PORT ANGELES — Larry Little is passing up a chance to lead one of the most prestigious marathons in the nation to remain on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Little, who serves as director of the popular North Olympic Discovery Marathon he started in 2003, was a finalist for the same job at the Big Sur International Marathon in Carmel, Calif.
On Wednesday, Little informed race officials there that he was withdrawing his candidacy.
“I never really considered doing it, but I did want to see how my qualifications stacked up,” he said.
About two months ago, Little heard about the opening for the scenic Pacific Coast Highway race that Forbes.com tabbed as one of the world’s “top 10 marathons worth traveling for.”
“I saw the advertisement for this position, and I thought it would be an interesting experiment to see where I stood as a director in the hierarchy of directors out there,” he said, adding, “We must be doing something right.”
Big Sur International Marathon spokeswoman Julie Armstrong confirmed that Little was “one of a few selected” for interviews.
“It’s like a $100,000-a-year job,” Little said.
The North Olympic Discovery Marathon has gained a strong reputation over the past decade for its volunteer support and scenic Sequim-to-Port Angeles route along the Olympic Discovery Trail.
“The community really produces our event, and I think it must be doing a pretty good job if an organization like that, who has evaluated what we’ve done, thinks that I’m qualified to do the same thing down there,” said Little, 57.
“It’s really the volunteers, the support, the city, the county, that make that thing happen.”
Discovery Marathon
The North Olympic Discovery Marathon is supported by more than 600 volunteers. The 26.2-mile marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K and kids races are held the first Sunday in June.
Asked what makes the Peninsula marathon so popular, Little said, “It’s the quality of the experience that the runners have.
“That quality of experience is because of what the volunteers do,” he added.
“From its inception, we knew that in order to get people to choose this race over Victoria, Seattle, Carmel, wherever — people come from all over the country — we had to grow the reputation of doing a better job,” Little said.
“It’s not me that’s done that. It’s a group effort, for sure.”
Little said he had no second thoughts about ending his candidacy for the California job.
“I think, too often, you see people looking for positions outside the area, getting offered those positions and leaving as quickly as they can,” Little said.
“I have no desire to leave.”
Little also is executive director of Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics, a nonprofit Port Angeles medical clinic that provides health care services to those who can’t afford them.
“I believe in that organization,” he said.
“I really believe in the board. We’re kind of on the cusp of trying to do some expansion.
“So it would have taken a lot to pull me away from doing that.”
Little moved to Neah Bay in 1978 and worked as a private-practice dentist in Port Townsend for about 20 years. He served as race director for Port Townsend’s Rhody Runs for many years, according to Peninsula Daily News archives.
He and his wife, Michelle, a marathon organizer, live in Port Angeles.
“I sold my practice and moved here because this is where I wanted to live,” he said.
11th year for race
In 2009, Little was elected to the Port Angeles City Council. He resigned shortly after his swearing-in because his wife was battling cancer.
Little said the city always has been supportive of the event, which is now in its 11th year.
“I’m a real believer in this area, a real believer in the potential of this area,” he said.
“People want to be here, and I think we ought to take pride in that.”
For more information on the North Olympic Discovery Marathon, visit www.nodm.com.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
