Kari Page’s face is hot and red, her hair is wet from sweat, and her eyes peer blankly from under the bill of her cap. She feels great though because this ain’t no beauty contest; it’s the middle of a 10-mile run that is part of her preparation for the Kirkland Half Marathon on May 10. The top of the hill by Lake Washington Technical College marks the half way point of her run today and it marks the four mile mark of the 13 mile race in May.
Page has participated in this event each of the four years the race has been in existence. Nothing short of a natural disaster would keep her from her fifth finisher’s medal.
“I have done races all over the place,” she says, “but this one is special because it takes place right here in my back yard.”
Participation in this run is significant for Page for two other reasons. She is the Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator for the city of Kirkland as well as a member of Kirkland’s Healthy Living Task Force. The ALTF promotes community based activities like the Half Marathon, which encourage residents to make healthy living choices as part of their everyday life.
Also, Page likes the fact that the race ties together all the neighborhoods she works with as part her professional duties. The Half Marathon course starts in Juanita then heads up the hill to Totem Lake, and then passes through Rose Hill, Bridal Trails, Houghton, Carillon Point, downtown, then Waverley, and Market Streets, before finishing back in Juanita.
Though the event had humble beginnings back in 2005, this year there will be over 2,500 runners and walkers participating in what is now officially known as the Kirkland Half Marathon and 5K Run and Walk presented by Everyday Athlete. That makes it one of the biggest half marathons in the Northwest.
The title sponsor of the event, Everyday Athlete, is a retail store in Juanita that stays involved in all things athletic in Kirkland. One of the store’s owners, Wade Praeger, is also on the Healthy Living Task Force.
“We opened our store in Kirkland five years ago,” said Praeger, “because we knew that people here shared our interest and dedication to being fit, being healthy, and being outdoors.”
Everyday Athlete puts on regular clinics and supports several training groups, but the Kirkland Half Marathon is the centerpiece of all their community building initiatives.
As part of its commitment to the Task Force’s goals, Everyday Athlete has added a shorter 3.1 mile run the same day, as well as two non-competitive walking events that follow the same courses as the runs.
“We believe this race can be a signature event for our community,” said Lance Carter, another of the three owners of the running and fitness store.
Chairwoman for the Healthy Living Task Force, Joan McBride says “the Kirkland Run on Mother’s Day exemplifies the lifestyle and community events our city wants to be known for. Walkers, runners, moms, and dads, everyone getting involved”.
Page and the rest of Kirkland’s runners and walkers won’t only be helping their own hearts as they prepare for the half marathon and 5k. The Hope Heart Institute of Bellevue is the charitable benefactor of the event. And the race wouldn’t happen without lots of help from volunteers in the community. Regula Schubiger is the third member of the ALTF closely involved in the event. “Regi” is the Youth Services Coordinator for Kirkland and she is mobilizing her youth troops to help hand out water at five stations along the course.
Page could use one of those stations right now as she turns right at the Bridal Trails Mall. It’s all downhill now though, to her home where a hot shower awaits. But tomorrow she will be out here again. More training, more hills, more trips to Everyday Athlete to replace here broken down shoes. “But it’s worth it,” she says. “I owe it to myself and my family to be as healthy as I can be.”
