skinner has been training in her hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia for longer marathon runs.
"I want to enter a national competition," Skinner said. "My ultimate goal is to run a marathon. Right now I want to run in the upcoming Victoria half-marathon."
Skinner said her outstanding running ability comes from training six days a week, completing longer running intervals, track workouts, or her favorite - cruise intervals.
"I like the cruise intervals, because you run really hard on and off for about 12 kilometers."
Bellingham Parks and Recreation teamed with Fairhaven Runners to host the event.
Apparel manager of Fairhaven Runners Dylan Wirkkala said top-finishers received Mizuno running shoes, as well as an engraved glass pitcher.
"I just like being able to interact with people," said Wirkkala, who was working the Fairhaven Runners tent at Fairhaven Village Green. "The weather out here is awesome, and it is a great event for the community."
