2007
Race Report Prickly Pear 10 Mile and 50K Report '07 The Pear 2007 was our biggest and fastest yet. There were course records set in the men's 10 miler and 50K and one never would have guessed we had the threat of postponement due to soaked trails. We managed to get 400+ runners across the finish line and fed after it was all said and done and I feel pretty good about that. We had the threat of rain once again and it came down race week to the tune of six inches but we got 3 decent days to dry and the trails were fine. Everyone seemed to be okay with the new course, especially the winners since the new track seems to be a tad faster. In any event, the races and post race were better than any year before and it wouldn't happen without SARR and all of the volunteers who turn out for this event. With the trails still drenched from the weeks rains, marking the course proved to be a muddy challenge that was over come with the help and humor of Jim Piekarski, Marissa Toland, Ernie Oaks, Stevie Ray Vrooke, Mike Chicka, Jim Fawcett, and SARR prez Whitney Laurence. There's nothing like spending 4 muddy hrs a day, 3 days in a row together to make you realize these peeps are okay and for them to realize that I'm Capt. A Hole. By Friday we just had to touch things up a bit and put out the mile markers and a few pie plates. This was the first year that I went to bed the day before the race not having inspected the entire course. I had to take everyone's word for it that their sections were well marked. Friday night I went to bed thinking they screwed it all up but was too tired to do anything about it. Race day weather was sweet. The temperature hovered around 50 degrees with minimal humidity. The 10 miler had the fastest field we've ever had with 3 guys from Mexico sprinting to the finish within 17 seconds of each other. They were all under 57 minutes, which is extremely impressive given the soft trails, water crossing and the amount of sharp turns on the course. Alfredo Moteczuma was first in a course record 56:30 and change with Ismael Leon on his heels in 56:30 and a little more change. Jacob Rotich rounded out the top 3 in 56:47. The women's race was impressive as well, with Andrea Jarzobek leading the pack by 2 minutes with a 1:03:39, followed by Lisa Makerlch with a 1:05:49 and Hellen Rotich in 1:07:27. It was pitch dark for the start of the 50K, with the 7AM start. I think I'll move it to 7:30 AM next year to avoid runners going through the hassle of running with a headlamp for 30 minutes. This was an oversight on my part due to not planning for daylight savings time the week before and being used to putting on the race in May every year. The gun went off at 7AM sharp and the 50Kers made their way to the 1st water crossing a half mile away. I could hear their distant cursing in the dark woods as began the day by soaking their feet. John Paladino was the over all male winner with an impressive course record 3:35, Bob Adams was second with a strong 3:44, and Shawn Bostad rounded the top 3 with a 3:57. Kelli Newlon who finished 2nd overall in the 10 Miler in '06 was back to win the 50K this year with a very respectable 4:22 , Marissa Toland proved that helping mark the course race week is a great way to taper by finishing second over all with a time of 4:29, Holly Pitzenberger was 3rd with a very respectable 4:38. With the 50K race, this event requires more from the volunteers than most road races. The whole thing couldn't be as high quality as it is without the help of Sally Rios, Rosa Green, and Hollister Vrooke. A enthusiastic raising of the stein to Eugene and Spencer with Alamo Golden Ale for providing an oasis for runners and volunteers to reward themselves with after a hard effort on the trails. IAAP and Jose Iniguez did an outstanding job with bibs, shirts, and the finish tower. Our race chefs did an awesome job as usual. Led by Drew Kappus, who cooked for his 6th and final year, Mitch Foley, John Monahan, and Bert "I want to eat your" Childress kept the long lines moving quickly. Thanks to Amanda McIntosh with Hammer Gel, Mike Dion with Frito Lay for aid station snacks, Mike Chicka for making tent runs to Helotes, Patti with Roger Soler was a huge help for running around and picking up entry forms and helping at packet pick up and loaning us canopies. Chuck Frawley loaned us a tent, Fleet Feet for their donations for the awards. I'd also like to thank our aid station crews Team Alamo, Emily Johnson, Pete and Jenna Vandermay, Walter and Joan Bobrukiewiez, Jim Piekarski and Ernie Oaks, and RGR Running Store. Please accept my sincere apologies if I have left anyone out. In the words of the great Norm Klein, former longtime RD for Western States; "It's easy to find runners, it's difficult to find volunteers." With a list of things that I need to fine tune for this event, I look forward to growing the Pear bigger and better for '08.
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