Mohican Marvels – 1999 Part I

By Colleen J. Theusch

Where do I start? The weekend has been fabulous and time is so short. So many people, volunteers and runners, have done so much, so well. This article is due Wednesday, there’s no way I can do justice to all, so I’ll do my best in the allocated time.

Mother Nature gifted the tenth Mohican 100 mile trail race with sun, scattered clouds, low humidity, daytime temperatures in the mid seventies and nighttime temperatures in the mid fifties. These ideal running conditions helped set course records.

Those of you who ventured to the area experienced the exhilaration of the weekend. Praise for the well marked course, the wonderful helpful encouraging volunteers and the fantastic aid stations abounded. When personnel for most aid stations was set sometime prior to the race, the staffing of Turkey Ridge, Station I, was in doubt. Then Mike Twohig of the Erie (PA) Runners Club volunteered. Mike had run in the 1994 event. Previous commitments had prevented him from returning sooner, though he had hoped to do so. Mike came early to help mark trails on Friday. His aid station left nothing to be desired. He furnished many of the needed supplies. His canopy structure, road markers, crew, etc. were fabulous. Each station is important every year. This year, Turkey Ridge had added importance because a bridge closing forced a change in course so that runners passed through the station twice. This also meant that the station was open and required staffing several hours longer than usual. Our thanks to Mike and his club for all the help.

Twohig is also the right hand man to Rick Ferko, the director of the Presque Isle Endurance Run. This is a wonderful low key 12 hour event, a one-mile loop in beautiful Presque Isle State Park, PA. Several CWRRC members have been there often. As a walker, I feel very much at home at the event. You can run/walk one mile or eighty. This year that event is on Saturday, October 16. For more info, ask Leo Lightner, Hugh Danaceau, or me.

At 5:00 a.m., 97 runners left the start line. Within 30 hours, 70 of those had crossed the finish line. This compares to the previous records in 1995 which had 87 starters and 57 finishers. Another 15 starters received the award medal for completing at least 50 miles. Fifteen of the starters were women. Ten of these finished. Never before had we even had 10 women start the race. Five of these women completed their first 100 mile race: Angela Buckley, Tanya Cady, Debra Horn, Pat Koren, and Vera Thornhill. Men first time finishers are: Bill Wagner, Ronald Tomechko, Jerry Bartram, John Barney, John Blakemore, Marty Fritzhand, Garry Pease, Jed Davis, Tony Mazur, Bob Lisey, Alan Shockley, Dick Canterbury, Steve Karsten, James Marcella, Tom Zinkle, Gary Fell, Walt Villers, Michael Heider, Zenek Zapotocky, Edmund Clayton, and Mike Wisor, the Last of the Mohicans.

Courtney Campbell, elite ultrarunner, set his estimated finish time at 16 hours, 10 minutes. This is just one minute less than the record set last year by Jim Garcia, another well-known runner. Courtney led the pack throughout the race. While Joe Hildebrand stayed within 10 minutes of Campbell during the first 20 miles, the gap widened to an hour by mile 66 and remained close to that till the end of the race. Courtney cut an hour form the previous record finishing in 15:11:35. Hildebrand completed the distance in 16:08:38, three minutes under Garcia’s 1998 record. Not only did Joe’s effort enable him to break Garcia’s record, it also shattered Keith Hileman’s 1992 master’s (40+) record of 18:33 by 2 hours 25 minutes.

After the 1998 Mohican, Regis Shivers, Sr. pointed to Don Hampton’s 22:11:35 grand master’s (50+) record set in 1995 and declared, “I’m turning 50. Next year, that’s mine.” Before the start of this year’s race he exuded confidence. His 20:53:35 demolished the previous record by well over an hour. Along with Regis, Norm Carlson, 65, has been at Mohican many years. In 1994, he was the Last of the Mohicans. This year, Norm’s time of 25:34:56 cut almost a half hour from Chuck Bundy’s 1992 great grand master’s (60+) record of 26:02. No one over 70 entered the event this year so that left Johnny Price’s record intact. All women’s records also remained constant.

Angela Buckley aced her first attempt at the 100 mile trail race as first woman with a superb 21:27:59. She’s been running ultras for a year and a half. Angela lives in Fairborn, Ohio, near Dayton. How could she be so good and yet be unknown to Ohio runners? Simple! Because Angela’s husband is in the army they move around frequently. His latest transfer brought them to Ohio just over four month’s ago. Angela’s friend, Janet, and I both thought that Angela may have gone out too fast for her first 100 mile attempt. She was the first woman into every aid station and always claimed to be feeling great. Fortunately our fears were unfounded. She never hit the wall. We hope to see more of Angela.

Many of us know Debra Horn from club meetings, from Mohican training runs. She has been debating with herself regarding attempting Mohican and finally bit the bullet. She turned in a stellar performance in 24:45:17. Sylvia Gleason from the Dayton area had gone to the covered bridge aid station with plans to find someone who would need a pacer. Debra’s spirit and enthusiasm impressed her so she met Debra at the 65 mile pacer station and enjoyed the rest of the race. Maybe Sylvia will return as an entrant next year.

Mike Wisor had attempted the Mohican last year with his crew in matching blue tee shirts. This year green replaced the blue. At the introductions following the pre-race dinner, Californian Pat Koren had indicated that she would like to run with someone. Mike asked her pace. Her reply, “Just to finish”, locked the two together. Towards the end of the race, it became evident that Pat was the stronger runner. Mike sent Bruce, one of his pacers, ahead with Pat who was able to finish an hour prior to her benefactor’s pace. Bruce complimented Pat for her cheerfulness. “She never complained despite many blisters. She would just declare that another one had popped.” It was most fitting that Mike be the last of the Mohicans. This year the Last of the Mohicans award was a figurine of an Indian depicting bravery with an eagle for swiftness and a wolf for the fierceness necessary to attack the course. During the presentation of the special award Mike proudly noted that he has Mohican blood in him on his mother’s side. Mike then took the microphone and declared, “The rest of you may have run the Mohican race, but I am the only true Mohican here.”

Robin Fry, the only person to have finished the previous nine Mohican events, completed this race in his second best time. Fittingly, Robin not only wore number 10, but was also the tenth male to cross the finish line. During the pasta dinner he wore the tee shirt presented to him by his family which stated: Top Ten Reasons To Run The Mohican 100 Mile Trail Race:

#10 The Horses ‘91
# 9 The Blisters ‘97
# 8 The Fire Tower ‘98
# 7 The River ‘90
# 6 The Video ‘94
# 5 The Mud ‘96
# 4 The Deer Flies ‘93
# 3 The Heat ‘95
# 2 The Rain ‘92
# 1 1999 A Decade of Running

Mickey Rzymek has done a phenomenal job of getting sponsors. Besides massive amounts of supplies and gifts for the runners, he provided special valuable awards for the first male – Courtney, the first female – Angela, the Last of the Mohicans – Mike, and the only person to have finished all 10 Mohican races – Robin Fry. Montrail donated gift certificates for a pair of running shoes to each of these. Interestingly, when Angela received hers, she stated, “I just finished a hundred miles in Montrails, and I don’t have a single blister.”

Ken Woebecke, owner operator of the Mohican Wilderness campground, the start/finish of the event, had commissioned a chain saw artist to carve a wooden runner about 2.5 feet high. Courtney received this award and luckily had driven here from Virginia so was able to return home with it. An engraved brass plate commemorating the occasion to attach to the sculpture will be provided.

August Jakubik traveled all the way from Poland for this event. About six months ago, Wojciech Hil, who lives in Chicago, had gone to Poland for a five-day relay race to Rome. There he met August, a well-known runner who has directed many races and run the Spartathalon twice. This race is close to a 150 miles in extreme heat. Very few Americans have completed it. Even Art Moore has DNFed. August expressed interest in running a race in the United States. Wojciech checked the Internet and found that Mohican was within a reasonable traveling distance from Chicago. Joe Jurczyk provided the paperwork necessary to obtain a visa. They arrived at the campground in time for August to register for the event with Wojciech translating because August speaks only Polish. While they were eating a late dinner, Irene Weston who is fluent in Polish approached. August flashed a radiant smile at Irene’s first words. An animated conversation, understood only by those three, ensued. August flew over the course in just 19 and a half hours.

Pat Agnello and Debbie Lemmer baked dozens of cookies again this year to sustain the runners. Thanks to them and to any other bakers who may have delivered their own wares to the aid stations. Mark Shelton, Bob Myers, and crew provided great supplies during the race and at breakfast. The pierogies were a big hit. So much so, that one runner grabbed a bunch of them at the Bridle Staging station and took them out on the trail. Only one problem, he left his fanny pack behind. Only in the Cleveland area could this happen! Christine, Mark’s daughter, was again an efficient cheerful helper at breakfast.

Mark Elderbrock again provided medical direction. His crew manned some of the aid stations. Podiatrists and students from the Cleveland Foot and Ankle Clinic tended to feet at the Covered Bridge and campground. Fortunately, the favorable weather this year kept medical problems to a minimum. Even blisters were not as numerous as they frequently have been.

Time has run out as I expected it would. There is so much more worthy of note that I cannot possibly have it ready tonight. By now, you may be tired of reading anyway. Stay tuned for Part II in the next newsletter.



Mohican Marvels – 1999 (Part II)

By Colleen J. Theusch

The Mohican event has grown so much since its inception ten years ago. It is fitting that the Plain Dealer devoted a full two-page spread in the July 5 issue to our run. Reporter Hilary Smith and photographer Mike Levy followed several runners throughout the day trying to see the race through their eyes.

We have been fortunate to receive much support from sponsors. Tucker Housewares, a Massachusetts firm, has generously donated all those large containers (purple, no less) that you may have seen at the aid stations. According to Mark Shelton, these containers make loading and unloading the truck during supply delivery a snap. Before delivery, volunteers pack everything that is needed into the containers. These are easily lifted and stacked in the truck and unloaded similarly at each aid station. When stations close, all remaining supplies, equipment, etc. are easily placed in the large containers where they wait for pickup. No need to worry about spilling contents from soggy or damaged corrugated cartons. Tucker Housewares has also supplied many very useful smaller containers. Not only has Tucker donated all the containers, they even paid the significant shipping charges from Massachusetts. Sponsors like Tucker make our life much easier and in so doing contribute to a constantly improving race.

Two volunteers who especially appreciate the Tucker products are Kathy and Al Marthaller, members of the Dead Runners. Kathy and Al have been the drivers of the truck delivering and picking up aid-station supplies for several years. This year they also provided much needed help during registration/packet pickup. Al and Kathy went ABCD (Above and Beyond the Call of Duty) to prevent a disaster. The truck which they were supposed to pick up at a rental agency had not been returned. No truck meant no timely supply distribution. Al and Kathy managed to locate and rent a suitable truck at another agency. Thanks, Kathy and Al! We are looking forward to your cheerful help next year.

You may have noted that both last year and this year the runners had white shirts while the volunteers had heather gray in 1998 and smoky blue this year. (Maybe smoky purple next year???) The different colors were not an attempt to distinguish runners from volunteers. Through product sponsorship, Mickey was able to obtain much higher quality white shirts which are Dri-Release by Optimer. This material is much gentler to the skin during a run than the cotton tee shirts. Runners’ comments on the Dri-Release shirts have been most favorable and we hope that we will continue to be able to provide the entrants with these.

Other products from sponsors include glucose tablets from DEX4 and the blister block Compeed which is in the Johnson & Johnson Band-Aid line.

So many volunteers make this such a superb race. It is impossible to mention all of them, but some key players are Rick M. and Rich M. at the computer, Hugh D. at the board, Rich O. at the finish line clock, Tom and Karen on the trails, Bob B. on the dirt roads, Al W. with ice, Mark S. and Bob M. with supplies, Mark E. medical, Gary F. volunteer coordinator, the podiatrists, Joe and Ida, Edina, Francine, and all the other captains and workers at the aid stations, and of course, Leo, all-around, and Joe J. race director. I know I’ve missed many names. That in no way diminishes your contribution to the best Mohican ever. We need your continued help to make Mohican 2000 even better. (That’s year 2000, not 2000 miles!)

There were many positive remarks regarding the friendliness of all those involved with Mohican. Runners and family members stated that those at Mohican appeared to really be happy to have the runners here. Evidently some races give a “don’t care” attitude. Much praise for the trail markings, even from those who got off-course. “We missed a turn. Not seeing other markings for a while, we went back. It was clearly marked.” Several people took the wrong fork coming back to Turkey Ridge from Brinkhaven. Though the road was clearly marked, the “No Outlet” sign meant for cars became a red herring.

While many first timers finish Mohican it does not mean that Mohican is an easy course. “It’s mean!” “It’s brutal. It would be worse than Leadville if it were at the same elevation.” “Sadistic. That loop at Hickory Ridge where you can practically touch the aid station, but you have to keep going another mile before you can enter it.” “The only bad part is Big Hill. All the rest is flat and fast. (Believe that and I’ll sell you the Brooklyn Bridge.)”

Wayne Vereb, who finished his first 100 mile race at Mohican last year, was back this year as a volunteer marking trails, etc. in order to work off his community race service required to run Western States. Ken Mick came from Chicago to sweep the trail as training.

Marty Fritzland was a fun person to have on the course. He was always upbeat and jovial. This was his first 100 mile trail run and he had promised me a story if he finished the event. His story involves his unique method of training. He loves movies, but with children in the house, the only way he can get to watch movies is to watch them while he is on a treadmill. So his training has been 70 miles of treadmill running per week – enough to allow him to watch 200 movies and to finish 100 miles at Mohican.

I usually tell first timers that the secret to finishing the race is to walk the up hills, even the gentle ones. I had mentioned this to Bill Wagner at the pasta dinner. Bill’s recent running had enabled him to drop many pounds from his 275 weight of a couple years ago. When I saw him running the hill to the fire tower aid station, I asked why he wasn’t walking the uphill. He simply replied, “I run with the Godale brothers.” Enough said. I know they run up all hills.

Speaking of the Godales, if you were awakened by a car alarm around 4 a.m. on Saturday, that was Steve rolling over on the remote in his jacket pocket. The alarm shrieked while he searched for the remote control. Fortunately, it was time for runners to be getting up anyway.

Bob Lisey had run a marathon back in 1980 but was not an ultrarunner. Since March he has been doing 10 miles a day. He enjoyed the course – all hills, no flat places. However, he hit a low point around 11:45 a.m. on Saturday when he realized that he had another day to go. At 50 miles he just wanted it to get dark for a change, but then after it was dark for a while, he wanted it to get light for another change. “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”

In the last newsletter I mentioned that our Last of the Mohicans, Mike Wisor, has Mohican ancestors. The family claims one of them is Jay Silverheels, a.k.a. Tonto of Lone Ranger fame.

Jose Wilkie, making a second appearance at Mohican, and Jim Musselman, making his first appearance, each have plans to run a dozen 100 mile races this year. That’s incredible! Mohican was the fifth 100 miler for each of them in 1999. Both Jim and Robin Fry celebrated their birthdays at Mohican this year.

Along with the seventy people who received their 100 mile buckles, twenty-two runners received the medal award for completing at least 50 miles.

Last year, John Barney was camping at Mohican Wilderness and saw the Mohican signs. He investigated, obtained more information, and this year he completed his first 100 mile race. As a plus, his picture was one of those appearing in the Plain Dealer. Tanya Cady upon completing her first hundred, held her hand to her forehead and stated, “This is where my buckle is going – after I have a lobotomy.” David Hughes, who has finished several Mohican events, had hoped for a sub-24 time. With a time of just over 25 hours, he claims that he made the distance in almost 24 hours since Indiana is an hour behind. The logic of runners! Roy Heger was delighted to have his daughter cross the finish line with him on Father’s Day. Zenek Zapotocky appreciated having his former co-worker, Chuck Shick and family and some CWRRC members accompany him the last couple miles. Even more appreciated was Leo Lightner who paced him the last 35 miles.

Hilary Smith, reporter, and Mike Levy, photographer, covered the Mohican event for the Plain Dealer. The excellent article and photos appeared in the July 5th issue as a full two page spread.

The fly in the ointment this year was the Covered Bridge. While this location is easily accessible by car, it is supposed to be off-limits to crew and handlers. While it has been a problem in previous races, this year has been the worst because of the number of runners who completed the race. Discussion is under way regarding enforcement of the no crew/handler at this point. Runners, take heed. Inform your crew/handlers to stay away from this area.

Mohican 2000! Can it beat Mohican number 10? Plans are underway. Work has begun. Many volunteers have already marked their calendars for June 17-18, 2000.

# # # # # #

Note: This Mohican Marvels Part II article as well as Part I was written for the July and August 1999 issues of Footnotes, the CWRRC (Cleveland West Road Runners Club) newsletter. I placed much emphasis for these newsletter articles on volunteers and interesting tidbits of the race. An article of a different flavor with emphasis on the performance of runners and on the races within the race appeared in the September 1999 issue of Ultrarunning. Ultrarunning September issues from 1990 contain that type of article for the Mohican event of the respective year.

Colleen Theusch, January 2000