TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT
It took Roosevelt Cook about 2.5 hours to run the 26.2 miles from downtown Phoenix to Tempe Beach Park on Sunday morning.
It was chilly when he and about 2,800 others started the 15th annual Arizona Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon at sunrise. By the time Cook finished, it was 60 degrees and sunny.
It wasn’t the 38-year-old’s best time. But “it’s fun, it’s challenging,” he said, catching his breath.
More than 10,000 runners participated in other races Sunday, including the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and 10kilometer run. Marathon officials said about 20,000 people had registered for some part of the weekend-long event.
Elite runners sought to qualify for the 2018 Olympic trials, while others participated to stay in shape. Cook, a Phoenix native who lives in California, said he began running in high school and now does so professionally.
“It kept me disciplined,” the physical-education teacher said. “I found success once I started running, so now I keep going,”
As runners finished their races, they met friends and family who cheered them on near Tempe Beach Park, where a cover band performed rock songs. Some runners cooled down with Michelob Ultra beers. Others took water bottles from volunteers.
“I had a really strong run today,” said Ailsa Macdonald, 37, estimating her time at about 2 hours and 48 minutes.
Sunday’s run marked her 18th marathon, she said. The oil-plant operator from Albert, Canada was in town to escape the cold winter at home.
The pleasant temperatures also drew Alina Russell, of Washington, D.C., to the starting line.
The 47-year-old was in Phoenix for a
work conference and ran the 10k race before flying home Sunday, she said.
“It’s nice to come and run in warm weather,” she said, adding that she used the race as a training exercise for longer runs.
Josue Diaz, 40, drove from Los Angeles with a friend to run the full marathon.
Just five years ago, he said, he was winded after running one mile with his dad.
His father encouraged him to continue running in his spare time, he said. Some family members have had health issues because of their weight, so Diaz kept running to avoid complications of his own.
Diaz said he has lost 90 pounds over the last five years.
“My dad’s really happy for me,” he said.