Hawkins' marathon glass half full

Time constraints keep coach from running full race

B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News

Thursday, June 14, 2007

BOULDER - Half a marathon is better than none, at least for University of Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins.

In responding to what might become an annual offseason challenge of some sort from oldest daughter Ashley, Hawkins agreed in the winter to begin training to run his first marathon next month in Australia.

But about two weeks ago, a stark realization hit: Because of time constraints - namely those associated with his profession - Hawkins doesn't believe he has trained adequately enough to run the 26.2 miles.

"I've been told when you're this close to running (a marathon), your top mileage should be about 18 miles. . . . I'm at 12," said Hawkins, who last summer accepted his daughter's challenge to become a first-time skydiver.

So Hawkins, who is involved in the Buffaloes' youth football camps this week, will run a half- marathon in hopes of avoiding "too much grief" from Ashley.

"I'm hoping she realizes I've got a job that doesn't allow me to train three hours a day," Hawkins said.

PERSONNEL UPDATE: Hawkins doesn't expect to receive word on the eligibility of junior college running back P.T. Gates until late summer. Gates still is taking courses at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif.

Hawkins also said incoming freshmen Nate Vaiomounga, a defensive back from Corona, Calif., and Devan Johnson, a fullback/ H-back from Turtle Creek, Fla., could be ticketed for "grayshirts," or delayed enrollments.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Cody Hawkins said the Buffs' weekly seven-on-seven drills and player-run position meetings are "very productive." He also said he was anticipating the arrival of freshman receivers so they could acquaint themselves with the offense.

Cody Hawkins said about 10 or 11 freshman signees are on campus, including all but a couple of the eight incoming offensive linemen.

WEDDING BELLS: The Hawkins family will return to Boise this weekend for Saturday's marriage of Brittany, Dan's younger daughter, to Boise State junior linebacker Tim Brady.

TEE IT UP: Former CU coach Gary Barnett is conducting his second golf classic Saturday to benefit economically disadvantaged and at-risk youth. The event, preceded by a pairings party and dinner Friday night in Longmont, will be held at Legacy Ridge Golf Course.

Among the participants are former CU football coach Bill McCartney, former CU women's basketball coach Ceal Barry and former Buffaloes football players Alfred Williams, Joel Klatt, Charles Johnson, Tom Rouen and Lance Karl.

Information: www.GaryBar nettFoundation.org.

The Denver Buff Club Golf Tournament will be contested June 25 at Rolling Hills Country Club.

Participating will be Hawkins, CU athletic director Mike Bohn and basketball coaches Jeff Bzdelik and Kathy McConnell-Miller.

Registration deadline is Tuesday. Information: Mike Matthews, 303-572-4051, or CU Buffs.com.

brooksb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5466