One of the Nicest Running and Racing Weekends Ever for Early February
Saturday, 4 February: Jed Smith 30k, 50k and 50 Miles at Gibson Ranch Park.
Threatening predictions of challenging weather made nervous the entrants for this year’s Jed Smith races as the “back side” of the course can get pretty muddy when the weather is bad. However only a weak corner of the passing weather front impacted the Sacramento area, and the rains were gone by 8 a.m. and the start of the 50 Mile event at Gibson Ranch.
Steve Wetmore had done a SUPERB job of organizing the volunteers and keeping the course as drained as possible, and thus the near record crowd of runners had the chance as the day progressed and the sun emerged to run strong and enjoy a beautiful day in a beautiful setting.
Top CHIP PERFORMANCES in the 50k were Erik Skaden (2nd overall) in 3:30 and Mary Coordt FIRST WOMAN in 3:35 missing the course record by only a few seconds on a muddy course on the “trail section.” Mark Lantz (3:39) and Dennis Early (3:50) were the only other Bison under 4 hours with Rena Schumann coming close at 4:07. Solid finishes were enjoyed by John Nichols, Ernie Takahashi, Carol Parise (getting ready for the AR 50), Helen Hull, Herb Tanimoto (getting ready for the “Run To The Sun or 36 miles going from sea level to 10,000+’ on Maui), Ron Peck, Dennis Scott (getting ready for Comrades), Barbara Elia, Becky Johnson and James Yee (BOTH getting ready for Western in June !).
In the 30k speedfest, Youth Chip Nathan Frazier blitzed the slippery course in an impressive 2:02 after being sick on Friday and master female Jenny Hitchings had a superb run at 2:10 with Ally Condon another strong female finish at 2:32. Mike McKee, Dan Cox, Joel Contreras, Allyson Thomas, Shalako Wengronowitz and Luis Alvarez further played muddy shoes around the 3.31 mile loop for that 30km final total, and Luis just kept running for at least another lap, as he was having so much fun !
Sunday, 5 February: Davis Stampede 5k, 10k and Half-Marathon
On another beautiful day for February, the Davis race options drew many of the BISON who did not want to attack the longer alternatives at Jed Smith. Also many of the YOUTH CHIPS who volunteered at Jed Smith raced at Davis. Congrats to all the youth Bison and THANKS SO MUCH for your help on Saturday.
Top Youth Finishers included a division WIN for Susan Frazier in the Half-Marathon with a solid 2:04 and Nathan Paddeck with an impressive 39:19 in the 10k.
In the older Bison categories, Linda Hall, Judy Shipman, Gordon Hall and Mark Murray all came away with awards in the 13.1 mile distance. And Jim Fischer and Dave Ragsdale claimed goodies in the 10k. I am SURE I have missed several of the YOUTH CHIPS who ran well and probably some of the older herd too, so APOLOGIES in advance for any and all omissions.
Jed Smith THANK YOU!!!
From: Steve Wetmore, Jed Smith 2006 Race Director
I would like to thank all of the runners who came out and braved the wrath of the weather Gods on Saturday at Gibson Ranch. This year’s turnout was great! It was a terrific way to kick off the new running year.
I would especially like to thank all of the volunteers who gave up their Saturday to make the event possible. Without volunteers, these events wouldn’t happen. I deeply appreciate all who “chipped in” in making Jed Smith 2006 a success!
I would also like to thank our sponsors Zombie Runner http://www.zombierunner.com/ and Peet's Coffee and encourage you to support
those who support us.
