Matt Phelps
Mercer Island Reporter

All of the changes for the 36th annual Mercer Island Rotary Run Day were a hit with participants, including the one that the organizers had no control over.

The sun that was missing from last year’s soggy run helped to bring out a record 4,102 participants.

“The weather was a little bit better this year,” the Rotary Run director Sam Sullivan joked. “We couldn’t have dreamed of better weather.”

The start of the race, switched from downtown Mercer Island to the Community Center at Mercer View, allowed for better access to the race site, more scenic courses and an indoor staging area.

“It was nice to have the gymnasium, but it seemed like everyone was outside,” said Sullivan. “It looked like Woodstock.”

Inside, people were able to get massages, peruse sponsors’ tables and hear Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna announce race winners.

The large attendance also meant that the Run Day raised more money this year for Colon Cancer Awareness, along with other charities that the Rotary contributes to.

“I don’t have the hard numbers yet, but it will be a record,” said Sullivan.

The race has a rich tradition on Mercer Island. Former Islander Bob Langenbach, who originally started the half-marathon on Mercer Island in 1973 with just 19 runners, had the honor of firing the gun to start this year’s big race. McKenna started both the 5K and the 10K runs.

“We really wanted to break 4,000 this year,” said Sullivan. “We should be able to break 4,500 or 5,000 pretty easy next year.”

The only major problems that the organizers encountered had to do with Daylight-saving Time. But the problems were confined to a backup of the westbound exit to Island Crest Way from 1-90 and having to start the half-marathon 10 minutes late to accommodate some of those runners.

The growth of the race has allowed the event to reach regional status.

“When you have gorilla marketers who you have to chase off the property, it is getting pretty big,” said Sullivan.