Records Set at Mohican 100
By Colleen J. Theusch
A great weekend! An exciting race! With dry weather, daytime temperatures in mid-80s, night in high 50s, 57 of the 87 starters completed the sixth Mohican 100 trail run. Both these numbers are records. Fifteen of these finishers rejoiced in the first time they completed a 100-mile trail run. For some, this was the first try, for others, the victory was even sweeter because it destroyed a previous DNF. Sixteen runners, including Robin Fry, came in under the magical 24-hour mark. Robin is the only runner who can say that he completed each of these events.
Renowned ultra runner, Eric Clifton tore up the course in 16:48:19, trashing Keith Hileman’s record of 18:33. In the first hour of the race Eric was so swift that he played leapfrog with motorized Tom Todrank, Amy Somrak, Tim McDonald, and Karen McPeak on the yellow loop as they replaced markers which had been removed during the night. During the race, Eric frequently said that he was tired. What did he expect after a spectacular performance just a week earlier at Laurel Highlands, a 70-mile trail race?
Flashing lights and the Chariots of Fire theme greeted him and other finishers. Impressive! Exhilarating!
During the past couple months, I had been hearing tales of the two Godale brothers who joined some of our members during trail runs on the Buckeye Trail. These two can really run. They don’t even slow down for this great hill. They had never done a 5O miler. Based on their perceived ability, that requirement was waived. Twenty-five year old Mark took second place, with a time under the previous course record. On the white loop roads, he and his pacer were chased by a dog. Further on, they met a cow standing in the middle of the road. Interestingly incongruous. The other brother, 26 year old Stephen, placed 8th in 21:15.
Our medical director for the first five races, Dr. Mark Elderbrock, found a couple doctors to replace him in that capacity so that he could attempt his first 100-mile trail run. Attempt? Took third by finishing in less than 20 hours looking fresh as a daisy. However, he refused to answer the question, “Which is harder. Being the doctor at the race, or running it?” He had started at a moderate pace, gradually passed others, and moved up to third around the 90-mile mark.
Last year’s winner, John Geesler, started strong, staying with Mark Godale for almost half the race. However, he began weakening when he could not eat. He arrived fourth barely missing 20 hours and just a minute before first timer Terry Hawk.
I expected the women’s master’s record 27:39 to tumble. Two well-known Ohio master runners, Gwen Goss and Ingrid Honzak had registered. A Kansas runner, Marge Adelman, holds the Leadville 100 masters at 23 hours, her personal best. All three of these women broke the previous record. Marge had foot surgery last year and had not been doing much running since then. She had managed 30 miles in March followed by several marathons. Marge surprised me and amazed herself by breaking Alice Thurau’s women’s overall record of 2O:29. “I’m tickled pink! I ran the whole time except some of the uphills. The worst part of the course was the slippery mud holes where the horses had been. The best part the streams and river. Great for the feet. Those water stops between aid stations were marvelous. Cliff from Columbus (Treyens) and I started with a group of four. After awhile it was just the two of us. Really helped being together.” Cliff adds that they didn’t realize that she might break the women’s overall course record until they were about 45 minutes out. Then she surged ahead. Will Marge be back? “Probably.”
Don Hampton set a new men’s grand master’s (50+) record at 22:11. Terri Hayes, 52, from Hawaii is the first woman over 50 to ever finish the Mohican 100. She set the women’s grand master’s record at 27:39:11. CWRRC Glenn Dumonthier volunteered as her pacer. He is planning on going to Hawaii in a couple months, so this was a perfect match. Glenn found running in the dark and seeing the lights from an aid station exhilarating. Will Glenn register for the 100 miles next year? Don’t count him out!
The cut-off time for completing the race is 30 hours. However, Mary Lou Frisch had a personal 27-hour cut-off. Mary Lou had run the Winter Mohican with her dog Bailey. Their picture appeared in “Running Wild”. She was hooked for the 100. Mary Lou is a farm wife. She is the expert at handling much of the equipment and is essential to bringing in the hay. She discussed registering for the race with her husband. “The crops are our livelihood. When it’s time for them to come in, they have to come in.” It was time. Mary Lou had to leave Mohican by 8AM. “I’ll go as far as I can. If I’m not finished, I’ll leave the course.” She hooked up with Timothy Dicken before the first aid station and they covered the trails together in 26:23. Then Frisch was off to bring in the hay.
This year no one was pulled from the race for missing a cut-off time. Glen Zirbel, 64, the 1995 Last Mohican came close. He entered the last two aid stations exactly at cut-off. Nevertheless, he finished with almost ten minutes to spare. An Indian mandella to provide protection and good fortune inscribed with “Last of the Mohicans” awarded him.
CWRRC’s own Irene, “Do you have any socks?”, Weston vied for the Last Mohican award. With thoughts of earning the superb finishers buckle, she remained near the back of the pack throughout the race conserving her energy to reach her goal. Tracking her progress at the command center, we knew she was close to cut-off. Around the 80-mile mark, she passed Zirbel. A contingent of supporters, including Hugh, Juanita, Karen, and Tom met her during the last five miles and witnessed her determination. Great going, Irene!
Karla Bellinger’s spaghetti dinner was superb. Many commented on it during the race. Judy, a dietitian, wanted the sauce recipe. Diners appreciated the homemade bread, salads, cookies, and much more. Accolades also for Kathy Novotny’s pancake breakfast. The race is sandwiched between these two great meals. The whole weekend is an event that runners, family, and volunteers can enjoy.
One person introduced me to his friend. “This is his first 100. I told him that there are many easier 100 mile races, but this one is RUNNER FRIENDLY.” Great compliment to the organizers and all the volunteers. Thanks to those who provided homemade cookies, etc. this year. The runners devoured them.
New this year were three PortaPotties. Roadway helped supply these. It definitely makes it much easier for the volunteers as well as the runners and crew. Also new this year were two extra water stops - coordinated by Mark Shelton of Roadway. Mark paced Dan Bellinger this year and so gained first hand experience of the trail. Will he succumb and do the full course next year? Volunteers roamed the course throughout the race replacing filched ribbons. The carsonite permanent markers made this task easier on the red and green loop. The mud holes are unplanned markers for many. “You can see that many runners have just been through the mud, so you know that you’re on the right trail.”
Wally Ypma, 68, agrees the blue loop is magnificent - and difficult! Near Lyons Falls where runners gingerly go down a set of slippery stairs with the help (and hindrance) of a fallen tree (see the 1994 tape) Wally states, “The steps were slippery, my legs were cramping, so I climbed on the log and slid down on my tummy.”
Pacers arrived through many channels. Mike Dobies from Detroit contacted Mike Cargill via Internet. Cargill, one of the first timers, is the woodchopper from the Winter Mohican 35K. Dobies wanted to pace because he is strongly considering the 1996 event. Jason Warner, 16, was vacationing with his parents in a cabin next to the CWRRC cabin. As a member of his high school track team he found a 100-mile race concept intriguing. Friday evening he appeared at the pavilion, volunteered as a pacer, watched the tape, chatted with Mike Dobies. Saturday he joined Ted’s more or less 5-mile fun run. He planned on pacing from one of the later aid stations. However, calls requesting pacers came from stations further out so he was transported to answer the call. Jason, whose previous distance record was 12 miles, paced Dick West for 20 miles. Then Leo delivered him safely back to his parents cabin for some shut-eye. Sunday A.M. he reveled in the activity and ecstatically pointed out his route on the map. We hope that Warner may continue to pace at this event for a few years until he is finished growing and his bones are firmly developed. Course experience will help him when he is at the starting line. It’s great to see someone so young enthralled with ultrarunning.
The fire tower continues to beckon. Canadian Steve Burrows asked Friday evening how many times Art planned on climbing. Art was noncommittal. Several runners, including Clifton and David Hughes but not Art Moore, climbed it once the first loop. Burrows did a triple. Clifton did it again the second time around. Amazingly, Art made 6 trips to the top that loop. When I saw Hughes repeatedly climbing, I asked, “How many times?” “Once this morning, 6 this loop.” “Why?” “This is the only time I’ll ever beat Art in anything.” Later, Burrows reached the station and asked me, “So, how many times did he really do it?” “Six. Now ask me what the record is.” Silence. “What’s the record?” “David Hughes did it seven total.” Calculating silence. “That means to match the record, I need four times. To beat the record, I need five times. Forget it. Maybe next year.” Wise decision. Later, Art’s toddler grandson accompanied his mother to the top. Lou Karl took a break from his aid station to climb the tower. Tasha, his devoted golden retriever, followed him. What goes up, must come down. Somehow. But how?
Ohio Ride, a Harley Owner’s Group event, was held in Ashland this year. Their course took them along forest roads, to the fire tower and the covered bridge. Many of the bikers also climbed for a view from the tower.
I’ve been lending my “Long May You Run” tape to my co-workers. Zenek Zapatocky was caught - hook, line and sinker. Martha asked him to help Edina Moore open the Fire Tower aid station 6:00-6:30 a.m.. He committed to helping through the sequence four 10:58 a.m. cut-off. Enjoyment kept him there till the station closing after dusk. During lulls in activity, Zenek walked part of the trail, and went up the tower, Addiction set in. Next year he plans to make it a full weekend, with helping at an aid station and later pacing. His enthusiasm may lure other of our co-workers to the ’96 event.
Phil Hengen again captained Turkey Ridge. Lucille accompanied him to Mohican but not to the aid station this year. She is recovering from serious lung cancer surgery so spent most of Saturday at the motel. Friday evening and Sunday morning provided opportunity for her to visit with many friends. Prognosis is not great, so send your positive healing thoughts and prayers her way.
Remember Mark Bodamer, 1993 winner, and his mentor David Lygre? That year’s DNF rankled Lygre, who returned this year to take care of some unfinished business. He did just that to the tune of 23 hours. David brought news that Bodamer has accepted a professorship at John Carroll University (or was it Case Western? I didn’t write it down) and will soon live in the Heights area. Look for him at some CWRRC events.
“Forest Spirit”, the walnut runner commissioned by Ken Woebecke from a chain saw artist, Brenda Hubbard, watched as two Joe’s, Eisenberg and Jurczyk, presented the awards. Bob Blum gave this event birth in 1990 caring for it in its infancy. Joe Eisenberg watched over it as a toddler. Joe Jurczyk, the new race director, will guide it through adolescence. We’ll be around to help you!
Congratulations to all those who have made this such a marvelous event. So many have done so much throughout the years. Among the most active, of course, Joe Eisenberg, Leo Lightner, and Martha Riggs. There’s no way I can even attempt to list other individuals. The ham radio operators, Todd Blum and the command center personnel, the doctors, the podiatrists, Roadway Express and their employees, the various running clubs who operate aid stations, other volunteers, the forest personnel, runners, pacers - all deserve a hearty round of applause.
This was the best year ever! Plans are underway to make 1996 even better!