Couple to Celebrate 30 Years of Running Together at Anthem Richmond Marathon
David Olsho and Lynne Werner ran their first marathon in Richmond 30 years ago, and have since completed over 100 marathons and ultramarathons. They're headed back to RVA to celebrate 30 years of running at the Anthem Richmond Marathon on November 16th.
By: Ali Crissman
Thirty years ago, a couple living in Chesterfield County at the time, David Olsho and Lynne Werner, did something only a small percentage of the population will ever do – they ran their first marathon. That marathon was the Anthem Richmond Marathon, to be exact. Now, over 100 marathons and ultramarathons later, the husband and wife duo from Seattle will return to Richmond to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of their first marathon by running the race where it all began.
“We thought it might be nice to run,” said Olsho. “We’re looking forward to returning and seeing how the city has changed.”
Werner echoed her husband’s thoughts.
“You hit a lot of neighborhoods in the race,” she said. “It’s a nice tour of the city.”
Running marathons hasn’t always been second nature for Olsho and Werner, however.
Olsho said that when the couple first started running, they began by running around their block, which was about a mile. Eventually, they started progressing little by little, adding mileage gradually. Then, they made the decision to register for the Anthem Richmond Marathon.
“One day, we ran 10 miles,” Olsho explained. “We parked at the end of Monument Avenue and ran to VCU, where Lynne worked, and back.”
That was the day they decided to sign up. And, after that first marathon, they kept running and never looked back.
David Olsho and Lynne Werner in action (Courtesy: Lynne Werner)
Since running that first year in Richmond, the two have run marathons in Boston, New York City, Chicago, and Florence, Italy, among many others. They have even run ultramarathons. While any race over the traditional marathon length qualifies as an ultramarathon, Olsho and Werner have both completed races of over 100 miles.
Werner has run the Badwater Ultramarathon, a 135-mile race, taking runners through the sweltering heat of Death Valley, California. She said this was one of the most interesting races she had completed because David and the couple’s two daughters were able to serve as her crew during the race.
For Olsho, one of his most meaningful races came in 1985 at the Chicago Marathon when he qualified for the Boston Marathon by a mere 20 seconds.
“I was so close to qualifying or not,” he explained. “It was really emotional crossing the finish line.”
Running in so many competitions can require a rigorous training schedule. Combined, the two log between 110 and 120 miles of running each week. On Sundays, they even join each other for their long runs. “We’re really lucky that running is something we both enjoy doing,” the couple said.
Running has taken the couple to places and races that many runners can only dream of seeing, even allowing them to work with ultrarunning great, Scott Jurek. While both enjoy running for the exercise and competition, Olsho and Werner said the most rewarding aspect is the friends that they’ve made through the sport.
“We enjoy the social aspect [of running] within our family and our circle of friends,” they said.
Thirty years after running their first marathon, this Seattle couple will return to where it all began on November 16th to run the Anthem Richmond Marathon. Much the same as they’re looking forward to seeing how the city has changed since they lived here, Olsho and Werner will bring a changed perspective of their own when it comes to running.
The Anthem Richmond Marathon, American Family Fitness Half Marathon, and HCA Virginia 8k take place on Saturday, November 16th. For more information and registration, visit www.richmondmarathon.org.