Lyle‘s Myles a.k.a. Friends of Africa

By Diana Smith

On November 9, 2003 the 10th annual “running” of Lyle’s Myles was held at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver, Washington. The event drew participants from as far away as Corvallis, Oregon and from across the Columbia River in Portland as well. This year marked the first time the event has been held in Vancouver. Originally based in Northern Illinois, Lyle and Diana Smith started the event nine years ago, moved to Vancouver in February 2003, and took the event with them. This year we had an excellent band, many great raffle prizes, and a gorgeous fall day.

This fun run/walk/whatever is unique in several ways. The distance lengthens by 1/10th kilometer each year as the namesake, Lyle, ages gracefully (he says). Next year, when he will turn 70, the race will cover 7.0 kilometers instead of the 6.9k that was covered on November 9. The second aspect making the event unique is that you may choose your form of participation. You may run, walk, skip, or be pulled in a little red wagon (yes, that has been done). You are only asked not to impede the progress of others and to obey any traffic rules the course layout may include.

Finally, and most importantly, the rules state clearly that if you cross the finish line before Lyle you will be disqualified. This guarantees Lyle, a slow runner when he ran and a not-too-fast walker now, another win each year. Not to be discouraged though, all disqualified participants are eligible to compete for trophies that recognize the fastest disqualified participants in different age categories for both females and males.

A registration donation is requested, usually $25, to raise money that is sent to Global Partners, a 501c organization (www.gpfd.org) that organizes community development projects in East Africa for many years. Lyle’s Myles asks it to use these funds to address AIDS issues in Africa for two reasons: First, Africa is the continent suffering the most from the AIDS pandemic. Second, Lyle grew up in Africa (Congo) as the son of Peace Corps-like missionaries until he was 14.

Stay tuned for 2004 when the Lyle’s Myles committee will produce a 7.0k version of this fun-filled event.