Dear Runners,
Well the weather cooperated this year, no floods or tornadoes for a whole week. We were able to mark the course and on race day the trail was in perfect condition. Since there wasn’t thigh deep water to wade through record times were set in both races.
Charl Mattheus, the South African runner and Comrades Champion came down from his training base in Colorado and set a new course record, 3:48:14 for 50 km, winning the first overall male prize. Phil Sheridan, a former winner, was second overall and the first master male in 4:11:16. Another Colorado runner, Teresa Taylor took both the overall female and first masters female prizes as well as setting a new female course record of 5:04:46 for 50 km.
In the 25 km run, local Stillwater runner Mike Kelly took the overall male and masters male awards setting a new 25 km time of 1:48:14. Lynnette Dorsett of Wichita, KS won the overall female award and set another new course record of 2:17:59. The first master female in the 25 km was Gail Leedy of Topeka, KS in 2:29:15.
There were 38 starters and 36 finishers in the 50 km trail run and 52 starters and 49 finishers in the 25 km event.
Winners received custom-designed bowls courtesy of Brookside Pottery, Tulsa Oklahoma, (918) 747-7574. Finishers received LMTR commerative coasters from Coasterworks, Stillwater, OK.
The post-race barbecue with Chuck’s Jambalaya was again a success, with very little leftovers.
This race wouldn’t be possible without a lot of help and I’d like to thank Chuck Streit, Jeff Ramming, Brandon and Diannah Neal, Susan Estes, Dan Zeroski, Stillwater Parks and Recreation and the Lake Ranger, Roger Bastion.
The next Lake McMurtry Trail Run is scheduled for April 28th, 2001.
Happy trails,
Earl L. Blewett
1334 East 34th Street
Tulsa, OK 74105
Day (918) 561-8405