Winner: Joseph Fuss of Sedona Official Time: 02:55:15

On Your Mark, Get Set, Sedona Marathon!

By Staff Writer | Sedona.biz

[watch videos of the start of the race and opening remarks by Yavapai County Supervisor Davis and Sedona Mayor Colquitt at the end of this article]

(Sedona, Arizona) - It was a chilly, overcast morning in Sedona on Saturday, February 10, 2007, perfect weather for the 2nd Annual Sedona Marathon.  The temperature was a crisp 45 degrees, with 65 degrees projected to be the high for the day.

Two hot air balloons dotted the cloudy sky.

The race time was to be 8 a.m., and by 7:30 a.m. the Sedona Red Rock High School parking lot was at capacity, requiring motorists to use overflow parking at the nearby Cultural Park.

Sedona Marathon 2007

More than one thousand runners were in attendance to take part in the event's 5K, half marathon, and full marathon races.

Yavapai County Supervisor Chip Davis and Sedona Mayor Pud Colquitt gave the opening remarks after a rousing rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner."

And then they were off, starting fifteen minutes late due to the parking issues.

As the starting horn sounded, the sun pierced fully through the clouds, and the remainder of the day was sunny and warm.

Baby Marathoner

The marathon route began on the running track at the Sedona Red Rock High School and wound through the majestic red rocks of Sedona ultimately finishing on Navoti Drive west of the Sedona Medical Center.

Runners of all ages participated in the various races, from babies in strollers to those in there 80's.

At 02:35 into the race, the crowd became excited in anticipation of the lead runners crossing the finish line.  At 02:50, people appeared puzzled, asking each other if they had missed the winner.  What was the time of last year's runner, someone asked? 

At 02:55, Joseph Fuss of Sedona, a teacher and coach at the Sedona Red Rock High School, came striding around the bend, with no one in sight, and crossed the finish line to win the 2007 Sedona Marathon.  He appeared relaxed and happy, not looking like someone who had just run 26.3 miles. When asked for a comment, he  thanked his wife for her support.

Last year's winner, Corbin Talley of Utah, won in 2:44:49. 

Sedona Marathon 2007 Videos (may need to click play several times)

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