Port Angeles Marathon Association President Larry Little said one example of the potential economic benefits of this weekend’s marathon and half-marathon are Thomas and Elke Buchner.
The Buchners traveled from Lannepax, France, to run the marathon, Little said. They arrived Tuesday and are staying until June 22.
When the couple heard about the race and how well run it was, they decided to spend the $550 to travel to Port Angeles, Little said — an amount that was “nothing” to them.
Now they are trying to organize a group of about 15 French athletes who ran the New York Marathon a few years ago to run the North Olympic marathon next year, Little said.
The Buchners also are translating the marathon’s Web site — www.nodm.com — into French and German to attract more European runners.
“And when people travel here from Europe, they don’t stay a few days,” Little said.
“They stay a few weeks.”
Brian Gawley, Peninsula Daily News