The 21st Cross Timbers Trail Run was definitely a stress test for the RD. Race day seemed to start o.k. with no "major" problems. The trials began with reports of runners getting 'off trail' after I had assured everyone at the pre-start briefing that the trail was well marked and no one would get lost. It seems someone thought it would be funny to tear down markings and creatively re-routed some parts of the course. Even CTTR veterans found themselves straying off course. Luckily no one was too far off course and got lost. As RD I had to take responsibility for the vandalism and had to endure the colorful criticism from the runners.

As the 50 mile race progressed, Paul Schoenlaub extended his lead at every check as Phil 'Wrong Way' Sheridan and Chisholm Deupree put up an honest chase. Then I got reports that the leader was bleeding to death! The first news was that he cut his throat from below his chin to his ear. Now I have runners getting lost and bleeding profusely. I was having a great day. All the while my cooks didn't show up and my lovely wife was at the grill for hours at a time. (This will cost me dearly).

It turned out that Paul's injuries were not life threatening and he survived to win in 7:55:36. Chisholm Deupree took 1:52 minutes off of last years time to take second in 8:05:57, while Phil Sheridan managed to find his way home in 8:43:30.

In the ladies race, last years winner June Gessner took the lead and held it for more than forty miles when Barbara Hitzfeld, last years 25 mile winner, put in an impressive finishing kick to win in 9:46:15. June took almost 20 minutes off last years time for second and Dianne Hager held on strong for third in 10:16:57.

Other notables in the 50-mile included the 19th finish for Mike Price of Utah. One more and he will be our first 1,000-mile finisher. At the other end of the spectrum was Pierre Koutanis in his first 50 mile and worried all day about missing the cut off. He never came close to the cut time finishing strong to an 8th place finish in 9:25:14.

In the 25 mile, James Umpleby, 1983 50-mile winner, went out fast in a group that included Chris Brown, Jerry Proctor, and Jay Witherel, before pulling away at about 15 miles. Neil Hewitt, after a few years away from CTTR due to injury, finished impressively to move into second in the last few miles in 3:57:23 to Umpleby's 3:47:41.

In the ladies race featured an ultra veteran Linda Musil and CTTR rookie Carly Hale. Carly Hale began pulling away dramatically after 10 miles to shatter the 25 mile course record by more than 16 minutes (4:24:32). Linda Musil stayed strong and also finished just under the course record in 4:40:31. Mariela Botella took 10 minutes off of her last year's time to finish third in 4:47:26.

This years trail once again proves its difficulty as it drew blood from a majority of the runners. The race was held on the perfect weekend as three days of continuous rains flooded much of the course the following week.

Special thanks needs to go to the volunteers who make these events happen. Gene Brock has been at the Paw Paw Resort aid station for the past decade and Larry Flies who not only works the fire road aid station but also helps with trail markings and anything else that needs to be done. Thanks to Bill Niktakis and Frito Lay for the t-shirts, giveaways, and many of the snacks available at the aid stations. Thanks to Abby Stone who stepped in at the last minute to take over the timekeeper/final results duties. Another last minute thanks for Officer Mike Green who jumped in on the grilling duties after keeping Kinston, OK safe all night. It's not everyday you get a hamburger from a man in uniform. I'm just glad he finally lost the gun belt.

I know you are tired of me thanking people but I have to live with these next two who put in a tremendous effort. Thanks to my 14-year-old daughter, Kasey, for the new CTTR logo on the shirts and for helping out at the start/finish area. My biggest thanks has to go to my incredible wife, Mary, who did not slow down for three days to help me make this race happen. I owe her big time and she'll make me pay dearly. Of course I'll never be paid up because I am still paying for numerous screwups over the past 15 years. But it's a debt I'm happy to pay.

As for Shyro the Dragon, he is the only runner that went out on Lost Loop and was finally rescued in the wee hours of the morning.

Thanks for all who came to this years Cross Timbers Trail Run and I hope to see everyone next year. I already have a plan in the works to assure that the course markings will not be tampered with. Moto, the mischevious trail demon, WILL BE STOPPED!

Tony Bridwell R.D.