Dolphin, Nevitt give us an inspiring example

posted 03:54 PM 05/18
Permanent Link.

He didn’t win.

But Bob Dolphin finished. And at 81, finishing a marathon is worth celebrating.

Dolphin finished Sunday’s Capital City Marathon in 8 hours, 24 minutes and 26 seconds. Two years ago, Dolphin was running his 24th consecutive Capital City and his 401st marathon.

Not bad for someone who didn’t pick up running until he was 51. Dolphin, who grew up in the Midwest and now lives in Renton, got into running because of a snowstorm.

Unable to drive his car because of the snow, Dolphin began walking the two miles back-and-forth to work in Columbia, Miss., 32 years ago. After a year, he ran a 10K. Several months later, Dolphin, an entomologist before retiring, ran his first marathon.

“I loved the challenge,” he said. “Running has become a hobby.”

A hobby and a business. Dolphin and his wife are the race directors for the Yakima River Canyon Marathon.

Jon Nevitt, who at 71, is Dolphin’s junior. He’s also a faster runner. Nevitt, a Burlington resident, ran his 96th marathon Sunday and finished the Capital City in 5:37:13, 37 minutes under his target time.

“I wanted to finish under five hours,” Nevitt said.

Amy Golstein of Huntington Beach, Calif., was the oldest women finisher in the marathon. She finished in 6 hours, 19 minutes and 41 seconds. At age 78, that’s an impressive time. She kept a 14:29 mile pace.

It would be easy for Dolphin, Nevitt and Golstein to hide because the excuse of age, saying, “I’m too old.” But they’ve gotten off the couch and turned off the TV and walked.

“I feel I’m in better shape than most of my peers,” Dolphin said.

That’s a safe bet. Keep it up Dolphin, Nevitt and Golstein. You’re an inspiration to us all.

Comments

From Sudan and back, one of my favorites

posted 05:13 PM 05/13

Menefee scores 34, Reign gets revenge win

posted 03:14 PM 05/11

Oly Reign to try and stop Lucas, Oregon Waves

posted 01:28 PM 05/09

Capital soccer coach stresses more than the final score

posted 02:45 PM 05/05

Capital's soccer match is a cancer awareness event

Moos, Wulff and Bone come to SMU to talk about Cougar sports

posted 05:10 PM 04/26

A coach, six athletes get standing O: inducted into OHS's first hall of fame

posted 02:39 PM 04/22

Felton lands sponsorship, Oly Reign returns

posted 04:05 PM 04/21

Potts, Cavaliers set to kickoff football season

posted 07:39 PM 04/15

TC Saints win tourney, go undefeated

posted 03:32 PM 04/13