2004 Derby 50K

Derby, NC

Derby 50K

Saturday, November 27, 2004

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It was a crisp morning - Josh Saak gets to ride to the start line in the back of the pickup!
But to make up for it he has the chance to pose with The Professor.
On the right, the Charlotte contingent - Josh, Ron Horton, and Marc Deluca.

The hat I am wearing is from the 545th MP Co, stationed in Baghdad. It was given to me by my nephew,
Cpt Ian Townsend who was Company Commander of the 545th. He is still in Iraq.
His brother Ryan just returned from Iraq, he is in the Stryker Brigade.
I ran this Ultra in honor of all the men and women who are serving our Country -
Freedom is not Free.

Race Director Mark Long gives the pre-race briefing to the 29 participants. Soon they are off!

By the first turn the field is already spreading out. McCall is a long stretch, but some great downhill.
A couple of quick turns and we hit the first aid station - THE DERBY VOLUNTEERS ARE THE BEST!

Ken Holmstrom and Doug Dawkins make the pull up Pappy Rabb, followed closely by Marc Deluca, then Anita and Jay Finkle.
As we turn onto the Cedar Lane the dirt gives our legs a break. Marc is close behind Ken, Doug pulls away in the distance

Those marks in the dirt are Richmond County's equivalent of Crop Circles!
At Aid Station #3 we see Mark again - very stylish hat and the oh so rare Derby 50K Fleece Vest...

On lap 2 Anita and Jay power on by. Shortly after, Marc runs by his new vacation home. Mark is cruising the course.

Ron shared aid station #2 with eventual winner Scott Brockmeier - at this point we had run 16+, he was at 26+

Donnelly Miller laps us on the dirt road en route to his second place finish

Josh catches us at Aid Station #3 - he finished 3rd in his first ever Richmond County race.

Tom Gabell was strong just before the finishing turn for 4th place.
Thanks again to all the aid station volunteers.

LAST LAP - it's amazing how glad people are to see you when they know they can leave as soon as you pass by!
At aid station #1 we were serenaded with a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.

Frank is still dancing - most likely because he can now close Aid Station #2!
Marc runs down Sycamore Lane one more time

We make the turn off Cedar Lane, pull the last hill on 1464 and cruise across the finish line.
MORE HARDWARE FOR MARC!

These pics are courtesy of Don Covington who had the nerve to loan Frank his camera.
Mist in the morning, the starting pack.

The SUPERB support crew at Aid Station #2, The Professor working his magic with Barbara Mack

Don Covington, Tony Rouse, and Bill McVerry round the corner, Doug Dawkins surveys the goomies

It's Tom Gabell coming around fast - and the Richmond County Rockettes in action!

Also - special thanks to the Church Ladies for the fabulous post-race meal. The desserts alone were worth running 31 miles...

The most special thank you goes to the men and women of our Armed Forces all around the world.