April 14, 2012
San Juan Trail 50K Results
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San Juan Trail 50K - April 14, 2012 2012 SJT 50K Story Morning to one and all. Oh what a F'ing weekend, but we managed to pull it off with no major disasters, non which I want to talk about. The last thing I remember last night was trying to keep my eyes open after a nice meal with me mate Bob at the Lone Star, plus grog and the slipping into a nice bottle of Blackstone back in the rest home, Laguna Woods Village that is. Where does one start when you are told by the Forest Service just 2 days before a big 50K trail run that the event has to be cancelled? A major storm is coming in and dumping snow down below 4,000 feet in the Cleveland National Forest? Of course, one panics, but as an RD of many years one learns - never say no. So I offered a plan B course to the FS and they accepted. But now comes what do you tell the runners … tell them nothing, they will just turn up anyway at Blue Jay. What about all the hundreds of volunteers that have made plans, etc., etc. Hey you ask very calmly, that all is still well and the show will go on with minor demographical changes, much like when I was a boy scout for a day… Come prepared. My new 2000 RV had been loaded and Bob was happy to drive my F150 up to BJ on the Friday lunchtime. My plan was to mark the new designed first part of the course, about 15K. Then enjoy a quiet evening with a couple of bottles. Not quite what happened? Driving up the mountain the temperature was dropping and by the time we were opening the LBJ gate it was raining. Bob and I were prepared with lots of clothes, of course me in shorts! By the time we set out to mark the course, the cloud cover was so low we could hardly see which way to go, plus the rain was now turning into a major storm including thunder and lightning. Not a pretty sight to see two 70 year old blokes wandering off on a single trail at 3,000 feet. After only a few 100 yards we literary saw a large oak fall to the ground after a lightening flash…. The storm sounded as though it was right above us, the single trail further on was becoming a fast flowing river. My thinking as the ever fearless leader, “Hey it can’t last” we will be OK. Knowing we would have to put up with another 2 hours of this shit my bravado was drastically diminishing. After another 15 minutes, I turned to see Bob mumbling to himself, he looked like a drowned rat! Of course me, in shorts and a non-water proof jacket was not a pretty sight. Enough, I said, so back we plodded to the RV, big Bob was real happy. Now what, cutting a long story down I managed to contact me mate Doug, who was coming out to help on race day anyway. He offered to arrive at BJ early enough to mark the 15K loop. What a gem. Then I could mark the remainder of the Blue Jay area, before the fast boys and girls turn up…. Not to be… I had followed the runners after the start, with flour and extra ribbon to reroute the return to BJ, but didn’t allow enough time to mark the Falcon trail section. 8 or 9 runners where through the aid station, before I hit Falcon Trail. Not good, although I had explained the directions at the early morning briefing. Hey who listens to BAZZA! So many stories to be told. My mates Julia, husband Rick and Matt had started out early and guided the runner at the Chiquita turn off then they proceeded down to the Falls aid station with radio guys in tow. Just a couple of runners did some extra sight-seeing, but no one complained to the RD about anything. Obviously the stormed passed through and the gods seemed to be on our side. Late entrant Jesse Haynes was amongst the front four or five runners at mile one…. Then he took command, going around the 15K loop. A 4-minute lead, back at Falcon. Again too many individual stories to tell now, but Jesse kept opening the gap and crossed the finish line as though he had just gone for a 5K jog. Kurt Whittington came in a very happy second and Jamie Castaneda took third place overall, having said that the guy he ran with most of the way finish with the same time, they are mates. In the women’s division Carey May had no problems and finished in 6th overall about 23 minutes in front of second place finisher San Clemente running star Mari Russell. 40 year-old Wendy Barth came in 3rd. We had 19 women finishers. Oh yes, a few didn’t make the distance, same for the blokes. All in all everyone was happy including yours truly, especially after all the pre-race problems. Yes a few were not happy about running/hiking up Horse Thief… maybe next year! The last minute course change worked out to be 29 plus miles, hey we did our best. Must thank all the help I got on race day, everyone was willing to do anything for the event to go well. Me mate Doug ran and marked the 15K loop, before the race got going and was only passed by a few front runners before he got back to Blue Jay. He did take a photo with his phone showing me fresh mountain lion paw prints on the trail. The Ham Radio team with big Dick in command along with Heiko had a nice day, especially the two family members who hiked in with lovely Julia and her slaves to the Falls aid station. By the time they hiked out they were tired and only my smiling face to say thanks! Me mate Bob did good at his age… ! Sandy and Big Bill handled the start and finish line paperwork and lovely Scarlet, a regular helper in BJ, was magic. Hope the award winners liked their glass ware and of course everyone was happy with the top-of-shelf T’s I handed out in the Raffle. Hey, it is all good clean fun and please excuse my silliness, I do love you guys one and all and if I do shock you I am sorry, but I am just being me. Seems this winter I have gained some more mates, let’s hope I see you all again. My Shadow of the Giants 50K, June 2, is filling up; maybe you want to visit Fish Camp and Yosemite National Park at the same time. Must thank the Forest Service especially my girl Becky… We did get lucky with the weather on race day, considering when I got out of my RV at 4:30 am it was 33 degrees and there was snow on my Ford. OK be good to each other, keep running the trails, dropping me an email occasionally with a story helps me get through the day. I will keep you up to date with all my affairs etc., etc.!!!! Much Love Big BAZ You can always go online and catch up on my events through the year. www.bigbaztrailraces.com Or, you can send personal messages to bazhawley@sti.net San Juan Trail 50K Results 2012
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