Mohican 2005 – a Banner Year

By Colleen J. Theusch

A Canadian low weekend sandwiched between two Bermuda high weekends provided close to ideal running conditions for the sixteenth annual Mohican 100 mile trail raceThis year the Mohican event also became the first ever USAT&F 100 mile trail national championship. Mohican can continue to use this designation in its literature and advertising even in years when it does not host the championship run. However, in those years it may not use the USAT&F logo.

Those who signed up as USAT&F members were automatically part of the Mohican 100 race, though vise versa did not holdA third shorter race of 52.2 miles was also part of the event. During the race, some runners were allowed to drop down to the shorter distance though those who had registered for the 50+ miles could not change to the 100 miles during the event.

Sean Andrish and Stephanie Ehret will forever lay claim to the first man and woman 100 mile trail national champions. Sean Andrish comes from a family of ultra runners. All do at least 50 milers. They vacation together traveling around the country supporting each other at races. Next on the horizon will be Sean’s father’s turn at Western States. The June issue of UltraRunning featured Stephanie Ehret in its UR Profile. Peter Bakwin, her husband, entered the Mohican 50 mile race but dropped out early so that he would be able to crew for Stephanie during the latter part of the race. Both Andrish and Ehret crossed the finish line about 50 minutes before their nearest competitors, Mark Godale and Cathy Tibbetts. The last time through the covered bridge, Andrish realized that Godale was gaining on him. This inspired him to push on the remaining trails because while he considers himself the stronger trail runner, he knows Mark is the better road runner. Even with that extra effort, he was scared that Mark would over take him on the ten-mile road section at the end of the race.

Mark Godale ran an excellent race demonstrating his recovery from the badly broken bones suffered while jumping across boulders in 2004 spring. Mark was present at Mohican last year – wearing a cast. He almost completed a 100K this spring. Just three months later he ran the full 100 miles.

Ron Ross is now the proud owner of the BIG 1000 mile ten time finisher buckle. At the award ceremony he gave a touching speech thanking everyone associated with the race in any way and especially his wife, Kathy, who has been a big part of his journey to this distinction. For many years Kathy has also been at various aid stations, especially the covered bridge, as a volunteer helping all the race participants. Ron and Kathy both assure us that their connection with Mohican will continue. All others who have earned the distinctive buckle were at the event again this year. Robin Fry was on the course with his video equipment (after participating in his daughter’s wedding on Friday evening.) Regis Shivers Sr. was there greeting runners, helping at the aid stations – all the while preparing for the next round of radiation treatments. Arthur Moore, along with his well-organized wife Edina, has been the aid station volunteer coordinator ever since he earned his buckle. Many who saw him wearing that buckle gained inspiration for their run. Richard Szekeresh and Mike Cargill entered the event and finished for the 11th time. For all those who finished this year’s race, you are now one buckle closer to the big buckle, whether it was your first time Mohican finish or you’re well over half way towards your 1000 miles.

The course changed significantly this year with an eight-mile trail section being added to the orange loop. Since the orange loop is run twice, this addition eliminated sixteen miles of road towards the end of the race. It also changed the location of some of the aid stations, adding some new ones and dropping others, while not changing the number of times that a runner receives aid. Any one who has previously finished the Mohican event remembers “Big Hill” towards the end of the race. It is still there, though since it is ascended from a different direction, the climb is much easier. The quad buster downhill has not changed and as in the past, some runners have gone down backwards.

One of the aid stations is at the Pine Run Grist Mill where there is plenty of parking so that family and crew can meet their runner and enjoy touring the Grist Mill while waiting. The hated loop near the Hickory Ridge aid station has been replaced by a ¾ mile loop behind the Grist Mill. A big difference is that runners check in at the aid station both before and after doing that loop. The almost vertical hill at the beginning of the short loop has been dubbed “Grist Mill Hill”.

Spring storms wreaked havoc in the Mohican Memorial State Forest and Park toppling many trees and making trails literally impassable. Not long ago a wonderful group of men united to form the Mohican Trails Club for trail maintenance and socialization. They spent the last several months on trail maintenance asking for volunteers from other areas to join them. A few of the Mohican runners did so on occasion. Without this group of dedicated people, the race may have been untenable because the Ohio budget for the state forests and parks is limited.

Instead of going out along the river when leaving the Covered Bridge on the orange loop, the course immediately enters the forest and climbs a steep trail coming out at a picnic area with shelter, parking lot and primitive rest rooms (a welcome sight to many runners.)

Since I’m familiar with the area from volksmarches using it as a start point, I drove up for a view of the runners and some good picture opportunity. After listening to the runners, I unilaterally name it “Brutal Hill”, from comments made by one of the runners. Another runner remarked that this course is definitely tougher than that of past years, jumping at least to the next level of difficulty. While sitting on the ledge, I was quite surprised when a car drove up. Jack Van Kuren, vice president of the Mohcian Trails Club, had come to see the runners on the recently cleared trails including that of Brutal Hill. He was happy to see the smiling faces and hear the runners’ comments. He returned in the wee hours of the morning to watch the surviving runners cross the finish line.

Frank Probst originally hesitated to sign up for Mohican because heat is hard on him and he knew from reading the previous race reports that the Mohican can be atrociously hot and humid. He also was surprised that the 60+ age group record was over 25 hours. He felt that it could be sub-24 and signed up for the Mohican race to try for that record. He set the new record at 23:58:31. Since he is a USAT&F member, he also set that age group record for the national championship 100-mile trail race. While running is an important part of his life, Probst realizes that life itself is what is important. He works at the Pentagon. On 9-11 he was walking outside the Pentagon when he saw a plane coming right at him. Fortunately for him, the plane’s nose went up, missing him before it crashed.

Hoskuldur Kristvinsson who lives in Reykajavik, Iceland is that country’s first Mohican runner in its history. A cruise with others earlier in the year was canceled because of a death. Since finishing a 100K previously, he had wanted to enter a 100-mile race. The unused plane tickets from the cruise brought his wife with him to JFK in New York. While his wife stayed there visiting relatives, he drove to Mohican to run the race. After almost thirty hours on the trail, he became this year’s “Last of the Mohicans”. This year that special award was a figurine of two eagles symbolizing the strength and power it takes to start the event and also hope that his future runs may emulate the swiftness of flying eagles.

After Frederic Roberts registered at Mohican for his first 100-mile race, his father who lives in Toledo told an area friend, John Nichols, about this son’s plans. Nichols, a multiple Mohican finisher, lent him the “Long May You Run” video of the 1994 Mohican race. Frederic viewed the video around a dozen times as part of his preparation for the event. Viewing parts of the course may have aided him in predicting 22 hours as his finish time for his first 100-mile race. That prediction was just 6 minutes off his actual time.

Jeremy Vargo, just 18, from Pennsylvania loves to run. He found information for Mohican event on the internet. Race director assured him that he could enter the race even though he did not have a driver’s license as proof of age. This young man took Greyhound from the Pittsburgh area to Mansfield, then a taxi to Mohican River Inn. For the Friday evening pasta dinner and orientation, he walked the four miles from the Inn to Mohican Wilderness campground carrying his back pack. Other runners drove past him on the way but did not realize he was a Mohican 100 entrant. Brian Lewis provided transportation for him back to the Inn on Friday evening and then to the race start Saturday morning. This unassuming young man was a joy to behold throughout the race, always courteous, appearing happy and at peace as he experienced his first 100 miles. He ran part of the way with Fred Davis a seasoned ultra runner. Along with his 100-mile finisher buckle, he received special awards for being the youngest participant in the Mohican 100 history. Steve Sutton, Batteries Plus sponsor and 50-miler finisher, took Jeremy back to Mansfield to catch his Sunday evening bus.

Eric Clifton, USAT&F representative, returned to Mohican after a ten-year absence to attempt to set another record. Unfortunately he had not been feeling very well in the last month and thus dropped from the race at the fire tower, 18 miles into the race. Eric was on had at registration to verify USAT&F membership for those who were part of that race. He also announced USAT&F champions, age groups, and awards on Sunday morning.

Richard Roberts is a speedy marathon winner who became hypnotized by the Mohican race and signed up for the first time in 2003. Both that year and in 2004 he was injured on the trails. Nevertheless, Mohican continued to beckon and he registered again for this year’s event. This time he was better prepared with a pair of trail shoes waiting for him at Rock Point, the entry to the real trail section. Despite better shoes this year, he fell around the 17-mile distance, and painfully limped to the Fire Tower aid station. EMTs evaluated his injuries but could not determine whether anything was broken. The emergency squad took him for X-rays. Fortunately these showed a bruised, not broken, hip. While Richard still loves Mohican and wants to be part of it, next year he may be there as a volunteer and perhaps as a pacer on the road section at the end. This way he will not jeopardize his marathon running. When that running begins to slow down and he has more trail experience he may return to Mohican as a contender.

Tanya Cady, long time supporter of Regis Shivers Sr., prepared a board with pictures of Regis and a bag of small blue ribbons attached to the board. At the pre-race briefing, Tanya asked runners to wear a blue ribbon in support of Regis who is suffering from cancer and would have another round of radiation treatment on Monday. Those ribbons disappeared rapidly. Some runners cut theirs in half so that others would also have one. Regis Sr. is one of the owners of the Mohican 1000 mile ten time finisher buckle. Regis Jr. ran the race this year. An emotional moment occurred as he crossed the finish line and was hugged by his father and mother Diana. Regis Sr. and Diana had been at many of the aid stations, not only supporting Regis Jr. but also helping the aid station workers care for other runners. Of course this also gave Regis Sr. and Diana the opportunity to visit with many friends in the ultra running community. Many eyes filled with tears at the award ceremony as Regis, using his vibrator, thanked the runners for all their support during his fight against cancer.

Early in May, Tonya Banzhaf sought advice from those who frequent the Mohican100 yahoo group list. Tonya started running shortly after the birth of her son in fall of 2003. At that time she weighed 220 pounds. By running, changing eating habits, and teaching various classes, including step, as Group Exercise Director for Fitworks, she dropped nearly a hundred pounds. She was planning on running Rite Aid as her first marathon in a week. She wanted to try the 50 miles at Mohican but was concerned because some people thought she was crazy. However, she soon became certain that she was ready to tackle Mohican. Amazingly all those step classes had given her so much leg strength and cardiovascular endurance that she could run up all the hills. The down hills scared her though – there’s much more possibility of real injury falling down a hill than up it. IT bands had been bothering her for some time preceding the race and the trails were beating up her feet. They were so badly blistered that the podiatrists at the Covered Bridge took pictures of them before treating them. She continued on, reaching the Bridle Staging area close to the cut-off time. Prudence is the better part of valor. She opted not to continue. Post race remarks: “It was the greatest experience of my life (besides having my baby, getting married). I will be there next YEAR.” Mohican has worked its magic on her. The only question – will she do the 50 or try for the 100?

Kathy Roche-Wallace who had never completed a 100-mile trail race either ran part of the event with Banzhaf. While both were aiming at new distances, Kathy’s previous experience was much greater than Tonya’s. Kathy had completed a couple triple ironman events, the Hawaiian Ironman, various adventure races. Unfortunately, whle Kathy reached Tonya’s goal of 50 miles, she did not reach her own 100-mile goal.

Twenty-five year old Justin McCoy, another Mohican newcomer, had weighed over 300 pounds at high school graduation. Justin wants to live a long life. Knowing that his family heritage is rampant with heart problems, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc., to which weight is a contributing factor, he dropped well over a hundred pounds and started running. Justin likes challenges. He skipped shorter races and went straight to the Los Angeles marathon. So far, so good! Ultrarunning presented the next challenge. Justin dove right into the 100 miles in great spirits. He’s an inspiration to many. He shared various supplies that he carried with other runners in need. A short time before the race he discovered that the shoes he was planning on wearing had a hole in the sole. New shoes for a hundred mile race? Definitely not recommended. Justin lucked out in that they did not cause his feet to hurt. On the orange loop Justin ran into other problems, quite possibly low blood sugar. He passed out on the trail. EMTs checked him out. Justin was very determined to continue, if not to the full 100, at least to the 50 distance. However, he again became disoriented and got off trail. He may have run over 60 miles, though not all of it on course, before he was finally brought back to the finish line. With additional training and understanding of his body’s needs, he should be able to finish Mohican another year. His determination and drive make that inevitable.

While Tonya and Justin entered the race after losing much weight, others were running after much physical rehab. Jeromy Risner finished his first 100-mile race this year with some titanium hardware in his back after a couple back surgeries. After the last surgery several years ago the doctor told him that he could run but should take it easy, doing a little at a time. The doctor may have been thinking 5K or 5 miles. Risner thoroughly enjoyed his first hundred saying that crossing the finish line felt wonderful. Jim Davidson returned to finish his second Mohican. Of course the rods in his back and other hardware are still part of his skeleton (see 2004 article). While David Schwabenbauer does not run with hardware in his body, he still feels the effects of a car accident and several resulting surgeries on his right knee. This year he completed his first 100-mile race after coming up short in two previous attempts.

Vince Charbonneau became so enthused about Mohican a couple years ago when he finished the race that he had the Mohican logo permanently tattooed on his upper arm – in color! He claims that the tattooing hurt more than running the race. Brian O’Donnell arrived from Key West for a reunion with some northern family members. He was delighted to have his young nephew pace him and cross the finish line with him. Susan Malone celebrated her 23rd wedding anniversary by finishing 100 miles at Mohican much to the delight of her dedicated husband.

Texan Michael Hayes had not finished two other 100-mile races so dropped 30 pounds before arriving at Mohican. On the course he was surprised to see llamas instead of the Texan cows to which he is accustomed. Tiring of the usual aid station food, he asked at one aid station he asked if they had any real food. Consuming four pieces of KFC reenergized him while surprising those witnessing his feat. For a while he was playing leapfrog with Dave Peterman over part of the course, then the two decided to stick together pushing each other through the low points. Peterman’s longest previous distance was 50K. Peterman’s pacer, Lloyd Thomas, provided a third set of eyes to help them through the moonlit night. Following the tradition of many runners who meet part way through the course, they crossed the finish line in tandem.

George Blust found a large feather on the course and stuck it in his headband. With his long dark hair, he looked like a veritable Mohican Indian during parts of the race. Later in the race he gave it to his little niece as a memento. Car problems plagued Doug Hansel enroute to the race. He arrived with just a few minutes to spare. Fortunately he’s finished the event the last couple years so did not need much orientation. During the night the howling coyotes close to the course pushed Roy Heger to pick up his pace. Some may have thought they were passing howling dogs, but Heger can distinguish between the sounds of the tow species. In all probability, the coyotes will not attack an upright runner. However, a prone figure could be an invitation to dinner.

Bob Lisey has finished this race multiple times. This year his daughter gave him a great Father’s Day present by pacing him at the end. When someone passed him on the road, she quipped: “Are you going to let him do that to you?” His answer was to quicken his pace so that they could overtake the other runner and continue unpassed again to the finish. Last year Al Eder was so much ahead of schedule that Ashley, his daughter, was late to the rendezvous at the Fire Tower. This year, the same thing happened. Not once, but twice. She did make it on time to the finish line and was able to run the last few yards with him. Terri Lemke has volunteered at the Mohican event for several years working with Bob Close. This year she finished her first 50-mile race in just over ten hours to be women’s winner. Steve Sutton succumbed to the Mohican magic while marking trails for preceding events. This year he registered for the 50 miles and finished in good form.

Nancy and Joel Burrows met because of running, became engaged after a run, and started their married life five years ago by doing the Vineman Ironman. They are the major part of Team Illinois and have traveled to many exciting areas competing in events such as the Atacama Crossing in Chile and the Gobi March in China. They’ve set their sights on the Sahara Race this fall. Meanwhile they’ve become active in ultra running. Mohican was their first attempt at a 100-mile race. Nancy became ill during the race but Joel continued on to earn his buckle. Joel shares their thoughts on ultra running: “We look forward to each race with a mixture of awe (as we watch some amazing athletes), fear (you must learn to respect the race and the distance), respect (for all everyone involved sacrifices in order to make the race happen), and love (for the grace the human body has if only given the chance to perform).”

As in past years, Mohican witnessed many runners accomplishing their distance goals for the first time. Those completing their first 100-mile race: Dustin Burkholder, Hoskuldur Kristvinsson, Ted Niemann, David Schwabenbauer, Zach Ginerich, Brian O’Donnell, Frederic Roberts, Mark Leatherman, Reid Delman, Michael Hayes, David Peterman, Glen Delman, Matthew Bedford, Perry Johnson, Dave Sek, Greg Miller, David Knokey, Joel Burrows, Jeremy Vargo, Rob Ulm, and Alex Nemet. Those of you who attempted this distance but did not complete it, take heart. Many of these had attempted the distance previously.

Those completing their first 50 mile race: Christopher Lassen, Sara Henry, Michele Delman, Terri Lemke (first woman), David Glass, Anthony Thornton, Steve Tallman, Chris Gillen, Crystal Clark, Paul Lincke, Seth Burris, Peter Szuch, Caroline Szuch, Steve Sutton, and Rich Wisneski (winner).

This year Mohican was a real family affair. Many husband and wife registered, either both doing the 100 or the 50, or each person doing a different distance. In some cases if one person dropped, the other continued to finish the race. In other cases, both dropped together. Canadians Byron and Joy Chikinda, Barbara Bellows and Mario Martinez who had met at the Vermont 100, Stephanie Ehret and Peter Balkin, Suzanne and Bob Pokorny, Peter and Caroline Szuch, Cassandra and Michael McCune, Shalynne and Jeffery Klopf, Nancy and Joel Burrows. Veteran Mohican runner, Bill Johnson was delighted to cross the finish line with his son, Perry, finishing his first 100-mile event. What a great Father’s Day! For the first time in Mohican history, we had three members of one family at Mohican, all from Colorado. Michele Delman completed her first 50 miler while Reid Delman and Glen Delman each finished his first 100 miles.

While every race needs runners, there can be no race of the caliber of Mohican without tremendous effort on the part of many. Bob Strong as race director and Don Baun as assistant race director put forth unbelievable effort that results in the June race each year. Cleveland West Road Runners Club (CWRRC) inaugurated this event back in 1990 and many of its members have remained an integral part of it throughout the years. Those who were at the 1990 event, the 1995 event, even the 2000 event have seen the growth and improvements. Bob and Don will readily admit that Mohican would not be what it is without the help of many individuals and groups. These include: Ron Dukes - sets up all the tents, chairs, string lights, etc.; Bob Close - tracks all the runners via computer and provides results (he also the webmaster); Rob Powell – food and supply coordinator; Kathy Siesel – podiatrists (oh, those blisters!); Jeff Lynn – Slippery Rock University studying the effects of ultra running on the human body (I think I still know my name); Tom Todrank – trail marking; Jim Gordon of Mohican Trails Club – trail clearing; Bob Fehlner of North East Ohio Medical Reserve Corps – EMT assistance (two runners sent to hospital this year); the amateur radio operators (1990 had no such communication); Vince and Steve of Vertical Runner – a major sponsor financially, awards, (also provides advice to runners throughout the year); the masseuse; the VNA who used Mohican as a fund raiser for their cause and passed a portion of the funds raised back to the race. The above list is in no way in order of importance, nor is it complete. The names listed above had multiple others putting forth stupendous effort in their area of responsibility.

A great addition this year was Mike Twigg’s (CWRRC VP) involvement – especially at the finish line. He kept the spectators informed of incoming runners and also announced availability of food, various services, drop bags, etc.

The Mohican 100 mile trail run is not just one weekend. No event is ever absolutely perfect. Runners come; runners run; runners go home. Then runners continue training, planning on how they can go further or faster or feel better the next time. Bob Strong, Race Director, and his crews have been working on the 2005 event since June 2004. While they are still finishing work from this event, they are planning ways to avoid any minor glitches that occurred and also great improvements to the 2006 race. Mark your calendars; Friday June 16, pre-race activities including pasta dinner. Saturday- Sunday June 17-18. Race days.

This article was written for the CWRRC newsletter and the Mohican web site www.mohican100.org. I am writing another article with a different flavor for UltraRunning magazine. I expect it to be in the September 2005 issue.