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Red Rock Fat Ass 50K 2001 Results

Las Vegas, Nevada
January 6, 2001
Trails

1. Ian Torrence, 28, WA            4:33
2. Eric Bard, 35, CA               4:37
3. Randy Calvert, 47               5:42
4. Rich Fisher, 51                 6:04
5. Steve Keith, 45                 6:23
6. John Eugster, 50                6:25
7. Ed Furtaw, 52                   6:31
8. Jim Rapp, 43                    6:48
9. Jurgen Ankenbrand, 59, CA       7:07
10. Dennis Jensen, 52              7:32
11. Robin Stevens, 51              9:07
12. Mel Koplin, 58                 9:19

14 Starters

We again had near-perfect winter desert running weather for the sixth
annual Red Rock Fat Ass 50K.  We ran under cloudless blue skies and
brilliant sunshine, with temperatures from about 40 F at the 8 AM start to
about 60 F during the afternoon.  This no-fee, no-frills event is held in
the scenic Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area just a few miles west
of Las Vegas, Nevada.  The main attraction of the event is the picturesque
course that meanders amid the colorful sandstone mountains of the Calico
Hills and White Rock Hills.  Most of the route is on single-track trails
that have been built and measured in the past few years by volunteers.
Although the trails still have a few inevitably rocky places (living up to
the area's name), their condition gets better every year with additional
maintenance and usage.  This is not to say that this is an easy run - there
are about 5,400 feet of climb on the out-and-back course, and most runners
agree that Red Rock is about an hour or more slower than most runs of the
same distance.

Most entrants were locals, with a few notable exceptions.  Ian Torrence,
who for the past several years lived in this area, had moved to Washington
State last year.  However, that didn't stop him from returning to this
venue to defend his title.  Ian had won all five of the previous editions
of this event, and he was easily the favorite to win again.  That is, until
the middle of the run, when he was several minutes behind Eric Bard.
However, Ian stayed within striking distance of Eric, and with his
knowledge of the course and superb closing speed, Ian passed Eric in a
particularly steep and rocky part of the course about two miles from the
finish.  Ian won by about 4 minutes, the closest margin of his six
victories here.  In only his second ultra, Eric had an impressive run,
becoming only the third person to ever break 5 hours on this course.

Randy Calvert finished third, again (for the third time) winning the
Master's (over-40) age group.  Rich Fisher finished fourth while lowering
his over-50 course record by two minutes under his time of last year.  Rich
and Ian are the only runners to have finished all six of the Red Rock Fat
Asses.  Several other runners also had notable performances.  Steve Keith
made a return to ultrarunning after knee surgery.  Jurgen Ankenbrand, who
drove here from Southern California on the morning of the run, became the
oldest-ever finisher at age 59.  Dennis Jensen finished his first-ever
ultra.  Robin Stevens was the only woman finisher.  Jim Rapp, John Eugster,
and myself all sliced significant minutes off our finishing times from
recent years.  And last but not least, Mel Koplin finished his second-ever
ultra and first in many years.  Mel deserves special commendation, as he is
one of the active volunteers who has been instrumental in building and
wheel-measuring many of the beautiful hiking trails at Red Rock.  Without
the efforts of volunteers like Mel, we would not have these beautiful
trails on which to run.

Another individual without whom we could not have this small but fun event,
is my wife Gail Furtaw.  As usual, she operated the only aid station, which
the runners passed through three times.  Her friendly and helpful attitude
and competent handling skills make the run possible and enjoyable.  We
runners all acknowledge her effort and thank her.  Without her, this run
simply would not exist.

Ed Furtaw, RD
furtaw.ed@epa.gov