Seattle Marathon | Streak by Steidl will end Sunday
For the first eight years of her tenure as race director for the University of Washington Medical Center Seattle Marathon, Louise Long always held the finish-line banner for Uli Steidl.
She’ll have to get used to a new face Sunday as Steidl announced he won’t seek a ninth consecutive title. Instead, he’s resting for an ultra marathon next weekend, a race with a five-figure first-place prize.
A Steidl still might be first across the line. In this case, it would be Uli’s wife, Trisha Steidl, who won the women’s division last year in 3 hours, 1 minute, 36 seconds, and has entered again this year.
“I was happy to hold it [the banner] for Uli, and I’ll be happy to hold it for whoever wins this year,” Long said. “I wish him well and hope he’s back next year.”
One thing is likely to remain the same: the growing number of those participating in the marathon and its accompanying events - the marathon walk, half-marathon run and walk and the Seattle Kids Marathon.
The turnout last year was just more than 14,000 and Long said she anticipates that entries this year could approach 15,000, especially with the forecast of good running weather.
Many of those entrants will gather at the Westin Seattle Grand Ballroom today for the Runners Expo, which runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Expo includes vendors offering running-related items in addition to exhibitors providing information on a wide variety of subjects, and is the last opportunity to register. Admission is free.
Both the marathon and half marathon begin next to the Experience Music Project on Fifth Avenue and finish at Memorial Stadium.
One of the highlights on the moderately hilly marathon course is an out-and-back leg on the Interstate 90 express lanes.