Runners take on tough marathon

It’s a course many runners describe as the toughest marathon they’ve ran.

Starting at Expedition Island, runners follow a path through Green River and up Wild Horse Canyon Road, taking them to the Wild Horse Loop, before being turned around to follow the path back to Expedition Island. Along the way, wild horses can often be seen along the course, along with the desert vistas common throughout Sweetwater County.

“They delivered when they said ‘run with the wild horses,’” Charles Kobold, a runner from Casper said.

Kobold said he only takes part in unique marathons that he believes would be memorable. Kobold has run in marathons in Minnesota, Germany, France and North Korea. Of his North Korean run, Kobold said charity work brought him to the isolated country, saying many of the people he met were friendly and curious about the outside world. Kobold said the course in Green River is difficult, but enjoyed the experience.

The Run with the Horses Marathon, as well as its half-marathon and 10K variations, attracts attention from throughout the region. Even people from outside the U.S. come to Green River to take part in the annual run.

John Pawleska, who organizes the runs with his wife Terry, said runners from Germany and other parts of Europe have taken part during previous runs.

The run also qualifies as a “50 state” marathon. Some runners challenge themselves to earn the “50 stater” title, which is given to people who have run marathons in all 50 states.

Working toward the 50 stater designation is what brought Jennifer Moree to the city from Albany, Ga.

Moree admits she chose the run to cross Wyoming off her list, saying the marathon best fit with her schedule. However, that wasn’t the only reason she was attracted to the marathon.

“It’s just very intriguing reading the description. We live in a very flat part of the country,” she said.

Moree said the altitude change was the biggest challenge for her 48th marathon. Moree’s running partner, Babka Ileiko, said Green River’s marathon was one of the toughest in the 55 marathons she has competed in. However, the run offered a lot of beauty for her as well.

“It’s beautiful and scenic. It’s amazing,” she said.

Ron Carden, a runner from Wheaton, Ill., said the upcoming eclipse wasn’t part of the plan when he signed to run in Green River.

“I didn’t even know there was an eclipse,” he said.

Carden said the toughest part of the course was running down Wild Horse Canyon during the latter portion of the marathon, but said the course delivered on its advertisements featuring the wild horses.

For Carden, marathons are motivation to stay in shape, saying they become much more difficult to someone who doesn’t keep up with their training.

He said he also enjoys the feeling of being alone with his thoughts for a four or five hour period as he runs.

Everyone speaking about the marathon not only said how much they enjoyed the run, but how well the Pawleskas organize and supervise the event.

“The organizers, the volunteers -- everything is A-plus,” Carden said.

Moree said the race directors could not have been more helpful and said the marathon offered great support to the runners.