Robb Green was one of thousands of happy runners crossing the finish line on a cold, rainy October Sunday.
Probably more than most of the 7,500 folks participating in three categories sponsored under the Denver Marathon aegis, Green gave thanks he was able to run at all.
Earlier this year, Green was diagnosed with pre-malignant gall bladder cancer.
“In April, I had my gall bladder, part of my liver, part of the intestine and my appendix removed,” he said at the finish line in front of the state Capitol. “I’m happy to finish. The alternative would have been disastrous. In February, I couldn’t even walk.
“My neighbor put me up to the challenge,” the corporate sales manager for WW Grainger added with a chuckle.
Green, of Denver, worked out in a gym, was assisted by a personal trainer and finally took to the streets, his best until Sunday being a 12-mile run.
The thing that he really appreciated was the cool, wet weather.
“This was my first half-marathon. I’m here. I did it,” Green said with a smile.
Categories included a full marathon of 26 miles, a half-marathon of 13 miles, and a relay marathon.
Minutes before Green crossed the line, “Team Lizzie” from Kearney, Neb., had finished. The team ran in remembrance of Elizabeth Stratton, a 14-year-old who died Oct. 29, 2006, after a 4 1/2-year battle with liver cancer.
“We run mile by mile, Lizzie-style,” said Laura Aden of Kearney.
The group of eight runners has run other marathons to honor Lizzie, whose battle with cancer – and her smile despite the pain – attracted attention from Oprah Winfrey and a myriad of country-western stars who met Lizzie.
One couple having a grand time Sunday were Tricia Kantack of Kansas City and Benjamin Coffey of Oconomowoc, Wis.
The pair, who met while at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan., announced their engagement Saturday at the Garden of the Gods. They plan to marry in September.
Tricia attended Emporia State on a track scholarship, specializing in steeplechase.
But Sunday, it was Coffey who set the pace.
“He is a rock star,” Kantack said, laughing.
“It was an excellent experience,” Coffey said of the marathon.
Richard Waal, 47, completed his first half-marathon Sunday and said the conditions would have been perfect had it not been raining. But the rain didn’t faze him.
“I love it,” Waal said. “Colorado is such an athletic state.”
Frank Moya, a former journalist and now a Denver lawyer, said he was happy with his time – 1:57:48 – “all things considered.”
“I’ve been hurt with this pulled, that pulled – 56-year-old injuries,” he said, grinning.
Moya said he’ll be back to a steady diet of marathons next spring, but will start out easy. He added: “I won’t be running at altitude.”
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
