eyes again they focused on a scrubbing-brush lying in a pool of carbolic. He crossed himself, swore violently and bundled the bedclothes over his shivering body and head.

Sam Monk returned to the Hall before four and hurried to the restaurant.

“What did you want?” asked the only other customer, who sat at the end of a long table with an empty cup and saucer in front of him. It was Chadwick’s man, Harvey.

“Coffee. Is there anyone inside?”

“Coffee’s all you will get. They’ ve had a fire in there. Smell it?”

Monk went through the service door and shortly emerged with a steaming mug. He sat with Harvey.

“Now’s the time the cold really finds you,” observed Harvey, conversationally. Monk was silent, sipping from his mug.

“T can’t think why they chose November for this blooming race,” Harvey continued. “A God-awful month for anything. Some maniac fancied it would draw the public, I suppose. A good chance of racing being fogged off and they have to go somewhere.”

Monk continued to brood, so Harvey tried again:

“Of course, this place is a bad choice, if you want my opinion. A bloody bad choice. So big it is that you might as well be out in the open. Indoor sport, it’s called, and we sit here in blinking overcoats trying to keep our blood from freezing.”

Monk was emerging from his reverie. He studied Harvey.

“You’re with Chadwick, ain’t you?”

Caution flickered across Harvey’s eyes.

“Yes.”

“My name’s Monk.”

“T know. You’re Darrell’s trainer.”

“T wanted to talk with you. This lick they set themselves today—it was bloody lunacy. They can’t keep at it like this for six days. They’ll burn each other off and leave the prize money to the second-raters.”

Harvey evaded Monk’s eyes.

“You think so?”

“Look, I’m not new to this game. I’ ve seen mixes before, mate. Your man’s as far gone as mine or I wouldn’t speak of it. Now I ain’t suggesting we fix the result—nothing like that. All I’m saying is that it’s bad tactics to throw everything into a six-day too soon. Hold your man steady and I’l tell mine the same. It’s the only chance the poor buggers have.”

Harvey pushed his cup aside.

“Sorry, chum. That’s not our way. If Darrell’s lame and can’t keep up, my guv’nor ain’t waiting for him. No deal. But I’ll give you some advice gratis. If

122 Ml MARATHON & BEYOND March/April 2000

you’ ve backed Darrell heavy, get some rhino on my man, as he’s never been more certain of winning. Ah well, time I got him on the track again.”

Elated by his display of loyalty, Harvey stood up, nodded to Monk, and made for the exit. From there he turned to watch the back view of the other trainer as he dispatched the coffee in gulps that visibly scalded his gullet. Before Monk was on his feet Harvey slipped through the door.

Monk roughly tugged the blankets from around Darrell’s shoulders.

“Four o’clock, Charlie. Good rest?”

Darrell moaned and lay inert.

“Chadwick will be back on track in no time. Here, drink this. Make you stronger at once.”

He lifted himself on to an elbow, and swallowed the trainer’s concoction. It tasted like no drink on earth, but he knew enough about Monk’s bracers to value their potency above their flavour.

“Fill it up again. God, I need a livener.”

Monk obliged, and began preparing the calf’s bladder covering for Darrell’s blistered heel. The runner was already reviving.

“Where did you get to while I was sleeping? Get any rest yourself?”

“I lay down a bit, but got no sleep to speak of,” Monk replied candidly. “Now help me with this sock. Draw it slowly over the foot while I hold this in place.”

In a short time Darrell was dressed in his racing-kit.

“T talked with Harvey, Chadwick’s trainer,” continued Monk. “Tried to get some agreement about the pace, but he’d have none of it. Bastard. My guess is that Chadwick will try to break you in the next twelve hours. He’ ll push hard for as long as he can, hoping you’ll pull up lame if you’re stretched.”

“What’s your plan, then?”

“No plan, Charlie. Forget Chadwick. Simply find a pace that’s comfortable and stick to it. If you fall behind, don’t try to raise a gallop. Keep your stride.”

Darrell stood up.

“I’m a sight sharper now, Sam. You’re a bloody wonder. Let’s get started, then.”

He marched out to the starting-line, shouted to the lap-scorers that he was ready to go, and set off on his second long stint.

Erskine Chadwick was on the track a few seconds later, the time that he had taken to groom his hair and moustache. He began at arun, stretching those stiff, lank legs into a vast stride which, coupled with the superior expression on his face, suggested nothing so much as a runaway camel.

©1970 by Peter Lovesey. Reprinted with permission of the author and Gelfman Schneider Literary Agents, Inc.

Andy Yelenak’s drawings on page 110 and 117 were created for this reprinting. Part III of Wobble to Death will appear in the May/June issue.

Peter Lovesey WOBBLE TO DEATH @ 123

Key Bank Vermont City Marathon

A Race with Big-City Resources But Small-Town Charm

(COURTESY OF THE KEY BANK VERMONT CITY MARATHON,

VERMONT IS known for its x Green Mountains, green pas-

toral vistas, and historic towns. Using Yankee ingenuity and efficiency, a volunteer army in Burlington used this setting to build a major marathon.

The 1999 Key Bank Vermont City Marathon (VCM), held on the last weekend in May, is the high point of Vermont’s annual running calendar, drawing runners from throughout the United States and Canada, but particularly from New England and New York. The field is capped at 2,300 marathoners and 600 relay teams (with 2 to 5 runners), for a total of 5,000 runners. Although the field fills early, the city and the course simply can’t handle any more.

THE PENGUIN AND THE SKIER

The prerace festivities on Saturday included a substantial expo and an all-day series of clinics. The organizers provided a slide-show preview of

124 Mm MARATHON & BEYOND March/April 2000

Key Bank Vermont City Marathon 41 Main Street Burlington, VT 05402-0152 PHONE: 802/863-8412 FAX: 802/863-1921 E-MAIL: runvt@together.net WEB SITE: www.vcm.org. This excellent site features a detailed course map and elevation profile as well as a frequently updated record of how rapidly the race is filling up. It also offers suggestions on travel, lodging, and other local attractions. RACE DIRECTOR: — Andréa Sisino YEAR RACE ESTABLISHED: 1989 SANCTION: _USATF START TIME: 805 a.m. COURSE RECORD HOLDERS Open Men: Brad Hawthorne, 1993, 2:18:03 Masters Men: Brad Hawthorne, 1997, 2:21:32 Open Women: Gordon Bakoulis, 1995, 2:38:32

Masters Women: Carol Virga, 1992, 2:47:38 Wheelchair Men: Thomas Foran, 1993, 1:50:29 Wheelchair Women: Harrilyn Beehner, 1996, 3:27:43

PRIZE MONEY $9,850 in total cash awards, with $1,000 course record bonuses and $300 given to the top Vermont runners.

TIE-IN EVENTS: 2- and 5-person relay team

NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS: 1,500

MARATHON FINISHERS IN 1999: 2,100 entered, 1,610 finished MALE/FEMALE FINISHERS: 65% men, 35% women

COURSE MARKINGS: Miles marked

NUMBER OF AID STATIONS: 18 with water and Gatorade; PowerBars offered near miles 11 and 20

FUTURE RACE DATES: 28MAYOO

ENTRY COST FOR 2000: $50 through May 1, then $60

AREA HOTELS: The race has made arrangements with 14 local hotels, which represent a broad price range. Some of these hotels are up to six

March/April 2000 KEY BANK VERMONT CITY MARATHON = 125

the course, lectures by a sports psychologist, a pep talk by John “the Penguin” Bingham, and an elite runners panel discussion. Runners had the option of attending the all-you-caneat buffet in the headquarters followed by an inspiring keynote address from Frank Shorter, who used to compete in the Burlington area as a collegiate skier. There were many alternatives for pasta loading including Bove’s (68 Pearl St.), a Burlington landmark with 55 years of good cooking; Sweet Tomatoes Trattoria (83 Church St.); Anything’s PASTAble (173 College St.); and Mona’s (3 Main St.). The outdoor café, shop, and demo area of the New England Culinary Institute also beckoned those who take their food as seriously as their running.

An interesting innovation is this race’s “hall of fame,” consisting of two dozen runners who had run all 10 previous VCMs. Allowed ina special pen in the front of the pack, these runners had purple-colored low numbers and received VIP treatment.

RUNNING THE COURSE

While Burlington and its environs are very picturesque, the course does not showcase the natural beauty of this setting. We had expected the race to feature many miles along Lake Champlain, but unlike Grandma’s Marathon, views of the Lake and its cooling effects were rare. The race staging area is Battery Park ona bluff overlooking Lake Champlain. The

126 Hl MARATHON & BEYOND

March/April 2000

Course Map

ONE MILE

‘COURTESY OF KEY BANK VERMONT CITY MARATHON WEB SITE

March/April 2000 KEY BANK VERMONT CITY MARATHON @ 127

start was on a four-lane city street adjacent to the park. Eliterunners were evident with white-colored low race numbers.

The race takes a 90-degree turn within a block of the start and does a short but hilly loop through the treecovered residential area near downtown. By mile three, the route takes the first of its trips through the Church Street pedestrian mall and returns to Battery Park for the first relay exchange. In general, the relay did not adversely affect the marathon, particularly as runners grew accustomed to being passed by yellow-numbered runners in the first mile following each relay exchange.

From mile 4 to mile 7, the course takes an extended downhill on the Northern Connector (also called “the Beltline” or Route 127), a divided highway that drops from the bluffinto the Winooski River Valley through the Ethan Allen Homestead. Running through this open space provides views of the bluff, wetlands, and groves of trees . . . but still no lake.

To keep the runners entertained, a fiddler and a quartet performed at two points along the median strip. At mile 7, the course doubles back and then continuously climbs to mile 10. After ashort trip through aresidential neighborhood, Battery Park again marks the relay exchange point.

The race organizers do a good job of isolating the exchange from the full marathoners. The exchange lanes are confined to half the street, leaving the marathoners an unimpeded bypass

128 HM MARATHON & BEYOND

around the hectic process of 600 teammates matching up.

Once again, the course takes Pearl Street and the Church Street Mall through downtown, but this time it heads directly south on a street that features the town maintenance yard and light industry.

After the half-marathon point, the course heads west on bike paths through Oakledge Park, and the runners finally get a half-mile stretch along the lake. By mile 15, the course veers inland and runs on a bike path along an old railroad right-of-way. Just as the runners become accustomed to the gentle grades, the course at mile 16 features “The Assault on Battery.” This quarter-mile hill on Battery Street, which passes the race headquarters hotel, probably brings out the best crowd support for the race. The top of the hill once again is Battery Park and the relay exchange.

By this point, the course no longer features streets completely closed to traffic. Runners are confined to two full street lanes, with traffic cones separating the runners from neighborhood traffic on the other side of the road. Because of a freak accident in 1998, only cars heading toward the runners are allowed on this section. The course is fully staffed with the expertise and enthusiasm of over 50 Burlington and Vermont State Police, as well as hundreds of course monitors, taking on key intersections.

The business district, miles 17 through 19, along North Avenue, are probably the least appealing of the

March/April 2000

Must See/Must Avoid

GO SEE IT

Church Street. In the restored downtown area, ranked as one of the “hippest arts towns in America” by John Villani in his book The 100 Best Small Art Towns, 1997. Race course runs up the pedestrian mall twice. The area features the New England Culinary Institute and many restaurants and pubs.

Ethan Allen Homestead. Walk in the footsteps of Vermont’s most colorful hero and explore his 18th Century farm. Hands-on exhibits, farmhouse, and broad meadows provide a slice of early Vermont life. Located off Route 127’s North Avenue exit. Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.u. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Call 802/865-4556. :

Lake Champlain Islands. If you’re looking for a quick and scenic drive, or a beautiful site for a picnic, drive eight miles north of Burlington on I-89 and then take U.S. Rt. 2 west to the Sand Bar Wildlife Area and Grand Isle.

Green Mountain Rail Road. Vintage cars from the 1930s and 1950s. Call 800/707-3530.

Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory Tour. Although the company started in Burlington, the factory is now 20 miles away in Waterbury, Vermont. Take |- 89 south to Vt. Rt. 100 north. The 30-minute tour includes a 7-minute movie, a walk through on the mezzanine of the factory, and then a tasting session. Costis $2; open from 10… to 5e.m. (Bythe way, you’ll discover that Vermont really does look like those pastoral drawings on the ice cream cartons.) Call 802/882-1240; Web site: www. benjerry. ‘om/tourinfo.html Shelburne Museum. Forty-five acres of historic buildings, gardens, and © even the ferry-boat Ticonderoga. The museum claims to be “New England’s Smithsonian,” with over 80,000 folk art objects displayed. On Rt. 7 about five miles south of Burlington. Call oe

AVOID IT : Postrace Awards Ceremony and Block Party. Overpriced andtoo crowded. Many other downtown venues were more hospitable.

route. The route then offers some shade as it detours through Leddy Park and a residential street before returning to North Avenue, for a fourth relay exchange point in a school driveway. Most of the second half of the course was not shaded, and as tem-

March/April 2000

peratures climbed to 90 degrees, runners started to wilt. Volunteers responded by improvising garden-hose showers along the route. After mile 21, we finally reached the north end of town, ran down a hill, passed the water treatment plant, and caught a

KEY BANK VERMONT CITY MARATHON 129

brief glimpse of the lake before heading inland on another rails-to-trails bike path. Except for water stations, the path was relatively isolated, passing between the backyards of homes. But the water stations were splendid! To keep up crowd spirits, the race held two competitions: “the most spirited/creative water station competition” and “the battle of the bands.” Several community groups, such as local schools and the YMCA, staffed water stations with different themes. The station with the most spirit received an award. A particularly nice amenity was a sign at the end of each water station indicating the exact distance to the next one. Each station seemed to outdo the prior stops until the water station at mile 25, which was more decorated than many weddings. In fact, Lorie Wetzel and Jim Heiney ofAllentown, Pennsylvania, got married there as part of an attempt by both bride and groom to qualify for Boston. After the vows, the flower girl slapped “just married at 25” stickers to their backs, and they dashed off— only to miss qualifying by 15 minutes. Near the wedding site, the route

goes downaslighthill and finally runs along the lakeshore in Waterfront Park, which is a flat area below Battery Park. The route goes to the far, south end of the park and then doubles back to a finish in the middle of the park. Runners complete this final lap around the park to the cadence of Japanese Taiko drummers.

AFTER THE RACE

Large tents in Waterfront Park covered picnic tables, where runners rejoined their families and listened to live music. Computerized results were quickly posted. The baggage had been brought down from the start toaclaim

COURTESY OF THE KEY BANK VERMONT CITY MARATHON

130 HM MARATHON & BEYOND

March/April 2000

area, and the runners got first-rate refreshments. The medical tent at the finish was particularly busy, with almost a quarter of the marathon field failing to finish because of the heat.

The shuttle buses back to the outlying hotels leave from the park. Starting in 2000, showers will be available for runners near the finish.

At 4:00 p.m., an awards ceremony and “block party” were held under a tent on the Church Street Mall outside a local pub. In addition to cash awards and nice trophies, top runners received custom labeled bottles of maple syrup with the marathon logo. The block party included a cash bar and cash buffet.

The camaraderie of the race carried over to the next morning, when we caught the ferry at the terminal at the base of the Battery Street hill. The ride took an hour (fare $12.75), but the time passed quickly as the many

March/April 2000

runners on board traded stories from

the day before. The ferry lands in Port Kent, New York, which is six miles off 1-87.

SMALL-TOWN CHARM

Overall, the race makes fine use of the 1,300 volunteers it musters to produce a first-class event. While the course does not take full advantage of the natural beauty of the area, the race does extend from the southernmost to northernmost reaches of Burlington and captures the spirit of a variety of neighborhoods. The race organizers did a fine job in adapting to unseasonably warm weather, with ample water and sports drinks at the water stops.

So, if you’re looking for a race with big-city resources but small-

town charm, consider the Key Bank Vermont City Marathon. 7

KEY BANK VERMONT CITY MARATHON #131