Youssef Zirari, the two-time winner of the Vancouver USA Marathon, is eyeing a unique challenge. The Vancouver resident is hoping to break the world record for completing 13.1 miles on a treadmill.
Michael Wardian broke his own world record on the treadmill in May by completing the half-marathon distance in 1 hour, 8 minutes and 50 seconds during a fitness event at the Pittsburgh Marathon.
Zirari, 27, said the idea to attempt the world record came to him after a recent treadmill workout. He is confident he can beat Wardian’s time, but said he is seeking a high-quality treadmill to use for the record attempt and someone to videotape his attempt so it can be verified.
“I just need a treadmill that will not stop” before he covers 13.1 miles, Zirari said. “I’m ready now, as long as somebody out there is ready to help me with this crazy idea.”
A native of Morocco, Zirari won the 2013 Vancouver USA Marathon with a time of 2:35:18. In 2012, his winning time was 2:34:25.Zirari has lived in Vancouver for more than six years and said he would like to bring attention to the area by chasing a unique world record.
To assist his record attempt, send e-mail to yzvancouverwa@gmail.com.
Big draw for cyclocross
More than 400 cyclocross athletes participated in the Zaandercross races on Saturday at Frenchman’s Bar Park in Vancouver.
Candida Hart, 49, of Washougal, was the lone rider from Clark County to win a race. Hart finished first in the race for women beginners.
Amy Horstman of Vancouver placed third in that race.
Eric Nelson of Battle Ground took second place in the Category C race. Thomas Royce of Ridgefield placed second in the C race for men 35 and older.
Phillip Trost of Battle Ground placed third among 45 beginner men. Brian Hart. Jr., 14, of Washougal took third in the junior men’s race. He and Nathaniel Hart, 11, also completed one lap of the course on a unicycle. Chris Tauscher of Camas placed third in the race for men 50 and older.
Saturday’s race was part of the Grand Prix Erik Tonkin series, which continues on Sept. 28 in Washougal. The Ninkrossi races start with a beginner men’s race at 8:40 a.m. The final race of the day is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. The Sept. 28 event is at Washougal MX Park, but will not use the motocross track for the races.
Royal Oaks awards memberships
Molly Bilsborough, Madelynne Pirkl, and Bridget Standard have been awarded memberships at Royal Oaks Country Club for the duration of their high school careers.
The three were awarded the memberships through a Royal Oaks scholarship program, started in 2012, that recognizes local high school golfers for academic achievement, golf success and community involvement.
Bilsborough is a senior at Camas High School. Pirkl is a junior at Columbia High School in White Salmon. Standard is a sophomore at Vancouver Home Connections who golfs for Fort Vancouver.The athletes must play high school golf and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. In 2012, Jace Vavrosky and Diego De La Torre were the first to receive courtesy memberships through the program.
Adaptive sports days
Two events in Vancouver will give people with physical limitations the opportunity to try adaptive sports during Wounded Warrior Project Demo Days.
On Oct. 5 from noon to 4 p.m. at Vancouver Lake Park, adaptive cycles and kayaks will be available to try. Also, Vancouver Lake Crew will have an adaptive rowing shell available, along with their dragon boat.
Vancouver Lake Park is at 6801 NW Lower River Road.
On Oct. 6, The Source Climbing Center in Vancouver will host an adaptive climbing event from 9 a.m. to noon, where people with lower body weakness or paralysis can try the gym’s adaptive climbing system.
These events are supported by Outdoors for All Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project.
