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Articles

2009 Article:

Mohican 20th Anniversary

By  Colleen J. Theusch

This 20th anniversary Mohican race was also the Road Runners’ Club of America Regional Championship. 

A record number of Mohican runners, 212 total, gathered at the start line with 139 of them attempting the 100 miles.  Sixty-nine of the 100 milers crossed the finish line; 58 of the 50 milers did so. 

For many, this was their first 50 or 100 mile finish.  Wyatt Hornsby from Chagrin Falls OH won the 100 mile race in 19:52:40.  Jenny Chow from NJ took the female honors in 22:58:51.  Both these runners received a comped entry to the North Face Endurance Challenge Championship race in San Francisco in December along with cash to defray airfare. 

Dale Holdaway from Northville MI and Beth Woodward from Orrville OH, first male and female in the 50 mile race, also received comped entries to the San Francisco race.  Beth’s time of 8:29:32 took second place overall just a couple minutes after Dale’s 8:27:23.  Major sponsors, Road Runners’ Club of America, North Face, and Marathon provided many age group specific awards as well as those for the winners. After receiving the 100 mile buckle, runners picked a gift from a variety that ranged from socks to water bottles to shoes.

While the Mohican event has been international since its inception with many runners from Canada and some from Europe and Asia, this is the first year that Panama, Guatemala, and Mexico were represented.   Luis Carlos Stoute is the first Panamanian to cross the 50 mile finish line while Ronald Perez is the first Guatemalan to do so.  Joan Vila was the first person from Mexico to ever be at the 100 mile start line.  Unfortunately he was able to cover only about two thirds of that course.

The 100 mile race was hotly contested by both the men and women entrants with front runners frequently changing.  Michelle Bichsel led the women in the early part of the race with Ellen Erhardt nipping at her heels. Bichsel slowed down dramatically the second time on the orange loop which dropped her from contention as a top woman finisher.  Meanwhile Terri Lemke and Jenny Chow gradually gained on Erhardt and Bichsel.  Lemke entered the Grist Mill aid station at 75 miles just two minutes after Erhardt.  Lemke, who with her family had maintained one of the Mohican aid stations for many years, appreciated being on the receiving end of aid during her first attempt at running 100 miles. When Chow and her companion, Nathan Echols, arrived five minutes later they noted that the two lead women were just leaving that aid station.   Nevertheless, they spent sufficient time at the aid station to refuel.  They were soon surprised to pass the two lead women walking.  Chow & Echols continued running as much as possible welcoming the sight of each aid station.  They crossed the finish line together just a minute under 23 hours.  Chow had won the Kettle Moraine 100 mile race earlier in June so Mohican became her second 100 mile win within that month.  Chow & Echols don’t really train, they just run races.  Chow had just decided earlier in the week that she wanted to run Mohican this year. She has been running ultras only since December 2006 and has already finished four 100 mile races in 2009.  She is a woman to watch!  Lemke gradually pulled away from Erhardt to finish second in just a few minutes over 24 hours.     Erhardt crossed the finish line about an hour later. 

Some years the winner of the race is virtually determined within the first 10 miles.  This year runners constantly changed position adding to the excitement of the event.  A third of the way into the race, five runners were fighting for top position: Mark Tanaka, Bradley Mongold, Matt Aro, Wyatt Hornsby (Mohican 2008 fourth place), and Jay Smithberger (Mohican 2008 winner.)  Tanaka had spent more hours at work in the emergency department during the first two weeks of June than most people spend during the entire month.  Nevertheless he arrived at Mohican from northern California ready to run a hard race.

Entering the Fire Tower aid station (60.8 miles) Aro led the pack by 20 minutes with Tanaka, Smithberger, and Mongold clumped together.  Hornsby trailed that trio by another 20 minutes.  Tanaka led the way into the Covered Bridge aid station (63.3 miles) with the other four following within 25 minutes.  Smithberger and Mongold decided to call it a day at that point.  Tanaka kept a half-hour lead over Aro and Hornsby through several aid stations and into the Bridle Staging Area aid station (83.2 miles) which Aro entered just 2 minutes before Hornsby.  The latter caught the other two just before Rock Point Aid Station (90.4 miles.)  Hornsby tried going stealth – no lights – for a few stretches hoping to discourage the other two, but the darkness and fear of a disastrous missed turn scratched that strategy.   By the last aid station Hornsby had a lead of less than 10 minutes over the other two who were running neck to neck.  The race finally ended when Hornsby crossed the finish line just 21 minutes before Aro.  Tanaka took third place 7 minutes later.  Seldom are the top three positions of a 100 mile race separated by less than a half hour.  RD Ryan O’Dell asked Hornsby if there was anything he needed after the race.  Cryptic reply:  “New Legs!”  When asked about the red writing down his left arm, Hornsby proudly explained that his son, Noah, was a month old when he ran Mohican in 2008.  When he wrote “Noah” on his arm that year a tradition was established.

Throughout the race many runners were pleased with various Hammer Gel products.  Heed was a favorite at aid stations.  Many runners were just as delighted after the race with a completely different product.  Some looked skeptical at the query: “Do you want a cold beer?”  Reply:  “Really?  You gotta be kidding!”  RD Ryan O’Dell had provided the cold brew in a large cooler to the delight of famished runners who thoroughly enjoyed this energizing libation.

In 2007 Jerry Brandt started in the mid-pack of the race and gradually passed others to astound many by finishing in second place.  His strategy was similar this year.  Run somewhat conservatively in the early stage; then climb to a higher position.  He reached fourth place with plans of picking off those in front of him one by one.  Then POW!   Sprained ankle along with blood blisters drastically changed Brandt’s plans of finishing at or near the top.  He struggled on to mile 90 where he dropped with an ankle that resembled a purple baseball. 

The Last of the Mohicans, Jennifer Broton from Scott Township PA, entered the last aid station Landoll’s Castle just a minute before the cutoff.  Determined to finish her first 100 mile race, she drew upon every ounce of energy she possessed.  That enabled her to run down the home stretch to cross the finish line in 29:56:24 with just a few minutes to spare.  She headed directly to the podiatrists’ tent to have them tend her sore feet.  Jerry Brandt, who has finished the race three times himself, again had carved this special award: a beautiful walnut candle stick with the Last of the Mohicans silver plate and Indian head.   This unique award was held up for all to admire.  Then along with a buckle it was presented to Jennifer who was still with the podiatrists.

Dave Corfman finished the Mohican 100 miles in 2003 through 2008, each time with a sub-23 hour finish.  Plans to run Western States in a couple weeks prevented him from entering the race, but he was there the whole time helping in numerous ways.  While running the purple loop each year, he has been impressed by an elderly gentleman on oxygen who lives on the road that is run between two sections of the forest.  This man waves and encourages the runners, year after year after year.  Dave brought a greeting card to Mohican and had many runners and others connected with the race sign the card which he took to the gentleman on Saturday:  Avery Ball.  Dave chatted with Avery and joined him in watching and waving at the runners, encouraging them up the hill.  Runners who signed the card remembered seeing Avery often.  Some of them stopped during the race and went up to greet him.  One runner recalls seeing him waving as far back as the 1997 race.

Prior to this 20^th anniversary, ten runners had earned the 1000 mile ten time finisher big buckle. 

1999

Robin Fry.  Robin earned his buckle after running the first 10 Mohican races.  He continued that streak with three more setting the record at 13.  His presence was missed when he had moved to Montana the following year.  He was unable to return to Mohican for the 20^th anniversary. 

2001

Arthur Moore.  After Arthur finished his tenth race, he decided it was time to “give back” and has volunteered at the Mohican races since then.   He and his supportive wife, Edina, were volunteer coordinators for several years.  After that stint they have been around in a variety of positions: performing a myriad of duties on Friday afternoon before and during the pasta dinner; maintaining Landoll’s Castle aid station, etc.

2003

Regis Shivers Sr.  The year in which Regis was eligible to earn the ten time finisher buckle he was running the complete Appalachian Trail.  He took time from that endeavor to come back to Ohio, finish his tenth Mohican, and then return to the AT to complete that course.  Regis succumbed to cancer earlier this decade.  His wife Diana was at the race with their son, Regis Jr., who finished his fifth Mohican and is now half way to earning that exquisite buckle. 

2004

Mike Cargill.  Mike was at Mohican for the 20^th anniversary at the pasta dinner and various places throughout the race.

Richard Szekeresh.  Richard finished his fifteenth Mohican this year – setting the all time record. 

2005

Ron Ross.  Like Richard, Ron kept entering the race after earning his 100 mile big buckle.  He is nipping at Richard’s heels with his fourteenth finish.

2007.

TJ Hawk.  After finishing his tenth Mohican, TJ followed Arthur’s example.  Donna, his wife, has volunteered at the Covered Bridge aid station for many years.  TJ has joined her in serving the runners.

Roy Heger.  Roy was present at the race in 2008 but did not enter it.  He missed running it so much that he entered again this year.  He now has eleven finishes. 

Mike Jacolenne.  When Mike finished his tenth Mohican, he kicked off his shoes and said:  “Someone else can fill those now.”  Mike has mentored many runners in his area and brought some of them to Mohican.  “Uncle Mike” was at the race to support his protégés.

2008

Frederick Davis III.  Fred entered the race again this year.  Unfortunately this was a DNF so his number remains at ten.

2009

This year Dick Canterbury and Stephen Godale joined the elite ten year group rounding it up to an even dozen.  While neither expects to continue entering the race, both have indicated that they will be back in some capacity.

2010.

Mike Heider is the only runner eligible to earn the buckle.  We wish him success in that endeavor.

Rita Barnes holds the record at 7 for the most finishes by a female.

Thirteen-year old Michael Patton watched his father pace Ron Ross in 1995 when Ron finished the first of his 14 Mohicans.  The Mohican bug infected Michael that day.  The thought of running 100 miles did not scare the 13-year old but rather excited him.  He told his father that someday he would run the race himself.  This year he entered the race ready to earn his first buckle.  Michael hit he wall when he reached the Covered Bridge for the fourth time and was ready to call it a day.  Kathy Ross, Ron’s wife, has been a volunteer at the Covered Bridge Aid Station for a decade and is experienced in dealing with runners in all manner of distress.  As a family friend as well as a volunteer, she encouraged Michael to just rest and reenergize for a couple hours.  Michael was then able to continue the race and celebrate Father’s Day with his father as they ran together the last 10 miles to the finish line.

Charlie Danielson finished the first Mohican race in 1990 with the time of 26:19 and completed the Mohican course for a total of 6 times during the first decade of the race.  Since then he has frequently joined the trail marking crew.   For old time’s sake, he entered the race this year, the only 1990 finisher to do so.  DNF – oh, well – great memories.  Fred Davis III, also a 1990 Mohican starter, had DNFed that year.  After earning his 1000 mile ten time finisher in 2008, Fred was at this year’s start line.  On Sunday while wearing his 1990 Mohican tee shirt, Fred quipped, “I DNFed the First Mohican and I DNFed the 20^th!”

Mohican RD Ryan O’Dell also directs a series of Mountain Trail Bike events.  He has been encouraging participants of the biking events to try the Mohican 100 mile trail running race.  Adam Schmidt completed the race in 2008.  This year he finished the Mohican Mountain Bike 100 event in June and again finished the Mohican Trail 100 mile run, becoming the first person to finish these events back-to-back in the same year.  Three hours later Lindsey Lighthizer became the first female to accomplish that amazing feat.  Schmidt and Lighthizer were each awarded complimentary passes to both races in 2010 plus a $100 cash prize.

Like many runners before him and many that will follow in his footsteps, Damian Nathaniel decided when he was nearing 40 that it was time to cut unhealthful habits and to run a 100 mile race.  Moreover, he intended to really enjoy running.  He chose Mohican as his race crossing the finish line for the third time this year. He has been consulting on sports apparel for Joneswares.  This year Damian wore running shorts that he designed and Jonewares custom made to fit him.  A designer can learn much about a new product while wearing it during a difficult 100 mile race.

Years ago Adam Wytko set a goal to run a marathon in every state.  He continued his quest without being sidetracked into the ultra running community.  He celebrated with family and friends a few months ago after completing his journey by running his 50^th state marathon.  Adam astonished the attendees at that celebration by announcing that he was going to enter the Mohican 100 mile trail race this year.  Family and friends rallied around him, encouraging him throughout the race and cheering as he completed his first ultra race, the Mohican 100 miles, with an amazing sub-24 hour finish.

While the Mohican event is not a fund raiser, runners often use it as a means to raise funds for a cause dear to them.  Jerry Shepherd has run Mohican several times raising money for various organizations.  This year the Victim’s Assistance Program of the Indianapolis Police Department was the recipient of his efforts.  Michael Patton also used his Mohican 100 miles as a fund raiser.  His non-profit is called Kids ‘n Kamp and helps children and families affected by childhood cancer.

Rick Otani ran his first 50mile race last year at Mohican and planned to run his first 100 this year.  He wanted to run the distance for his son who had been killed on July 1, 2006.  Shortly over a month before the race Rick injured his leg and was concerned about his calf holding out for the distance.  When doctors granted him permission to train again, he set up a grueling schedule getting up in the wee hours of the morning to run many miles before going to work.  He would run again after work.  While he was running Rick felt close to his son.   During the race the podiatrists checked on an infected toe and found that even though still painful it had already drained.   Unfortunately the leg and toe injuries forced Rick to drop out near the halfway point of the race.

Maryann Ramiriz came from relatively flat Texas hoping to walk the entire course while training to walk a 100 mile loop event in 24 hours.   Norm Carlson responded to her request on the Mohican group email for a pacer.  Norm is a 7-time Mohican finisher who has been battling cancer for several years and is now ready to run a little and walk more.  Runners and volunteers alike enjoyed visiting with Norm and wife, Carolyn, at the pasta dinner.  Unfortunately the hills were more than Maryann had anticipated so she did not need Norm as a pacer.  The area captivated her even though she DNFed at 30 miles. Watch for Maryann on the 50 mile course some year.  At the suggestion of other runners she has added bleacher work to her training routine to help her prepare for the Mohican hills.

Eight time Mohican 100 finisher, Mark Carroll, and Dave Essinger are fellow University of Findlay faculty members.  Essinger originally registered for the 50 mile race.  As the season progressed, he opted to change his registration to the longer race.  He happily finished his first 100 mile trail race in good form.   Meanwhile Carroll ran well over three quarters of the course.  Unfortunately his ninth finish eluded him when he “hit the wall” at the Covered Bridge 80 mile mark.  Two of his friends, Scott Wolf and Casey Clark, had paced him in 2008 to his eighth finish.  The Mohican bug bit both of them that year so hard that they entered the 50 mile race this year.  The duo ran the race in tandem through highs and lows crossing the finish line together as they successfully completed their first 50 mile race.   Distance in 2010?

Steve Calhoun and Jim Smith formed another duo that ran the complete 50 mile race in tandem.  Calhoun experienced the exhilaration of completing his first 50 mile trail race at Mohican in 2008.  Smith, his good friend, wanted that same experience so joined Calhoun for this year’s event.  At the starting line Calhoun had a bout of near panic as he realized he did not have any band aids for his tender nipples.  Even though he knew there would be some at the aid stations, he preferred preventing the irritation that would occur before that point.  Looking around at the people waiting to see the runners take off, Calhoun spotted a woman with a big purse and two small children in tow – a definite candidate to carry band aids.  Scooby Doo to the rescue!  Three cheers for Scooby Doo that provided nipple protection for the entire fifty miles.

Quoting the poet:  “The best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry.”  Darin Dunham flew to Mohican with plans to better his 25:51 time for the 100 miles while finishing his fourth Mohican race.  All went well during the first 60% of the run despite the muddy conditions.  When he entered Hickory Ridge the second time he “hit the wall.”  Chilled Darin gratefully accepted a covering from the aid station workers.  He sat down, dozed off.  When he awoke, he heard:  “This one is back from the dead.”  Not quite.  Chicken noodle soup followed by another nap enabled him to continue his quest.  That quest changed from setting a PR to finishing the race.  He continued on the course interspersing running with catnaps and refreshments.  Though hopes to set a PR had been dashed, he did reach his goal of the fourth Mohican buckle.  Only six more to go for the BIG ten time finisher buckle!

Nick Longworth wore his head lamp around his neck for much of the race.  In order to cool off he would pour water over his head at the aid stations which also flowed over the head lamp.  When it became dark his lamp would not turn on.  Even after the aid station personnel helped him dry the components, the light only worked sporadically.  Lesson learned:  batteries and water do not mix.  

Longworth was not the only runner with headlamp problems.  Both Dana Beyeler and his pacer, David Clifford, lost the batteries from their headlamps between the Fire Tower and the Covered Bridge.  Fortunately the pacer had a flashlight strapped to his chest harness.  However, that light could not be held by hand.  Clifford poetically captured the experience:

New batteries from crew at the campground eased the journey for Dana and David.  Dana continued on to finish his third Mohican.  Only seven more to go for the BIG ten time finisher buckle!

Joel Sevillo’s wife and children met him at many of the aid stations.  His little girl loved seeing daddy emerge from the woods, only to become upset each time those woods swallowed him.  

Bill Wagner appeared on the Mohican scene many years ago.  This year he recruited Tara Schweitzer who had finished her first 50K earlier in the year to try the Mohican 50 mile course.  Bill and Tara remained close together on the trails until the Grist Mill aid station.  Then Tara picked up speed on the road and finished the race in slightly under twelve hours.  Bill crossed the finish line a half hour later.

Each year has its own character – rain deluge during the pasta dinner and more rain before the race started washed away many of the lime markings.  Many runners who have registered for the race help mark the course each year in the days preceding the event.   The skeleton trail marking crew who had not entered the race was busy spreading more lime on Saturday.  This tireless crew was not able to replace the lime on all the trails before the runners reached areas where rain had eaten the lime so some runners took wrong turns, especially on the purple loop, thus adding to the challenge of the event.  

After 20 years of the Mohican race, all involved realize that there is no average for weather or anything else for this grand event.  The race constantly changes with improvements in many areas.  There is absolutely no way to predict the weather, challenges, winners, finish times, percent of finishers, etc. for the next race in 2010.  The one detail already determined is the date:  Saturday – Sunday:  June 19-20, 2010 with pasta dinner on Friday, June 18, 2010.    Mark your calendars now so you won’t miss this event which is sure to be challenging, outstanding and astonishing.

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