SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015 3 B SHS grad realizes dream to run Boston Marathon © is brought to you by these participating sponsors: After 20 years, Aaron Long laced up in Boston S TAFF R EPORT Siuslaw News There’s no place like • Keep it fresh and local for the Kids in Florence! • Live Music on the Weekends Like us on Facebook so our Daily Specials pop up in your NEWS FEED 294 Laurel St. in Historic Old Town Florence 541-997-4886 Aaron Long, a 1997 gradu- ate of Siuslaw High School, ran the 119th Boston Marathon last month, realizing a goal 20 years in the making. Long, son of Cris Krett and Robert Long of Florence, fin- ished the April 20 race in Massachusetts with a time of 3:23:29. Nearly 30,000 runners participated in the 26-mile race this year. Under SHS coach Chris Johnson, Long ran track and cross country for all four years in high school. He continued Good Diet = Healthy Teeth If your child must snack, choose nutritious foods such as vegetables, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese which are healthier and better for children’s teeth. 541-997-3423 1256 Bay St. Old Town Florence Aaron Long before the April 20 marathon in Boston, where he finished the 26-mile race in 3:23:29. his passion for running while in college, one year at Lane Community College with coach Tim Boyce, followed by three years at Western Oregon University with now-retired coach John Knight. Long received a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a minor in business. Long was the athletic direc- tor at the Boys and Girls Club of Western Lane County in Florence as well as at two Naval bases before moving to Mt. Desert, Maine, where he now lives with his wife, Alisha, and their two children. He cur- rently is the athletic director for the YMCA in Bar Harbor, Maine. According to Long, his fam- Dunes City seeks volunteers for Triathlon Celebrating 6 Years of offering the Florence Community Dental Care Dr. Chad Clement COURTESY PHOTO ATHLETE OF THE WEEK DUNES CITY — Dunes City Hall, along with Best in the West Events, needs volun- teers for the Oregon Dunes Triathlon and Duathlon on Saturday, May 9, from 6:45 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. Volunteers provide invalu- able assistance in making this event run smoothly. As this event grows and expands, there is a greater need for additional volunteer support to ensure the safety of the participating ath- letes. Volunteers also play a vital support role for all of the ath- letes by providing lots of 29th Annual Mikaela Siegel SPRING RHODODENDRON SALE MAY 10th - MAY 17th Rhododendrons $12/plant or $120/dozen 5&7 gallon sizes - many available Evergreen Azaleas $7/plant or $70/dozen Japanese Maples 5 gallon size, $35/tree Siuslaw H.S. Vintage Blue Warehouse ESTATE SALES - CONSIGNMENT THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN FLORENCE.... Thursday - Saturday 10-5 Sunday 11-4 80 Harbor Street 541-999-1159 Siuslaw News + Business Listings Coupons & More The Viking junior leads the 4A ranks in the 100-meter hurdles. An event in which she finished third at the Grants Pass Rotary Invitational last week in 15.84 seconds; only .01 second off her best time this year. She also finished second in the long jump at Grants Pass with her longest distance of 2015, 16’ 1.75”. KELLEY GREEN NURSERY Open 9-4 daily 6924 Hwy. 38 West, Drain 4 miles east of Elkton Tunnel Honorable Mention Kaylee Graham Siuslaw freshman Kaylee Graham ran her best time ever in the Frosh-Soph division of the 300-meter hurdles in Grants Pass, 51.79 seconds, for third place. She also finished fourth in the 100-meter hurdles in 18.06 and ran one leg in both the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Sponsored By: The Siuslaw News , KCST and The Sports Club A basketball tournament will be held at North Bend High School as part of its Jubilee Celebration. Anyone who attended — or still attends — high school at Siuslaw, Reesport, North Bend, Marshfield, Bandon, Coquille, Powers, Myrtle Point or Pacific is invited to compete July 17 and 18. Upon registering, players will be matched up with other players from their high school. Age or skill level doesn’t matter; the goal is to come and have a great time. A snack bar will be avail- able. To register or for more information about the tourna- ment, email to event coordi- nator Travis Parker at travis2215@yahoo.com If your high school doesn’t have enough players to fill a team, we will find a place for you. 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 R w r u 015 no K U o y l 2 EL HAC EH t P R S a Ge ici PA IN’ &KD P P H ff o Y A HIP HQF D O E S RU H TH e )O A T n a d front th T-SHIRTS $18 hoodies $33 'n33 Susan D. Johnson %)n33 back Best For Hearing Oregon Box Lunch Reedsport Marine & Fabrication Foglio Drop Box Services Shoreline Customized Apparel Alan Twombly-H & R Block Central Coast Disposal Dana Rodet Construction County Transfer & Recycling River House J.L. Walker & Sons Excavating Dry Tech Carpet Cleaning Dutch Bros. Elson Shields Property Management Florence RV & Automotive Specialists Frank Romero 541 Designs Leisure Excavating Ultimate Pest Control Integrity Plumbing Lane Community College - Florence encouragement and hospitality. Many of the athletes have returned to the Tri/Du each year because of its enthusiastic volunteers. The commitment is only one day and all volunteers will receive a free T-shirt and enjoy the day supporting these won- derful athletes. This year, the event will be doing something a little differ- ent and awarding a monetary donation of $250 to the organi- zation that recruits the most volunteers. This can be a civic club, ath- letic club, homeowners associ- ation or similar type of group. Don’t forget to include your organization’s name when reg- istering. If your group has the most volunteers present on May 9, your organization will be awarded a $250 check. Safety, caring and integrity are priorities at Dunes City Hall and Best in the West Events, so come out, get involved and have a great time. If you have a few hours to spare and want to be a part of this event, contact volunteer coordinator Renee Green at 541-997-3338 or email permits @dunescityor.com and get reg- istered as a volunteer. Anyone interested in volun- teering can also come to Dunes City Hall, 82877 Spruce Street, in Westlake and get signed up in person. North Bend to host basketball tourney See Jim for your Auto Sales Needs! Red Artworks ')%+)n33 front © 2015 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 31, No. 22 Track & Field back www.shoppelocal.biz ily and friends are his support system. “I’ve been humbled by the hundreds of people who have helped me live out my dream of running in the Boston Marathon,” said Long, who pointed out that his brother, Jeremy, is his partner in all things running. “From Maine to Oregon and Washington, Connecticut and New York, and finally, Massachusetts, I have amassed training runs and races over the last few years that leave my head swirling with uncertainty as I try to remember where I’ve been, what I’ve done and who I’ve had the pleasure of sharing those experiences with,” Long said on his blog about his expe- rience. “All those miles accu- mulated have led to exhaustion, laughter, dehydration, new friendships, frozen fingers and toes, joyful solitude, sunburns, learning experiences, general misery and cherished memo- ries.” To read more about Long’s journey to Boston, view his blog at www.intentionalaaron. wordpress.com. 625 Hwy. 101 y Florence, OR y 541-997-5888 Hoodies are available by Pre-Order Only Voice Your Opinion! 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