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Show Stephens captures marathon By KEITH DUNCAN NORTH SALT LAKE-The fifth time became a charm for Valerie Stephens- as the Davis County long distance ace won the 1986 Deseret News Marathon in the women's division. Stephens, competing in a race that had no clear-cut favorite and considered to be a wide-open event, won with a time of 3 hours and 31 seconds. It was the fifth time that she had competed in the 26.2 mile grueling test, Deseret News Marathon style. For taking first place, Valerie won $500 and a trip to Europe. "I first ran the Deseret News Marathon in 1979 and finished 19th overall," remembered Stephens. "I guess it was u dream of mine to someday get jood enough to take first place, even though I nev-er nev-er really believed it would happen." Her best time ever in a marathon took place at the St. George Marathon where she ran that in a time of 2 hours 49 minutes and 15 seconds. Valerie is originally from Minneapolis, Min-neapolis, Min. She met her husband, hus-band, Lee at Brigham Young University. Uni-versity. Lee Stephens is originally from Sunset, Utah. The couple has one daughter, Marissa. "Lee is a great support to me," said the new champion, "I think he got pretty excited about me winning win-ning this year. He supports me every ev-ery morning by watching Marissa while I workout. " |