Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of four articles leading up to the weekend of the Brookings Marathon May 10-11. For more information on the races, go to prairiestriders.net.
BROOKINGS – The 50th anniversary of the Brookings Marathon also marks the 10th year that the race has had volunteer lead cyclists.
Randy Hanson, 56, of Aurora, is entering his 10th year as the lead cyclist organizer, and Jason Harms, 46, of Ortonville, Minn., is entering his 10th consecutive year as a lead cyclist. Despite their experience, both acknowledge that the lead cyclist position has challenges and requires training each year.
No simple task
Lead cyclists must remain close to runners to lead, protect and communicate with the lead runner, but must also remain far enough ahead that they will not interfere with their pace. In windy conditions, it can be especially difficult for the lead cyclist to maintain a pace that is faster than the lead runner.
Lead cyclists look back frequently to check on the lead runner and their pace. Harms recalls neck soreness in the days following the Brookings Marathon.
The relay portion of the marathon is the most difficult to lead because the lead runner frequently changes and with them, so does the pace. Hanson assigns seasoned lead cyclists such as Harms to lead the relay race.
“The start of the race is probably the hardest. You have to pick out the first one that’s in your section, but then you also have to pay attention to see if there’s lead changes,” Harms said.
Harms began training to lead the Brookings Marathon about a month in advance. He rides every other day, gradually increasing the time on his bike. He hopes to complete a two-hour ride this weekend, a week before the marathon, to confirm the he has endurance to lead during the entire 26.2 mile race.
Also in the week before the marathon, Hanson organizes a time during which all the lead cyclists meet to pre-ride the course. During the ride, he points out obstacles and quirks about the course.
A support position
The Brookings Marathon lead cyclists go beyond simply leading the race. They support the runners both physically and mentally.
“You’re protecting and guiding through the turns,” Hanson said.
He recalls one year where a car nearly hit the lead runner. Fortunately, Hanson was aware and was able to protect the lead runner by quickly getting the attention of the driver.
Every year, Harms has a bag attached to the side of his bike in which he keeps water, sports drink, salt pills and, depending on the weather, fleece blankets to distribute to runners in need. Often, after he completes his lead cyclist task, Harms cycles back through the course to assure there are no runners in need. He bikes until the last runner has crossed the finish line. Sometimes, Harms is asked by families worried about their runner if he has seen them. He tries to find the runner and report back to the families. Between leading and checking the course, lead cyclists may bike 70 miles or more in the day.
The lead cyclists enjoy encouraging the runners.
“Every year he has stories to tell me about the different runners, sometimes about how much fun they were or how persistent they were,” said Harm’s wife, June.
“Sometimes the lead runner is very chatty,” Hanson said.
He is impressed by runners that can maintain conversations while running fast, especially because he now has experience in the runner’s shoes.
Relating to the runners
Although he organized the lead cyclists last year, Hanson himself took a break from lead cycling to run the Brookings Marathon, his first-ever marathon. His goal was to run a Boston Marathon-qualifying time of 3:40. He finished 25th overall in 3:41:15, just 75 seconds short of his goal.
Hanson has partaken in what he calls many “crazy” physical feats. Most notably, he rock climbed from the highest camp on Mount Whitney in California, to the face and then hiked back down all in one day. Mount Whitney is the tallest summit in the contiguous lower 48 states. Few have accomplished this feat, he said.
Despite his prior feats, Hanson says that running the Brookings Marathon still ranks at the top of his physical accomplishments.
“I have a new respect for marathon runners because of the time commitment to train and just the physical aspect of it.” Hanson said.
Like Hanson, Harms has completed “crazy” physical feats that allow him to relate to the marathon runners, most notably, riding his bike across the state in two days in the Ride Across South Dakota.
“I kind of know what the runners are going through trying to push themselves past their breaking point,” Harms said.
In 2015, Harms was diagnosed with Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsy, a rare genetic disorder that causes his hands and feet to become painfully numb as he puts pressure on them while biking. The condition has forced him to cut back on his biking, however, Harms is determined to continue to assist runners of the Brookings Marathon as a lead cyclist for as long as his body will allow him.
Giving and getting back
Both Hanson and Harms agree that they enjoy the community atmosphere of the Brookings Marathon.
“There’s kind of a thrill about the whole race,” Hanson said. “The entire town shuts down for the race. You can ride the whole 26.2 miles without being impeded by stoplights and cars. When you get done with the race, by and large, the lead runner always embraces you and thanks you.”
Hanson advises that everyone volunteer or take part in the Brookings Marathon in some form.
“Get involved and volunteer,” he said. “You get a lot out of it yourself.”
