Boston Marathon proves to be
extremely challenging for Hoppe
By Jon Gulliver
Staff Writer
Now that Portage Lake’s Rich Hoppe has had a few weeks to reflect on his Boston Marathon experience April 16, he can sum up the experience in two words, “extremely challenging.”
MARATHON MAN — Portage Lake’s Rich Hoppe recently completed the Boston Marathon. Temperatures in Boston on the day of the marathon reached 90 degrees. 
This marathon was one of the top-10 hottest in the 116 years of the race. The temperature at the start was 81 degrees and by noon hit 90.
“My worries started two days prior to the race with the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) offering one year deferments for next year’s 2013 Boston Marathon to those runners who qualified and may want to opt out due to the extreme heat,” Hoppe said.
The BAA also issued an advisory to all qualified entrants that any runner not acclimated to the heat was advised not to compete.
“This comment did not bode well with those Mainers who train in extreme winter weather conditions and rarely run in temperatures over 20 degrees,” he said.
Hoppe, who has run in the marathon before, got up early on race day to catch the T to Boston Common and then hop a bus to the race start. Before the grueling 26.2 miles started, he reconciled himself to just finish and concentrate on hydration and health.
“As the race progressed I was able to hydrate appropriately and take in additional electrolytes to avoid cramps and heat exhaustion,” said Hoppe.
Hoppe completed the race in 3 hours, 52 minutes and 22 seconds.
“I credit my finishing time to reducing my pace per miles by about 40 seconds and having a support crew, friends, family, spectators and volunteers all rooting for me,” he added. “This is one marathon that I will long remember.”
Hoppe, when he is not running, is the regional wildlife biologist for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
