For most, goal was simply the finish line

Victoria Sun

Monday, Feb. 4, 2002 | 11:09 a.m.

As runners completed the half-marathon in conjunction with the 36th Las Vegas Marathon, encouraging shouts could be heard all around Sunday morning.

Some walked hand-in-hand past the finish line at Sunset Park.

Others jogged, arms raised in celebration of a great accomplishment.

Those who crossed the line were determined-looking men and women of all nationalities, ages, shapes and sizes, with a few kids scattered among the sweaty masses.

"I'm really glad you guys made me come out here," gasped Vic Carrillo of Hammond, Ind.

Carrillo and friends Amy Gahan and Mike Castillo made the trip to visit Las Vegas resident Paul Urbano, who also ran the half-marathon.

"It was amazing," Carrillo said as he caught his breath while leaning against a fence for support. "I've run 5Ks, 10Ks before, but nothing like this.

"It was astonishing. The course was great."

About 2,970 runners signed up for the marathon (including 60 relay teams), and 3,719 registered for the half-marathon.

The winner of the men's marathon, Las Vegas resident Abebe Yimer, who moved here about six months ago from Ethiopia, finished the 26.2 miles in 2:18:48.

He was greeted by cheers and hugs before being helped to the first-aid tent for a massage.

Midori Sperandeo of Fair Oaks, Calif., was the first woman to finish the marathon, in 2:41:51.

She jogged in with a dazed look, then collapsed for a minute before recovering.

Once a runner made it past the finish line, he or she hobbled or walked to a special station to have their time chip removed.

After that, it was off to collect a large foil-like blanket to keep warm, followed by a stop to receive a Las Vegas Marathon medal, bottles of water and more congratulatory words from other runners and volunteers.

"The finish is only important because you go through 26 miles of pain," marathon finisher Doug Croxall said. "It's a displacement of pain with pleasure when it's over."

Croxall, of Los Angeles, wore a plain white T-shirt with the words "Terrorists Suck" etched in black marker and a white baseball cap with an American flag patch sewed on.

He began running marathons seven years ago and said he has run in 40 to date.

This was his fifth time running the Las Vegas Marathon, which he said is one of his favorite races.

There are many reasons people subject themselves to completing a marathon or half-marathon.

Croxall, for one, admires all fellow runners.

"You're competing with yourself and the clock, not the other runners, so sometimes you try to help someone out and sometimes they help you out," Croxall said. "You tend to be supportive of other runners.

"When you meet someone outside of running and you find out they are a marathoner, you definitely have an elevated level of respect for them."

Gathered outside the fence that separates the participants from their family and friends, a pack of people eagerly awaited someone they knew who completed the race.

Henderson resident Bill Caldwell held a camera as he peered through the fence searching for his wife, Belinda, who ran the half-marathon.

But all he could see was a sea of people dressed in tattered -- or new -- running gear in a rainbow of colors.

Many friends, family and runners convened on a grassy area of the park after they reunited.

They sat in circles on the grass, enjoying the sunshine while sucking on oranges or gnawing on bananas.

They stood around stretching, chatting about their accomplishment.

A few ran for personal gratification, some ran to bond with other family members and others ran to raise money for various causes.

Victor McGuire and Mike Kotek, both Las Vegans, ran to raise money for Warren Walker Upper School.

McGuire was greeted by his wife, Cheryl, who had presented him with a nice bouquet of balloons.

"We ran for a purpose," McGuire said. "When we crossed that finish line, we raised about $5,000."

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