El Paso Franklin Mountains Trail Runs     Feb. 22  2003
Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, Texas  USA
Courses= rolling, rocky trails and some roads between 4,200' and 5,165'

40 Mile (64.5 km)

1.  Eric Clifton, 44, NM           5:39:47 CR
2.  Valerie Caldwell, 38, NM (1F)  6:39:13 CR
3.  Doug Brittain, 47, TX          8:32:31
4.  Doug Matney, 43, TX            8:37:37
5.  Tom Knutson, 50, MN            8:41:41
6.  Linda Hurd, 41, TX             8:47:58
7.  Bill Ransom, 46, CO            8:49:18
8.  Larry Minogue, 46, MD          8:50:24
9.  Bob Klapthor, 51, NM           9:19:14
10. Lynne Werner, 51, WA           9:22:18


26.7 Mile (43.2 km)

1.  Jon Olsen, 28, TX              3:46:16
2.  Oliver Beck, 32, TX            4:37:51
3.  Karsten Benda, 30, TX          4:46:50
4.  Karsten Czech, 23, TX          5:36:58
5.  Bernard Vogel, 44, TX          5:37:00
6.  Thomas Groitzsch, 24, TX       5:37:02
7.  Rebecca Dickenson, 42, CO      6:32:40
8.  Mike Allen, 65, AZ             8:35:21

(32 Total starters for the two events)


   Thirty-two adventuresome runners from eight states and two countries
toured the rocky trails of the USA's largest urban park (24,000 acres) under
clear, sunny and sometimes very windy west Texas skies.  Ultra legend and
running apparel designer Eric Clifton was one minute ahead of former UTEP
football kicker-turned ultramarathoner Jon Olsen at 13 miles, but Eric
continued his relentless attacking of the rocky ridges and arroyos as he
sailed to an impressive 5:39:47  40 mile course record.

   Another national class ultrarunner, Val Caldwell of Sandia Park, New
Mexico, always looked relaxed and smooth as she set an equally impressive
womens course record of 6:39:13.  Perhaps the biggest running celebrity to
take on the serpentine course was former US 6-Day record holder, 1964
Olympian and all-around nice guy Mike Allen of Willcox, Arizona (Mike was a
minute late to the start as he rushed to bring a beautiful large bouquet to
assistant race director Helen Ellison-Dorion!)

   This run could NOT have happened without the supportive and enthusiastic
El Paso Police and Fire Departments.  How many other 30+ person trail runs
have Police and Fire officials patrolling the course on mountain bikes?! A
number of other individuals gave up HOURS and even days of their free time
to help mark the course, backpack aid and tents to remote aid stations, and
set up the start and clean up afterwards (my least favorite and hardest
job).  Thanks "y muchisimas gracias" to Helen and Amalia Dorion, Warren,
Ginny, Celeste and Yana LaForme, Bob Klapthor, Jon Olsen, Brent Sanders,
Dave Halliburton and American RV & Marine (yes we had a giant new RV for
changing at the start!), Dr.and Mrs. G.H. Dorion and John Poteat.  Finally
and MOST importantly, the idea for and organization and implementation of
this run would never have gotten off the ground without our wonderful,
professional Franklin Mountains Park Superintendent Ray Sierra and Rangers
Danny Contreras, Tom Davisson and Robert Pichardo.

   Please come join us in the rugged, scenic Franklin Mountains of El Paso
in February 2004!  "Nuestra casa es su casa" (our home is your home)

--M.G. Dorion, R.D.

Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 14:04:09 -0700