Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2002 21:47:33 -0500 Reply-To: Andy Holak Sender: Ultrarunning From: Andy Holak Subject: Chester Creek Trail Marathon Results We had a great day here at the Chester Creek Trail Marathon. Temps were in the 40's and the icy patches weren't too bad. With the warm weather the trail got pretty soft by the end of the day. The run went down and up the Chester Creek trail along the rocky gorge and frozen waterfalls, then up and up 2 flights of steep stairs, under the Big Chester Ski Jump and then all the way up to the top of Chester Bowl with a great view of Lake Superior and the harbor, then it turned around at the top and runners went back to the start area and check in. Runners did 4 of these out and back laps and 2 shorter loops to equal 26.2 miles. Only two runners opted for the 1/2 marathon (2 big laps and 1 short loop) and only Johnny Gooch was tough enough to run the 50K option (5 big laps and 1 short loop). The remainder all toughed it out and finished this very challenging winter trail marathon. I've got to say that I was very impressed with all of the runners. Everyone seemed to enjoy the run, and all said that although the steps and slog to the top of Chester Bowl were tough, they really enjoyed that stretch. Peter Bakwin ran a great race and edged out the always consistent and tough Steve Schuder. Peter ran strong all day and just didn't seem to slow down at all. Steve was equally as strong, but couldn't quite match Peter's solid pace right at the end. They were kind enough to run with me for 3 of the laps before leaving me in their mist (melting snow). Michael Scandrett, Matt Long, and Larry Pederson chose to run some extra miles by missing a turn and would have finished with much faster times, but ran really well to make up time and finish as well as they did. Dawn Long ran the second half of the course really well, making up time and passing runners to finish first for the women. Shari Olson also ran a great race and came in second. Johnny Gooch decided he wanted to run up the steps one more time to the top of Chester Bowl and decided to go for the 50K option. He ran strong to the finish and became the first 50K finisher in the distiguished history of the Chester runs. Way to go Johnny. Of course this no-fee, no-aid, no-award fun run showed how generous ultra and trail runners can be. There was no fee, but Larry Pederson was kind enough to make some very nice finisher awards for all of the finishers. Larry did a great job on them, and the runners were very pleased to get a nice award for finishing when none was expected. I provided some aid to the runners, but of course other runners also brought some things to share. It was a nice day, and I think everyone had a good time. And, that's what running's all about. The only disapointment for me was not being able to screw more peoples shoes. Maybe next year. The results: Chester Creek Winter Trail Marathon 50K 1. Johnny Gooch,MN 6:38 Marathon 1. Peter Bakwin,CO 3:45 2. Steve Schuder,MN 3:46 3. Andy Holak,MN 3:55 4. Michael Scandrett,MN 4:29 5. Matt Long,WI 4:54 6. Dawn Long(F),WI 5:12 7. Larry Pederson,MN 5:15 8. Shari Olson(F),WI 5:20 9. Karen Cristensen,MN 5:55 9. Mark Freer,MN 5:55 11. Donald Clark,MN 6:52 1/2 Marathon 1. Dan Doty,MN 2:23 1. Tim Case,MN 2:23