Great Race notebook: Two locals truly 'endurance' runners
Marty Klanchar and Don Slusser have seen it all when it comes to Pittsburgh road races.
Klanchar, 56, of State College and Slusser, 61, of Monroeville are the only two area runners to have completed every Pittsburgh Marathon and Great Race, the latter held for the 36th year Sunday.
“I don't want to let go of it, that's for sure. I'm thankful every time I show up at the starting line,” Klanchar said. “I'm 56, and so many things can happen health-wise. It is something I want to keep doing as absolutely long as I can.”
Klanchar went to Norwin High School and Pitt then attended graduate school at Penn State. Soon after earning his master's degree, Klanchar took a job Penn State and never left — save for his annual trips home.
“It's always a nice family weekend,” said Klanchar, who attended the Pitt game Saturday.
Klanchar, who had at least four family members running Sunday, finished in 46 minutes, 11 seconds.
Slusser has battled knee problems but still finished in 1:21:51. His wife, Tammy, is also an avid runner and ran a 39:23 to finish 23rd.
“Back in the old days, the Great Race was the feature race in Pittsburgh,” Slusser said. “Every good runner showed up.
“My wife and I were actually vacationing in Maine. If it wasn't for the Great Race, we'd be there for another week. But we know the Great Race is a big event.”
Slusser normally runs the 10K course backward to Frick Park to retrieve his car, but this year he had to take the bus because of his knees.
Perfect attendance
The following 23 individuals have finished every Great Race each of the past 36 years from 1977-2013. The race was canceled in 2003.
Tom Abbott, Natrona Heights; Richard Baldock, Allentown; Ken Balkey, Churchill; Gary Boyd, Butler; Leslie Alfred Brody, Wexford; John Burnheimer, Johnstown; Bob Costello, Connellsville; Philip Ehrman, Pittsburgh; Paul Gaberson, Forest Hills; John George, Pittsburgh; Ronald Hannan, Pittsburgh; Carl Hatfield, Bridgeport, W.Va.; Wayne Jacobs, Shaler; Marty Klanchar, State College; David A. Lester, Pittsburgh; Jack Marszalek, Wilmerding; Roger McGuire, North Huntingdon; Tom Miles, Pittsburgh; Dick Monheim, Edgewood; Tom Murphy, Pittsburgh; John Richards III, McCandless; Rob Ruck, Pittsburgh; Don Slusser, Monroeville.
5K short stories
Nearly five months after shattering the event record at the 5K race that precedes the Pittsburgh Marathon, Mt. Lebanon native Larissa Park took first in the women's 5K at the Great Race with a time of 16 minutes, 39 seconds.
“I'm really happy with it,” said Park, who moved to Somerville, Mass., in 2004. “It was a great day, nice weather, and the course was good.”
Men's 5K winner Caleb Muller is originally from Australia and moved to the United States nine years ago. Despite getting thrown off by the down-up-down course, Muller bested his PR for a road race by finishing in 14:47.
“I've never run this fast this early in the season,” said Muller, who ran cross country at Marietta College in Ohio. “I'm looking forward to running some more races.”
A special moment
Max Caliguiri, the 10-year-old grandson of the race's namesake, former Pittsburgh Mayor Richard S. Caliguiri, finished in 1:06.41.
Max had never before run a 10K but did fine: He crossed with his parents, David and Katy, as the three posted identical times.
The other side
Mike Radley served as race director for 25 years but upon retirement ran the race he spent so many years organizing.
“I have no clue what it's like to actually run the race,” Radley said a few minutes before the gun went off in Frick Park.
Radley, 60, finished in 57:45.
Jason Mackey is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at jmackey@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Mackey_Trib.
