Runners race through Cache Valley on marathon weekend
Last weekend Cache Valley welcomed hundreds of runners, participating in the 16th annual Top of Utah Marathon.
The annual race takes place in Logan on the third Saturday of September and invites newcomers as well as those who regularly participate in marathons. Todd Hugie, race director, said he has been involved since 1999. In 1980, he started a running club in the valley, acting as the club president. The chamber of commerce asked his group to create a race and the Top of Utah Marathon was created.
Hugie said Utah State University students and faculty play a large role in the race. Students and faculty volunteer and USU is a major sponsor for the event. The USU athletic department advertises the Top of Utah Marathon and the marathon is a source of advertisement for USU. The university also helps with the gifts that are given out to the winners.
Hugie said he sees the race as an economic and health benefit to Cache Valley.
“Our goal as a running club is to promote health and fitness,” Hugie said.
Race participant Valerie Byrnes said the marathon acts as an “economic boom” for Logan.
“It brings in a lot of people from all over,” Byrnes said.
Hugie said he has seen a lot of appreciation from the runners, one of his favorite aspects of the marathon.
“My favorite part is just seeing the runners’ satisfaction after finishing the marathon,” Hugie said. “It’s rewarding to see their reactions in accomplishing something like this.”
Hugie spent 300 hours putting the event together, all part of what he called “a lengthy and detailed process.”
Byrnes pushed her friend and USU alumna, Kim Maibaum, in the race this year. Though they only participated in a portion of the event, the two have also participated in the past. Maibaum has lived with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) for 10 years. In 2005, Byrnes pushed Maibaum for the full marathon. Since then they have been participating together for sections of the marathon. Partial relays and half marathons were available as well as the full 26.2-mile distance.
The Cache Valley Hospital made it possible for the duo this year by donating a jogger. The new jogger can be used for any event by anyone, whether it be for a future Top of Utah Marathon or even just a walk. It is available at Common Ground Outdoor Adventures.
“It’s an opportunity for more people with disabilities to get out there,” Byrnes said. “I don’t want to but words in her mouth but I think it’s a way she feels she can participate in life; life activities and be free.”
Hugie credits the community for making this event happen.
“That’s what makes this such a great event: the Cache Valley community,” Hugie said. “Our committee works super hard, we have a lot of volunteers.”
— sadiejherrera@aggiemail.usu.edu