Early in 1972 the running scene in Humboldt County
was just starting to boom. Hunboldt State had recruited a number of outstanding
runners, some of them national class in caliber. The Six Rivers Running Club
had just been formed and was putting together a series of races for its members.
A number of local runners were looking for a marathon to run which would give
them a chance to qualify for the 1972 U S Olympic Trials and others were simply
looking for a local marathon. Thus in early May of 1972 the Avenue of the Giants
Marathon was born. The Club decided that the Avenue Of The Giants area in Humboldt
Redwoods State Park would be an ideal site for a marathon. The area was relatively
flat, with a few interesting hills; the scenery was unsurpassable; and traffic
control would be no problem. Early May would be an ideal time to hold a marathon
there. The weather would be warm, but not hot; and hopefully the rainy season
would be over. Because the Park would not be officially open for camping, the
park personnel and the businesses in Southern Humboldt would be glad to get
a little early activity. With all this going for it, perhaps this race would
take on regional or even national significance. All that was for the future,
however. The immediate task was to have a successful beginning.
Thirty-two brave souls toed the starting line that Sunday in May. The weather
gods had been kind. The weather was sunny and the spring flowers were at their
best. The original starting line was located near Albee Creek Campground on
Bull Creek Road (about half a mile beyond the five mile mark of the present
course.) Runners would go up Bull Creek Road for a mile and a half to the first
turn around; then back down Bull Creek Road for seven miles; go under the freeway
bridge at Dyerville: then turn left onto the Avenue Of The Giants for six miles
to the second turn around. From there they would return to Albee Creek. All
thought the last five miles would be the toughest part of the race, perhaps
matching in difficulty Boston's famous "Heartbreak Hill." When that
first race was over, thirty runners had finished. The last five miles were declared
to be "tough, but not impossible." All believed the event to be a
success and the Club decided to make "The Ave" an annual event. An
American, Frank Shorter, won the Olympic Marathon in Munich later that year,
and another, Don Kardong, won the Bronze medal. Their success helped spark the
running boom in the U S, and the Ave was on its way. It would grow almost exponentially.
By 1975 the number of entrants had increased ten fold. That year volunteers
stayed up late into the night prior to the race painting numbers on oil cloth
bibs. Runners had to be identified somehow. A finish line crew would be needed
to hand out numbered sucker sticks so that places could be identified. A half
marathon had been added to satisfy those who weren't ready to try a full marathon
yet. Tee shirts would be given to all who finished the marathon. An effort was
made to increase the number of aid stations in case some of the first timers
got into trouble. To meet these costs, the entry fee was raised to $5.00. About
230 runners finished the marathon that day, many breaking the magic three-hour
barrier. And still the weather gods smiled.
In 1976 the number of entrants surpassed 500, and in 1977 topped 900, making
the Ave one of the larger marathons on the west coast. Because the field had
grown too large to stage the race at Albee Creek, the starting line for the
1978 race was moved to its present location, the Dyerville Bridge, and the course
was laid out as it is today. The half-marathon was dropped. Moving the starting
line proved fortuitous, for 2000 plus runners decided to enter the race that
year. Park officials became worried about the impact of so many people on the
park and the Club agreed not to let the race get any bigger.
Those were the golden days of running. At the Ave one could rub sholders with
such notables as Walt Stack, Ruth Anderson, Dr. Joan Ulliot of literary fame,
and Harry Cordellas, a totally blind runner from the Bay Area. Bill, Mad Dog
Scobey had blazed a 2:17, giving the Ave some notoriety for attreacting quality
runners. Later Sister Marian Irvine, the "Running Nun," and Dr Paul
Spangler, who at age 79 broke 4:00, would run in the shade of the Redwoods.
And the weather gods were still happy.
That would change in 1979. In those days runners would pick up their packets
on Saturday if they wanted to beat the Sunday crowds. Volunteers would gather
Saturday morning to hand out packets and set up the course. This day started
out cool and partly cloudy, but by early afternoon, the sun was gone and the
skies opened. Everything, including the workers' keg of beer was moved under
the bridge. Six O'clock rolled around and still the rains came. There would
be no camp fire and celebration that night. It rained all that night and all
of race day. Those unfortunates who slept in tents woke soaked to the bone,
but of course the race "must go on." As the appointed start of the
race approached 2000 wet shivering runners tried to cram under the bridge to
preserve a modicum of warmth. Of course the helpers fared even worse. Many unforgettable
stories were spawned that day. The first, and to my knowledge the only, marathon
wedding ceremony was performed under the bridge in the rain that day. The bride
said she would take him however she could get him. Perhaps the couple shared
their 20'th at the 1999 Ave. I hope they did. And of course the SIlver happens
in 2004!!
The Ave survived and continued to prosper. For the next few years the throngs
continued to flock to the Ave. Then the running boom ended and numbers began
to decline. Marathons were common place, and perhaps the sense of excitement
and accomplishment one could get by training for and completing a marathon began
to wane. During the late '80's and early 90's marathons across the nation were
terminated. Only the big and famous seemed to prosper. Though numbers declined,
the Ave survived, due to the efforts of a core of dedicated volunteers. The
nature of the Ave has changed since the "glory days." It has become
more laid back, a race where families and first timers, along with a cadre of
regulars gather on the first Sunday in May to compete and enjoy the fabulous
scenery. In 1993 a 10K was added so folks who don't do marathons could enjoy
the beauty and majesty of the Redwoods. In 2000 a two-person Marathon Relay
was added to the list of events. In 2002 the relay was discarded in favor of
a straight half-marathon. For purposes of logistical sanity, the course was
altered slightly. Rather than the 7 mile first leg, runners now proceed up Bull
Creek Road for 6.55 miles (thus saving .45 miles of uphill.) To compensate .45
miles was added to the second leg (tis flat). The course is certified, so those
seeking a Boston Qualifier need not worry!
Have a good race, perhaps help with the marathon, but at least be a part of the Magic of the Ave. Soon the next Ave will be upon us. What stories will it generate? What ingenuous wagers will be determined? I wonder!!!
Submitted by Bill Daniel