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Bishop High Sierra 2000 Report

BISHOP HIGH SIERRA ULTRA-MARATHONS - 2000

As many Race Directors can attest, the time leading up to race day is frantic 
with activity, details and last minute changes.  The Bishop High Sierra 
Ultra-Marathons almost caused this race director to approach melt-down as 196 
runners (60 more than last year) registered for the 50 mile, 50k and 20 mile 
endurance runs on May 20.  Our garage took on the appearance of being Y3K Ready
with water containers, boxes of food, traffic barriers, signs, ice chests, and
many boxes of sundry items organized in various groupings.  On Friday night, in 
addition to this turmoil, comings and goings, two overnight guests parked in 
front, adding a snappy green sports car and HumVee to the mix!  The neighbors 
were fascinated.

At 3am, unable to sleep, I was up and wandering around the Millpond picnic area, 
adjusting signs, markings, and fidgeting around the start area.  The full moon, 
stillness and beautiful surroundings were very calming for a short time, and I 
enjoyed the company of Adolpho Valerin, a 50k runner who camped out as well.  By 
5am, runners were arriving, and the usual start line confusion was in full 
swing. Several last minute entrants showed up shortly before the start, adding 
to the excitement.

It promised to be a very hot day, and all runners took seriously the pre-race 
briefing theme of "drink lots" - so much so, that water ran short at one aid 
station in the morning.  Over 187 runners started the long climb around the 
Tungsten Hills, up into Buttermilk, and various courses to the finish line.  
This year, with temperatures hovering in the 90's at the Millpond, and in the 
80's at the higher elevations, even runners experienced with this course found, 
to their amazement, that they were unable to go the distance!  Some opted for 
the shorter 50k race, and many others wished they had.  A combination of heat, 
altitude and desert dryness caused many to suffer heat exhaustion and 
dehydration. The Bishop Ultras provided a text book experience in 
self-management in difficult conditions in the mountains, for those planning on 
running any of the trail hundred mile events later this year.

Despite all this, last years Wasatch winner, Leland Barker coasted to an easy 
victory in the record time of 7.56.37, only 11 seconds faster than last years 
record breaking time by Brandon Sybrowsky, also from Utah.  Winning woman, the 
Queen of Confusion, Lora Zagnoli in 10.54.07 was delighted to finish!  In the 
50k event, Montrail representative Scott McCoubrey, happy to be running again, 
won handily with 5.06.28.  Patagonia representative, Craig Holloway was 3rd 
overall with 5.53.46.  Both of these fine runners generously sponsored the race, 
providing many wonderful raffle prizes, water bottles and race bibs  For the 
ladies, Bishop runner Ceal Klingler (last year's 20 mile winner) ran a fine 
6.13.52 on a difficult course.  Many 20-mile runners enjoyed a shorter day, and 
all the activity at Millpond, cheering in the longer distance runners.

Several runners participated, seemingly against odds of finishing.  Adolpho 
Valerin ran/walked the 50k on a 2nd total knee joint revision, following a 
severe leg injury many years ago.  William Walters completed the 20 mile event 
in 6.39.42 on a below knee prosthesis!  Julia Jones, 71, our oldest runner and a 
diabetic, finished the 20 miler, tearfully thanking the two women who had 
accompanied her for the last 10 miles.  Karen Schmauss, another 20 miler who 
finished strongly, is recovering from back surgery just 3 months ago.  These 
runners provided much inspiration to all who saw them finish.

The finish line was busy all day; timers and computer support constantly alert 
to the impending finishes of runners in 3 races, some coming in simultaneously.  
The massage tables ran hot, and many runners just had to lie down and start 
cooling off before they could take advantage of the wonderful "Finish Line 
Diner".  Hot soup, baked potatoes, cold drinks, salad, pizza, bagels, cookies, 
fruit were available for all to enjoy.  The now famous cold shower, built by 
Northern Inyo Hospital maintenance crew, was used nearly all day.  It was set up 
on the grass and provided constant entertainment to the large crowd of runners 
(mainly from Ridgecrest) sitting around in the shade ogling the wet bodies.

Somehow this race has turned into a family occasion, with many couples,siblings, 
parents and offspring enjoying a few days in Bishop.  I had my own worries with 
my husband, Andy, and son Andrew out on the course. We mothers, fathers, 
husbands, wives, children and grandparents spent many anxious hours in the 
increasing heat, watching the incoming runners, listening to the growing scratch 
list, and welcoming back our runners as their day finished one way or the other.

As the day wore on, we waited hopefully for the last finishers for the 50 miler.  
At last, Randy Klassen and Vicki DeVita crossed the line in 14.17.07, with many 
stories, some including snakes.  Indeed, there were several sightings of rattle 
snakes, including 2 or 3 that took up position at the Junction aid station, 
needing prodding with tent poles to get them to move along. 

Now that the garage is cleared out, the boxes are packed and labeled, and the 
car has its home back, I can reflect on the Bishop ultras with pride.  We 
managed to raise $5000 for our beneficiary, the Northern Inyo Hospital 
Foundation.  With the hospital's support, this race will continue to be a 
success, as many of our staff participates as crew, runners, medical support, 
technical support, equipment scroungers and soup kitchen. 

We will be out at the Millpond again on May 19, 2001 for the 8th annual Bishop 
High Sierra Ultra-Marathons, but with a limit of 200 runners!  Come and join us.