April 19, 2009 MILTON, MA

Many thanks to our volunteers:  Don Allison, Bill Howard, and Dave James (and friend).   Here are the unofficial results.  Runners… please correct any misspellings or incorrect reporting of ties or times.  Also, please fill in or correct your states.

Congrats to Josh and Garry for breaking the course record.

Anyone who wishes to send along pictures or a runner report suitable for submission to Ultrarunning, please let do.

If you took GPS info, please send it along… I am compiling the data to find out the “average truth”.  Please let me know what model you are using and any settings that you think might affect the outcome.

Howie, RD

Click here to see pictures from Kevin Z

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13^th Annual Trail Animals Don’t Run Boston 50K

Sunday April 19, 2009 Mid 40’s to start. Dry, sunny, breezy. High was low 50’s.

5000+’ of climb Multiple loop trail course

UNOfficial Race Results

Times truncated to the minute

1. tie Gary Harrington, NH 5:16 *

1. tie Josh Katzman, ?? 5:16 *

3. tie Howie Breinan, CT 6:08

3. tie Chris Taft, MA 6:08

5. Steve Pero, NH 6:16

6. tie Steve Faluotico, ?? 6:40

6. tie Jeff List, MA 6:40

8. tie Bob Crowley, MA 6:44

8. tie Chris Haley, MA 6:44

8. tie Chris Shanley, MA 6:44

11. Paul Lanham, MA 6:57

12. Chris Martin, MA 6:57

13. Deb Pero, NH (F) 7:13

14. Bogie D, MA 7:13

15. Clint Morse, CT 7:37

16. Norm Sheppard, MA 8:48

17. tie Damon Lease, VT 8:48

17. tie Kevin Zelechoski, ?? 8:48

(24 starters)

*old course record: Steve Pero, 5:38, 2000

APRIL 4, 2009 Raleigh, NC

TARC member Dave James (31),Trumbull, CT took home the bacon at the Umstead 100 miler in a winning time of 15 hours, 5 minutes, 3 seconds.   Here is Dave’s first-hand report…………

Everyone that runs a 100 has a story to tell.  My story from Saturday would fall under the comedy theme, or a title to a country music song; “what was I thinking?” For your website’s news section this week I think should be informed that not only did the “Yankees come down to South to show off their Spring Training!” but Jill Perry, 38, from New York set an amazing course record of 16 hours and 2 minutes (I think? Blake) taking nearly 20 minutes off of the Course Record set last year by Jamie Donaldson!  I myself, born and raised in New York, held on for the win in 15 hours and 5 minutes also running in my first competitive 100 representing Virago’s GENr8, which I think is the 3rd fasted time in the history of this historic East Coast race!

I know you like to hear about the race and the competition and I am sure both you and Blake will get a bunch of “rookie” and “veteran” takes on the absolutely gorgeous spring day we were treated to Saturday in William B. Umstead State Park in Raleigh North Carolina.  I thought you might like my take as I set a couple new PR’s Saturday in route to my wins.  Below is my version of race day.  Please edit this piece as you see fit but if possible please leave in the part about Vitargo’s GENr8 and the professionalism and down home feel of Blake’s race!

“Rookie Mistake!”  Apparently is what I was screaming at my self as I half heartedly and jokingly banged my water bottle against my bald head and strapped on my new Polar heart rate monitor.  No one at Umstead State Park, including myself, at Noon on Saturday April 4th though I would be able to hold off the likes of veteran Joe Kulak.  Listening to my body’s adrenaline a little too much instead of advice from friends I continued to “run how I felt.”  I felt great Saturday morning, I like to run out front and push the pace and hang on for as long as I can.  I did just that crushing through 50 miles in 6:16 before I took a second to check the clock.
I had pushed the pace and taken the lead but how was I to hold on for a 100 mile win over 4 time champion Serge Arbona?  How was I to know that Serge had stomach issues and would not contend?

While re hydrating with GENr8 and ready to drop out, with a 20 minute 50 mile PR under my belt, my hero took the form of a beautiful fit blonde in a running skirt who introduced herself as my pacer.  Having heard of hallucinations occurring in endurance events I decided to listen to her offer as she asked for my water bottles”.  She was not interested in my excuses as to why I had already worked hard that morning and why I wanted to quit.  Some lame excuses about the Final Four fell on deaf ears as Missy, an elite ultra marathoner and Olympic trials marathoner in her own right pushed me along.  When Missy said go I listened figuring it was just a really short time before I woke up from my dream.  Well instead of waking up from my dream Missy was able to help me find my motivation, keep me on a steady solid pace, and helped me regroup.  After 75 miles and a substantial lead and some GENr8 to refuel I started to feel better and Missy and I went out for just another 12.5 mile jog in under 2 hours!

With one loop to go Missy bid me farewell and Kean took over.
While an amazing runner and a friendly pacer in his own right, Kean was not as interesting to watch sprint ahead to the water stations to refuel my bottles :-)  Save a 30 second stop to put on a shirt, refuel with GENr8, and grab my headlamp before running to victory with Kean I had run over 40 miles straight without stopping!  I had gone from a relaxing 50 mile win with a nice PR day to one loop from absolute victory and legitimacy in the sport of ultra Marat honing by winning my first competitive 100 mile race!  Running those last loops was about survival and thanks as my faith in my higher power was expressed in vernacular that my mother will no doubt have to pray for my soul over.  I also realized that running a Hundred Mile Race is a lot like life!  Some of its magic, some of its tragic, as Jimmy Buffett sang in my head.  The magic for me at Umstead did not come as much from the victory as I had visualized going into the competition but so much more from the people.  From the runners, spectators, crews, friends, and volunteers I received nothing but love, support and uplifting.  I found out about myself Saturday amidst the beauty of the beautiful spring day, on a little 12 mile loop in a runner’s heaven that I was happy being with people again!  I do not need to literally “run” away anymore from life’s obstacles instead I can face my fears head on and work for my goals, dreams, and aspirations.

If anyone were to tell you that a 190 pound 6’1” guy was going to run a 15 hour 100 miler Saturday in Umstead Park I would have bet against them myself, but because a 100 miles is a group effort that was just the case!  A special thanks to all the other race volunteers, racers, and director Mr. Blake Norwood whom I am very great full to for granting me permission to race his event!  Please come join me March 27th 2010 as we go for a run in the park and try and set the course record at Umstead!

The 13th running of the Don’t Run Boston 50K will take place Sunday, April 19th at 8:00 am in the Blue Hills.

Click here to download a course map and written description.  You WILL need and want both as this is a true old school ultra - no trail markings, no course monitors, no prizes, no schwag, and modest aid - just a good ol’ romp in the woods.  It is also one of the most beautiful and toughest courses in New England.  But the gang that run DRB wouldn’t have it any other way - it’s a good time for all.  So if you would like to give it a shot (plan on it taking you 7-9 hours), send our RD, Howie an email at hbreinan@comcast.net letting him know you are coming.  If you’re not sure about running this year but are curious or want to help out, we’d welcome you volunteering to work an aid station - just let Howie know you can help.