2004 St. Paul Inline Marathon

St. Paul Inline Marathon, St. Paul, MN, August 21, 2004
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1,800 skaters enjoyed a world class course at the inaugural St. Paul Marathon on Saturday, August 12, 2004. In spite of challenging rolling terrain and a seriously insulting pitch to the finish, smooth, grooved concrete made everybody's skates sing.

Chad Hedrick and local heroine Kara Peterson took top honors in the Pro Elite Men's and Women's Division, in 1:08:29 and 1:26:11 respectively.

Powerslide's Derek Downing came out of retirement and did an excellent job controlling the pack to allow his teammate to sail further and further up the road on his breakaway. But chasing down every break soon took its toll and Downing had to let Bont Canada's Steve Robillard go, who was soon joined by TWINCAM's Eddy Matzger at the top of an uphill stretch. The two managed to maintain their advantage and finish ahead of the field.

It was a shivering 44 degrees at the 6:45 a.m. start, but abundant sunshine soon warmed skaters up on an ideal day for a sustained effort. If you weren't redlining it for too long you had plenty of opportunity to admire sweeping panoramas of the St. Paul skyline and the mighty Mississippi river.

Congratulations to race organizers Mike Cofrin, Marilyn Franzen, Adam Kocinski, and all of their nearly 200 volunteers, who looked like total pro's by putting on a safe, thoroughly enjoyable, and smoothly run event. For full results and more pictures visit www.saintpaulinlinemarathon.com.

Happy help	90 mm	Opening miles
Bonts on roadway	Oncoming traffic	Strung out
Taste the finish	Front pack	Take it in
Tongue action	Final climb	Best buns
3 girl finish	Pro podium	Tunnel vision

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