Bandera 100K, 50K, 25K
Bandera TX Jan 10, 2004

Bandera appears low key to those unfamiliar with our attitude here in Texas.
No bells and whistles, just attitude. We started at sunrise on Jan 10, 2004 in the Hill Country State Natural Area near Bandera Texas. 71 runners in the 100K, 55 in the 50K, and 70 in the 25K. They had a half mile of wide jeep road to sort themselves out before the 1st Big Nasty: a very rocky, twisted up, and narrow climb that would slap everyone into the current reality. This first taste would provide a hint of what was to come. The top of this half mile roller coaster is a saddle, the 1st step before the West Twin climb. A photographer on top forced the vanity of many to run this nasty uphill. And so it continued with much more of the same.

The 50K and 100K runners circumnavigated the 31 mile 50K single loop, while the 25K runners had a bits and pieces of of that course for a 25K route. For the 25K, Dave Walick of San Antonio finished first in 1:55:27, followed by Steve Sprinkle of Austin at 2:07:01, and Lester Carson of River Oaks at 2:09:01. First woman was Shannon Cutting at 2:15:15, followed by Machelle Cochran at 2:17:05, and Joni Moore of Salado at 2:26:15. Most of the 25K runners came in bloody from cactus cuts. For the 50K, Andres Howard of Austin finished first in 5:11:06, followed by Greg Loomis of San Antonio in 5:40:44, and Keith Gora of Austin in 5:46:18. First woman was Linda Hurd of Sugarland in 6:02:52, followed by Stephanie Terrell of Austin at 6:11:40, and Lisa Conover of Wisconsin at 6:39:40. Matt harington, Paul Frost, and a few others turned their first 50K split well before the lead 50K at 4:30. With 50K under them, the lead group of 4 or 5 runners was still close in the 100K. Matt had run last year and was leading then at 50K when he quit the race. He had done a bit more training this past year with intention on coming back to do it right this time. He, Paul, and the group close behind all still looked strong and cool at noon as the temps climbed into the 60s. It was a bit warm, but considering the nastiness from last year, the weather was wonderful. Matt Harrington of Austin pulled ahead to win and set the new course record on a much more difficult course than last year with a time of 9:25:39. Paul Frost of Schertz came in at 10:02:45 for 2nd, with Craig Robertson of Helotes at 10:58:42 for 3rd. Amanda MacIntosh of San Antonio was 1st woman and 4th overall in 11:18 with 5:15 split. She was followed by Bridget de la Rosa-Herrejon of San Antonio at 13:27:13, and Barbara Hitzfeld of Ft Worth at 13:46:32.

As the temp dropped into the 30s after dark so did the runners. It remained dry and clear with a big bright moon. 17 of the 71 starters fell victim to the Bandera hills, with the last coming in after 23:03. The 50K lasted for 13:06 while the 25K stopped at 6:00 even. Not to be outdone, our staff chef, Sammy Voltaggio outdid them all, cooking for 3 days strait, starting with dinner on Friday and ending with breakfast on Sunday. He provided hot meals for all the volunteers, aid stations, crews, park service, horse patrols, and runners. The volunteers at this event are the real highlight. A top notch crew at every aid station, timing, support, course control, marking, medical, and on and on. A few of my best volunteers ran the 100K in between course setup and tear down. This event, is becoming a Texas Classic very fast, from the nastiest and most difficult course to the best support and Texas Hospitality. The Bandera family continues to grow and spread. The volunteers train to run the following year while the runners swear off running and ask to volunteer.

The aid station deserve special mention. They where awesome. The Tornados of Houston at Nachos. Paul & Abby Stone of Tyler at Chapas. Bill Gardner and RTR of San Antonio at CrossRoads. Dinty Moore and Larkin Tulley at Last Chance. Joyce and the girls at the finish. Henry Hobbs managing the marking. Jack Murray and team hung the glow sticks. There was much more and many others. The list is long.

joe prusaitis: RD/Bandera