Sometimes we have to look to the past for inspiration. Petaluma, as we all know, was and still is know for chickens. Yeah, we are chicken town USA but we also have a rich history in running and not after chickens!
Petaluma had the first marathon west of the Mississippi that ran from 1935 – 1959. The courses varied from the 1935 three loop course starting and finishing on the Petaluma High School Track. Yup, the same track that the P-town kids train on today! The winner was Leland Smith, USA, in 3:23:11. In 1936-41 the race was a point- to- point course from Cunningham Stations southeast of Sebastopol, through Santa Rosa, and finishing in Petaluma. In 1939 a Petaluma Boy, Clarence Hall, ran a 2:52:00 to claim first place and a World ranking! In 1942-54 the course changed to three loops, starting and finishing at Kenilworth Park. The course record was 2:44:50. In 1955-59 a five loop course was introduced, starting and finishing at the Old Adobe.
The Spartan Running Club of Petaluma was world famous for having outstanding runners. Long before Ultra Marathonman Dean Karnazes, the laced up a pair of shoes, Petaluma runner, Gaudencio Alana won the 1922 thirty mile National Athletic Club Marathon. He also entered the “Great American Footrace” in 1928. This Ultra-Ultra, was a Transcontinental Foot Race which started at Ascot Speedway in Los Angeles and finished in Madison Square Garden in New York. A total of 55 runners took park in this epic event. The runners averaged 40 miles a day. The longest distance was 74.6 miles. Total mileage was 3,422.3! The race took 84 days to run. This was long before gel shoes, gu and sport drinks!
In those days of only rosters could run – no chicks allowed. Clearly, we will have to rewrite the wrongs and have a half marathon or marathon that will include everyone in the Hen House!
Wow! This is very interesting. A half-marathon in Petaluma would be great.
We will make this happed in 2011. What time of the year would you prefer?
Great history lesson for runners and Petaluma history buffs. For a new “Petaluma” marathon, how about getting Penngrove and Rohnert Park involved, with a course starting at our new wastewater treatment plant (or nearby), along the new paths and Shollenberger, etc., to the Sheraton, then to downtown, then over to the Lynch Creek trail for its full length, then to the JC, then through Penngrove to the east side of SSU campus, and back? The distance along this type of route is about 12 to 13 miles so it could be made to work, and there are variations on the loop that could be worked out.
Sounds good we will have to look at the traffic issues involved. The key is traffic control both from a cost end and also not to upset the car folks!
I agree we need to bring back a half marathon and a full marathon back to Petaluma that was back then that was set just west of the mississippi. I want to be a part of this and make this happen with you guys. Where do I sign up?
Petaluma has also produced some amazing prep distance runners in it’s day. Three of the top 5 Empire 3,200m runners are from Petaluma High (#2 Sterling Lockert 2009, #4 Jon Sisler 1974, #5 Dave Royal 1979), 3 of the top 10 1,600m runners (#4 Royal, #9 Lockert, #10 Danny Aldridge 1975), with Aldridge still holding the Redwood Empire record in the 800m as well. Lockert now is a stud runner for Loyola Marymount, and Aldridge went on to a pro running career, with a list of achievements too long to list here. And super currently, Hugh Dowdy is about to compete at the California State Championships, perhaps running fast enough to add himself to that 1,600m list!
Agreed that would be AWESOME to have this marathon.I mean there are a few other marathons that take place in Petaluma already such as the FootRace, Run For Your Life, Counsel & Turkey Trot. There needs to be this one.
Where do i sign up too??
Agreed! Let’s keep adding names to the list. Don’t forget Jacquie Taylor!