Fox Cities 2008

With temps in the 50s when the race began, runners in the Fox Cities Marathon in and around Appleton, Wis., had a good day to run on Sunday (Sept. 21). First, the winning times weren't too bad. James Levash, 26, of Brillion, Wis. was overall winner in a finishing field of 1,026 with a 2:33:25. Sue Pierson, 44, of Neenah, Wis., won the women's race in 2:56:33. Now the special kudos: Bill Sanders, our marathon trainer in the Elmhurst Running Club, set a PR by 10 minutes, breaking three hours for the first time as he ran 2:56:25, good for fourth place in the M35-39 category. And way to go Paul Oostenbrug! The 58-year-old from Chicago, one of my friendly rivals over the years, won M55-59 in a very strong 3:29:09. Illinois was well-represented up in Cheese-and-Paper territory. Nice job!