San Juan Trail 50K Report    March 6, 2010

Morning All.

Was it a total HOOT or what!  Those people on TV warned me it was going to rain, runners were calling to see if the race was still on, silly question! Of course I was preparing for the worse, BUT… it turned out bloody Magic. Are we lucky or what! 

Having just finished the WTRS for the 14^th or 15^th year I might add, in probably the worse weather conditions, I did expect a few no shows for the 50K distance… so for those few who missed out, sorry!  For those who never questioned themselves turning up on race day to enter, you did the right thing.  We can be so lucky. 

So a few runners had race day problems on the course, one mate did run off-course a ways, but was soon back on track going down Trabuco. Cramping was an issue for some, the few that decided to make a holiday of the race were treated to some snow on the top.  All were accounted for and my ham radio team did there job.  Thanks Heiko.  We did have the please of the local Fire and Forest Service people all day keeping an eye on my  behavior… how dare they!  We did have one little expedition back on to the trail, but me fire mate big Anthony handled it professionally as he does everything.  The runner did go on to finish by the way.  Funny thing was his mom was listening to the call for help and she didn’t put up her hand, funny that!

I must thank all my spontaneous help I received on race day.  Lovely Laura was making her first visit to the mountains to support her man; of course I did my best to fill her in as you might say.  She makes magic peanut butter and jam sannies…but did forget to clean up the utensils… don’t worry I did it!  The aid station groups did good work all over the course, no complaints from the runners.  My trusty twosome Bill and Sandy are my main regular support team from the start to finish and they have to drive in from Crestline, high up in the mountains.  Must mention me mate who missed the first bell at home and drove all the way from Mount Baldy to arrive just in time for Virgil to shout go.  There were so many different stories to hear through the day, some too rude to mention of course! 

As for the race itself, it became a one-man show, big Dean Dobberteen did it again, after crossing the line, he said, I feel real good, can I do it again.  Oh yes, he ran up Horse Thief Trail. Now my friends, I didn’t see him do it!!!  His finish time tells me he did not hang around; at 20 miles he had a mile lead.  There were a few changes going on behind him and some surprises.  Dean was the only one under 5 hours and it must be a course record for Saturday’s course… they vary ye know!  Brian Krogmann was real happy to take second and said it was a tough course, but loved it.  The surprise came in the way of the third place overall.  My new mate from the home land ran like hell all the 5 hours and change to take third.  Carey Edge has become my new hero, she already won my WTRS races in prep for the ultra.  Obviously, Carey won her women’s division, but the other surprise was “all action” Renee Roberts who came in 5^th place over-all, surprising some of her local “rat” friends.  Not to be left out, Angela Shartel was third women and 7^th over-all.  My local and new RD mate Keira, was just outside the top ten finishers, good to see her back racing.  29 women finished. 

All the award winners were happy including my long time mate 70 year-old Dale Sutton who I have not seen for 20 years. Go Champ!  Some award winners had to leave… sorry.  Hope the Raffle prize winners went home happy, thanks Chaz for throwing in your new line of printed apparel.  You looked nice all day too!  As for the runners I let start early to give them a reasonable finish time, you did it and I was there at the finish line as promised.  Long time mate Mr Billy Dickey didn’t run a bloody step all day, but just loves his sport even at 70.  Me mate Steve did good with the hot chocolate, made under the TrailHeadz banner…  see you at the OG50 in a few weeks, I will be there supporting at some aid station. 

As for my next move, I am off to my little property in Oakhurst, just outside Yosemite National Park, putting on a new Summer Trail Run Series, similar distances to my WTRS.  Hope to attract the Central Valley runners to challenging the trails up at 4 to5,000 feet in the Sierras.  Hey you guys are welcome if you are in the hood, something different, but still Magic.  Don’t forget my Shadow of the Giants 50K, June 5^th in Fish Camp… A little different to what you ran on Saturday, but just being able to run by those 3,000 year-old Giant Sequoias will get your attention.  Any questions you have you can always email me bazhawley@sti.net.  Keep an eye on my www.bigtrailraces.com also. 

Again, thanks to everyone for letting me be your host in Blue Jay.  Until the next time, keep up the trail running and the hugs. You know it really makes my day.

Love Big BAZ XX bazhawley@sti.net

San Juan Trail 50K Results 2010

SJT 50K photos provided by Michelle Barton, Keith Swiatkowski, Jerry Fetzer, Deborah Acosta & Doug Malewicki

When finished looking at the pictures on this page, click HERE to see more!
Thanks all for the photo contributions...

PRE-RACE
(click on this or any any picture to see a larger detailed version)
(If you want an original full size of any of these photos to print out, EMail: DMalewicki@cox.net. 
Identify it by section, row and column.  Free of course.  Baz will buy me a Starbucks next month!)

Deborah Acosta & Keith Swiatkowski	Michelle Barton & Keith	Deborah & Gina Natera	Larry Goddard is READY!
INKnBURN's Chaz Nickel with Michelle	Sandy Johnson taking care of registration as usual!  Thank you Bill & Sandy!	Jerry Fetzer, his 2 daughters & 38	Pre race briefing