Silver State Marathon coordinator says this is his last year

The 2000 Silver State Marathon will be the last for its event coordinator, Ski Pisarski, who after 11 years feels it's time to step down.

"I'm just kind of burned out," said Pisarski, who works as an air-traffic controller in Reno.

The marathon originally began in 1979 and continued until 1987. It was Pisarski who resurrected the event in 1990 after a three-year break. Current race director Chris Holavird will replace Pisarski next year as event coordinator.

This year's Silver State Marathon will be held Aug. 27 in the Washoe Valley. There will once again be four different events; the 26.2-mile marathon, the half-marathon (13.1 miles), the 10K run, and the 10K walk.

The marathon starts from the Bower's Mansion Regional Park, located on the western end of Washoe Valley, while the other events will start a mile north of the park.

"I've run 88 marathons, and this one is the most fun because of all the different things going on," Pisarski said.

About 150 marathoners participate each year. Normally there are runners from five countries and anywhere between 35-40 states represented, Pisarski said.

Pisarski mentioned that the marathon runners are normally over 40, while the other events attract a younger crowd.

This year's more notable entrants are Miguel Tibaduiza, Bill Divine and Kay Gooch, who is the University of Nevada cross country coach.

Tibaduiza now runs in the masters (40-over) age category, but his performance level hasn't slipped much from the days when he starred at the University of Nevada and later qualified for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

Divine, who lives in Incline Village, is a previous Silver State Marathon winner and still holds the course record. Gooch was last year's women's10K winner, when she took second overall and shattered her own course record by 2 minutes.

"But there is something for everybody," said Pisarski, who encourages everyone to participate. "We've had people who are 85 years old, and in some cases, older."

After the race, there will be a picnic with food and drinks provided by local sponsors. The cost of the picnic is included with the entry fee. Each participant gets a long-sleeve t-shirt, and those that finish receive a copper commemorative medal.

"The medal for the winners is one of the better ones I've seen," Pisarski said. "And I've been to the Boston Marathon."

Entry fees before Aug. 1 for the marathon are $30, while the other events are $25. After Aug. 1, the marathon is $35, the half-marathon is $30, and the fees for the 10K event are the same.

Volunteers are needed for the event. Last year's volunteers helped make the event a huge success.

Those who want to register or volunteer can do so at the Nevada Appeal, 200 E Bath St., Fleet Feet Sports, 3807 S. Carson St., or Eclipse Running in Reno, located at 960 W. Moana Lane. For more information, log onto www.silverstatemarathon.com.