Adventure to Easter Island

Earlier this month, Steve and Loretta Dodson traveled to Easter Island to run the Easter Island Marathon. Easter Island is a Polynesian island in the south Pacific which was annexed by Chile in the late 1800′s. The island is approximately 63 square miles extending 15 miles from east to west and 7½ miles at it’s widest point. To say that Steve and Loretta are infected by the travel bug might be an understatement. In 2000 they became two of 250 people on earth who can lay claim to being in the Seven Continents Club, members of which have run a marathon on all seven continents on earth. Steve and Loretta achieved this goal by running in Berlin, Santiago (Chile), Singapore, Comrades Marathon in South Africa, the Millennium Marathon in New Zealand and the Antarctica Marathon, among others in the United States and around the world. What follows is Loretta’s account of their trip.

Lure of the History and Mystery
Easter Island has been on our “must see” travel list for several years. The mystery of the island has always intrigued us as Easter Island is the most remote inhabited place in the world. Finally, the timing was right so we booked our trip through Marathon Tours. Easter Island is also known as Rapa Nui and the Belly Button of the World. Polynesian settlers landed on the island around 700 AD. The island received its name from Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen who found the island on Easter Day, April 5, 1722. The island is made up of three volcanoes and is known for the moais (stone statues 15 to 20’ tall) and stone platforms (ahus).  Easter Island is governed by Chile.

Getting There
Easter Island is 2300 miles off the coast of Chile. Travel time included a 3 hour flight to Miami, an 8 hour flight to Santiago, Chile and a 5 hour flight to Easter Island.

Train for the Worst and Hope for the Best
We started training in March and averaged 50-60 miles a week. It was great to be running on the early spring mornings, smelling the honeysuckle and hearing the birds chirping. While vacationing in Austin, TX we ran a 10 miler on the Lady Bird Lake Trail. The Austin Running Club puts out water and cups so we had a fully supported run.  During our training runs we ran through Alburtis, Emmaus, Macungie and Trexlertown.

Touring – Going Native
Our tour included 3 days in Santiago. We saw the damage from the earthquake that occurred at the end of February. We also spent a full day touring Valpariso and Vina Del Mar. The region has really changed since 1998. Our first full day on Easter Island the group toured Vaihu, Ahu Akahanga, Rano Raraku Quarry (the original source of the moais), La Perouse Bay and Anakena Beach. On Friday and Saturday we rented a car and explored on our own. We hiked to the top of Terevaka, the highest point on the island. While hiking we experienced sun, wind and rain but it was worth the spectacular views. When traveling we like to experience the traditional ceremonial dances, foods and learn about the cultures. On this trip we had quite an experience dressing up in traditional Rapanui clothing for a photo shoot. It took 30 minutes for the artist to paint each of us.

Island Events
The weekend’s race events included a triathlon, mountain bike race, 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon. Several people participated in the triathlon, mountain bike race and marathon to vie for the King of the Island Award.

Pasta Party
The governor welcomed all the runners to the island and the race director reviewed the race courses. The marathon course was an out and back. There were no porta potties but for $500 pesos you could use the bathroom at the turn around point. Aid stations were every 5k with water and the sports drink, Nuun. No predictions about the weather, it was just too unpredictable.

We are the sponsors
This was the 9^th year for the Easter Island Marathon. The goal is to promote fitness to the people living on the island. Our entry fees ($200 for the marathon, $350 for the triathlon & mountain bike race or $450 for all the events) subsidized the entry fee for all Rapanuis in any event they chose. They received a race number, shirt, and finishers medal. Awards were presented to the top 3 in every 5 year age group. The Rapanuis received a pair of shoes for first place, a Camelback for second place and running clothing for third place. All foreigners received a finishers medal and a gold, silver or bronze medal if they placed in their age group. We did not see any overweight children or any fast food restaurants. Kids were very active surfing, swimming, playing soccer, riding horseback or bicycling.

Marathon
It poured rain all Saturday night. The rain stopped and the sun came out at 9 AM.  The running events started at 10 AM. The first 2 miles went through town on brick roads. We had a gradual 700 foot climb for 11 miles then a 2 mile descent to the beach and back to sea level. After the turn around there was the 2 mile climb back up the 700 foot hill then back into town. The grade of the 2 mile climb was similar to running 5^th Street in Emmaus. Definitely a tough climb between miles 14-16. As I was descending the hill the lead vehicle was returning. I looked at the first runners form and knew in an instant it was Steve, my husband. How exciting!

After the turn around we both had 5 minute leads on our competitors. At 25k our calves started cramping. We both wore compression shorts so we did not have any issues with our hamstrings or quadriceps. We have never used Nuun and would normally not try anything new in a race but we needed electrolytes. At 30k we started drinking 2 to 3 cups of water & Nuun at each aid station. Thankfully we did not have any GI problems!

Steve placed first overall, leading by 20 minutes before the second place finisher crossed the finish line. I won overall female by 16 minutes. After crossing the finish line we took a refreshing 10 minute dip in the Pacific Ocean. The weather during the marathon was sunny, mid 70’S with a 20 mph head wind on the return trip to town. The course was exposed to the sun and wind except for an 800 meter section of trees. This was the second toughest marathon we have run, the Great Wall Marathon was the toughest. The course was physically challenging but cardiovascularly we never “red lined” it. Our patience and strength made it possible for us to triumph and achieve our marathon goals.

Award Ceremony
We received our awards for being overall male and female winners. At the end of the ceremony the race director gave us special recognition for being the first married couple to win the marathon. We have placed in several marathon s before but this was the first time we won one outright. In August, Steve and I will be married for 25 years; marriage certainly is a marathon! (Please note: just five years ago the Chilean government passed a law allowing divorce.)

Rooster: 5 Steve: 0
Every morning from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. a rooster crowed and every morning Steve swore he was going to cook that rooster for dinner. After the marathon Steve was too tired to give chase so the rooster lived to crow another day. We did not have an alarm clock in our room and do not recall seeing a clock in the hotel lobby. People lived on island time!

Island Life
Population: 4000 people. There are only 4 paved roads but many dirt roads. The airport has one of the longest air strips in the world. The air strip is designated as an emergency landing spot for the space shuttle. The average family spends $2000 a month on food. All food is imported. The poor soil and strong winds make it difficult to grow anything. At one time the island had 2300 stone chicken houses. Only the farmer knew which stone to move for entry and exit of the chickens.

Wrap Up
We had a splendid time, fond memories of our travel group and took some great photos. It really is fascinating to experience different cultures. We are looking forward to our next challenge and adventure.

Adios!