Radamacher 10 mile Fun Run/Walk
October 16, 2004
Ridgecrest, California
By Carol Wolfe
35 walkers and runners attended this year's RR run, and a good time was had by all. We lucked out with excellent weather, and even though it was opening day for bird season, none of the runners or walkers was mistaken for a Chukar and everyone returned from the run fully intact :)

Of the 35 entrants, about 13 were from the high school cross country team.  Thank you, Coach Barnes, for bringing them. They are always an inspiration to watch.

Although we didn't keep official finishing times, a few people deserve special recognition for outstanding performances.  Eric and Julie Frisbee both ran very well, with Mike and Jerry Mumford just behind. Kudos to both the husband and wife teams.

John Shillings  blew the course markings off the trail, he ran so fast!  Great job, John.  He completed the 10 miler in 1:11.  Keith Richards-Dinger was just behind, and the new kid on the block (ESDP Charles Morton) finished very well also.  Great job, guys! Rick Miller was also in top form, as usual.

Our first female finisher was Tara Hawkins in 1:32 - way to go Tara!  We also had Anita Fromm come all the way from Edwards for this event. Thanks, Anita.

There were the usual suspects that trickled in after that - Chris, John, Ruth, Lynn, Dave, William. Great job, everyone!

Lisa Bennett and Don Snyder showed us enviable race-walking form. Good job, Lisa and Don.  And newcomers Elaine Jackson and Chris King walked part of the course as well.  Welcome, Elaine and Chris. Hope you join the club.

A big, heartfelt "thanks" to my husband Brian and my son Thomas, who each manned an aid station. They also un-marked the course. Thanks to my special guys for supporting this event.
 

Arturio Barrios Invitational
October 24, 2004
Chula Vista, California
By Dianne Rindt
I ran the Arturo Barrios 10K on Sunday, October 24, in Chula Vista.  I was very happy with my time of 48:31, which was good enough to capture 1st place in the F60-64 division.  This is a very well-organized race, with both a people's 5k and 10k (you can run both if you are a glutton for punishment!), kids' races, and capped off by an invitational "North American Team 5K Championship" Featuring 3 runners from each of Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. The 10k covers two loops of the 5K course, the Invitational course is a shorter, 3-loop route to give more spectator coverage.  (The kids' races are 1 or 1/2 miles, depending on age.) 

I recently read that if you wave to anyone, you aren't running hard enough.  Well I didn't know that then, so I waved to all those bands and cheerleading squads that were out there supporting all the runners.  They were great!  There was plenty of food and drink at the finish.  Besides the usual water, fruit, energy bars, etc., there was a huge pancake feed and a beer corral.  A live Mexican band also entertained the crowd in the finish/expo area.

This event is really an international affair.  A large number of Mexican runners participate.  (People that come over from Mexico, in addition to locals.) I think the reason that the entry fee is relatively low (just $18) is to encourage this. 

The start/finish is in front of the Chula Vista Marina, a very nice area of Chula Vista.  We stayed at the RV park next to the marina.  A little pricey for an RV park, but very nice and very convenient to the race. We opted for a "bay site", so we could back up to a little park on the edge of the bay and watch the sunset in the evenings, looking out the big windows at the rear of our 5th wheel.  Sitting in our recliners, sipping a glass of wine! One evening we also took the trolley to the Gaslamp District in San Diego for a nice dinner out.  Hey, when I bust my butt training for a race, I want a treat!

Anyone interested in running this race can get more information at www.eliteracing.com