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Doin' 09 in the Fog - 01/10/09
I woke up to frost on the ground and then the fog rolled in too. So after a few years of fogless "Doin' it in the Fog" runs, we got a foggy one. There were over 600 runners and the registration line was long and as usual, the race was delayed in starting. This seems to be a tradition at the fog run. Probably because many decide to run it late and/or wait to see what the weather will be like. Plus some use it to kick off their New Year's resolution and miss out on the early pre-registration. After a 20 minute delay, the race was finally started. It was really cold by then and I am sure the wait froze quite a few of the athletes. Their is nothing like a sub 40 degree day with fog. The chill goes to ones bones, so the start of the race must have felt good I always stand about 200 yards from the start and shoot pictures. I also stand there to make sure runners make it through the tight opening in the fence. As you can tell from my photos, the start is fast and furious. Leading the race at the start was Robby Baker (Ridgeview) and Chris Schwartz (Foothill) with a number of local high school cross country runners on their heels. After making it through the tight gate, the race heads out on the bike path that runs along the backside of Lake Ming. This path is fairly new, flat and very fast and Schwartz lead the 600 strong field through the first few miles. The runners go out and back on the bike path and I usually stand near the 5k and 10k intersection. At this intersection the 5k goes left and the finish is about a quarter mile away. The 10k goes right and heads through the campground and around CALM Zoo. There are a number of hills out on the last three miles of the course and those who go out to fast on the pancake flat first 3 miles of the race, can lost quite a bit of time on the second half of the course. The first runner to go by was no surprise, Schwartz had a sizable lead after only 2.75 miles of the race. David Bacus was a behind him aways and made up quite a bit of ground by the end of the 10k. Following him were the lead 5k pack and then some 10kers behind them. I usually try to shot till the leading women run by before heading back to the finishline. As I headed back to the finishline, I could hear Peter Wonderly doing what he does best, MCing an event. He was calling out finishing times and runners names that could be hear all around the lake. I got back to the finish and try to help out with identifying runners and also kept an eye out for the first 10k finishers too. Soon I saw Schwartz (34:17) weaving his way through the slower 5kers on his way to the finishline. He looked like he was pushing it a bit and then I saw how close Bacus was and knew why. I feel sorry for Bacus (34:19) because he often comes in second at local races. Often it is Galvin Gonzales (2 time state cross country champ for McFarland) who is in front of him. Today was a different race but the same result, another state champ was in front of him.
In fact, last year Galvin won the 10k in a time of 32:48 and was closely followed by Alfonso Cisneros (McFarland senior) in a time of 34:07 for third place. Bacus came in 5th last year in a time of 34:49. 2008 10k results HERE. A few minutes later Andrew Edquist (Driller senior) came in followed by Ivan of Highland. My son came in real slow in around 39 minutes and had to immediately leave the finish because nature was calling. Unfortunately, his place in the race got lost and he did not make the official results, which we did not find out about till after we left the race. About a minute after him, Anna Vanderstelt was the first women in a time of 40:08. What was nice this year is Jonathan Wykoff and company were manning the computers and results were posted shortly after runners finished and the awards were handed out promptly. I did not see the 5k finish but I do know Robby Baker of Ridgeview won in a time of 17: 23 and Pam Boyles was the first woman in a time of 20:19. Robby's time was just a few seconds faster than the fastest woman last year. Maija Rohoe ran 17:28 last year and came in 6th overall. Amazingly she beat a couple of the varsity McFarland High school runners. She was the cross country coach for CSUB in 2007 and then got married and moved away. Last year's overall winner, Ryan Lucker (CSUB track athlete) ran 15:54 and was followed by a pack of McFarland runners. This year, McFarland's Highs cross country team and Lucker did not compete. Complete 2008 5k results HERE. 10k Results Recap:
5k Results Recap:
Race Preview below: This years Fog Run marks our Twentieth Annual Event. We've worked to improve it every year and believe that's why it's increased in popularity to the point where we had 500 people register for last years event. We offer a long sleeve wicking t-shirt to all entrants. The setting at Lake Ming is beautiful with the crisp, clear winter air in the morning. The courses for the 5 and 10K are unique to our event with a mixture of pavement and dirt to run on. At the finish, you get a hot pancake and sausage breakfast and an opportunity to socialize with your friends. We always try to have lots of door prizes because not everyone is able to win a trophy. Finally, participants get the satisfaction or knowing that 100% of the net income from the event (our organization is all volunteer) goes to aid crime victims in Kern County. This year we're Fog Run XX but just wait until we turn 21. Life.....run for it. Entry Form |
Last year, Maija Rohoe blitzed the
course in a time of 17:28 for the 5k!
course in a time of 17:28 for the 5k!