The 20th annual Big Sur International Marathon (BSIM) on April 24 attracted an elite field of avid runners who successfully met the challenges of the demanding 26.2 mile course along California’s scenic Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel. Over 10,000 runners and walkers participated in six events, including a record number of children in the 5K Schools’ Competition. Kenyan runner Jonathan Ndambuki captured his third BSIM win in four years. Cited in the May 2005 Readers’ Digest as “Best Marathon Moment” in the America’s Best Adventures category, the BSIM sports an uncommon hallmark: a tuxedo–clad pianist playing a Yamaha CFIIIS concert grand piano. This year, 15 year old piano prodigy Michael Martinez honored his mentor Jonathon Lee, marathon pianist for 17 years, by performing Lee’s compositions along with his own. Lee’s last BSIM performance was three years ago; in 2004, he died after a heroic struggle with diabetes. Martinez has a Yamaha GC1at home and continues Lee’s legacy by performing at local benefits, restaurants and elsewhere. “Jonathon taught me to play to the tempo of the heartbeat, to slow my music down,” he says. Janet Lesniak, BSIM music director and a three-time marathon competitor, says, “With very few spectators along the route to cheer runners on, music is crucial for morale. When you reach Hurricane Point, the toughest hill to that point, hearing the piano makes you want to cry,” she says, “and you hear it for the full mile running down to Bixby Bridge.” “We have a significant sound system,” Lesniak continues, “and it’s a great piano. When you first round that corner, it’s spectacular – the combination of the piano (both visually and aurally), and the view. Being a musician on this course is an arduous test of endurance as well: from the time the first runner comes by, it’s three hours of straight music. Most runners train for eons to run the course and participate, yet stop to take their picture with the pianist. It’s an amazing vista point, a gorgeous instrument, and there’s virtually no place else on the planet to experience that.” In addition to Martinez’s performance, runners are encouraged at 1.5 mile intervals by many other entertainers. “But,” says Lesniak, “the piano is definitely the highlight of the musical offerings!” Runner’s World magazine consistently names the BSIM, the largest rural marathon in the world, among its Top 20 Marathons. The 2006 marathon will occur on April 30; for more information, visit www.bsim.org.
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