Local runner completes 108th marathon

From left, seated, Joyce Hodges-Hite and Jim Hite recently traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii where Joyce competed in her 108th marathon, and they served as Georgia delegates to the United States Track and Field National Convention. Standing, Ryan Hall, winner of the Olympic Trials marathon in New York in November and U.S. representative in the Beijing Olympics, and Marlene Atwood, Georgia representative for Road Runners Club of America, stop by the USA Track and Field Georgia Association table for a visit. (Photo contributed)

Joyce Hodges-Hite completed her 108th marathon on Dec. 9, 2007 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Joyce was one of over 23,000 who ran 26.2 miles from downtown Honolulu through Waikiki, past Diamond Head before returning to Kapiolani Park below Diamond Head.

Heavy rain began in the middle of the night and con- tinued to fall for hours beyond the race's 5 a.m. start.

In the days prior to the marathon, weather had been the worst seen on the islands for many years. Winds were 25-40 mph with gusts to 60 mph on Tuesday night with heavy rains that washed away roads, houses, trees and power lines. The entire state was declared a disaster area by the governor on Thursday, and there were some worries about whether the race would be held. But the danger passed by late Friday and Saturday turned out to be the only day of the week without rain.

Joyce and husband Jim were in Hawaii as Georgia delegates to the national convention of USA Track and Field. Joyce serves on the Long Distance Running committee as well as liaison to the Mountain Ultra-Trail Running committee, Jim on the Masters Track and Field committee.