Saturday, September 11, 2010

Elroy Tunnel-Trails Half Marathon Race Report

Today's race in Elroy, Wisconsin (population 1,578) was one about friends. I drew on my experiences and friendships with a number of different people as I posted a new personal best at the half marathon distance. It wasn't by much, but 13 seconds still count!

The Elroy Tunnel-Trails Half Marathon had 85 finishers a year ago, and I'm not sure that they might not have been too many more starters than that. Once I had made the decision to go and cover Ironman Wisconsin, which is in Madison on Sunday, September 12, I quickly signed up for this race. It would allow for me to run a half marathon in my 34th state.

Google Maps had suggested to allow myself approximately two hours to get there, but it didn't really seem that I needed that long. I pulled into town at approximately 7:15 a.m. and drove around for about 15 minutes until I found the park where the race would start and finish at. Buses would take us out to Hustler, Wisconsin. (Just stop right there. There was Amish children there set up to sell items for the town's regular Farmer's Market.) I started to get a little discouraged because I didn't know the condition of the trail and it seemed like we were being bussed out about 15 miles.

I actually had come into the race expecting to PR. Yes, a dangerous thought given that I had pretty much rested the entire week. Not by design, though. As I was expecting to run on conditions that were more like a road surface, I actually ditched the PR notions and focused on just having a good race.

On the way, I saw that Bill Dwyer had called to wish me well. I returned the call (after Juliee Sparks answered the call to try and throw me for a curve) and we talked for a little bit, and I thought that all great coaches do things like this. I had watched Andrew Strong, Fred Johnson and Walt and Lisa Yarrow's coach, Muddy Waters, watch them at the bike exit at Ironman Louisville and then retreat to his hotel to call his athletes that were doing Subaru Ironman Canada. Bill's phone message that I got later went like this, "Good luck today. Don't get too greedy too soon with it. Be patient, and hopefully run a PR. That would be really cool. But just good luck and have fun, that's the main thing."

The course description is as follows: The half marathon is unique in that it uses three different bike trails and features a fascinating tunnel. The event begins in the charming village of Hustler, Wisconsin. The runners will begin the race on the peaceful and secluded Juneau County Omaha Trail and head south towards Elroy for about 10 miles. Runners will pass through the tunnel after about three miles of the run. The tunnel was built in 1876 and is 875 feet long! There is a gradual incline up to the tunnel and a gradual decline afterwards. Flashlights will be given to the runners while in the tunnel to increase safety. Furthermore, runners should use caution and good judgment while running in the tunnel. Upon entering Elroy, the course will take a short wind through Kimball Avenue and then a one-mile trek on County PP. There, the runners will take the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail into Elroy, pick up the 400 Trail, and enter the Elroy City (Schultz) Park for the finish line.

As we started the race, I was surprised that the trail was actually pretty good surface, but not what I was expected. I tried to keep it calm because I usually go out too fast. However, it was becoming readily apparent, after passing mile 1 and getting a time mark, that I needed to urinate.

Mile 1 -- 9:30.11

During mile 2, I was making decisions, based on trying to hit a PR, on whether or not I would be able to hold things and for how long. I made the realization that I would probably slow down focusing on it the longer I went. Once we passed the mile 2 mark, we had to cross a highway. I picked a strategic angle behind a vehicle along the open road and did what I needed to do. Once done, I got some fluid at the aid station and took off trying to "make up" as much time as I could.
Mile 2 -- 9:40.75
Mile 3 -- 10:45.65

The one thing that I noticed, though, is that in mile 3 a steady incline was occuring and did through most of mile 4 until we came to the tunnel. It was dark enough that you had to grab a flashlight from a volunteer and about three-quarters of the way, it was necessary to slow down a little because you were unsure of your footing. The mile 4 marker was a little beyond the end of the tunnel and I kept telling myself that this was like running out Lake Woodlands from Market Street during my long runs to date.

Mile 4 -- 10:15.91

With a little downhill, I started to pick up the pace a little bit and focus on form. I remembered the gutsy performance that Kirsten Krause had during CB&I earlier this year. She really hammered things on the run and I used that effort the following day when I ran a 2:13-and high change in a half in Dallas to push through the last four miles. My legs were feeling it again here because I hadn't run the entire week after putting 36 miles on in about 72 hours at the end of the previous week.

I don't know if I'll blame her for the bee sting that came as I crossed a bridge. I looked and there was a bumblebee attached to the upper front portion on the inside of my left leg. I swatted it away and now I'm surprised it didn't come back for more. I kept an eye on it for a little bit to see if it was going to swell up or not. (I learned later from the EMS guys is that if I was going to have a reaction, it is likely I would have taken a DNF.) I actually stopped at the mile 6 aid station for a few seconds to get some advise and then I tried to get back and push things a little bit.

Mile 5 -- 9:44.63
Mile 6 -- 9:50.00

I could feel the pain of the sting a little bit, but I chuckled about the magic hat - a Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas visor that I was given at the night of the event announcement - that I was wearing. As a result, I thought about John Laskowski's performance on Monday at the Avia Austin Triathlon and how smooth he handled the run portion of the course that day. While wearing the hat, of course! I tried to mimic that calm, cool form as much as I could. You'll note that mile 7 was my fastest mile all day.

Mile 7 -- 9:38.44

There was another little incline in mile 8 and about midway through the mile, I thought about Vanessa Gnatzig, who is training for Ironman Florida and was a pretty good high school and college cross country and track athlete, and her comment on my Facebook this morning and how she said to enjoy the beautiful state. I was doing my best to, and just as I thought that I turned to the left and there was a pool of water covered in algae. Yes, the algae, I swear, was Team Strive green. Mile 8 I really hustled to get to the cone that was in the middle of a foot bridge to keep the split under 10 minutes.

Mile 8 -- 9:58.90 (1:19:24)

The trail from Hustler to Elroy was about 8 miles a sign said. But during mile 9, we were still on it. A little bit faster. Not sure I really remembered why. At the beginning of the mile, I talked with an aid station worker very briefly about Penn State-Alabama. Yes, I was wearing my Penn State running shirt.

I also remembered here about what I've heard Kim Hager has said about enjoying the experience. Sure, racing is supposed to be hard, but enjoy it.

Also before I got to mile 9, I also thought about Adrienne Langelier running me in a couple of races three to four weeks ago and the annual tradition that Waverly and I have of finishing the last three miles together of the Chevron Houston Marathon.

Mile 9 -- 9:44.42 (1:29:08)

This mile took us to the roads a little bit, which I loved. However, it had three good inclines on it. After we passed those, and entering a downhill, I started to run more strong and more confidently. And once the mile marker came in the view, I made a deal to the euphemistic running gods that I was going to run a 10-mile PR, perhaps even at the expense of a half marathon PR. There, of course, was an incline to the marker, but I kept the split, again, under 10 minutes.

Mile 10 -- 9:55.61 (1:39:04)

Shortly thereafter, we met a stiff headwind before a left-hand turn on to another trail. This trail was a better crushed and packed surface than we have in Houston at Memorial Park, which made it pretty good to run on. Miles 11 and 12 were steady. Mile 12 had a little bit of a dip right before the mile marker.

Mile 11 -- 10:04.44 (1:49:08)
Mile 12 -- 10:03.40 (1:59:12)

As I crossed the main drag of town, I had to take a quick break to catch my breath - actually twice - before getting back to work and trying to meet the PR. At this time, I could also begin to feel my legs to begin to cramp and, of course, making me to question the wisdom of not getting my work done earlier in the week. Just the last half mile or so, I could see volunteers on the trail. There was a string of a flags on both sides of the trail and it was on the other side of a street crossing. I was visually focusing on that and ran towards it. I quickly came to find out that I ran right past a sign to make a right-hand turn. As you can imagine, I was livid.

I turned around, made a left turn (which should of originally been a right), crossed the road still complaining, and then missed going a little further off the road once I crossed the street and instead ran alongside the road into the park. A volunteer, who I had talked to before the race, opened the gate. Looking at the two events together, I don't think I lost any distance that would have put the PR in jeopardy.

They then made you do a lap and a half at and by the finish line. Painful. It was just a little bit bigger than a track, but a little bloated in the middle. So you had to run by the finish line once. They said it was about .4 miles. So when I looked at my watch, as I made my first pass, it read 2:05. I knew I had a chance. I basically ran it like a 400, even though it was really more like 640. I passed three women who might have been doing their half loop before the finish. All I can say is the speedwork pays.

Last 1.1 -- 10:33.48 (2:09:45)

That was half marathon number 74 and in state 34. Here's my top six half marathons:

2:09:45 - 9/11/10 - Elroy Tunnel-Trails Half Marathon, Elroy, WI - 74
2:09:58 - 3/18/06 - Wheatfield Half Marathon, The Dalles, OR - 24
2:12:06 - 1/29/06 - 12th annual 3M Half Marathon, Austin, TX - 23
2:12:26 - 1/28/07 - 13th annual 3M Half Marathon, Austin, TX - 31
2:13:55 - 5/2/10 - Heels and Hills Half Marathon, Irving, TX - 71 (Mostly flat, 60s)
2:14:09 - 1/11/09 - First Light Half Marathon, Mobile, AL - 56 (Flat)

My last racing day, which I ran three in the same day, was with Bill Dwyer and Adrienne Langelier.

Today, of course, to Wisconsin, I came alone. A friend wrote about that concept last night and they said, "That makes going alone fun, it's more of an adventure."

I'd say that they're right. ;)

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Three Races, One Day - August 14, 2010

Running three races in one day really wasn't that big of a deal, especially when you've done multiple legs during the Texas Independence Relay. However, part of the fun was sharing with the experience with great friends -- and the looks from people when you told them what you were doing!

I'm very blessed to know a lot of people in our area athletic communities and it always seems that I get the opportunity, as a result of that, to meet many more. That, my friends, is why I do all of the things that I do.

I actually haven't been doing a lot of racing because I've been seriously training for the Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday, November 21. It has been a goal of mine since the second weekend of April and I hope to do well there and at the Chevron Houston Marathon on Sunday, January 30, 2011.

When Bill Dwyer said that Adrienne Langelier and Juliee Sparks were planning on running the Friends Helping Friends 5K/10K in Clear Lake, I thought that I might go along and run the race as well.

As the time drew near, I had very easily seen the information on Run In Texas' Sand Crab 5K/10K in Galveston that evening. It was on The Woodlands Running Club website, but I stumbled on an "under the radar" 5K in Humble that started at - 6 p.m.! It was for a brand new middle school in the Humble Independent School District. I saw it on a community blog on the Houston Chronicle web site one day while I was at work.

The wheels were then set into motion: three races in one day!

I have run two races in a day many times. The first that I can remember was back in 2005. I drove to San Marcos early on a late September Saturday morning to run the Country Roads 10K, which is hosted by the San Marcos Runners Club, and then came back to run on a four-person relay at the HARRA Cross Country Relay. My three teammates are still very good friends of mine - Holden Choi, Jessica Alexander and Cassie Mondragon (she was Cowan then).

The difference of this experience, though, is that I am right on the cusp of being in the best running shape that I've ever been - and the first race of the day would prove that.

Adrienne, Bill, Waverly and I left from my place at about 4:45 a.m. As Adrienne mentioned in her blog, cross country and track dynamo Lauren Smith, who will be running for Stephen F. Austin next year, was there. And after deciding not to run the 10K and instead the 5K, it was evident that Adrienne would be running for second place. Bummer! But Lauren has been getting faster all summer and Adrienne has spent about 40% of it preparing for and running a marathon.

I was a little skeptical about how I would do, especially after doing a loop of the Fred Hartman Bridge with fellow BARCers on Friday morning. (Yes, I joined in late June or early July.)

The plan, though, was to run the first race of the day for time and the other two for fun.

There were more runners at this event than was anticipated -- good for the charity, but it throws havoc into pre-race planning if you truly didn't expect it. I sized up the crowd and figured that I needed to be towards the front. However, it was a good 24 seconds before I crossed the starting line.

The race started literally in front of On The Run's store and went east out of the parking lot. I spent that entire time passing people, most of it by hopping up on the strip center sidewalk curb and back down. As I made the left-hand turn out of the lot, the cones weren't situated at all properly - and there was nobody there to guide. Therefore, I did what any prudent runner would do: take the shortest tangent and I hugged the left-hand side of the road. I didn't look back to see if anybody followed.

We made a left and then a right on to the northbound lanes of Space Center Blvd., north of Bay Area Blvd. The course was a simple out and back.

I was moving right along, staying close to the orange cones in the center lane so as to run on the part of the street with the least amount of camber. I didn't see the mile 1 marker, but by that point some of the runners were heading back. I saw Lauren Smith and when I didn't have a visual on Adrienne, I knew that there was no sense in trying to count and see how far back she was. I finally saw her and hit the turnaround in 13:59. I didn't even compute that this might have been a sub-28 effort.

I took a quick 18-second walk break and took off. Aside from that, this might have been the first 5K that I can remember that I otherwise ran the entire way.

On the return trip, I really don't remember much other than 1.) one guy didn't do a great job of yielding in the single lane that we were given to run, 2.) I didn't see the mile 2 marker and 3.) I was looking for where to make the left hand turn off of Space Center.

I was still surprised how strong I was feeling as I made that left hand turn off Space Center. About halfway down the street, I saw a familiar individual as I started to run a tangent to the corner. It was Adrienne. At first I thought she was going out for a cooldown run, even though it was a little late after she finished! But she was coming out to run me in. I was pushing too hard to get emotional over it! We made the right hand turn and then about 200 yards to the next right hand turn into the parking lot.

As I made that right hand turn, I was just hoping that I wouldn't feel like I was falling apart at about the 250 meter mark of my most recent 400s.

But I didn't and I made it under 29 minutes in gun time. Take away the 24 seconds in "chip difference" and my time was 28:32.66 - just 15 seconds from my PR. (An adjustment to the race's clock and Bill's watch, but the time at 28:34.48.)

After trying to get fluids replaced, I found out that the winner Lauren Smith felt that the course was about 20 seconds long and Adrienne's Garmin said that the course was 3.18 miles long. That means that the turnaround might not have been put exactly in the right location.

28:34 for 3.18 is a pace of 8:58 a mile. Wow! For a 5K, that's 27:50. Well under my PR of 28:17 from Run The Woodlands 5K in December 2005!

I had commented after the race that I didn't recall anybody ever in the greater Houston area that had come out to run me in, which I really appreciated. It meant a lot to me. I did forget two instances - other than my daughter running in with me every year during the Marathon. They included Edwin Quarles running in the last three miles of the Surfside Marathon in 2006 and John Laskowski waiting for me to finish the Muddy Trails 10K - the first weekend that I really began to bust my butt to get into shape.

Before and after the race, I had a chance to visit with Toughest 10K in Houston and Seabrook Lucky Trails race director Robby Sabban and help him a little bit work the finisher's chute and talked to On The Run co-owner Jay Lee. Great guys to work with on the La Porte By The Bay Half Marathon coming up this December.

Adrienne's mom, Grayson, had come down to support Adrienne and all of us, including Waverly, made a post-race Starbucks visit before heading back to Spring.

On the drive back, Ms. Langelier made a decision to cross over to the dark side of road racing -- more than one race in a day (that didn't include a relay)!

Since I had to get Waverly to our church for a special band and choir practice close to 5 p.m., Bill and Adrienne drove over to Humble's Woodcreek Middle School together and I followed a little later.

The temperature in the truck read anywhere from 95 to 102 degrees as I made the drive east.

Bill had already done the course reconnaisance by the time I had gotten there and said that they had a pretty good out-and-back course setup.

The participating middle schoolers and their families were very spirited about their school and the P.T.A. had done a good job of getting everything ready.

This was a very low-key event and it didn't appear that there was any stud high school male or female runners showing up. Therefore, it looked as if Adrienne had a good shot of winning overall. I won't go into all of the detail of pre-race discussions, but I think it was some of the most spirited laughter that Bill, Adrienne and I had ever shared. Everyone was very relaxed and having a great time.

As for me, I didn't know what to expect. I had run sub 29-minutes in Washington, D.C. a few weeks earlier, and in effect, run sub 28 for the first time ever earlier that morning. I did know that once again, I needed to get towards the front of the pack with a bunch of youngsters participating.

I got out to a good start and felt pretty good despite the heat. I passed up all of the water stops because they were handing out full bottles of water. Too much hassle. I do 4 miles or so at the track on Tuesday nights without it; therefore, I figured that I would be fine. I don't think that I walked once.

And once again, Adrienne came a short ways out to run me in. I crossed the line with a time of 28:45. Yes, that merits another Wow! I even surprised myself. :)

While we were waiting to see when they were going to start the awards ceremony, I had a chance to meet and talk with Chevron Houston Marathon course coordinator David O'Conor. David also picked up the race management for many of the races that Howie Ryan directed after Howie passed away two years ago. A really nice guy who was having a nice time at a low-key road race. He said that this was the kind of event that was prevalent in the 1970s where people just came out and ran. And, you know, he's right.

It got to be 7:10 p.m. and Bill and I needed to jet. Literally. We didn't get a picture of Adrienne getting her award for the overall win. Taylor Cloy was the second place finisher and Taylor was like Taylor Swift. She was a young lady to give the women a 1-2 finishing punch.

Meanwhile, Mr. Dwyer and I were moving as quickly as possible to Galveston. I think we pulled into a Valero station on 61st Street for me to get something to drink and something quick in my stomach at 8:05 p.m. When nobody knew where Poretto Beach was (although we knew that it was off Seaside), we went to Seaside and took a left and kept driving until we saw the lights on the beach.

Once we got parked on a side street, I made a mad dash to the packet pickup line as it was about 8:35 p.m. - and the race started at 9 p.m.!

There were two long lines - one each for the 5K and the 10K. I was looking for the 10K line! The volunteers, one of whom I recognized to be Mark Coleman, were very, very patient in getting people their bib numbers and chips while others worked to get people a race packet.

While in line, we saw Najat Shayib, George Roffe and Trudy Regnier. Najat wasn't running, but a friend of hers was and she was there to support. I also saw BARC's Ben Harvie and Pam Smithwick before the race too.

Race director Bill Gardner made an announcement close to about 9 p.m. that the race would be delayed. I think that there was a complete underestimation of the number of runners and how things would play out. More volunteers would have been a huge help.

Runners, with headlamps and flashlights galore, began to line up at about 9:15 p.m. I just happened to be towards the front and there I talked to Karen and Tim Bowler as well as Santos Hernandez and Hillary Gerhart - all of whom are still Houston Striders.

We were off and the first two miles were OK, even though that I know that the miles were sub-11 minutes (10:47 and 10:51). But, hey, we were running in sand, right?

Mile three is when I started to feel the effects of the day, even though I got in a little bit of a nap in the early afternoon. However, the last 1.1 was 11:54; therefore, I guess it wasn't that bad as I hit the turnaround in 33:32. But I did a lot of walking in the next nine-tenths of a mile.

That is, until I saw Clear Lake Fitness Club's Susan Bell - a friend and veteran ultrarunner. She just goes and goes and goes. I started to run with her, but I told her at one point that I needed to let her go and that I needed to walk for a second. But to Susan's credit, she stayed with me.

Eventually, we both were running - and did so the rest of the way in. Sure, I slowed down to 37:57 on the return trip, but it was satisfying to get in the 20K the hard way!

After the race, I sat down and talked at length with Ben and Pam. Steve Brammer from Katy and of the Tornados had stopped by the table that we were sitting at, as well as Bay Area Running Club's Steven Milford - one of the best triathletes in the area.

I went and found Bill. He used the meal ticket from Evan Guy's unused bib and we both had some pretty good barbecue.

I think that we left the Island at close to midnight and I didn't get home until 1:30 a.m. We both laughed about how it seemed like the first night of the Texas Independence Relay.

So it was up at 4 a.m. In bed just after 1:30 a.m.

But all in all, a day spent with three of my best friends.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Koala / Luke's Half Marathon Single-Age Records

Women

12 - Jenna Laredo, 2009, 1:59:41 bumping Morgan Lebsack, 2008, 2:31:52.5
13 - Morgan Lebsack, 2009, 1:49:29
14 - Chelsea Rake, 2006, 2:27:43.8
15 - Amanda Lebsack, 2008, 1:52:44.3
16 - Amanda Nelson, 2007, 1:54:14.6
17 - Sara Collazos, 2006, 1:31:26.9
18 - Sara Collazos, 2007, 1:37:33.1
19 - Georgia Lagoudas, 2009, 1:46:34 bumping Delaney Elliott, 2008, 1:53:07.8
20 - Asasia Carter, 2008, 1:41:42.6
21 - Mariana Guerrero, 2007, 1:34:46.4
22 - Lindsay Harkema, 2007, 1:24:09.7
23 - Kate Gorry, 2007, 1:22:12.9
24 - Michelle Friedman, 2008, 1:29:14.7
25 - Elizabeth Martin, 2009, 1:35:14 bumping Lauren Perkins, 2008, 1:41:24.2
26 - Autumn Ray, 2006, 1:23:33.3
27 - Jackie Miller, 2008, 1:26:05.1
28 - Dawn Domaschk, 2008, 1:23:02.5
29 - Autumn Ray, 2009, 1:23:45 bumping Olya Perevalova, 2006, 1:26:53.8
30 - Olya Perevalova, 2007, 1:25:05.6
31 - Jennifer Brown, 2007, 1:27:52.3
32 - Jennifer Brown, 2008, 1:29:21.7
33 - Dana Barger, 2007, 1:32:17.1
34 - Diana Hirst, 2008, 1:23:19.7
35 - Dana Barger, 2009, 1:36:06 bumping Jana Yowell, 2007, 1:38:45.2
36 - Kimberly Hager, 2007, 1:21:35.9
37 - Debbie Rudisill, 2006, 1:26:05.8
38 - Tina Casillas, 2007, 1:40:00.2
39 - Lisa Tilton-McCarthy, 2006, 1:25:18.9
40 - Anna Sumrall Helm, 2006, 1:35:34.4
41 - Sheila Carmody, 2008, 1:30:31.7
42 - Susan Walters, 2006, 1:25:43.1
43 - Heidy Lozano, 2006, 1:24:16.5
44 - Heidy Lozano, 2007, 1:23:07.8
45 - Heidy Lozano, 2008, 1:24:11.7
46 - Heidy Lozano, 2009, 1:24:18 bumping Jody Berry, 2006, 1:32:49.1
47 - Peggy Panzer, 2009, 1:33:03 bumping Jody Berry-Rico, 2007, 1:37:57.4
48 - Jody Berry-Rico, 2008, 1:36:17.0
49 - Jody Berry, 2009, 1:30:05 bumping Miriam Terc, 2007, 1:42:08.8
50 - Christie Lammers, 2007, 1:28:30.3
51 - Christie Lammers, 2008, 1:31:34.8
52 - Christie Lammers, 2009, 1:32:02 bumping Julie Rutledge, 2006, 1:43:29.5
53 - Julie Rutledge, 2007, 1:42:11.1
54 - Julie Rutledge, 2008, 1:45:52.1
55 - Donna Sterns, 2008, 1:40:38.5
56 - Donna Sterns, 2009, 1:40:08 bumping Mary Castellucci, 2006, 1:52:31.8
57 - Alice Keelin, 2006, 1:45:17.2
58 - Alice Keelin, 2007, 1:46:18.6
59 - Patricia Totten, 2009, 1:56:11 bumping Carol Croom, 2006, 2:05:20.3
60 - Alice Keelin, 2009, 1:49:49 bumping Susan Lorms, 2007, 2:09:29.8
61 - Geri Wood, 2009, 1:48:07 bumping Susan Lorms, 2008, 2:06:21.7
62 - Nancy Prejean, 2007, 1:38:24.5
63 - Nancy Prejean, 2008, 1:42:39.2
64 - Nancy Prejean, 2009, 1:48:33 bumping Pat Lehman, 2007, 2:18:30.1
65 - Judy Richards, 2008, 2:27:28.6
66 - Ursula Spilger, 2006, 2:04:15.0
67 - Margaret Montgomery, 2008, 2:50:58.5
68 - Margaret Montgomery, 2009, 2:55:52
69 - Judy Loy, 2007, 2:24:01.4
70 - Judy Loy, 2008, 2:30:41.5
71 - Judy Loy, 2009, 2:40:36 bumping Carol Cain, 2006, 3:07:56.7
73 - Kay Duplichan, 2008, 2:16:06.8
75 - Sadie Greenman, 2006, 2:52:07.8

Men

12 - Holden Loveless, 2007, 2:14:55.1
13 - Keith Herrin, 2009, 2:24:34 bumping Michael Bailey, 2008, 2:36:49.6
14 - Mark Halle, 2006, 1:38:11.8
15 - Andrew Epperson, 2006, 1:31:01.0
16 - Joshua Rake, 2006, 1:35:38.5
17 - Joshua Rake, 2007, 1:32:59.1
18 - George Alvarado, 2009, 1:22:57 bumping Joshua Rake, 2008, 1:29:55.4
19 - Ryan DiMarco, 2009, 1:28:28 bumping Matthew Nanes, 2008, 1:34:44.4
20 - Michael Langer, 2009, 1:46:49 bumping Steven Watson, 2007, 1:47:41.6
21 - Bob Ruhnke, 2009, 1:35:07 bumping Jing Xie, 2007, 1:37:37.1
22 - Antony Keller, 2009, 1:19:54 bumping Jerry Hopkins, 2006, 1:23:32.2
23 - Colin Carroll, 2008, 1:11:49.4
24 - Alex Moore, 2007, 1:09:21.8
25 - Alex Moore, 2008, 1:12:54.5
26 - Cole Dailey, 2009, 1:09:24 bumping Chip Maxa, 2006, 1:23:28.1
27 - Alejandro Zuniga, 2007, 1:17:23.8
28 - Colin Wolfe, 2008, 1:12:00.6
29 - David Minken, 2007, 1:19:20.2
30 - Gabriel Rodriguez, 2008, 1:13:30.8
31 - Joe Oviedo, 2007, 1:16:43.1
32 - Vaughn Gibbs, 2006, 1:12:54.9
33 - Ray Ceasar Martinez, 2006, 1:12:50.7
34 - Ray Martinez, 2007, 1:12:17.3
35 - Luis Armenteros, 2007, 1:10:42.8
36 - Luis Armenteros, 2008, 1:09:12.7
37 - Brett Riley, 2008, 1:14:03.9
38 - Rudy Rocha, 2007, 1:12:33.6
39 - Cornelio Garibay, 2007, 1:15:20.7
40 - Sean Wade, 2006, 1:12:50.3
41 - Francisco Perez, 2006, 1:14:42.4
42 - Sean Wade, 2008, 1:08:44.0
43 - Wilmer Bustillos, 2008, 1:13:52.7
44 - Adam Jackson, 2008, 1:17:45.8
45 - Jon Butler, 2007, 1:14:11.5
46 - Jack McClintic, 2007, 1:19:37.4
47 - Richard Peoples, 2006, 1:20:12.0
48 - Joe Flores, 2007, 1:14:25.1
49 - Rich Fredrich, 2006, 1:19:45.9
50 - Rich Fredrich, 2007, 1:20:04.7
51 - Philip Trumbly, 2009, 1:24:04 bumping Larry Tidwell, 2007, 1:24:34.5
52 - Larry Tidwell, 2008, 1:23:52.6
53 - Robert Alexander, 2007, 1:23:59.0
54 - Joe Melanson, 2009, 1:22:15 bumping Keith Willhelm, 2008, 1:24:53.8
55 - Ramiro Ramirez, 2008, 1:26:57.1
56 - Miguel Lopez, 2007, 1:24:04.9
57 - Ted Traynor, 2006, 1:25:11.9
58 - Miguel Lopez, 2009, 1:27:01 bumping Ted Traynor, 2007, 1:26:37.0
59 - Ben Harvie, 2006, 1:26:34.5
60 - Ben Harvie, 2007, 1:27:20.5
61 - Ty Schmalz, 2009, 1:38:35 bumping Chris Adams, 2008, 1:39:04.0
62 - Ben Harvie, 2009, 1:31:24 bumping Ignacio Ybarra Jr, 2006, 1:34:05.8
63 - Allan Conley, 2006, 1:30:57.8
64 - Allan Conley, 2007, 1:32:29.9
65 - Kenneth Ruane, 2006, 1:33:14.0
66 - Rich Siemens, 2006, 1:33:27.0
67 - Rich Siemens, 2007, 1:35:58.1
68 - Rich Siemens, 2008, 1:40:12.9
69 - Chris Buchanan, 2006, 1:48:04.4
70 - Chris Buchanan, 2007, 1:43:25.8
71 - Jim Braden, 2006, 1:45:06.7
72 - Ino Cantu, 2006, 1:40:23.9
73 - Jim Braden, 2008, 1:47:40.5
74 - Jim Braden, 2009, 1:52:56 bumping Lorant Garban, 2006, 2:10:16.1
75 - Orville Kremmer, 2007, 1:56:15.9
76 - Jim Healy, 2009, 2:33:35
77 - Robert Ellis, 2007, 1:56:53.2

2009 HMSA Classical 25K CHM Qualifying Standard

This is a complete list of all runners who met the Chevron Houston Marathon qualifying standard at the HMSA Classical 25K on Sunday, November 8.

A (+) indicates that the runner earned the Local Invited Runner invitation.
A ($) indicates that the runner had previously earned their invitation in an earlier event.
A (=) indicates that the runner did not meet the surrounding 19-county residency requirement.

Female Open (Standard - 1:47:59)
1:39:26 - Diana Hirst, 35, Houston+

Female 40-49 (Standard - 1:51:36)
1:45:40 - Heidy Lozano, 46, Houston$

Female 50-59 (Standard - 2:01:36)
2:00:00 - Suzy Seeley, 50, Houston+
2:00:47 - Johanne Skorve, 50, The Woodlands

Female 60-69 (Standard - 2:14:18)
2:09:58 - Karen Bowler, 60, Houston+
2:12:08 - Alice Keelin, 60, Houston

Male Open (Standard - 1:34:13)
1:28:11 - Vaughn Gibbs, 35, Katy+
1:30:49 - Ramiro Alvarado, 37, Houston
1:30:52 - Joe Oveido, 33, Houston
1:32:31 - Michael Defee, 35, Vidor
1:32:55 - Juancarlos Vielma, 37, Houston
1:33:56 - John Yoder, 38, Houston

Male 40-49 (Standard - 1:36:27)
1:31:27 - Gerardo Mora, 43, Houston$
1:34:30 - Thomas King, Jr., 40, Houston$

Male 50-59 (Standard - 1:43:56)
1:33:46 - Joe Flores, 50, Houston+
1:39:37 - Richard Peoples, 50, Houston
1:39:42 - Joe Melanson, 54, Orange$

There was no runner that met the men's 60-69 or the men's or women's 70-79 qualifying standards for this event.

Close Misses
0:13 - Joseph Routt, 30, Beaumont, 1:34:26 (vs. 1:34:13)
0:41 - Skip Moschell, 51, The Woodlands, 1:44:37 (vs. 1:43:56)

2009 Koala / Luke's Half Marathon CHM Qualifying Standard

This is a complete list of all runners who met the Chevron Houston Marathon qualifying standard at the Koala Health and Wellness Centers / Luke's Locker Houston Half Marathon on Sunday, October 25.

A (+) indicates that the runner earned the Local Invited Runner invitation.
A ($) indicates that the runner had previously earned their invitation in an earlier event.
A (=) indicates that the runner did not meet the surrounding 19-county residency requirement.

Female Open (Standard - 1:30:08)
1:23:48 - Autumn Ray, 29, Galveston+
1:29:09 - Katherine Marshall, 28
1:29:55 - Jessica Armenteros-Word, 34, Houston

Female 40-49 (Standard - 1:33:20)
1:24:19 - Heidy Lozano, 45, Houston$
1:26:56 - Susan Walters, 45, Wallis+
1:30:09 - Jody Berry, 49, Houston
1:33:07 - Peggy Panzer, 47, Aurora, Colo.=

Female 50-59 (Standard - 1:41:43)
1:32:05 - Christie Lammers, 52, Houston+
1:38:12 - Suzanne Day, 52, Houston$
1:40:09 - Suzy Seeley, 50, Houston
1:40:15 - Donna Sterns, 56, Sugar Land$
1:41:23 - Alison Stewart, 51, Houston

Female 60-69 (Standard - 1:52:22)
1:48:19 - Geri Wood, 61, Houston+
1:48:42 - Nancy Prejean, 64, The Woodlands$
1:50:11 - Alice Keelin, 60, Houston

Male Open (Standard - 1:18:29)
1:09:25 - Cole Dailey, 26, Houston+
1:15:29 - David Wright, 33, Great Britain=
1:15:35 - Samuel Rodriguez, 34, Houston
1:16:24 - Geoff Streit, 30, Houston
1:16:41 - Michael Defee, 34, Vidor
1:18:29 - Abel Zavala, 31, Nacogdoches=

Male 40-49 (Standard - 1:20:29)
1:16:34 - Gerardo Mora, 43, Houston$
1:17:37 - Thomas King, Jr., 40, Houston+

Male 50-59 (Standard - 1:26:44)
1:22:15 - Joe Melanson, 54, Orange$
1:24:07 - Philip Trumbly, 51, Houston+
1:24:23 - Richard Peoples, 50, Houston
1:25:12 - Dale Lee, 53, Texas City

Male 60-69 (Standard - 1:34:31)
1:31:30 - Ben Harvie, 62, Kemah$
1:33:55 - Allan Conley, 66, Houston
1:34:14 - Paul Daniels, 60, League City+

There was no runner that met the men's or women's 70-79 qualifying standards for this event.

Close Misses
0:12 - Melissa Hurta-Crites, 46, Houston, 1:33:32 (vs. 1:33:20)
0:17 - Miguel Lopez, 58, Houston, 1:27:01 (vs. 1:26:44)
0:22 - Bert Molina, 45, Houston, 1:20:51 (vs. 1:20:29)
0:38 - J.P. MacHemehl, 25, Sugar Land, 1:19:07 (vs. 1:18:29)

United Space Alliance 10-Miler Single Age Records

Male

10 - Jared Jankowski (1:48:35.1, 2007)
11 - Andrew Whitener (1:42:10.3, 2007)
12 - Chris Garcia (1:30:48.6, 2004)
13 - Spencer Buxton (1:35:43.5, 2005)
14 - Mark Halle (1:16:18, 2006)
15 - John Boettcher (1:06:04.9, 2004)
16 - Adrian Slusher (1:09:28.3, 2003)
17 - Joshua Rake (1:10:54.3, 2007)
18 - Alex Hoeg (57:49.8, 2004)
19 - D.J. Bean (58:42.2, 2006)

20 - Michael Campbell (1:47:19.4, 2009)
21 - Jason Schweitzer (54:58.1, 2006)
22 - Paul Goodwin (56:47.1, 2007)
23 - Joseph Gray (50:11.5, 2007)
24 - Alex Moore (54:20.9, 2007)
25 - Shadrack Songok (50:13.2, 2009) bumping Alan Foolkes (54:57.6, 2008)
26 - Richard Kimeli (50:16.8, 2006)
27 - Richard Kimeli (49:46.8, 2007)
28 - Jacob Rotich (51:02.8, 2005)
29 - Jacob Rotich (54:19.5, 2006)
30 - Gabriel Rodriguez (56:07.0, 2008)
31 - Luis Armenteros (52:20.9, 2003)
32 - Luis Armenteros (52:29.9, 2004)
33 - Kevin Castille (52:26.7, 2005)
34 - Junior Mitchell (54:03.9, 2007)
35 - Luis Armenteros (53:04.6, 2007)
36 - Luis Armenteros (53:39.3, 2008)

37 - Brett Riley (56:26.5, 2008)
38 - Sean Wade (52:07.3, 2004)
39 - Sean Wade (53:39.4, 2005)
40 - Steven King (57:58.8, 2003)
41 - Gerardo Mora (59:08.4, 2007)
42 - Sean Wade (52:27.9, 2008)
43 - Sean Wade (50:39.5, 2009) bumping Wilmer Bustillos (55:33.2, 2008)
44 - Joe Flores (55:29.3, 2004)
45 - Richard Peoples (1:01:08.1, 2004)
46 - Jack McClinitic (1:02:07.8, 2007)
47 - David Washburn (58:06.5, 2003)
48 - Joe Melanson (58:39.4, 2004)
49 - Richard Peoples (1:03:12.0, 2008)
50 - Rich Fredrich (1:01:23.5, 2007)
51 - Larry Tidwell (1:03:34.7, 2007)
52 - Miguel Lopez (1:02:01.9, 2003)
53 - Dale Lee (1:03:06.5, 2009) bumping Miguel Lopez (1:03:56.2, 2004)
54 - Joe Melanson (1:00:37.2, 2009) bumping Keith Willhelm (1:04:50.8, 2008)
55 - Ty Schmalz (1:05:11.2, 2003)
56 - Steve Brammer (1:00:48.5, 2007)
57 - Steve Brammer (1:00:54.5, 2008)
58 - Steve Brammer (1:02:03.3, 2009) bumping Ted Traynor (1:06:57.0, 2007)
59 - Miguel Lopez (1:03:44.0, 2007)
60 - Ben Harvie (1:07:10.5, 2007)
61 - Ben Harvie (1:08:13.0, 2008)
62 - Ben Harvie (1:08:52.3, 2009) bumping Ignacio Ybarra (1:12:25, 2006)
63 - Kenneth Ruane (1:10:16.0, 2004)
64 - Rich Siemens (1:10:34.7, 2004)
65 - Allan Conley (1:09:44.2, 2009) bumping Kenneth Ruane (1:11:02, 2006)
66 - Kenneth Ruane (1:09:52.6, 2007)
67 - Kenneth Ruane (1:13:05.4, 2008)
68 - Rich Siemens (1:10:21.3, 2008)
69 - Rich Siemens (1:11:49.8, 2009) bumping Don Brenner (1:22:55.0, 2008)
70 - Don Brenner (1:15:55.3, 2009) bumping Jim Braden (1:21:38.0, 2005)
71 - Ino Cantu (1:16:54.0, 2005)
72 - Orville Kremmer (1:25:10.1, 2004)
73 - Ino Cantu (1:14:54.6, 2007)
75 - Robert Ellis (1:25:01.3, 2005)
76 - Orville Kremmer (1:31:23.3, 2008)

77 - Robert Ellis (1:28:34.7, 2007)

Female

12 - Priscilla Houk (1:39:15.1, 2007)
13 - Emily Shulik (1:18:47.6, 2003)
14 - Sara Collazos (1:13:18.9, 2004)
15 - Sara Collazos (1:14:51.3, 2005)
16 - Amanda Hayley (1:35:22.1, 2004)
17 - Sara Collazos (1:18:31, 2006)
18 - Sara Collazos (1:16:16.4, 2007)
19 - Zoey Beckner (1:07:59.9, 2005)
20 - America Hernandez (1:33:14.0, 2009) bumping Heather Brooks (1:34:43.5, 2007)
21 - Calyn Copeland (1:29:38.7, 2005)
22 - Lindsay Harkema (1:04:11.5, 2007)
23 - Emily Loeffler (1:00:19.4, 2009) bumping Kate Gorry (1:02:50.5, 2007)
24 - Melissa Cook (1:01:47.9, 2004)
25 - Melissa Cook (1:03:38.0, 2005)
26 - Mary Davies (1:04:33.0, 2008)
27 - Mary Davies (58:07.6, 2009) bumping Dawn Domaschk (1:01:27.4, 2007)
28 - Jessica Armenteros (1:02:12.9, 2003)
29 - Olya Perevalova (1:07:33, 2006)
30 - Lilian Chelimo (56:42.0, 2007)
31 - Jennifer Brown (1:07:33.3, 2007)
32 - Kelly Keane (57:51.2, 2004)
33 - Debbie Arzola (1:02:43.0, 2007)
34 - Diana Hirst (1:04:15.2, 2008)
35 - Debbie Arzola (1:00:46.9, 2009) bumping Debbie Rudisill (1:09:14.5, 2004)
36 - Liza Hunter Galvan (57:26.2, 2005)
37 - Jody Hawkins (57:15.0, 2004)
38 - Jody Hawkins (59:31.1, 2005)
39 - Caroline Burum (1:06:35.4, 2004)
40 - Jody Hawkins (1:01:05, 2006)
41 - Rose Chi Chi (1:11:13, 2006)
42 - Susan Walters (1:06:38, 2006)
43 - Susan Walters (1:04:43.8, 2007)
44 - Heide Mairs (1:08:47.6, 2004)
45 - Heidy Lozano (1:05:31.6, 2008)
46 - Heidy Lozano (1:03:21.9, 2009) bumping Christie Lammers (1:05:10.0, 2003)
47 - Christie Lammers (1:04:53.5, 2004)
48 - Margo Braud (1:08:45.1, 2007)
49 - Jody Berry (1:07:47.7, 2009) bumping Yong Collins (1:15:59.9, 2004)
50 - Christie Lammers (1:08:48.0, 2007)
51 - Suzanne Day (1:10:49.5, 2008)
52 - Suzanne Day (1:12:01.5, 2009) bumping Eva Luckey (1:18:59, 2006)
53 - Donna Sterns (1:13:52, 2006)
54 - Karen Bowler (1:11:41.7, 2004)
55 - Geri Wood (1:13:35.8, 2003)
56 - Geri Wood (1:14:09.0, 2004)
57 - Alice Keelin (1:22:45, 2006)
58 - Gloria Mahoney (1:36:59.3, 2008)
59 - Alice Keelin (1:22:48.6, 2008)
60 - Ann Ferguson (1:17:44.1, 2003)
61 - Ann Ferguson (1:21:31.7, 2004)
62 - Nancy Prejean (1:16:08.1, 2007)
63 - Nancy Prejean (1:19:57.9, 2008)
64 - Nancy Prejean (1:19:35.5, 2009) bumping Nancy Crane (1:28:20.0, 2007)
65 - Ursala Spilger (1:35:03, 2006)
66 - Judy Richards (1:50:58.1, 2009) bumping Margaret Montgomery (2:07:15.8, 2007)
67 - Margaret Montgomery (2:05:19.4, 2008)

68 - Margaret Montgomery (2:07:00.5, 2009)
69 - Sandy McKinney (2:31:06.6, 2009)
72 - Sadie Greenman (2:10:07.1, 2003)
73 - Sadie Greenman (2:03:43.5, 2004)
75 - Sadie Greenman (2:12:09, 2006)

Thursday, October 29, 2009

2009 United Space Alliance 10-Miler CHM Qualifying Standard

This is a complete list of all runners who met the Chevron Houston Marathon qualifying standard at the United Space Alliance 10-Miler on Sunday, October 11.

A (+) indicates that the runner earned the Local Invited Runner invitation.
A ($) indicates that the runner had previously earned their invitation in an earlier event.
A (=) indicates that the runner did not meet the surrounding 19-county residency requirement.

Female Open (Standard - 1:07:39)
0:58:07 - Mary Davies, 27, Houston+
1:00:20 - Emily Loeffler, 23, San Antonio=
1:00:47 - Debbie Arzola, 35, Dallas=
1:02:10 - Diana Hirst, 35, Houston
1:06:08 - Stacy Holden, 33, Pearland

Female 40-49 (Standard - 1:10:15)
1:03:21 - Heidy Lozano, 46, Houston+
1:07:50 - Jody Berry, 49, Houston
1:09:16 - Helen Grant, 46, Houston
1:09:36 - Melissa Hurta-Crites, 46, Houston
1:09:45 - Vicki Melnick, 43, Brookshire
1:10:11 - Joy Smith, 47, Sugar Land

Female 50-59 (Standard - 1:16:33)
1:12:06 - Suzanne Day, 52, Houston+
1:14:59 - Carole Uttecht, 53, Houston
1:14:59 - Donna Sterns, 56, Sugar Land$

Female 60-69 (Standard - 1:24:34)
1:19:39 - Nancy Prejean, 64, The Woodlands+
1:23:39 - Alice Keelin, 60, Houston

Male Open (Standard - 58:46)
0:50:13 - Shadrack Songok, 25, Corpus Christi=
0:50:56 - Sesar Figueroa, 25, Houston+
0:54:22 - Alan Foolkes, 26, Lake Charles, La.=
0:54:49 - Dean King, 36, Houston
0:56:04 - Junior Mitchell, 36, Channelview
0:56:05 - Joe Oveido, 33, Houston
0:56:07 - Blake Culp, 26, Houston
0:56:46 - Juancarlos Vielma, 37, Houston
0:57:38 - Abel Zavala, 30, Nacogdoches
0:58:26 - Jose Acosta, 32, Houston
0:58:41 - Jason Foolkes, 31, Lake Charles, La.=

Male 40-49 (Standard - 1:00:28)
0:50:39 - Sean Wade, 43, Houston$
0:56:19 - Gerardo Mora, 42, Houston+
0:56:35 - Rudy Rocha, 40, Houston
0:56:58 - Wilmer Bustillos, 44, Houston
0:57:29 - Thomas King, Jr., 40, Houston
0:59:29 - Francisco Perez, 44, Houston
1:00:26 - Sim Cuevas, 47, Houston
1:00:28 - Francisco Garza, 44, Houston

Male 50-59 (Standard - 1:05:09)
1:00:38 - Joe Melanson, 54, Orange+
1:02:03 - Steve Brammer, 58, Katy
1:03:09 - Dale Lee, 53, Texas City
1:03:24 - Richard Peoples, 50, Houston
1:04:23 - Rich Fredrich, 52, Katy
1:04:46 - Edward Fry, 54, Houston
1:04:55 - Miguel Lopez, 58, Houston

Male 60-69 (Standard - 1:11:02)
1:08:56 - Ben Harvie, 62, Kemah$
1:09:22 - Roger Boak, 60, Houston+
1:09:46 - Allan Conley, 65, Houston

Male 70-79 (Standard - 1:18:59)
1:15:57 - Don Brenner, 70, Houston+

Close Misses
0:23 - Alex Moreno, 25, 0:59:09 (vs. 0:58:46)
0:44 - Mark Girouard, 53, Houston, 1:05:53 (vs. 1:05:09)
0:45 - Kenneth Ruane, 68, Orange, 1:11:47 (vs. 1:11:02)
0:49 - Rich Siemens, 69, Houston, 1:11:51 (vs. 1:11:02)
0:59 - Jose Torres, 55, Houston, 1:06:08 (vs. 1:05:09)

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Seabrook Marathon and Half Marathon 2/4 Update

You are receiving this email, because you are a registered participant in the Seabrook Lucky Trail Marathon.

I am excited to tell you that; this year as a participant you will receive, a technical running shirt valued at $30, you will also receive a light weight running hat valued at $15, plus a very nice Balega sock that retails at $10 in running stores.

Medals have been ordered (I think they look great), special personalized bibs with your name have been ordered.

The City of Seabrook has been working hard in getting the trails back to pre-hurricane Ike standards. All of our committees are working hard to provide you with an excellent experience.

All we need you to do for now is keep on training and pray for good weather.

Regards,

Robby Sabban
Race Director

Surfside Marathon and Half Marathon 2/5 Update

Just over a week to go, and still plenty to do in preparation.

One thing we do have complete and sent off is the registration information to the chip timer and bag stuffing team. We were able of course to get all of your requested changes made before the January 30th deadline. Final registration rosters are listed on the website at: www.surfsidemarathon.com.

Some new items today:

An additional food amenity for the race: Maui Wowi smoothies after the race. We will be picking up the tab for one smoothie per runner (your choice of size 12 or 20 oz.). Additional smoothies or for non-participants are available at a charge. (With this and the BBQ, we want you to GAIN weight at this marathon!)

We want to acknowledge two additional sponsors:

Sportzfuel.com -- For providing some race goodies for the bags. We hope you will check out their website for your nutritional supplement, gel, and other needs.

Odwalla bars -- An Odwalla bar for every runner at packet pickup. Again, we don't want you to go home hungry.

If you have any questions not answered on the website, please let us know!

Thanks,

OverNite Software Surfside Beach Marathon & Half Marathon Team

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Lakes of Williams Ranch 30K Winners

Men's Overall Winner - Luis Armenteros

Women's Overall Winner - Heidy Lozano

(Photos courtesy of Waverly Walk)

Lakes of Williams Ranch 30K Start Line

From left to right: Brett Riley (878), Michael Defee (776), Wilmer Bustillos (552), Abel Zavala (in yellow singlet), Luis Armenteros (529), John Thornton (721), Brian King (in orange jersey), Adrienne Langelier (158), Ramiro Alvarado (780), Richard Peoples, (674), Phillip Trumbly (407), Heidy Lozano (764), Gerardo Mora (524)

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Ten For Texas All-Time Top 20 Times

Men

1. 53:49 - Colin Wolfe, 26, Austin, 2006
2. 54:27 - Ray Martinez, 35, Houston, 2008
3. 54:29 - Colin Wolfe, 27, The Woodlands, 2007
4. 54:31 - Jose Lara, 32, Houston, 2008
5. 55:10 - Ray Martinez, 34, Houston, 2007
6. 55:11 - Vaughn Gibbs, 34, Houston, 2008
7. 55:12 - Jacob Mazone, 46, Spring, 2008
8. 55:31 - Joe Flores, 47, Houston, 2007
9. 56:35 - Alan Hedengren, 30, The Woodlands, 2008
10. 57:01 - Jacob Mazone, 45, Spring, 2007
11. 57:07 - Jason Johnston, 34, The Woodlands, 2008
12. 57:18 - Joe Flores, 49, Houston, 2008
13. 57:46 - Geoffrey Streit, 29, Houston, 2008
14. 57:55 - Joseph Mazone, 16, Spring, 2008
15. 58:28 - Juancarlos Vielma, 34, Houston, 2006
16. 58:39 - Patrick Hitchins, 24, Austin, 2008
17. 59:13 - David Parkin, 36, Spring, 2008
18. 59:47 - Steve Morrell, 45, Houston, 2008
19. 59:55 - Dana Lyons, 49, The Woodlands, 2007
20. 1:00:19 - Jesse Sturgeon, 51, San Antonio, 2006

Women

1. 1:04:32 - Kimberly Hager, 35, The Woodlands, 2006
2. 1:05:32 - Melissa Henderson, 34, Houston, 2008
3. 1:08:26 - Katie Jensen, 13, The Woodlands, 2008
4. 1:08:33 - Vera Heg, 46, The Woodlands, 2006 (1:08:30)
5. 1:08:33 - Erin Foley, 34, Houston, 2008 (1:08:31)
6. 1:08:47 - Lisa Green, 40, The Woodlands, 2006
7. 1:08:53 - Jo Ann Blakeley, 44, The Woodlands, 2008
8. 1:08:58 - Kerri Snyder, 33, The Woodlands, 2008
9. 1:09:16 - Vera Heg, 48, The Woodlands, 2008
10. 1:10:02 - Christelle Gigant, 31, Spring, 2008
11. 1:10:17 - Rose Rhoton, 45, Houston, 2008
12. 1:10:21 - Kerri Snyder, 32, The Woodlands, 2007 (1:10:17)
13. 1:10:22 - Priscilla Schneider, 34, Houston, 2008
14. 1:10:28 - Karen Ponette-Maldonado, 39, The Woodlands, 2008 (1:10:27)
15. 1:10:37 - Mandy Jellerichs, 33, Houston, 2007 (1:10:26)
16. 1:11:05 - Dawn Morgan, 24, Houston, 2008
17. 1:11:18 - Kerri Snyder, 31, The Woodlands, 2006
18. 1:12:05 - Mary Rodrigs, 47, The Woodlands, 2006
19. 1:12:19 - Pam Meaux, 46, The Woodlands, 2006
20. 1:12:22 - Kathryn Hunter, 24, Houston, 2008

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Going Long at Huntsville State Park in 2008

Rocky Raccoon 100 - Hog's Hunt 50K - Rocky Raccoon 50K (162 miles)
27:14:14 - Peter Vrolijk, 50
33:24:48 - Les Ellsworth, 54
34:38:59 - Kimberly Pilcher, 45
38:19:49 - Joe Barry, 62

Rocky Raccoon 50 - Hog's Hunt 50K - Rocky Raccoon 50K (112 miles)
14:47:34 - Francisco Garza, 43
25:40:52 - Carlos Reyes, 53
26:07:53 - John Luna, 36

Rocky Raccoon 50 - Hog's Hunt 50K - Rocky Raccoon 25K (96.5 miles)
22:35:36 - Anthony Toh, 40

Rocky Raccoon 50 - Hog's Hunt 25K - Rocky Raccoon 25K (81 miles)
19:31:26 - Todd Eitleman, 41
21:42:14 - Gale Torbett, 58

Rocky Raccoon 100 - Rocky Raccoon 50K (131 miles)
28:18:23 - Michael Pentland, 46
32:43:58 - Wylie Stice, 41
34:10:10 - Dawn Craig, 36

Rocky Raccoon 100 - Rocky Raccoon 25K (115.5 miles)
30:44:05 - Miles Klaff, 44

Rocky Raccoon 50 - Rocky Raccoon 50K (81 miles)
12:20:41 - Mark Sobus, 41
13:05:08 - Meredith Terranova, 34
14:14:27 - Carol Schmidt, 49
17:30:39 - Phillip Clark, 45
17:53:46 - Donna Crocker, 49
18:14:48 - Patrick Foley, 53
18:17:30 - Jana Curry, 43
19:15:26 - Art Garcia, 61
23:22:04 - Bobby Duke, 59
20:11:32 - John Benson, 50

Rocky Raccoon 50 - Rocky Raccoon 25K (65.5 miles)
13:59:44 - Iain Wallace, 42
14:59:31 - Robert Duncan, 48
16:39:51 - Robert Ketchie, 51
17:10:27 - Jon Walk, 41
19:34:51 - Norma Duke, 53

Rocky Raccoon 100 - Hog's Hunt 50K (131 miles)
23:37:57 - Larry King, 41
29:52:01 - Yong Collins, 53
32:36:40 - Dmitry Rozinsky, 32
34:24:55 - Jeffrey Munroe, 39
37:32:32 - Vincent Antunez, 47

Rocky Raccoon 50 - Hog's Hunt 50K (81 miles)
13:32:21 - Jacqueline O'Brien-Nolen, 42
14:31:21 - Jennifer Evans, 39
15:03:48 - Larry Teeter, 48
16:11:12 - Charlene Janiak, 55
16:37:23 - Lynne Harkey, 40
17:42:39 - Curtis Barton, 29
21:44:55 - Robert Janiak, 61

Rocky Raccoon 50 - Hog's Hunt 25K (65.5 miles)
12:44:14 - Kevin Outman, 51
17:03:02 - Lee Torbett, 64
17:22:11 - Chris Matus, 43
28:05:06 - Peter Raybourn, 46

Hog's Hunt 50K - Rocky Raccoon 50K (62 miles)
7:39:18 - Stephen Baumgartner, 35
8:58:51 - Chris Shaw, 46
9:45:34 - Pat Shannon, 57
9:48:00 - Steve Blake, 51
10:38:34 - Rick Hollis, 49
10:57:03 - Allen Wrinkle, 44
11:20:56 - Leslie Hale, 56
11:21:32 - Triet Hoang, 37
11:38:49 - Tim Flynn, 41
11:47:35 - Darren LeLeux, 41
13:00:39 - Kellee Hafner, 23
13:09:32 - Anne Rice, 37
13:24:54 - Grady Harrison, 48
14:33:59 - Tracy Hanson, 41

Hog's Hunt 50K - Rocky Raccoon 25K (46.5 miles)
7:20:54 - Felix Montelongo, 32

Hog's Hunt 25K - Rocky Raccoon 50K (46.5 miles)
7:53:46 - Jerry Hayley, 44
9:05:53 - Gareth Burton, 35
9:19:41 - Michelle Wolpert, 46

Hog's Hunt 25K - Rocky Raccoon 25K (31 miles)
3:31:27 - Adam Jackson, 44
3:53:44 - Amanda Beardsley, 27
4:12:34 - Stan Hatch, 50
4:47:03 - Edson Jones, 44/42
4:50:33 - Chris Kuempel, 35
4:54:24 - Vicki Lemke, 44
5:07:52 - Adrian Salinas, 41
5:11:25 - Mark Lehman, 53
5:17:46 - Jose G. Martinez, 44
5:33:40 - Tudy Regnier, 51
5:42:49 - Elizabeth Ann Crowe, 43
5:46:23 - Matt Lemke, 45
5:48:28 - Jay McCormick, 37
5:49:11 - Rachael Wilcox-Pereira, 35
5:56:35 - Dora Topham, 63
5:57:03 - Dennis Akers, 47
6:20:42 - Chris Throckmorton, 39
6:28:49 - Kathleen Crea, 49
6:35:18 - Ron Holliday, 60
6:41:09 - Sonny Mims, 53
6:49:14 - Susan Khoobiar, 46
7:44:57 - Christine Barnesby, 39
8:16:59 - Edwin Thompson, 59
8:35:00 - Sheila Brock, 43
9:13:45 - Amy Shaw, 45

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

HMSA Classical 25K CHM Qualifying Standard

This is a complete list of all runners who met the Chevron Houston Marathon qualifying standard at the HMSA Classical 25K on Sunday, November 9.

A (+) indicates that the runner earned the Local Invited Runner invitation.
A ($) indicates that the runner had previously earned their invitation in an earlier event.
A (=) indicates that the runner did not meet the surrounding 19-county residency requirement.

Female Open (Standard - 1:47:59)
1:39:54 - Lea Carruthers, 25, Baytown+
1:40:43 - Diana Hurst, 34, Houston$
1:43:17 - Adrienne Langelier, 26, Huntsville
1:45:31 - Michelle Friedman, 24, Houston
1:47:14 - Jennifer Brown, 32, Houston

Female 40-49 (Standard - 1:51:36)
1:40:20 - Heidy Lozano, 45, Houston$
1:49:27 - Joy Smith, 46, Sugar Land+
1:50:52 - Helen Grant, 45, Houston

Female 50-59 (Standard - 2:01:36)
1:52:47 - Suzanne Day, 51, Houston$
1:59:11 - Donna Sterns, 55, Sugar Land+

Female 60-69 (Standard - 2:14:18)
2:02:33 - Nancy Prejean, 63, The Woodlands$

Male Open (Standard - 1:34:13)
1:27:22 - Adam Davis, 26, Houston+
1:28:38 - Ray Martinez, 35, Houston
1:28:58 - Michael Defee, 34, Vidor
1:29:52 - Gabriel Rodriguez, 30, La Porte
1:31:00 - Jose Lara, 32, Houston
1:31:19 - Abel Zavala, 30, Nacogdoches=
1:32:28 - Adam Banks, 22, Houston
1:33:13 - John Yoder, 37, Houston

Male 40-49 (Standard - 1:36:27)
1:28:00 - Wilmer Bustillos, 43, Houston$
1:31:04 - Gerardo Mora, 42, Houston$

Male 50-59 (Standard - 1:43:56)
1:39:39 - Fernando Lopez, 50, Houston$
1:40:40 - Larry Tidwell, 52, Baytown+
1:41:04 - Keith Willhelm, 54, Houston
1:42:07 - David Washburn, 52, Houston

Male 60-69 (Standard - 1:53:04)
1:46:48 - Ben Harvie, 62, Kemah$
1:52:03 - Roger Boak, 60, Houston+

There was no runner that met the men's or women's 70-79 qualifying standards for this event.

Close Misses
0:32 - Ty Schmalz, 60, Houston, 1:53:36 (vs. 1:53:04)

Run Thru The Woods Update (November 8)

The early registration deadline for the 19th Annual GE Run Thru the Woods is Thursday, Nov. 13th. If you have already registered, thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you on Thanksgiving Day morning. Please forward on to friends and familiy members.

The Thanksgiving morning charity event on November 27 features a 1-mile kids race, a 5-mile race, a 3-mile teen race and a 3-mile walk. All 3 races will be timed using the NEW "D" Timing Tag. (No more standing in line to pick up your chip early race day morning or returning chip once you cross the finish line!) A complimentary pancake breakfast will be available to all participants!

The event is held at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands Town Center. The 1-mile kids race kicks off the morning with a 7:45 a.m. start.

For more information and online registration, please visit www.runthruthewoods.org.

Surfside Beach Marathon Update (November 7)

OverNite Software Surfside Beach Marathon & Half Marathon Update

Things are shaping up for the 5th annual Surfside Beach event.

If you haven't registered yet, we have now passed the half-way mark to filling our field for this year.

If you have registered, and are ready to make hotel reservations, we have arranged a special rate with a newly constructed Texan Inns & Suites in our area. The phone is 979-266-7774. Ask for the "Surfside Beach Marathon" rate of $60 for a King room or $75 for a twin double or King suite room. They are conveniently located on highway 332 in Clute/Lake Jackson.

Other hotels in the area include the Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Suites, and Super 8.

I do think you will find a good value at our race hotel, the Texan Inn & Suites.

We will keep you posted with more developments, as we count down to February 14th, 2009.

Daryl Beatty
Brazosport Area Road Runners Association

HMSA Classical 25K Finishers 2000-2008

After Sunday's finish in downtown Houston at this year's HMSA Classical 25K, the following individuals enter 2009 as the only runners who will be able to say that they completed the event all 10 years in the decade:

Andrea Chan, Houston (Striders)
Andrew Bach, Sugar Land
Armando Ramos, Houston
Belinda Reyes, Houston
Darryl Anderson, Houston
Fred Steves, Houston (Bayou City RR)
Gary Marsh, Pearland
John McClung, Houston
Kevin Regis, Lake Jackson (Tornados/BARRA)
Mark Fraser, Houston (Bayou City RR)
Ray Valdez, Houston
Richard Smith, Pearland
Bob Brown, Houston (Bayou City RR)
Rosemarie Schmandt, Houston (Bayou City RR)
Ty Schmalz, Houston (Al Lawrence)

In other HMSA Classical 25K results information, here are the total number of finishers since 2000:

2000 - 1,713 finishers (1,029 men / 684 women)
2001 - 1,789 finishers (1,083 men / 706 women)
2002 - 1,929 finishers (1,099 men / 830 women)
2003 - 2,022 finishers (1,136 men / 886 women)
2004 - 1,730 finishers (1,012 men / 718 women)
2005 - 1,855 finishers (1,032 men / 823 women)
2006 - 1,602 finishers (880 men / 722 women)
2007 - 1,608 finishers (858 men / 750 women)
2008 - 1,134 finishers (643 men / 491 women)

Clearly, the Rock 'N Roll San Antonio Marathon had a dramatic effect on turnout in 2008 despite an excellent weather day.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

10 For Texas Road Closures in The Woodlands

The Community Associations of The Woodlands Parks and Recreation Department is gearing up for the Third Annual 10 For Texas race with registration expected to attract more than 1,800 runners. This 10-mile race will wind through The Woodlands on Saturday, November 15, 2008, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Market Street. New this year is the One 4 Texas Kids’ Fun Run at Market Street starting at 7 a.m. This event was postponed from an earlier date.

On Saturday, November 15, roads along the race route will have the outside lane closed to automobile traffic from 6:30 to 10:15 a.m. to accommodate runners in the 10 For Texas and One 4 Texas races. These roadways include:

+ Six Pines Drive: southbound, Lake Woodalnds Drive to Lake Robbins Drive
+ Lake Robbins Drive: westbound, Six Pines Drive to Grogan's Mill Road
+ Grogan’s Mill Road: southbound, Timberloch Place to Woodlands Parkway
+ Woodlands Parkway: westbound, Grogan's Mill Road to Cochran's Crossing Drive
+ Cochran’s Crossing Drive: northbound, Woodlands Parkway to Lake Woodlands Drive
+ Lake Woodlands Drive, eastbound, Cochran's Crossing Drive to Six Pines Drive

The fee to register for 10 For Texas is $45 until November 14 and $60 on race day. The One 4 Texas registration fee is $15 until November 14 and $20 the day of the event. For more information, and to register online, visit http://www.thewoodlandsassociations.org/ or call 281.210.3900.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Koala/Luke's Half Marathon Relay Top 10 Performances

Open Male

1:12:54.4 - Jose Lara/Vaughn Gibbs, 2008+ (1)
1:22:04.6 - Dave Sanjeev/Vivek Yagnik, 2008 (5)
1:33:00.9 - Neal Kay/Jordan McGowan, 2008 (12)
1:39:17.0 - Alan Hopkins/Jacob Hopkins, 2008 (20)
1:39:31.4 - Roman Coronado III/Roman Coronado, Jr., 2006+
1:43:28.2 - Alan Hopkins/Marc Carter, 2006
1:45:57.3 - James Meadows/Jesse Flynn, 2008
1:46:22.8 - Todd Molesky/Michael Mullins, 2007+
1:47:26.2 - Cameron Capriotti/Jeff Whitworth, 2007
1:51:28.6 - Christopher Heikkila/Dan Krafcheck, 2007

Open Female

1:18:52.0 - Lea Carruthers/Erica Fountain, 2008+ (4)
1:29:10.1 - Sita Waru/Sue Waru, 2006+ (8)
1:37:39.3 - Andrea Freeman/Kelly Humphries, 2006 (19)
1:46:29.9 - Paige Krekeler/LaErica Johnson, 2008
1:48:37.0 - Kristi Fox/Kenzi Harriss, 2007+
1:49:02.7 - Laura McKaskey/Cindy Alford, 2008
1:50:29.4 - Lynn Abell/Catherine Abell, 2008
1:50:32.2 - Mary Jones/Dayle Laws, 2008
1:51:45.4 - Holly Steadman/Elizabeth Shewfelt, 2006
1:51:49.4 - Pony Peterson/Faith Yoder, 2008

Open Mixed

1:13:58.1 - Brett Riley/Peggy Yetman, 2007+ (2)
1:17:49.9 - Melissa Henderson/Vaughn Gibbs, 2007 (3)
1:25:07.0 - Chris McClung/Allison Cox, 2007 (6)
1:28:17.8 - Mark Berman/Agustina Foglietta, 2006+ (7)
1:31:00.8 - Kevin Goodwin/Karisn Goodwin, 2006 (10)
1:32:23.2 - Doug Paddon-Jones/Alexandra Gajewski, 2006 (11)
1:34:47.3 - Amanda Britnell/Lionel Briggs, 2006 (15)
1:40:14.8 - Brian Saucier/Jenifer Saucier, 2008+
1:40:48.3 - Ken Hayman/Colleen Hayman, 2006
1:41:51.5 - Mary Colleen Hayman/Trevor Murray, 2007

Masters Male

1:37:24.1 - Paul Cooley/Clark Courtright, 2008+ (18)
1:40:33.3 - Larry Lindeen/Clark Courtright, 2007+
1:42:33.7 - Scott Kahney/John Walker, 2007
1:43:18.4 - Scott Kahney/John Walker, 2006+
1:44:22.5 - Patrick Morein/Owen Dahl, 2006
1:48:20.9 - David Petty/Chris Highfield, 2006
1:48:30.7 - Soren Hvidbjerg/David Reed, 2006
1:49:17.6 - Alan Hopkins/Marc Carter, 2007
2:04:44.6 - Ray Waymel/John Young, 2006
2:06:16.2 - Bob Kleibert/Mariano Saravia, 2007

Masters Female

1:33:59.5 - Yong Collins/Sabra Harvey, 2007+ (14)
1:37:17.6 - Sabra Harvey/Yong Collins, 2006+ (17)
1:43:29.9 - Cindy Sosa/Monica Montes, 2008+
1:43:30.0 - Cindy Sosa/Monica Montes, 2006
1:50:33.8 - Mary Jones/Marie Hoke, 2006
1:53:05.1 - Lisa Van Stone-Gieri/Mary Fusillo, 2006
1:54:54.1 - Helen Grant/Yvette Wilson, 2007
1:58:51.4 - Laurie Petty/Karen Gelmis, 2006
2:05:38.1 - Marjorie Marks/Marian Bell, 2007
2:08:03.2 - Mary Jane Savino/Janet Sutton, 2006

Masters Mixed

1:30:49.7 - Russell Abshire/Allison Le Compte, 2007+ (9)
1:35:34.6 - Anne Ekern/Helge Haldorsen, 2008+ (16)
1:43:36.6 - Claire Greenberg/Grant Favler, 2006+
1:46:41.1 - Marie Hutchinson/Ruben Rosales, 2008
1:47:03.6 - Joseph Norton/Julie Norton, 2006
1:47:04.1 - Jeff McClure/Rebecca Cole, 2008
1:47:12.0 - Rene Reynolds/Dennis Woleben, 2008
1:48:10.3 - Randy Crowe/Elizabeth Crowe, 2006
1:49:54.3 - Lawrence Despain/Lisa Icke, 2008
1:50:48.1 - Sandra Sanchez/Francisco Sanchez, 2006

Veteran Male

1:42:34.0 - David Chester/Hersh Levitt, 2008+

Veteran Female

1:33:55.9 - Sabra Harvey/Yong Collins, 2008+ (13)
2:13:57.2 - Linda Clark/Pam Butler, 2008
2:34:21.2 - Patsy Nevill/Dynah Loke, 2008
2:35:04.3 - Bonnie Beirne/Janet Roberts, 2008
2:49:52.1 - Peggy Taylor/Phyllis Darrough, 2008
3:19:23.7 - Peggy Demarsh/Peggy McElroy, 2008

Veteran Mixed

2:07:10.8 - Janice Character/Jiles Daniels, 2008+

(1) Indicates a Top 20 half marathon relay performance
(+) Indicates the winner of the division

Monday, October 27, 2008

2008-2009 Texas Marathon Winners

Men's Overall
10/ 4 - West Texas Crossroads Marathon - Rey Palma, 20, 2:59:38
10/18 - Marathon 2 Marathon - Michael Grizzle, 40, Kerrville, 2:48:42
10/26 - Miracle Match Marathon - Juancarlos Vielma, Houston, 2:48:00

Women's Overall
10/4 - West Texas Crossroads Marathon - Kelly Weaver, 36, 3:38:17
10/18 - Marathon 2 Marathon - Maria Burchard, 40, Lake Dallas, 3:56:55
10/26 - Miracle Match Marathon - Erin Quinn, 3:42:31

Men's Masters
10/ 4 - West Texas Crossroads Marathon - Gary Albe, 49, 3:41:16
10/18 - Marathon 2 Marathon - Paul Williams, 50, Austin, 3:32:56
10/26 - Miracle Match Marathon - Dave Emerson, 3:20:39

Women's Masters
10/ 4 - West Texas Crossroads Marathon - Lisa Lamb, 44, 4:17:31
10/18 - Marathon 2 Marathon - Parvaneh Moayedi, 44, Austin, 4:14:02
10/26 - Miracle Match Marathon - Trese Markko, 4:02:34