Though the course of Mercer Island’s annual half marathon has changed slightly over its 44 years, some things have remained constant: the views, the hills and the sense of community.

Islander Tom Alberts would know. Sunday’s race will be his 30th on Mercer Island.

“The course is really scenic, with trees, houses and the lake to look at. It constantly changes on you,” he said. “The only negative thing is that it’s hilly, but that’s Mercer Island. That’s what makes the course unique.”

Alberts, who did not participate in sports in high school, learned that he enjoyed running during Army boot camp. He then got a job at Boeing and one day, some co-workers persuaded him to go on a jog. He estimates that he has lapped the Boeing airfield 1,746 times.

Now, Alberts tries to exercise every other day and keeps a jogging log, because “as time goes by, you forget what you’ve done and how long you’ve been doing it.” Since 1982, he has run the Mercer Island half marathon 27 times, the 10k once and the 5k twice.

“I’ve missed a few here and there, because of illness or injury,” he said, recalling one time when he didn’t participate in the race due to a run-in with poison oak in Eastern Washington, and that year, the course ran right by his house.

“I couldn’t run, but I wanted to jump out there so bad,” he said.

He has participated in a few other races, including the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Seattle, but said that the annual half gives him a goal to motivate his training. One year, he did the half marathon in Bellevue because his daughter signed up and couldn’t attend.

“I was so proud because I ran it for her, and I actually placed 16th in her age bracket,” he said.

Alberts, who will organize the 14th annual Mercer Island Car Show in July, said he enjoys supporting local groups. The half marathon, organized by the Mercer Island Rotary, raises funds for colon cancer prevention and Rotary charities.

“I like doing things that are community-related and tied to a hobby that you love,” he said.

Running has promoted other healthy habits for him, such as getting enough sleep and eating right. He also said that he is “lucky” to live on Mercer Island, with its multitude of running paths and neighbors who come out to support the half marathon racers, though he doesn’t particularly enjoy running in the rain.

“Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and get wet,” he said, noting that the weather for Mercer Island half marathons over the years has been “a mix.”

The race used to be held in February, and one year was unseasonably warm, Alberts said.

“I wore a tank top,” he said. “We haven’t had that in a while. There are times when it’s been wet and drizzling, but that doesn’t seem to slow anyone down. Once you’ve committed and you get going, you’re oblivious. It’s when you’re standing around, waiting for the start … That’s the tough part.”

Alberts said that his main goal is always just to complete the race.

“I hurt my hip on a treadmill in 1989, and I’ve noticed twinges during training. I have to be careful,” he said. “I always try to do my best and I’m usually pretty tired when I finish. But finishing is the number one thing.”

Click here for more information on the race, including road closures.