CIMart

California International Marathon

The Storm Years

1987 and 2001

Please note: A content list for these 25 stories and links to previous stories are posted at RunCIM.org.

Story #14 in a Series of 25
Written to Celebrate the
CIM’s 25th Anniversary
December 2, 2007

 Do you have a CIM story to tell, any vintage CIM photos, any comments about the 25 CIM stories? Email stories, photos (hi res jpegs) and comments to runcim@ncbb.net.

by Cynci Calvin
runcimactive
Fastest Course
in the West!
maher 87
pattie 97

Are we having fun yet?

Peter Maher and Patti Gray at the finish of the 1987 CIM "Stormathon"

First let's take a look at the reasons behind the California International Marathon's December date. Wouldn't you think that a world-class outdoor athletic event would be scheduled at a time when weather issues are minimal? Here are some answers.

The CIM’s December date has long been controversial. Why would an outdoor world class event chose to be scheduled in December, a time perceived by the general population as “winter” with its accompanying bad weather baggage? The reasons are the same today as they were when the founders established the event.

  • First and foremost – this IS California and it is “The Valley.” Snow is highly unlikely and if it occurred there would only be a dusting. Statistics collected over the CIM’s 25 years show that there is less than 20% chance of precipitation with less than 10% of that deemed significant. The valley’s rainy months tend to be January, February and March. On the other end of the spectrum, the temperatures have never ranged into the 80s and 90s (or even the 70s!) that can occur in September and October. Visit the CIM weather page to view data collected from the National Weather Service.
  • For athlete development purposes, the elite and sub-elite runners benefit from a season that begins with shorter races in January and builds up to the marathon distance closer to the end of the year.
  • Runners in warmer climates are able to do their longer distance training in the fall with its relatively cooler temperatures and shorter days, rather than in the much more intense heat of the valley summer.
  • Runners from northern regions of the U.S. and from Canada are happy to come to California and run in mid 50s, versus their sub 20s.
  • In the Sacramento area Fall continues into December; the trees are still ablaze with fall color.
  • The event’s date, always the second weekend after Thanksgiving, minimizes travel and family obligation conflicts with both Thanksgiving and then the December holidays.
  • It is a time endorsed by regional visitors bureaus, because it is a great time to fill hotel rooms.
  • The race season from early September until mid- to late-October is packed with road races. If the CIM relocated to any of the October or November dates suggested, there would be serious conflicts with several local popular and historic events like the Sacramento (now Cowtown) Marathon, Clarksburg and the Apple Hill Runs.
  • The date precedes the major traffic congestion created by frenzied holiday shoppers.
  • Finally, and this CIM fan’s favorite reason: after all that marathon training late summer into late fall, runners can rest and relax during the December holiday season – guilt free!
The 1987 “stormathon” has become legendary, but following the inclement conditions of the 2001 CIM, all the December date naysayers resurfaced. In fact, the CIM Board questioned and debated its own adherence to this date. The debate continued until 2003 when an email survey was conducted among CIM participants. The very simple questionnaire shown on the right was sent out (without describing the reasons listed above) and the responses were overwhelmingly in favor of “no change.” Done. Dear Runner,
The California International Marathon's Board of Directors is investigating the possibility of changing the date of the marathon - NOT for 2003, but possibly as soon as the 2004 event. We are requesting your input, since you are the ones for whom this change would be made.
Respond simply by selecting one of the following and copying it into the subject line in your e-mail reply.
1) last weekend of October
2) first weekend of November
3) second weekend of November
4) third weekend of November
5) no change (2nd Sunday after Thanksgiving)
Thank you very much for your time and for your interest in the CIM. - CIM Board of Directors

Just how bad was it?

Now let's take a look at 1987 and 2001. Below are statements and links to more commentary from a sampling of the ones who know - they were there. Both years had steady rain, but in 1987 winds are described at 40 to 50 mph whereas in 2001 weather data shows winds around 25 mph. Most veterans of both events will say that 1987 was the worst. A common thread in their descriptions is the sense of pride in braving the elements and crossing the finish line in spite of them.
Race Director John Mansoor
"I sympathize with the runners who must face less than ideal conditions after all the training they put in, and I'm concerned about the wheelchair entrants who are at risk of hydroplaning. My greatest sympathy goes to the volunteers and spectators who brave the weather to help the runners reach the finish line."
Kerr
Candace
volunteer
finish volunteers
1987 Wheelchair winners Candace Cable Brooks (2:32:55) and Gary Kerr (2:22:35) , Cable-Brooks wheeled to a women's course record win of 2:07:13 in 1988. The current course record for women was set in 1996 by Jullia Wallace (1:58:11).

Patti Gray (now Bellan) 1987 Women's Winner in 2:40:49 (read more from Patti)
When I awoke race morning...
Funny, I somehow knew it was going to rain. When I woke up that morning, I think I said something like, "it's just raining, but at least it's not windy"...and then we went to the starting line and I had to eat those words. I was ready for the rain because the year before I had attempted to run Twin Cities and had to drop out when my body started shutting down due to some snow flurries. I was so mad at myself for not being prepared for any weather possibility. I NEVER dropped out of races. I think that was one of two in my whole life. So, I just put it in my head that in can rain hard in Dec. in Sacramento and I'd better be ready. All fall, whenever there was a rain storm, I went out and ran a hard run. I still remember one workout I did. (UC Davis XC Coach) Sue (Williams) had scheduled me for 2 x 7 miles, dropping my time each mile. It was howling wind and pouring. I went out and did it by myself. It was tough, but I know that workout help me a lot on race day.
The wind was so bad that...
It was REALLY hard, but I'm not a quitter. That week, the person who sponsored me from Adidas, died of a heart attack. Because I dedicated the race to him, I really couldn't quit. But, even with that in my mind, I would have to honestly say I thought about quitting, that's how hard it was that day. I remember thinking that and then looking up to notice this woman on the race course just standing in the pouring rain with that wind howling and she was cheering like it was a sunny day in Disneyland. I thought, if she can come out and cheer me on, I can do my best too. I thought about all those people who set up the race, and my coach who was trying to meet me at different points with jackets, hats, etc. My parents came to watch and I just had to keep going. In the very last mile I really just wanted to walk or crawl, and then there were some of my running buddies from Davis cheering. That got me home.
How did the race unfold for you?
I got out on pace, and then it was one of those, out of sight out of mind things. I think someone was closing in at the end, but I never ran against another female. I was just trying to catch up to and stay behind as many big guys as possible. I ended up catching up to a runner I new from the Aggies and I ran behind him for about 8 miles. It really helps to be small in the wind!
When I finished...
I was very happy inside, but TOTALLED on the outside. It was very tough mentally to get through that race and it took everything I had inside and out. It took me a while to recover and I really never did get it back to a level I felt good about in time for the trials.

Peter Maher 1987 Men's Winner in 2:16:49
Note: Maher will be profiled CIM Story #19 - Against all Odds.
"There was never a worse day. I never warmed up one bit. The second mile was the hardest part. That's when I made the decision to slow down. If you go out too fast in weather like this there is a tendency for hypothermia. That 2:16 was worth a good five minutes better in these conditions."

Mark Conover, 1987 3rd place Men's Finisher (read more about Mark)
A unique aspect of Mark's 2:18 finish was that it kept him "under the radar screen" as a likely contender at the U.S. Men's Olympic Trials. As he caught and pulled away from the lead pack at the trials, the reporters were scrambling to find out more about him. His "dark horse" status was thanks to that deceptively "slow" time at the CIM.
The 1987 California International Marathon - was my... 1st marathon.
When I woke up race morning I... hoped it wouldn't start pouring I wore... singlet and shorts
The wind was so bad that... I watched it uproot a tree and topple it on top of a car. I also watched it rip the singlet off eventual winner Peter Maher as I ran along with him. It looked like a plastic bag flying in the wind as it went off in the distance.
I was so wet that I... thought I was out for a run back in Humboldt County.
When I finished I... was ecstatic that I got my Olympic Trials Qualifier and held on to 3rd place.
Will you return to run the CIM? I am now more of a coach than runner, as head (Cross Country) coach here at Cal Poly. So, my days at CIM are most likely long behind me.

Bruce Deacon (British Columbia) 2001 Men's Winner in 2:22:12 See his profile in Story #9
"I'm a duck, I'm a duck, I'm a duck..."

Irina Safarova (Russia) 2001 Women's Winner in 2:36:36
"I knew if I stayed with the other ones I had less chance of winning. I felt good so I decided to speed up. I made it. It was not too difficult."

Magdalena Lewy 2001 2nd Woman in 2:37:57 (and a seven minute pr)
"It was pretty hard, the wind was hitting your face. There were some really, really bad spots... but everyone had to do it."
Deacon 2001
Irina2001 lewy2001
Irina Safarova
Magdalena Lewy
Bruce Deacon
Comments from Some CIM Honor Roll 24-time CIM Finishers
Steve Haun
Strangely enough, the 1987 CIM turned out to be one of the most relaxing I've ever run. Because the conditions were so terrible, the strategy was simple: Get downtown as comfortably as possible, time no object. The 3:57 finish was over 45 minutes slower than the previous year, but the running was just not that hard. Because I wore practically everything I owned I was plenty warm. One other thing I remember about 1987. During some of the windier parts of the course people were running in single file, each person trying to draft behind the other. It looked like a trail of ants going down Fair Oaks Blvd.
Steve Polansky
I thought 87 was way worse than2001. In 87, when you made the turn on the 1/2, the wind was right in your face. I kept looking for wide bodies to run behind. Whenever someone started to run to fast or too slow, Id start searching out my next blocker. 01 was more rain, but heck, you can't be more than 100% wet. At mile 16 at Bella Bru, I got a laugh out of the crowd when I began imitating the breast stroke when I was running.
Barry Turner
The 1987 CIM ... was my 12th marathon.
When I woke up race morning... I thought it only has to get better.
I wore... a t-shirt
The wind was so bad that.... in the pack I was with we took turns leading so others could tuck in from the wind.
I was so wet that... It did not matter.
When I finished... I felt on top of the world, after finishing this CIM in a 6:35 pace I knew there was nothing I could not accomplish. And to this day CIM #5 stays with me in a most affirmative way. As George Parrott would tell me the rain and wind are strength builders, this marathon was pushing it to the extreme state.
Tim Twietmeyer
When I woke up that morning... Woke up? I'd BEEN UP all night listening to the rain and wind pound the windows.
I wore... a tank top. Once you're soaked to the bone, the fewer the clothes, the better. Just trying to avoid the massive chafe.
The wind was so bad... that I had people lined up behind me so they could draft off the big guy. That is, until we got downwind. Er, side wind, there is no downwind on this course when a storm is coming in.
I was so wet... (see why Tim wore a tank top above)
When I finished... I had two more Mimosas than usual at the Sutter Club.
denis06 Denis Zilaff
I was in the best shape of my life in 1987 and expected to shatter my PR. When I awoke to a typhoon I still expected I could PR and since I had a running partner to help pace I thought I was still bullet proof. Dressed in a polypropylene long sleeve shirt and hat I thought the elements would not affect me, so we start off on a PR pace running through six inches of water at the six mile turn and laughing with the spectators slicked out in the burg of Fair Oaks. The sails started to shred between 10 miles and the half-marathon turn. Worse yet, when my buddy saw his wife, a warm cup of coffee and his car, he looked at me and wished me good luck and dropped. As I made the turn solo, my hat blew off and pinned against a cyclone fence a hundred yards back. Now I was faced with a dilemma, should I go back and get the hat or forge on without it? I went on, sans hat and a running partner. I finished the race well off my PR but got much more than a best time or medal, I got bragging rights. The 1987 CIM is legend, the 50 MPH winds are now 80 MPH with gusts to 100 and the rainfall now exceeds 4 inches and we were kicking fish out of our path.
As for 2001- It was a drizzle with puffs of wind, but can I tell you about 1987?
Denis shows he can run tough in the sun too (2006 CIM)
Carol Dellinger (19-time CIM finisher, 215-time marathon finisher); she will be here for CIM's 25th and her 20th CIM and 216th marathon)
CIM 1987 was... my 7th marathon and 2001 was my 142nd.
When I woke up race morning... in 1987 I thought 'Ok, it is really wet and windy, but I came from Spokane, so I am going to have fun.' In 2001, I thought '1987 all over again, but I really thought the wind was stronger in 2001.' Or after 140 marathons I was just brain damaged and had forgotten the 50 mile winds from 1987.
I wore... In 1987 shorts and a cotton shirt, and froze to death. This was before moisture wicking anything! In 2001, by then I had all of the latest performance wicking gear and was actually quite comfortable in wet weather gear.
The wind was so bad that...  In 1987, I think I actually ran 30 miles that day because of all of the back pedalling my legs did. 2001, same thing, worst head wind I have ever encountered, EVER!!!!
dehlinger87
I was so wet... 1987, I couldn't see anything because my head was down to keep the wind and rain out of my eyes. 2001, the rain came from the side and I kept getting water in my ears like when you go swimming!
When I finished I... in 1987, when I crossed the finish line the Capital Mall was one big mud hole and I sank to my ankles in mud. 2001, I knew not to step in the mud because I am a fast learner.
Have you ever run a marathon in worse conditions and if so which one(s)?
1987, my 7th marathon and the worst weather ever! 2001, my 142nd marathon and the 2nd worst weather after 1987. CIM really knows how to welcome us out of towners.
Since this will be my 20th CIM, you can see that I don't scare very easy.  If a marathon was so darn easy, everyone would be running them. Bring on the weather for 2007! I am looking forward to CIM 2007. It is always a pleasure to come down from Spokane each December to run CIM. I was looking over the results the other day from the last 20 years and havn't seen many out of staters like me with this many CIM's under their belt.

Neither rain, nor wind, nor sleet, nor snow, nor dark of night...

The show must go on...

We're all familiar with these phrases, but how do they relate to staging a marathon? What would cause a marathon to be cancelled? The day before the 2007 Boston Marathon, Technical Director Dave McGilvray was asked this question while the worst Nor'Easter in New England's April history raged outside the Expo. His answer: "A Tsunami... or a race day blizzard that started dumping a foot of snow a minute." He went on to caution runners NOT to run if they were unprepared for windy, rainy conditions. When the CIM's Race Director John Mansoor was asked the same question in an interview for this story he replied, "Although it is highly unlikely in early December, major flooding due to a dam or major levee break could cause a cancellation." Sacramento is situated below the flood plain and protected by a system of dams and levees. In early December the surrounding reservoirs are still low so heavy rains are just beginning to fill them. Springtime can be another story: in the spring of 1986 the American River came within an inch of overflowing the local levies. If that had been marathon day, one more inch would mean no CIM. This was not the case in early December of 1987 and 2001; yes - the winds gusted and the rain poured, but with the reservoirs nowhere near capacity, flooding was not an issue.