Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Buffalo Chips Weekly News Update

Aging Chips Lose Starting Line of XC Race....

This is a "good news....bad news" type report, so read on at your own risk. Basically the "Good News" is that our Super Senior group has had and continues to have the BEST PARTICIPATION and visibility in the regional PA-USATF cross country series. Our Super Senior Women continue to score regularly and with distinction, thanks to the team leadership of Linda Hall, and our 60+ men have enjoyed great camaraderie with Arnold Utterback and Bob Vendetti working to get the guys organized. And this past weekend's XC race at Santa Cruz found the Chips in solid evidence as the teams arrived on site and appeared in their club uniforms, but the CHIPS MEN were missing two of their traveling BISON as the gun sounded and the guys took off to race cross "hill and dale." Two of our MALE BISON had taken a warmup run and disappeared, or so it seemed. Kidnapped, victims of a terrorist plot Their team buddies were completely stressed as the race started missing these two CHIPS. Just after the first runners had FINISHED, our wayward CHIPS appeared at the starting line and began their personal "race" over the course. They had been doing a "warmup run" and gotten.....LOST !!!! They could not retrace their path to the starting line !Age, at least, had not dimished their athleticism or their enthusiasm. Notice I have not "named names," but perhaps the legend of the lost Bison" will resonate more thoroughly through the herd And they did finish the race, albeit in a significantly slower time than they would have received had they started with the rest of the field; they scored for the team, and that certainly shows their "team spirit" if not their sense of direction !!!!

Big CHIPS Saturday and Sunday Club Workout Groups !

This past weekend both the Saturday and Sunday workout gatherings were the biggest they have been in MANY, MANY weeks. About 20 or more showed up for the University Park Saturday session, and at least that many gathered at the Fish Hatchery for the Nimbus Lake long workout. In both these weekend sessions the distance covered is always a personal choice, and options from 4 or so miles and up are easily selected. Don't be shy... get company and go FARTHER than you might for your weekend runs with the HERD.

Buffalo Stampede/Migration Coming Sept. 11 !

The club's biggest general participation event, the Stampede/Migration 10 Miler is coming this September 11. Starting and finishing at Rio Americano H.S., the course is about the easiest, best supported and most attractive 10 miler in the whole country. Don't miss this wonderful club presentation ! Run it or volunteer but be THERE on Sept. 11 !

Headlands 50K US National 50k Championship

Report courtesy of Mark LantzMark Murray Breaks Ultra SilenceAugust 27, 2006 Mark Murray took top Chips honors at the 2005 National 50K Trail Championship. In his first ultra marathon in over three years, Mark finished the very challenging Marin Headlands 50K on Saturday in 4:33 which earned him 15th place overall. Mark focused his training on this Marin coastal course and participated in team tempo runs to prepare. Mark started the race strong and never faltered off pace by staying with the same lead group from mile 5 to the finish. The championship race was run under ideal weather conditions and was very well attended by almost 180 athletes from around the country. Ten out of the top 20 places went to out-of-state runners from as far away as Alaska, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Alabama. The overall winner was Dave Mackey from Boulder, Colorado. Dave set a new course record in 3:49, and he is also currently the US National 50-Mile Champion. Mark Lantz was the second Chip finisher in 4:46. Rena Schumann ran a smart race and finished 7th overall woman in 5:30. Other chips finishers include John Nichols in 6:18 and Molly Pelton in 6:25. Rounding out the Chips team includes Barbara Ashe; Linda McFadden; and Barbara Elia. Unfortunately, not all of the results are yet available and we were unable to get the times on all of the Chips finishers. NO further RESULTS as of "press time" at 8 p.m. on Monday...Sorry !

Chips welcome a NEW arrival to Sacramento!

Emily Sue Schwandt

A recent addition to the Chips' ultra endurance team division, Emily Sue Schwandt made her debut after 30+ hours of labor. Weighing in at 8 lbs 5 oz and sizing up to 19 ¾", she'll be stiff competition in the neonate category. Emily Sue posing with her proud sponsors (Dad and Mom), Andy and Kelly Schwandt

World Running News:

The Sacramento Bee picked up the new WR for men at 10k: 26:17 reporting Bekele who broke his own 26:20 from last year in Brussels. The Bee did not pick up that the 3rd place finisher in that race produced a new World Junior Record of 26:41 as an 18 year old !!!! And the next night in Reiti (Italy) Allan Webb turned a 3rd overall in the 1500m with a 3:32 finish. Webb has produced some great times, but this race he chased naturalized Bernard Lagat who turned a new AMERICAN 1500 Meter Record of 3:29 !!!!!

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