Introduction
By
D.
Charles Owen
As
all of us are aware, 11 Sep 01 will forever
be remembered as a day of great tragedy. Why
would I elect to start the newsletter like this? Many
reasons actually, which I will explain below, but first and foremost is it is a shame, in
this modern age of technology and human achievement, that people filled with hate, fear
and loathing cannot find a positive means for settling their differences or challenging
their fellow man. During times like this, it
seems that running, regardless of your level of involvement, is the most unimportant thing
in our volatile world, but I would argue, and I believe many of you would agree, that it
seems to make more sense than many of the tragic events occurring around our globe.
This
of course is what unites us. It is our
passion, our hobby, our means of challenging ourselves, both physically and spiritually,
as well as a means of challenging others. During
times such as these, take pride in the fact that you distinguish yourself from your fellow
human beings through this endeavor.
The
other reason that I choose to begin on a reflective slant?
Since I’ve been remiss in my duties regarding the newsletter, due
to personal changes/crisis, as well as catastrophic computer failure, resulting in the
loss of all race results for this calendar year, we can keep it in perspective as it
compares within the grand scheme of things and realize that worse things can happen, no
matter how frustrating. Since this
necessitated an abbreviated newsletter containing race results and Grand Prix standings in Jun 01, I have opted to focus on the events and
achievements of many of our members starting with July of this year.
I
will return to the regular format next quarter since I know many of our members enjoy
seeing their placings/times in print. I
appreciate you all bearing with me on this.
Upcoming
Events and Special Mention
In
Club News, we are looking for a new Co-President, since Sue Fletcher, who has done an outstanding job
these past 24 months, has ended her tour of service.
We thank her and her husband Dick
Haines for everything they've done for the club.
At
the date of publication, the Bisbee 1000 Stairs
Race will have been held on 21 Oct 01, and
will be followed the next day by the Helldorado
Days 5K, followed a week later by the Ft. Huachuca MI Corps 10K, which, as of this writing, is still a
go despite increased Base Security. The 911 Half Marathon is NOW a 15K Event!!!
Eric Krebs, along with Randy Bostwick, will once again host the 911 Race on 17 Nov 01,
but have changed the event to a 9.3 mile course in order to make the course more
manageable. The customary two mile fun run
will remain as well. There are other events
coming up in Nov and Dec, so mark your calendars now!
Racing
News
As
that there were so many events since the last newsletter, we eschewed complete listings of all race competitors
for this issue only. Instead, race reviews
are provided
Fordney
Farms 10K-08 Oct 01
The
oldest event on the TMRC Calendar, the 24th running of the Fordney Farms 10K was held in premium conditions
last Columbus Day weekend and saw Roger Bristow,
in his first competition since having foot surgery last Summer, win in the Men’s
Category, and my daughter, Siouxsie Owen,
repeating as the first Place Female Runner (I try not to be biased). Roger has won every event he’s entered this
year, despite an injury and the surgery, and is not only a great athlete, but an even
better coach and role model to the young men
and women of Tombstone. Steven Bostwick ran a smoking race to finish, as
he often does, first for Boys 14 and under, and Chris
Farmer won for boys ages 15-19. What is
fantastic about this event, other than the fact is has been held since 1977, is the potluck held afterward. This is truly club racing at its finest, since
most of the participants are TMRC members, and,
as on many occasions, timing /scoring duties were handled by our friends and mentors Harry
and Sharon Dubinick. Steve
Havens and wife De De, along with Sue and Dick
on support, did a fantastic job in hosting this event and ensured everyone who
participated received recognition as some of the awards for age groups went five or six
deep, so everyone placed!
Lenio
5K-09, Sep 01
This
year’ event, changed from the original date so as not to conflict with the 24 Hour Marathon, once again proved to be one
of the best 5Ks around. DR. Don Simpson and Frank Buchanan have not
only created a fantastic course within the Pueblo Del Sol Community, but have succeeded in
securing sponsorship from local merchants and businesses which provides prizes, food and
beverages unmatched by any local event this humble scribe has attended. The event, with over 90 runners and half that many
walkers, raised over $2300 for the Sierra Vista
Regional Health Center Hospice.
David
Dawson won the overall Men’s title, and in a great display of sportsmanship, child
phenom Jamie Perez and Siouxsie Owen crossed the finish line together as
the first females after agreeing to run as a team in an effort to push each other and
finish hard.
While
the event drew people from all walks of life, one
standout was noted area Triathlete Craig Liming,
fresh after winning the 2nd Annual
Hummingbird Triathlon and placing fourth in his class at the Amateur World Triathlon Championships in Canada. It is always a pleasure to have athletes like this
at our events. If you do only one event per
year, make it this one. The organization,
food, comraderie, and cause simply make it the best.
The
10th Annual Buffalo Soldier 24 Hour Marathon, 02-02 Sep 01
TMRC
Stalwart
and Race Director Gary Cross, along with a
cast of thousands (actually a few dozen) held the
10th Annual Buffalo Soldier 24 Marathon over last Labor Day Weekend. This year’s competition saw the return of Tom Meyer, former TMRC President and a previous winner of this event
, as well as 14 other runners participating. Wayne Knowles of Phoenix, eclipsed the record
of previous winner Jerry Schuster, by running
an astounding 110 miles within the 24 hours period!!!
The conditions were brutal, with hot, almost cloudless days which taxed the
competitors fiercely. What was phenomenal,
outside of the stamina and warrior spirit of the competitors, was the support from the
friends, family members, and soldiers (C Co., 305th
MI Bn as well as cadre/staff from the 306th MI Bn). Even though space is limited, and I have not
listed the overall standings fore any of the other races during this period, I feel the
miles posted by these runners deserves recognition and so listed the following:
Place
Name
Age
Mileage
1.
Wayne Knowles
29
110.24
2.
Jerry Schuster
46
101.23
3.
Eric Schmitz
30
82.15
4.
LTC D. J. Reyes
44
70.49
5.
Dave Upah
57
63.07
6.
Benjamin Heidenreich 20
62.54
7.
Lauren Mott
23
60.42
8.
Gary Sanuels
22
59.89
9.
Tom Meyer
37
56.18
10. Ben Sones
31
54.06
11. Tie
Joe Dana
65
53
11. Tie
Gary Smith
45
53
13.
Dave
leotaud
51.22
14.
Fran
Frederick
60
39.22
Special
mention also goes to Harold Hawes, who not only
dedicated time and effort in preparing and breaking down the race course, but helped many
of the participants surpass their goals by running/walking numerous miles with them,
despite not being a participant himself. As
always, great job to Gary and his family on
this primo event.
2nd
Annual Ft. Huachuca Hummingbird Triathlon, 18 Aug 01
While
not on the TMRC Calendar, this event is
noteworthy in that it was started by former TMRC
member Alan Contrerras. Current
TMRC member 1LT Marc Meyle was also the
first place military participant.
Tombstone
Vigilantes 10K, 12 Aug 01
Probably
the most famous run within the TMRC Calendar,
receiving a race review article in ‘Runners’
World’ two years ago, the Tombstone 10K
was once again a huge success, with local Ft. Huachuca Triathlete Jessica Beecham winning the Women’s race.
Sierra
Vista Parks and Leisure Five Mile Loop Race, 05 Aug 01
Also
not on the club calendar, this event was staffed by Kelley Martinez and the City
Lifeguards. CPT Fleur Keogh,
an Australian Army Officer assigned to Ft. Huachuca on a an exchange program, was the
first place Female. She also won the Suarez
Four Miler (see below) and is currently in New Zealand participating with the US Army
Pentathlon Team in THE ECOCHALLENGE! This
talented athlete, along with her adventure racing husband Adrian, brings a great deal of
experience to any event she is in, and once I get her to join, would make a fascinating
TMRC Member profile story, should we resurrect that column.
I was fortunate to capture the male category, but that’s only because
Roger was still convalescing and Brian Bates and Paul Valentin passed since they had a
hard training session the day prior.
Ft.
Huachuca Steelhead Triathlon, 28 Jul 01
Ft.
Huachuca Sports Director, Worldclass Triathlete and former TMRC Westgate 10K Winner Les Woods once again put on this race, which,
while not a club event, saw TMRC Member Marc
Meyle win the award for the first Active Duty Military participant. Marc has
had a great competitive year. While many of
you within the club know him only from our run events, he is a terror on the bike and is
improving rapidly on the swim.
Leonard
Suarez Four Mile Run, 22 Jul 01
Another
Gray Cross Production (he also does the Bisbee to Naco 10K), this event saw a slightly
smaller turnout from previous years, but was big on talent.
Fleur Keogh, whom I mentioned
above, won for Females in her first event with us. Tombstone’s
Justin Prevatte, known as “Pre” to his team mates, and who is coached by
Roger Bristow, was the first male to cross the
finish line. Fleur might have had a shot at breaking the course
record for females, but some miscreant (me) failed to follow the course instruction and
took a wrong turn. My apologies to our
fellow racers.
Bisbee
‘B’ Hill Run, 04 Jul 01
This
event, billed as the oldest continuously run competitive event within Arizona, saw
perennial winner John Stewart score his 14th victory. This year’s event was modified for safety
considerations and so a new course record was set. After
watching John win the past three years, I’m prophesizing that only John will break
his record.
Other
Race and Member News:
Our
own Kelley Martinez was named as Director of the (soon to be opened) Municipal Aquatics Center, and has taken the Buena Colts Girls Volleyball Team to the upper
echelons of competition. Congratulations,
well deserved. Paul Valentin, who’s had a fantastic
competitive year himself, has expanded his racing efforts outside of local events by
participating in the prestigious Boulder to Boulder
10K in Colorado. TMRC Matriarch Pat Del Vecchio returned to triathlon by competing
as a member of a relay team during the Steelhead and committing to an individual effort
for the Tinfoilman Triathlon in Tucson. I saw her training hard in the pool and she’s
an inspiration to all. Brian Bates bought a Triathlon Bike and looks
poised to make the leap to multi-sport. Also,
he is creating a website for the TMRC in an
effort to attract more members and participation.
Tom Meyer, a former TMRC President and winner of the Buffalo Soldier 24 Hour Marathon, returns to us with his family after a
tour in Hawaii.
Please
let me know, email at chazzowen@hotmail.com, if
you know of or have participated in some of these other events. This newsletter is for you, and we want to
recognize your achievements.
Welcome
New Members
We
would also like to extend a warm welcome to following new members:
Romana
Ennery, Chris Farmer, Anthony Ferris, Roland Faucher and Family, Gayle Hanson and Family,
Thomas Meyer and Family, Kenneth Morrey, Dan Young, Michael Gue, and Nick. Nick, I apologize, but we don’t have your
last name, but all of you will recognize him since he’s from “the correct side
of the pond”.
Until
Later,
Train
Hard, Race Hard
See
you at the next event
D.
Charles Owen |
