Wearing Zensah, Engle Completes a journey of 50 marathons in 50 states

From: http://www.benningtonbanner.com/ci_18070103

Sunday May 15, 2011

BENNINGTON -- With the shot of a starter's pistol in the hands of official starter Bob Matteson, the inaugural Shires of Vermont Marathon went off without a hitch on Sunday morning.

More than 350 runners started the 26.2-mile race at the Bennington Center for the Arts and wound their way through North Bennington, Shaftsbury, Arlington and Sunderland before finishing at Hildene Meadows in Manchester.

Chuck Engle won the event in a time of 2 hours, 44 minutes and 58 seconds.

Engle, a self-proclaimed "marathon junkie," had a fitting bib number for his task: No. 50. The 40-year-old from Colorado Springs, Colo., was running to complete a journey of 50 marathons in 50 states -- all in under three hours -- and Vermont was the final destination on his list.

"I teared up coming across the finish line," Engle said under the food tent after the race. "I have so many people to thank for everything. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my family, friends and all my sponsors."

He finished the race with 16 minutes to spare and also reached another milestone: He now has the fastest average time for his 50 marathon-50 state challenge, running each one in an average of 2 hours and 40 minutes.

After the race, Engle, with his girlfriend Cori by his side, popped open a bottle of champagne that was 11 years in the making, as Engle's quest started back in 2000.

"My goal [today] was to run a sub-3, finish the 50 states, pop the cork on the champagne, kiss the girl, go back to the hotel, finish the champagne and take a couple weeks off," Engle said.

Engle said he thought the course design was good. Knowing the lay of the land beforehand helped him crack the 3-hour mark.

"There was a gradual increase from miles 2 to 11, but Dave [Durfee, the race director] had it all plotted out on the website," Engle said. "The course has good long climbs and some steep hills. I'd rather run this course than [the London Marathon]."

Engle also noted that the support throughout the course by family, friends and the volunteers was spectacular despite pouring rain from start to finish.

"I'm running through those small communities, North Bennington, Arlington and everyone is cheering ‘Go marathon junkie!' and the support is just incredible," Engle said.

So the event seemed to be a success, despite the foul weather.

"Everything was nice except the weather, but everyone seems to be in good spirits," said Durfee.

The top finisher on the female side was Gabriella Mangione, from Morrisville, who ran the race in 3 hours, 24 minutes.

"It's a beautiful course with the rolling hills," Mangione said, recouperating near the finish line.

Matteson, a legend in the senior running circuit, said it was an honor to be recognized by being the starter.

"This is the first time it's been run, so to be the starter the first time, it's a very nice recognition," said Matteson, 94, shortly after the runners embarked. "I really enjoyed it, I hope [the race] is a tradition that goes on for years and years."

More than $10,000 was raised for the United Counseling Services in Bennington and Manchester, said UCS community relations director Robert Pini.

As for Engle, the Shires Marathon was his 240th overall. He's only seven states away from completing the 50-in-50 twice.

"I love to run and to race," Engle said. "Could I come back next year to defend my title? I need to come back to Vermont for the next milestone, so we'll see."