'Great event, good cause'
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By Matt Patterson
Published: May 1, 2006
Last finisher might run again in 2007 Chuck Endicott was breathless and sore as he crossed the 2006
Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon finish line Sunday afternoon.
The 49-year-old
Edmond resident was the last participant to complete the 26.2-mile course. As he entered the home stretch, a makeshift ticker tape was put up for him to run through. Marathon workers, packing up signs, bleachers and the timing equipment used to track runners throughout the day, stopped and applauded Endicott.
His journey began 7 hours, 19 minutes before. Endicott mixed in jogging with walking throughout his day.
"It was extremely difficult," he said. "This wasn't my first marathon. I just think I did a bad job of training for it."
Endicott ran with his 13-year-old son, Charlie, who finished well before him. Like most marathon runners, Chuck Endicott's reasons for participating had little to do with where he finished. Endicott, a KFOR-TV employee, said the event is a way to support the
Oklahoma City National Memorial.
"It's just a great event for this city for a good cause," Endicott said. "The support people are fantastic. I couldn't have gotten through it without them. They ended up giving me some Ibuprofen. My legs got pretty sore, and I didn't know if I could make it, but they got me through."
Even though this year's marathon left him weary, Endicott didn't rule out running again next year.
"I think I'd do it again, but if I do I'll train a little better next time," he said. "Right now, I just need to soak."
Amy Hefti came in just before Endicott. Hefti crossed the finish line with friend and co-worker
Brenda Snow. The pair began training for the run three months ago by working out four times a week. As they crossed the line arm in arm, both were in tears. Family members presented them with flowers and balloons.
"When we started training for this, we promised we'd finish together," Hefti said. "If one of us couldn't finish, neither of us would finish."
