One of the enduring local events centered on the Parkway celebrates another wonderful year.
The pace is the thing ...
... but so's the hooting, hollering, cheering and fun at Eppie's 34th Great Race
By Alison apRoberts - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, July 22, 2007
For a few sparkling hours Saturday along the American River, there was no talk of Harry Potter, overdue state budgets or presidential polyps.
There was only hooting, hollering, cheering and gasping for breath at the annual running, rolling and splashing party known as Eppie's Great Race.
Retired restaurateur Eppie Johnson started the tradition as a little promotional event way back in 1974.
"I did it as a lark," Johnson said just before the 8 a.m. race start.
The race has become a huge lark, judging by Saturday's spirit and numbers. For the 34th annual event, there were 1,958 adult competitors who completed the race, the most since 1988. (Last year, 1,614 completed the course.) Of those, there were 627 iron competitors (solo rather than team competitors), the most in the event's history.
The race is a three-part event: a 5.82-mile run followed by a 12.5-mile bike ride and a 6.35-mile paddle.
