The Grasslands Run 2003
LBJ National Grasslands
Decatur, Texas
March 22, 2003
by Race Director, Suzi Cope
Directing a small event like the Grasslands Run is a labor of love, and only another race director can comprehend the amount of work, dedication and sacrifice it requires. The one compelling reason to continue this endeavor is a passion for the sport of trail running. I feed my passion with the wonder of race day in the LBJ National Grasslands each early Spring in Texas. I get excited while the entries come in from runners near and far. This year we had an international field, with runners from Canada, Mexico, Arkansas and USA. The entries jumped from last year by over 100 runners!
The fifty mile course drew 56 starters this year, and the popular “friends and family” Marathon and ½ Marathon started 200. Each received our traditional RaceReady shirts sponsored by IMPRIMIS. The North Texas Trail Runners volunteered in force to support ten separate aid stations that supply the 50 mile course with 18 sources of SUCCEED! electrolyte fluid, food and good cheer. I was ringmaster in my finish line position greeting each finisher with congratulations and awards.
Texas weather is the most difficult facet of the run, other than the distance. Last year will always be referred to as the MUDLANDS. Many runners returned for a second dose, and found instead, perfect trail conditions. The day was overcast and mild with a temperature range from 50-60 degrees. We cater to first time trail runners, and especially virgin 50 mile entrants. We do designate a male and a female winner in each distance, but the finisher awards are the big deal. This year we gave RaceReady shorts with the GRASSLANDS logo embroidered. I announced at the start that the first man, and first woman completing their maiden 50 mile event, would be treated with special honors. The amazing final tabulation was twelve runners completed their first 50!
The Grasslands 50 mile course record is 6:25:22 and still belongs to Scott Eppelman who handled our scoring table all day. Scott captured the win in ’99 by passing Robert Clements in the final 10.7 mile loop. His record was not challenged this year, but our woman’s course record was torched by Adventure Racer Cathy Tibbetts, 48, of New Mexico. Cathy was unchallenged and finished sixth over all in 7:31:20. She was followed in a hotly contested women’s second place by Canadian Sally Marcellus who held off local Ft Worth runner Barbara Hitzfeld, all day long.
A fourth of the 50 mile runners were women, and Chrissy Ferguson brought five Arkansas Travellers to the Grasslands. Chrissy won the marathon women’s title and then spent the afternoon rooting for her sister-in-law Ronda Ferguson to win the first 50 mile virgin award for the “girls”. Ronda earned her finish, but not before local NTTR favorite Sarah Brown crossed the line in an emotional tear washed show. She received a Grasslands belt buckle, pair of Montrail shoes, Grasslands hat, shorts, and an UltraRunning 20 year poster. To top all that, she was chosen by Red Spicer’s aid station as co winner, with Letha Cruthirds, for the “Best Legs” contest. Mooning did earn extra points.
A last minute entrant showed up Friday night at our pre-race check-in and was asking advice regarding his first trail run. I had spoken to this 28 year old and encouraged him to give the 50 a try. He was asking for advice and got the best from five time Grasslands 50 mile finisher Jay Freeman. “The race starts at 25 miles”, Jay told him. David Hardin took Jay’s advice to heart and ran a remarkable race for a rookie. The Blue first loop is 14.4 miles and he held back in an eight minute pace. The second Yellow loop of 10.7 settled him in just over a nine minute pace for the half way point. When David arrived at the start/finish area completing the White third loop he was close to the 40 mile mark. His pace was just under nine minutes. He was facing the final Red 10.7 mile loop and tells me he felt pretty good. The leader was our ’02 champion Carlos Ibarra on his way to a two hour PR over MUDLANDS. David was told the leader had 15 minutes on him. In an outstanding display of negative splits, David caught Carlos just past mile 45 and pulled away for a commanding ten minute lead and the win. The pace for his final 10.7 mile RED loop was sub 7 minute!
Third place was a hard fought dead-heat between Canadian Rob Lang and Elio Ortega of Mexico. Drew Meyers arrived fifth asking, “Am I the first Virgin?” Alas, the fast 55 year old had to be told of David Hardin’s win.
My husband Michael stepped up to the challenge of the ½ Marathon and again celebrated his finish by grilling a couple hundred delicious burgers. It was a delight for me to share this fine day with so many friends and to introduce many more to the passion of trail running.
Suzi Cope, RD