Tech Alum Wins Marathon Debut

No matter how hard you train, there are always a lot of unknowns before your first marathon. How fast should I go? How much water should I drink?

For former Michigan Tech runner Nick Bedbury, one question still remained after he crossed the line at the Empire State Marathon in Syracuse, N.Y. What place did I finish?

"I actually didn't know I had won the race until I was in the finish chute, and someone congratulated me on the win," said Bedbury, who did not sign up for the race until the night before.

"I pretty much used the same training plan that I had used as a runner at Michigan Tech, with a few modifications," said Bedbury who moved to Syracuse after graduating in May with a degree in electrical engineering.

Bedbury's training was interrupted in September when he was hit by a car on his way to work at Syracuse Research Corporation. He suffered a broken jaw and concussion from the accident, and would take nearly a month off from running.

Bedbury had a rough idea of what time he could run based on a performance by his former teammate and training partner Scott Kentner who ran a time of 2:45 in May at the Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City, Mich.

"I started out conservatively, but I was near the front of the pack of the roughly 1,000 runners in the race."

Bedbury ran a steady pace and slowly moved his way toward the front of the race. At mile 18 he caught the race leader, but he still had no idea what place he was in.

"I thought he was just another runner and not the leader. I went through the next aid station and everyone kept telling me to keep going because there was another runner five minutes ahead of me."

That other runner it turned out was competing as part of a relay team.

Over the final few miles Bedbury was still unsure of what place he was in due to the fact that he was now running amongst people competing in the half marathon.

Bedbury crossed the line in 2 hours 43 minutes, setting the course record for the inaugural race.

When asked if he will retire from marathon racing undefeated Bedbury replied, "I will do another marathon. I like the marathon distance."