August 15, 2004
He’s got an insatiable desire to run marathons
By DON HUNT
Mail Tribune
CRATER LAKE — Runners aren’t usually considered to be maniacal athletes in the mold of say, ultimate fighters.
Tony Phillippi is out to change that perception.
The Tacoma, Wash., resident has run a whopping 23 marathons this year, and on three occasions he’s completed them on back-to-back days.
Along with good friends Chris Warren and Steve Yee, Phillippi will take on the Tahoe Triple Oct. 7-9. That’s right, three marathons in three days along the shores of Lake Tahoe, Nev.
Phillippi, 42, is even thinking about doing a fourth 26.2-mile run on Oct. 10 in Susanville, Calif.
"I love to run and I love challenges — what can I say," said Phillippi, who finished third Saturday in a time of three hours, 28 minutes.
Phillippi, Warren and Yee started a running club in June of 2003 called "Marathon Maniacs." To gain entrance, a runner must complete a minimum of two marathons in three weeks or
less.
Eighty-five runners from throughout the United States have pridefully been admitted to the up-and-coming club, Phillippi said.
Phillippi has gained further notoriety by running 10 marathons in sandals, originally acting on a dare from the owner of Bite Sandals in Seattle.
Even though the specially designed footwear has more straps than a normal pair of sandals, Phillippi admits "they start rubbing pretty bad after 10 or 15 miles."
Phillippi ran the Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego in 3:06 while wearing the glorified flip-flops.
SPRINGFIELD’S STEVE THOENNES was among the top 20 finishers in the 6.7-mile run Saturday, which wouldn’t be notable except for one minor detail: Thoennes was pushing a baby
stroller that contained his two children, 5-year-old Emma and 16-month-old Benjamin.
With Thoennes’ wife also in the run and no baby-sitter in sight, Thoennes dutifully took on the challenge of pushing a pair of passengers along the hilly course.
"Going up the hills was a bear, but the downhills were fun," said Thoennes, a 32-year-old Internet security company support manager. "You’re able to hang on to the handlebar a
little bit. It feels like you’re 20 pounds lighter."
As for the youngsters, Thoennes said they’re happy as long as they can get their hands on food.
AL ACORD STOOD NEAR the start of the 6.7-mile run Saturday, contemplating what would be his 19th straight trip to the starting line.
Others have similar streaks to their credit in the event that began in 1976. But no one could match Acord’s age. At 79, he was the oldest of 373 entrants.
"I’m hoping to go out there and run 10-minute miles," Acord said. "I could go at a seven-minute clip until my late 60s, but once you hit 70, things gets tougher and
tougher."
Acord began running on a casual basis many years ago while working for Southern Pacific Railroad, but he didn’t enter his first official event until he was 61.
Born in Iowa and raised in California, Acord graduated from Red Bluff High School in 1943 and then joined the Navy, where he served on a landing craft in the South Pacific during World War II.
"I was never under fire but a lot of guys around me were," Acord said.
SATURDAY’S CRATER LAKE Rim Runs were dedicated to Perry Custance, a former South Medford High and Oregon Tech standout who committed suicide on June 12.
Oregon Tech coach Ken Coffman addressed the runners as they lined up for the race, telling them how much Custance enjoyed the marathon.
"That is, except for miles 22 through 24," said Coffman, which drew a laugh from the runners.
Custance finished third in 2001 and fourth in 2002.
Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail
dhunt@mailtribune.com
