San Diego Marathon honors its fluid asset

By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Tuesday, January 13, 2004 8:57 PM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- The words, like the ash covering Chick Osgood's home site, remain fresh. "Chick, your house is gone," neighbor Mel Gafner told Osgood in an Oct. 26 phone call.

Osgood's Scripps Ranch residence was among those lost to the Cedar Fire, not long after he and his wife, Debbie, evacuated that hellish morning.

Three days after his 3,000-square foot house vanished, Osgood departed for the New York Marathon. To compete, and compile.

"He's our water guy," said Lynn Flanagan, race director for Sunday's San Diego Marathon. "And he was back in New York doing research to do his job better. And he already does an awesome job."

Since 1997, Osgood has coordinated the distribution of liquid for the San Diego half and full marathons, which wind through Carlsbad. He packs eight 24-foot stake bed trucks on the eve of each race, then stocks the 26 aid stations starting at 4 the morning of the runs.

Without water, there are no San Diego Marathon races. Without water, there is no more 9709 Caminito Calor.

The detail-oriented Osgood makes sure the first doesn't happen. Unfortunately, the second did.

"I get emotional talking about it," Osgood said.

Flanagan can't squawk enough about Osgood, an employee for San Diego's Tyco Safety Products. Because of his countless hours of volunteer work, and what he's been through the past 11 weeks, Osgood will receive the Spirit of Joshua Award on Sunday.

The honor, presented by the San Diego Marathon, is named for runner Joshua Birnbaum, a New York bond trader who died in the World Trade Center attacks. Birnbaum was training for the 2002 San Diego Marathon. Out of respect for Birnbaum's goal, his sister, Jill, came to Carlsbad that year and received his race medal.

Osgood, 59, will meet Joshua's parents, Marcel and Sam, on Saturday night. And he's sheepish about being singled out.

"What I lost was monetary, and what they lost was a son," Osgood said. "You can't compare my loss to their loss."

Osgood points to running as why he's still on the go. Since joining the San Diego Fit track club in 1996 to train for the San Diego Marathon, he has lost 35 pounds. A bum hamstring kept him from the '97 run, so he turned to lending a hand rather than leaving the starting line.

And while Osgood has 10 marathons on his running resume, the San Diego event isn't listed. He's too busy working with his water posse ---- Patti and Dave MacCormack, Doug Wescott, Christopher Osgood (Chick's son), Charlie Wilson, Joyce Raymond, Andreas Wright, Nick Hesson, Sherm DeForest and Neal Hershey ---- to log 26.2 miles through North County.

"It's my way to thank them for getting my health better," Osgood said.

Come Sunday, Flanagan and friends return the gratitude.

"Nobody works harder," Flanagan said, "than Chick."

San Diego Marathon and Half Marathon

What: San Diego Marathon (26.2 miles) and half marathon (13.1) runs through Carlsbad.

When: Marathon, 7:30 a.m. on Sunday; half marathon, 7 a.m. Walkers for either event start at 5:30 a.m.

Who: An estimated 7,000 participants.

Where: Start and finish at the Plaza Camino Real mall.

Cost: $75 entry fee for the marathon; $45 for the half marathon.

Info: 760-692-2900 or www.sdmarathon.com

Contact staff writer Jay Paris at (760) 739-6650 or paris@nctimes.net.