Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2002 08:32:15 -0700 To: ultra@listserv.dartmouth.edu. From: "Larry Gassan" <l_gassan@beachnet.com> | Subject: Baldy Peaks 50k: "Icy Hot Stuntaz" Romp! Baldy Peaks 50k Aug 10 02 Mt Baldy CA Baldy Peaks 50k: "Icy Hot Stuntaz" Romp! Larry Gassan & Andy Roth, Co-Race Directors The fabled Bighorn of Mt. Baldy were smoking Pall Mall straights in the cool of the morning, weighing the odds. How many of the Baldy Peaks starters would oblige them with 2 visitations over the top of Mt. Baldy? And how many could be lured into a life of wilderness vice in their remote dens, cracking nuts and gnawing on pine cones? Until the dulcet sounds of the Barking Ducks (Antidae ferzen) reached crescendo, several of the bighorn could be heard humming verses from an old Pat Boone chestnut, "Itıs a long way to the top, if you wanta rock and roll." At the start several thousand feet below, the runners gathered and temperatures rose. After Mr. Trail Safety delivered a sermon on Hellfire, Damnation, and the Spiritual Advantages of Minimal Course Markings, the race directors sent the fine field of 62 on their way. Of course, you already know that Micah White was the first to the finish. Only the RDs knew that Micah was "just out for a training run" -- or so heıd claimed on his race entry. Dan Stumpus led the runners over the summit the first time and held on for first among the menıs Masters. The race for the menıs Veteran Seniors (60+) was a battle, with less than two minutes separating eventual winner Todd Leigh and William Lawrence. Marc Blake took a chain saw to his 2001 finish time, completing the course no less than three hours, 38 minutes faster than his previous best to garner the Crabtree Most Improved Trophy. The Bighorn stubbed out their smokes as bets were called and losers sent to ATMs to settle up. Meanwhile, Anne Langstaff was en route to a repeat performance as Alpha Baldy Betty, leading the women's field and finishing ahead of everyone except Micah and Brian Polley. The Baldy Peaks ascents will make your eyes spin in different directions. However, those who know the course understand that the downhill segments can be its "silent assassins." Anne offered another textbook demonstration of downhill running prowess, moving up significantly each time down the mountain. Sherry Bartosik finished first among the women under 40, while Pat DeVita--on her way to a tenth Baldy Peaks finish--reigned as queen of the womenıs Senior Veterans. We arenıt sure what made her happier, bringing home the distinctive Baldy Peaks trophy, or beating the UltraKraut, Jurgen Ankenbrand. The heat cooked off a record number of the starters with a 75% finisher rate. The DNF rate would have been worse if not for the epic efforts of the volunteers. Volunteers headed by Craig McClurgh hiked in a total of 30 gallons of beverages to the backcountry aid stations above Bear Flats and at the summit and Sierra Club Hut. The Icy Hot Stuntaz of Bear Flats -- Jay Grobeson, Mike "The Serb" Dimkich, and Larry "Fagio" Mann served warrants and water with a smile: "Donıt hate--there can only be three." On the summit, Craig McClurgh and company offered paleolithic cocktails to the thirsty runners. Liz Boyd and her posse threw down for runners at the Sierra Club Hut. Runners at the other aid stations had most of their terrestial needs met while trying not to choke laughing. Unnamed volunteers whiled away the afternoon hours by "eating more food than the runners, and making replica doggie-doo with chocolate energy bars and baby wipes (very convincing say 9 of 10 ultrarunners)," as one volunteer reported to race management. The more fastidious amongst you might be offended by such foolery--but this is the essence of ultrarunning, and a necessary antidote to the blown styrofoam of various other pre-packaged, over-hyped sports events. Our sponsors blew this party up, too. The folks at Clif supplied enough calories (87,000 to be exact) to sustain one person on a 2,000 calorie/day diet for six weeks! Thank you Grady OıShaughnessy! Craig Holloway at Patagonia provided our raffle with enough swag to cloth a small orphanage, and made sure that all our entrants went home better dressed than they arrived. Not one to learn, Craig also ran again this year, this time pushing his Vons shopping cart up and down the mountain to a 54 minute personal best. Krissy Moehl at Montrail made the hats just right for our finishers. Ultrafit (Kevin Setnes) and Succeed! (Karl King) partnered to make sure the runners at least had a chance against the heat by providing the S! Caps and electrolyte beverage. Thanks also to: Barbara & Ted Schultz, Eileen Clark, Dale Peterson, Don Obert, and John Davis, who provided HAM radio support; Marti Johnston at the U.S. Forsest Service, Ron Ellingson (Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts, Inc.). Dave Turner made the awards a sight to behold and a prize to strive for. Terry and Larry Grill swept the course, making certain that we didnıt need to call on Bill Stead, Graham Hendrickson, Bob Priest and the rest of the Mt. Baldy Volunteer Fire Department. We appreciate their support anyhow. Proceeds from this yearıs race will be donated to the fire department and the Dental Program of the Assistance League of Pomona Valley. -- Regards, Larry Gassan & Andy Roth Co-RDs / Baldy Peaks 50k 2001 L_Gassan@beachnet.com 7453 Oakwood Ave Los Angeles CA 90036 323-655-8177 323-655-9532 fax |