t h es t r i d e r
‘voice’ of the West Slope’s longest-running autonomous collective of running-minded anarchists
In this issue:over 400 runners in Fruita (Valentine’s) “Heart” 5 & 10kMarty, Brandi, Tyman and Ashlynn are fastest !
ANDY WINNEFELD & Yvette (& Jay) VALENTINE win lots of beverages!
(KARLA NEPHEWIS, still, new STRIDER PRESIDENT!)
Thanks to Tom Ela for contributions to the NL
Next issue:probably Moab ½ M (& 5-mi) stuff. And the usual subliminal suggestions …
Feb. 10 -- the annual (37thor so) VALENTINE’S MASSACRE 3-MILE BEVERAGE-PREDICTION RUN
Finishers in order of “least amount of time spent enjoying the course”
1.Marty Wacker, 18:24 2. Gannon Seagren, 20:21 3. Jay Valentine, 20:32
4. Suzie Steel, 21:30 5. Taylor Valentine, 22:06 6. Ashlynn Squires, 22:06
7. Bob Thome, 23:01 8. Andy Winnefeld, 25:33 9. Tom Ela, 26:00
10. Marshall Steel, 26:00 11. Ernie Langelier, 26:06 12. Max Barnstead, 27:26
13. Lara Schneider, 28:54 14. Yvette Valentine, 28:57 15. Tabitha Kissne*, 30:05
16. Teri Shecter, 31:04 17. Liz Norris, 31:27 18. Judy Barnstead, 34:48
19. Sheryl Douglas, 35:35 20. Achmed Harmash*, 38:01 21. Conrad Cole, 47:41
22. Kim Cole, 47:41 23. Diana Agilong*, 63:06 24. Cliff Moore, 63:06
This race has got a sort of “cult-like” following, and the ¿organizer/director? probably couldn’t handle a field of 40 or more! This race (as you probably know) is not “to the swift” necessarily, but to those who predict the closest to their actual time for the 3-mile course.
ANDY WINNEFELD was 3-seconds slower than his predicted time to carry away a large share of the beverages (each entrant donates 2 cans or bottles (and in some cases, boxes) of something to drink as their entry “fee”). YVETTE VALENTINE’s 9 second “miss” from her prediction enabled her and her partner in the “Sweetheart” Division (Jay, who was 13 seconds fast) to win another large share of beverages for their win in the “Team Division.”
Judy Barnstead not only was the 3rd-closest predictor (12 seconds) she also was one of two course age-group record setters for this year. Suzie Steel lowered her age-group record set in 2015 by three seconds. Tom Ela (13 sec.) and Marshall Steel (15) also won back more drinks than they brought, and the duo of Gannon Seacrest and Ashlynn Squires were the 2nd-place team. The team competition was pretty tight this year – with the Steel’s and Taylor V./Bob Thome recording 55-second or better combined predictions. Finishing within 30-seconds of their predictions were Gannon Seacrest, Taylor Valentine, Ashlynn Squires, Bob Thome, and Achmed Harmash.
*May have some names mis-spelled (all sign-in and results sheets were pretty wet due to the drizzle which commenced after the runners were off. Fortunately, the wetter and heavier stuff didn’t begin in earnest until we were all done!)
Runners (and walkers) in order of close-predictions:
Andy Winnefeld (25:33) = 3 seconds Yvette Valentine (28:57) = 9
Judy Barnstead (34:48) = 12 Tom Ela (26:00) = 13 Jay Valentine (20:32) = 13
Marshall Steel (26:00) = 15 Gannon Seacrest (20:21) = 22
Achmed Harmash (38:01) = 24 Bob Thome (23:01) = 24 Ashlynn Squires (22:06) = 24
Taylor Valentine (22:06) = 26 Sheryl Douglas (35:35) = 35 Liz Norris (31:27) = 37 Suzie Steel (21:30) = 40 Ernie Langelier (26:06) = 43 Marty Wacker (18:24) = 81 Kim Cole (47:41) = 2:57 Conrad Cole (47:41) = 2:57 Diana Agilong (63:06) = 3:06
Cliff Moore (63:06) = 3:06 Lara Schneider (28:54) = 3:06 Tabitha Kissne (30:05) = 3:15
Teri Shecter (31:04) = 3:26 Max Barnstead (27:26) = 4:04
The race (mis)director joked with Max B that if this was the Turkey Trot prediction run, he would have won a can of turkey noodle soup! Note that over half the runners were fairly close to their pre-run predictions, and that Cliff and Diana walked the course, coming in at about 3 minutes off their (gu)estimated hour – pretty close, considering. Andy was also 3 sec. off in 2012 !
MMS Directors meeting--> January 16 – we had more than a mere quorum … 10! & we approved (5STARs) the full & complete Accounting by Conrad. We (MMS) have an ‘older’ generator for sale. “Save the date”Turkey Flats weekend (July 1) is to be a CAMPING and trail-run race experience! There was to have been (¿was there?) a REI Full (blue) Moon night trail run at the Lunch Loops trails on January 31. Discussed fees/charge for use of the “Jaguar” timing system. Up until semi-recently, groups putting on larger (more entrants) races were paying a lot more to (usually) out-of-town timing groups than MMS timing systems would charge. Will the paper (and electronic) mostly-monthly newsletter continue with its present frequency – or (big money-saver here) less often? Maybe even quarterly? Depends in part on the “inserts” (usually race entry-forms) we receive… Tentatively, monthly from March thru’ August, then every other month? Membership dues will continue to remain the same. For now. But remember, dues help the MMS (and YOU) pay for RRCA insurance at our events. Private businesses have inquired about setting up informational booths at some of our events – DO IT! But be an official dues-paid member, first. Conrad suggested getting some MMS members as “certified flaggers” (in regards traffic control on/at road races. THAT could save a buncha $$$.
Tom Alford (former MMS guy) told Conrad that for a brief while “out in California” there was a billboard along the highway: WHEN THE ALIENS COME, THEY’RE GONNA EAT THE FAT PEOPLE FIRST. There was some sort of public back-lash/negative reaction and the sign was taken down a few days later. At least 4 of our members are running in Boston this year.
(Karla met with the Mesa County Search & Rescue in later January in regards the MMS “Jaguar” timing system for their KokoPelli/Mary’s Loop trail races later this year.) After the meeting, Conrad and Rosco proposed that membership dues ONLY be increased for the “paper” / hard-copy newsletter club recipients.
Deadlinefor submissions for next newsletter is later March, maybe laterer!.
Email articles toor ‘regular’ mail to
MMS, c/o Betunada, 230 Sunset Hills, Grand Jct., CO 81503
The M M S Directors, currently, are:
KARLA NEPHEW – President (& Jaguar-Timing-System). ANDY WINNEFELD – Vice-President & frequent medical insight). TOM ELA – Membership (among other things).
CONRAD COLE – Treasurer. ROSCO BETUNADA – interim temporary acting Secretary, Newsletter.
RANDEE BERGEN -- Web Site, and FaceBook. LARRY INGRAM -- Calendar, Race Director Consultant.
SHERYL DOUGLAS (former President and still Keeper of the Keys).
Also assisting the MMS in various ways: COREY HINMAN (GVTA Liason), JULIE MALINGOWSKI (resident meteorologist),& a Director who wishes to remain Anonymous.
March, April, & ~ C A L E N D A R
Note: all phone numbers “970” unless indicated otherwise
March 3 & 4, (Saturday and Sunday) Moab Off-Road Duathlon & spring Trail Runs -- Experience the North Klondike trial system with a healthy challenge:North Klondike Trailhead (South of Crescent Junction on highway to Moab)Saturday: Off-Road Duathlon (8K trail run followed by 13K Mtn Bike)
Sunday: 8K or Half Marathon Trail Run
March 3, Sat. (start times vary, runners sorted into “heats”) DREAM-CATCHER HALF (.com) & 5K. Edgewater Brewery
March 14, Wednesday,6:28 p.m. PI DAY RUN, 3.14 miles, trail. Julie, (907) 347-6932 (There is usually a lot of pie after the run – feel free to bring a circular snack to share!)
Saturday March 17,9:15 a.m.Canyonlands Half Marathon and 5-Miler Moab, of course.
March 17, Saturday, “Luck of the Irish” 7k – Steamboat Springs Middle School,
March 17, 10 a.m. Sequoia Glen 5k, W. Glenwood Springs, part of CRVCRSeries ~
March 18, 10 a.m., Mesa Meltdown 5/20k cross-country ski races. Grand Mesa Skyway.
Tom, 434-9753 and/or gmnc.org
March 20 or 27,Tues, 7 p.m. Monthly MMS Directors meeting: Call 270-0109 for location & etc.
Saturday March 24 --Behind the Rocks Ultras Moab
March 31, 10 a.m. Vivace 5k, Palisade H.S.
April 7, Sat., 9 a.m. Grand River Gallop 5k, Davidson Park, Rifle. Pre-register and save $12. Part of CRVCRSeries.
April 7, 10 a.m. WIDOWMAKER‘prox7-mile & 11-mile trailruns. Start (& finish) @ Little Park Trail-head ~ 3 miles up Little Park Road. These undulating rarely-level mostly-single-track fun-runs are not only scenic (if you dare look up from the challenging terrain underfoot), but exhilarating! Paul: 241-6478
April 13 -15 (Friday thru’ Sunday): Desert Rats Trail-Running Festivalchose between 10k, half-marathon, Marathon, and 50 km. (~31 miles) out at Mary’s/Kokopelli trails, west of Fruita. Last year some events sold out (entry limit reached) so if you’re considering this/these, don’t wait long !
Join us for any of the 3 weekly training sessions:anyone(that is: come one, come all). NOTE: you DO NOT "HAVE TO" RUN -- show up and walk, even!
NOTE #2: donations always appreciated in regards the beer (and beverage) cooler contents!
Every Wednesday,speed workout,6 PMLincoln Park track next to Stocker Stadium -- All abilities and speeds encouraged to join, Tom 970-773-3124
Group training run every Thursday, 6 PM
CMU Student Center just West of 12th and Elm. You can park in the 12th and Elm parking garage for free or along Elm St. Meet in the main lobby. Afterwards we can regroup at The Point in the Student Center which has beer and beverages. Bring some $ and your ID (yes they carded me). We'll be out there rain or shine. As always, this is casual and all shapes and speeds are welcome with various routes to choose from. We'll look out for you. Questions: Tom 970-773-3124 NOTE: After Daylite-Savings-Time (March 11) this group/weekly gathering will be back out ON THE TRAILS.
Alternate for Thursday, 6 PM:theDaylight Wasting Time Headlamp Trail Run meeting at the Devils Canyon Trailhead,Text Kirk for questions/comments,970 349-1185. We suspect this’ll END after March 11, and be combined with the Lunch-Loop group trail runs.
Group training run every Monday, 6 PMMeet at the Copper Club, 233 E Aspen, corner of Aspen and Peach, run the streets of Fruita. We run in all conditions. Like the Thursday night group, this is casual and all abilities are welcome. We have a 6-mile standard loop but there are various shorter options to choose from. Tom 970-773-3124
NOTE: (just like Mondays: After Daylite-Savings-Time (March 11) this weekly session will move back out TO THE TRAILS.
For more info, pictures and posts:
Messages or to get on or off the list:Tom
MESA MONUMENT STRIDERS website:
WE could use, and NEED? MORE PIXURES ~
also see the MMS FACEBOOK presence:
Other running websites:
sjmr.club( SJMR ) San Juan Mountain Runners, 631 S. 2nd Street, Montrose, CO 81401
West Colorado GIRLS ON THE RUN: gotrwesterncolorado.org
Steamboat Springs: this site should show all you need to know about most (or all!) the Steamboat-area races. Get on their e-mailing list!
moabhalfmarathon.comis no longer “valid” for Moab-area events!
TheCanyonlands HM/5M, Thelma&Louise HM/Relay, The Other Half, and the Winter-Sun 10k are now under the auspices/direction of madmooseevents.comWe (MMS) think that possibly MMS members may still register for these events with our club discounts enjoyed in the past. “Stay tuned …”
rrca.org (road runners clubs of america) andcolorado runner:
Support the underwriters / sponsors of the MESA-MONUMENT STRIDERS:The following:
Summit Canyon Mountaineering, and the FOOT SUPPORT GROUP,
have assisted in keeping membership costs lower than they could be. And: they support running in the Grand Valley (& elsewhere). Support them if you can!
Summit Canyon Mountaineering461 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501 (970) 243-2847
FOOT SUPPORT GROUPFoot/gait/orthotics/bracing/modification specialists
“European Craftsmanship – Biomechanical Design” 3212 F Road, Clifton, CO 81520
888-242-3881 or, in the 970 area code: 434-2727
Editor note: If I’ve OMITTED (or deleted) any current or would-be sponsors/underwriters, please let me know!
Editorial musings, and abusings: we apologize for putting in Heath HIBBARD’s name mis-spelled last issue. Or Heath, are you Mr. Hibberd? (The editor doesn’t worry a lot about this, not with (not just one, but two) frequently-missspeld last names).
I was riding my bike past the pavement end on Land’s End Road a few weeks back and noticed runner foot-prints (going down) about 6-feet apart. James, (Roche) were you on a run up there just before? Another bike ride, this time on the 9-Mile-Hill section of the Tabeguache, coming down after I had gone a prodigious 5-mile (out-&-back) I went by Tom Ela and a friend on their way up. My wife later asked how far they had gone and Tom answered “only 21 (or so) miles.”
I was going to title this NL issue the “any correlation between Good Health & Running izza Hoax! Edition. Maybe next time...
WANTED, VOLUNTEERS -- Not up to racing but still want to be out there? Consider these opportunities:
Gemini Adventures is looking for fun, friendly folks to help out at our upcoming: Trail Running Festival (April 14/15), Rabbit Valley Half Marathon (May 12), andDesert RATS MTB Classic (May 12).
We love to see runners helping runners, and are happy to say thanks for a full day's help with Free Race Entries to our events. If you're interested, take a quick moment to fill out our Volunteer Form (geminiadventures.com/volunteer), and I'll be in touch. - Brad Bishop
Feb. 17 “DO YOUR HEART SOME GOOD” / SweetHeart runs – 5k & 10k
This (these) race(s), have been the (sort of) pre-rites of Spring-Time for local and regional runners for many years. Starting & finishing at the Fruita Rec. Center, this year saw 305 finish the shorter race, while the pretty-darned competitive longer event had 101 finish. Interestingly, about 2/3’s the fields were women.
10k: MARTY WACKER & BRANDI KRIEG were the over-all fastests – with fine 36:37 and 39:56 times. The women’s race was especially competitive, when you consider that Master’s winner Terry Villarreal-Golba and master runner-up Suzie Steel came in at about 45 minutes. Brandi, (age 24) was joined by 3 more women in the top 10 over-all. Ivory Espinoza (the area’s fastest high-school runner, (CHS)) missed a sub-40 (40:19), no doubt paced by her coach. Keri Nelson (age 36) journeyed from the Moab area to finish 3rdwoman (42:49) and Stefanie Von Flue (34) was next, 43:32. Ms. V-Golba was 5thwoman, Suzie was 6th.
Men: 1. Wacker (wins over-all and fastest master (46)) -- 36:37 2. Brian Kearns (30) – 37:18
3. Reuben Smart (17), 37:35 4. Ted LeBlow (49), 40:18 5. Jeff Bunyea (29), 43:40
Age-groups: 50-59 – Bryan Baroffio, 44:40 60-69 – John Ferguson, 44:51
70+ -- Max Barnstead, 54:18
Women: 1. Krieg, 39:56 2. Espinoza, 40:18 3. Keri Nelson, 42:49 4. Von Flue, 43:32
5. Villarreal-Golba, 44:55 6. Steel, 45:08
Age-groups: Terry wins 40+, Suzie champion of 50+, and 60+ winner: Pam Shay (58:59).
The website shows another woman runner winning the 60-69 category, but we’re fairly sure that runner was in the 5k).
5k:TYMAN SMART & ASHLYNN SQUIRESbroke the tape with a 17:05 and 21:51. Both have many years of racing to look forward, being ages 16 and 15, respectively.
WOMEN: 1. Squires (12thover-all), 21:51 2. Paula Loucks (34), 23:13
3. Elizabeth Jones (16), 23:36 4. Meredith Bremner (32), 24:41 5. Taylor Kincaid (16), 24:45
Master’s winner, Kathryn Herrerra (52), 28:00. Age-groups: 20-29: Jennie Blackwelder, 25:11
40-49: Autumn Fury, 28:49 60-69: Mary Cunio, 40:04 70+: Judy Barnstead, 34:43 (NOTE: Ms. Barnstead was the fastest runner for all runners (men and women) for 60 and over)
MEN: 1. Smart, 17:05 2. Hunter Prather (15), 19:26 3. Kevin O’Brien, 19:43. Mr. O’Brien (59 years young) was the undisputed master’s winner) 4. Bryce Boggs (17), 19:53
5. Oliver Balestrieri (14), 19:54 Age Groups: 30-39: Karl Wicklund, 20:04 40-49: Joel Kincaid, 24:06 50-59: O’Brien, and 2. Jay Valentine (10thover-all), 21:07 60-69: Randy Larsen, 38:30 70+: Gregory Gonzales, 51:58 (Male 20-29 seems … un-resolved. The website results show a “Shannon” winning this category, and the pictures look undisputably feminine).
1/20/2018 Appleton Elementary APPLETON FREEZER 4-MILE
Finishers in order of Place, Name, Age, Time
1 Tyman Smart 16 22:17 2 Kevin Donoher 39 23:42
3 Brian Kearns 30 23:49 4 Ted Leblow 49 23:58
5 Oliver Balestrien 14 24:36 6 Jordan Leblow 13 24:36
7 Uriah Pfeffer 17 25:00 8 Kyle Preystup 18 26:58
9 Bryce Boggs 16 26:58 10 Ivory Espinoza 18 27:04
11 Jay Valentine 51 27:51 12 Bryan Baroffio 59 28:09
13 Cheryl Stahly 33 28:13 14 John Ferguson 62 28:35
15 Ashlyn Squires 15 28:55 16 Suzie Steel 58 29:01
17 Randy Kirschbaum 58 29:09 18 Bob Thome 63 29:16
19 Stefanie Von Flue 34 29:32 20 Laura Venner 35 30:30
21 Elizabeth Jones 16 34:00 22 Jared McClain 16 34:01
23 Marshall Steel 57 34:37 24 Kristin Coakley 45 35:35
25 Max Barnstead 71 36:01 26 Kimberly Sanchez 32 38:07
27 Seth Cooley 41 38:29 28 Bill Hartung 61 38:29
29 Amy Vagher 39 39:01 30 Dennis Young 74 39:55
31 Liz Norris 64 41:06 32 Sheryl Douglas 66 45:53
33 Serena Smart 15 46:27 34 Mary Young 74 46:43
35 Judith Barnstead 71 48:3736 Cliff Moore 78 51:29
37 Conrad Cole 67 51:29
January 27 – MOAB (well, outside of, in the rocks and sand) ARCHES ULTRAS
madmooseevents.com
In the50-Mile, there were 58 finishers! Won by Kyle Pietari (age 31) in 6:56:44. He was 17 minutes ahead of 50-years-young Jean-Claude Cote from Quebec. Yes, these events attracted participants from ALL OVER. Women’s winner was 7th-over-all Melissa Beaury (38) in 8:16:21.
50K: 171 finishers!, won by Elijah Flenner (44) from Ft. Collins in 4:16:26, less than a minute ahead of Max Dickerman (22, from Wyoming). In 8thwas woman’s winner, Wendy Stalnaker (C. Spgs, age 39) in 4:52:08. Grand Valley (& one Paonia) local finishers were Chris Wright (19thplace) in 5:24:34; Austin Anderson just 4 spots back of Chris and 6 more minutes; Lukas Miley, 5:44:35 (32nd). Adam Sczech (Fruita) had 6:43:36 of fun; Chris Pack was barely over 7 hours, with Jil Echols a few minutes later.
Half Marathon: 214 finished this one, won by Michael LaForest (36, from Montana) in 1:30:20, with master’s fastest Gerald Romero (C. Spgs) next in 1:34:05. Women’s winner Felice Kelly (9thover-all, from Portland OR) had a 1:41:28 time. Towards the front were Stefanie Von Flue (28thplace), 1:56:22; and Susan Drake (2:13:25) and Tammy Van Pelt (2:15:43).
9K: almost 100 more runners had a little bit of fun – and Dan Crooker (46, from Utah) had the least amount of that (fun) with 38:36. He was nine seconds ahead of 14-year-old Arthur Hawks from Moab. Megan Allart was 6thover-all to win the women’s race, 43:23. Participating from “our area” were Katy-Jane Angwin (16thover-all), 49:34; and Joe Carter (47), 50:58 for 21stplace.