Whiteface Mountain Uphill Footrace – 2nd Series,
Race #3
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| pix I took last year
Saturday, September 13, 2014 turned
out to be a decent day to race but a bit chilly, in the 40’s, for the
volunteers that did another outstanding job! After a few instructions, the race
started at 8 am. Leading the way on this day was Jacob Malcomb who clocked
1:04:20 and leading the women was Hailey Bitner in 1:21:50. Rounding out the
podium was Duncan Douglas in 1:07:16 and Phil Lynch in 1:09:33 for the men, for
the women was Kim Douglas in 1:23:08 and Judith Stirnimann in 1:34:14. Runners
in the series this day were Laurel Shortell, Walter Kuklinski, Dick Hoch and
myself. After finishing today’s race, Laurel will have finished EVERY race
since the Series began! Thanks to RD Michelle Burns for her support and to Pat
Hendrick Photography for providing pictures! Pictures of this years race are
here http://www2.backprint.com/pathendrickphoto/127912 and
available for purchase, thanks Pat!
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| Pix provided by Richard Gilyard |
Start of the race saw 86 excited
runners heading up the paved auto road.
Walter on course went on to finish in
54th place in 1:44:33.7 …way ta go Walter!!!
I enjoy’d the race and the wonderful
organization. Finished 63rd in 1:51:29.9
Always a great smile and Laurel
lookin good running 2:06:16.7 finishing in 79th position.
Dick finished in 2:36:50.6, below is
the write up Dick did for the Western Mass AC Club Newsletter about the Series
and his race. Thank you and Congrat's Dick and love your shirt ! ! !
To Th Mountains
I
decided to try th N. E. Mtn Series, even tho mountains are
nowhere
near where I live. ( I have an xcellent car mechanic )
First
race was up to Vermont’s highest peak, Mt Mansfield, our
race
distance 4.3 miles. I drove to my sister’s in Greenfield MA
th
day b4 – lucky to have her and family there – then up early
for
long drive way up north. When getting my race number
along
with many others, “Dick, you too!” That was Bob S.,
(who
finished 1st 60 – 69 ) also from a long way off: Rhode
Island!
Just b4 starting I spotted Laurel S., tapped her on
shoulder.
Always good to meet with her – positive spirit and a
smile
– especially at such times. “Have fun.” So 4.3 mi. isn’t
that
much, but when it’s all steep uphill, it IS!
Among
us runners were hikers, many of whom moved right
along.
Actually that was all I could manage most of th time.
As
I came within a half mile of th summit I was surprised and
certainly
encouraged to hear guys & gals cheering – hollering
for
me by name! Strange but really neat, and not to be
forgotten.
Up top I drank water, took some banana, then started
down,
feelin fine and lovin th views for a couple mi.
At
that time th mountain-bike riders – yes struggling mightily –
were
pushing their way up so we hollered-cheered for them. _
With
quite a ways yet to go I was fast losing energy.
Almost
there, OOPS I fell. Lucky for me, immediately 2 big
burly
guys scooped me up to haul me down where I got water as
well
as energy bars from Andrea, who had a whole bag!
Soon
I was OK.
On
Labor Day morning following my 3-hour drive, R. D.
Kent
L. at th base of Mt Greylock for th 39th annual road race,
allowed
me to begin early which I did after buying this year’s
outstanding,
must-have shirt. I felt pretty good thru 4 of th 8
quietest
coolest miles. When it got noticeably tuff I was lucky
that
Donna S. came by in car and paused to cheer me onward
(
as well as at th top ) _. Still, I couldn’t keep 22 of this day’s
best
mountain runners from passing, then finishing b4 me.
I
wish I could’ve hung-around awhile to unwind and enjoy th
day
with everybody, but I had my 3-hour Labor Day drive to do.
I
left my motel not far from Wilmington NY in th Adirondacks
about
7:00 for th Whiteface Mtn Uphill Footrace, 3rd in th
Series.
While waiting – quite cool – to start I enjoyed meeting
and
being with Laurel S., Jeff G. ( who would be 7th ), Walt K.,
and
Fred R. Th constant climb up th 8-mile summit road would
prove
xtremely challenging for me. At th outset I passed some
“take-
their- time talkers” who hung behind me so I heard from
time
to time for quite awhile. At the same time a ways ahead of
me
I watched a fellow very gradually pull away; I tried but
could
not speed up. After several miles when th talkers – still
talking
& laughin – caught me and went by, I became th
caboose.
Thru th fog struggling monumentally I did eventually
reach
th top / th end, yes last.
Thoughts
on that: Somebody’s gotta be last in every race.
As
long as I’ve given it 100% effort, which I did, then OK.
I’d
sure rather have tried my best yet still come last than not
to’ve
showed-up at all…… But I wish I wasn’t last.
Altho
I won’t be bragging about, or even mentioning, my
results,
I’m glad I drove th distances to attempt these different,
uniquely
challenging, hard races. By persevering to complete all
3
mountain races I earned that core feeling of accomplishment
that
cannot ever be given to me, that I now own, that nobody
can
take away.
P. S. Guess what.
This
Series, of 5, not 3 races, continues next June. I’ll be there.
Dick
Hoch
2014
– 2015 2nd Series Standings:
Points;
Rtttovt Greylock Whiteface
1) Donna Smyth 66.88 66.88
2) Walter Kuklinski 52.93 + 57.76 +
61.53 = 172.22
3) Fred Ross III 49.33 + 65.25 +
57.70 = 172.28
4) Laurel Shortell 40.70 + 49.54 + 50.95 = 141.19
5) Dick Hoch 37.68 + 42.98 + 41.02 = 121.68
Continuous
Streak;
1) Laurel 9 + 1 = 10
2) Fred 8 + 1 = 9
3) Donna 3 + 0 = 0
4) Walt 2 + 1 = 3
5) Dick 2 + 1 = 3
Total All Time Finishes;
1) Laurel 9 + 1 = 10
2) Fred 8 + 1 = 9
3) Donna 4
4) Walt 2 + 1 = 3
5) Dick 2 + 1 = 3
All
Time Total Series Points;
1) Laurel 419.77 +
50.95 = 470.72
2) Fred 420.34 + 57.70
= 478.04
3) Donna 257.58
4) Walt 110.69 + 61.53
= 172.22
5) Dick 80.66 + 41.02
= 121.68
Later this year the series resumes
with the Ascutney Mountain Run and concludes at the Northeast
Delta Dental Mount Washington Road Race.
Ascutney Mountain Run in Windsor, VT ***
(this year was on Sunday, June 8th 9 am)
***
Northeast Delta Dental Mount
Washington Road Race, once
again, will be the final race of the 2nd series *** (this
year on Saturday, June 21st) ***
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