SECOND ANNUAL FLAT ROCK 50K

ELK CITY HIKING TRAIL

SEPTEMBER 28, 1996

 

PL,   NAME,            TIME,    AGE,    S,  CITY,   STATE

1. SHERIDAN, PHIL,                      5:11:12!,     39,          M,      ELLSWORTH, KS

2. HAIG, DENNIS,                          5:43:53,      36,           M,      WICHITA, KS

3. MOON, TERRY,                          5:48:56,      32,          M WICHITA, KS

4. BICKHARD, MATT,                  6:11:34,      34,          M, ANDOVER, KS

5. FRIEND, REX,                            6:11:39,       41,         M, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

6. MONTEITH, WES,                      6:24:44,       45,          M, PASADENA, TX

7. NOLTENSMEYER, DAVE,         6:34:30,       47,          M, PAOLA, KS

8. CLAY, JORDAN,                         6:40:44,       35,          M, WICHITA, KS

9. BURNS, GARY,                           6:56:32 ,      31,          M, WICHITA, KS

10. HARGROVE, JOHN,                  6:58:34,      52,         M, DEL CITY, OK

11. LASATER, THOMAS,                 7:01:52,      39,       M, WICHITA, KS

12. CHANNEL, DALE,                      7:19:25,      56,         M, ROSSVILLE, KS

13. LEINWETTER, MYRON,            7:19:25,      41,        M, ROSSVILLE, KS

14. DINKEL, DAVID,                       7:22:22,       47,         M, OLATHE, KS

15. PERRY, JIM,                               7:38:19,       47,        M, ENID, OK

16. AVIGNON, JODEE,                    7:39:31,       49,        M, MIAMI, OK

17. WHEELER, THERESA,               7:40:09,       29,         F, WICHITA, KS

18. SAMPLE, BOB,                          7:42:23,        40,         M, TOPEKA, KS

19. COLEE, ANDREW,                    7:49:08,        50,         M, VALPARAISO, FL

20. PEARSON, EUGENE,                 8:03:42,        34,        M, WICHITA, KS

21. CAVE, MIKE,                             8:04:29,         45,        M, LYONS, KS

22. SMITH, RANDY,                        8:11:10,         33,        M, OLATHE, KS

23. MARSTON, ROSEMARY,            9:45:30,      48,        F, ST. JOSEPH, MO

24. FOSTER, MARK,                        9:50:17,         42,        M, WICHITA, KS

DNF. WOLF, JAD, 50, M, WICHITA, KS

DNF. MCKIBBIN, VERYL, 47, M, WINFIELD, KS

! = Course Record

 

KANSAS ULTRARUNNERS' SOCIETY
SECOND ANNUAL FLAT ROCK 50-K
ELK RIVER HIKING TRAIL
ELK CITY RESERVOIR, KANSAS
SEPTEMBER 28, 1996
BY: ERIC STEELE R.D.
Published in December '96 Issue of ULTRARUNNING magazine

Twenty-six individuals from five states started the second annual Flat Rock 50K. We had hoped for a few more participants this year, however, we soon came to realize our race cap of 125 runners (as published in the Ultrarunning Race Calender) was a pretty lofty goal for the second year of the event, especially considering the exquisitely hellish nature of the trail.

Last year we lumped in our future projections of race participants: 1.) More local marathoners in the greater Wichita running community looking to step up to ultras 2.) Many of the "Mountain Masochists" from the East, like Dave Horton, Courtney Campbell and Eric Clifton (just to name a few) 3.) Some of the altitude ultrarunners from Colorado who would undoubtedly find our little trail run in Kansas a mere "jog through the park" after finishing such grueling ultras as Hardrock, Leadville, Collegiete Peaks, Mosquito Marathon, etc.

We increased the first category by over 300%, of which virtually all were first timers. The last two categories . . . well, evidently these individuals possibly believe the Flat Rock is just not enough of a challenge for them. After all, it only took this year's winner Phil Sheridan, from Ellsworth, Kansas, 5:11:12 to finish the race and set a new course record by over thirty minutes. No biggy, as this was over twice as long as his 2:34:06, 151st place finish at Boston's 100th Anniversary Marathon back in April. And, don't forget the fact he had won the Wichita Marathon the past four consecutive years.

Phil must have just been slacking on the last five miles, or maybe, just maybe, the Flat Rock is re-writing the "old rule of thumb" regarding trail runs which states: add 1 to 1.5 minutes to your average minutes per mile (MPM) in a road race to determine your trail pace and/or finish time. The norm quickly developing over the past two years on this course is to double (at a minimum) the old rule of thumb in determining your MPM/finish time at the Flat Rock. And, to think runners haven't had to deal with any inclement weather the last two years either.

Flat Rock veteran Dennis Haig, from Wichita, Kansas ran a PR in 5:43:53 to finish second overall and better his time from last year by nearly an hour. Dennis was overjoyed with his accomplishment and rightfully so, as his finishing time was only one second away from last years winning time. Shortly following was Terry Moon, another Wichitan, finishing in 5:48:56. Terry's PR on the Pikes Peak Marathon is just a little over 5 hours and I do believe the course surprised him somewhat. However, while talking to Terry after the race he appeared as though he was already plotting his tactical strategy for next year's event. Rex Friend from Oklahoma City, only five weeks after finishing the Leadville 100, finished in 6:11:39 to become the Men's Masters Champ.

Theresa Wheeler, from Wichita, finished in 7:40:09 to become the overall Women's winner and returning Women's Masters Champ Rosemary Marston, from St. Joseph, Missouri returned to defend her title, finishing in 9:45:30. Way to hang Rosemary! Two-hundred-fifteen pound heavyweight Mark Foster, another Wichitan, refused to be denied as he finished in 9:50:30 (kicking rocks out of his way the entire time) to wrap up the second annual Flat Rock 50K.

Mildly put, all courageous souls who have conquered, or attempted to conquer the Flat Rock (some of whom have completed the course twice now) are "worthy ultrarunners" in the truest sense, even though several of them had no idea what they were getting into, or what they would have to get out of. Most impressive was the fact that eleven of our 24 finishers had never completed an ultra before. Furthermore, the highly energetic and devoted volunteers, many who have served diligently through the entirety of all KUS events, once again demonstrated they had the "right stuff" by maintaining an empathetic and helpful, yet humorous and cheerful attitude at all times.

Once again, we enclosed questionnaires along with SASE's in all race participants packets to solicit feedback so we may continually improve our event. Thanks to all participants who sent them back in a timely fashion; however, we have still not received questionnares from ten participants. This is somewhat disheartening due to the fact volunteers spend their time putting together the questionnaire, SASE, etc., basically everything except fill out the actual questionnare and drop it in the mail. Remember, this entire process is in place to improve the event. Anyway, based on a 1 to 5 scale with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, out of 16 participants who sent their questionnares back, following are the results: (all scores rounded to the nearest tenth)

  1. WAS THE COURSE ADEQUATELY MARKED/LAID OUT? 4.4
  2. WAS THE COURSE CHALLENGING FOR YOU? 5.0
  3. WERE THE AID STATIONS WELL STOCKED? 4.8
  4. WAS THE TEN HOUR TIME LIMIT SUFFICIENT? 4.9
  5. HOW WERE THE ATTITUDES OF THE VOLUNTEERS? 4.9
  6. WERE THE VOLUNTEERS HELPFUL? 4.9
  7. HOW DO YOU LIKE THE T-SHIRTS? 4.3
  8. HOW DID YOU LIKE THE MEALS? 4.9
  9. WAS YOUR LODGING OR CAMPSITE ADEQUATE? 4.6
  10. DO YOU THINK THE RACE WAS A GOOD VALUE FOR THE MONEY? 4.9
  11. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS RACE TO A FRIEND? 5.0
  12. WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THIS EVENT? 1.) The people. 2.) The scenic course. 3.) The food.
  13. WHAT DID YOU LIKE LEAST? 1.) Rocks. 2.) Mud. 3.) Sore joints.
  14. DO YOU SUBSCRIBE TO ULTRARUNNING MAGAZINE? 7=YES 9=NO
  15. OVERALL COURSE RATING 4.8

And finally, thanks again to the following Flat Rock 50K contributing sponsors. We could not have pulled it off again without you: Art's Potato Chips, Biz/Fax, Central National Bank, Checkers Food Stores, Contemporary Mktg. Solutions, Conquest Thirst Quencher, Club Fitness, Dairy Queen, Designs by McMillen, Dillon's Food Stores, Felipe's NorthEast, Fumundawear, Grand Rental Station, Great Harvest Bread Co., ICC EMS Students, Independence Con. & Vis. Bureau, Independence EMS, KFC, Kansas Trails Council, Mail Marketing Group, Massage by MaShona, McDonald's, Mission-Head Trucking Co., National Association For Mgmt., Nationalease of Wichita, Rubbermaid, Sonic, Stoned Mason Publishing, Taco Grande, Taco Tico, Total Petroleum, The Health Alternative, Valley Offset Printing, Warren's Carpet Repair, Wendy's, Wichita Shirt & Cap.

See y'all next year!

Phil Sheridan adds:

The Flatrock 50 Km is an out-and-back on a trail that runs along the "scenic" limestone bluffs on the north side of Elk City State Lake in southeast Kansas. I use the "scenic" facetiously. The R.D.’s chosen motto for the course is, "If you look up, you’re going down." This proved true to many of the runners, including myself, as on the two occasions that I chose to run and check the surroundings, I went down! This course is rock paved the entire length of the trail. As this was my second trail ultra it redefined the words "rocky trail". The rock ranged from gravel to boulder size. There were virtually no sections that were clear. Much of the rock was loose, and every foot fall was an adventure in balance control. When I see these words used in any R.D.’s trail description I will be under no illusions as to what is meant.

The run is sponsored by the Kansas Ultra Runners Society. Eric Steele, Marc Friesen and the Purple Flirp put on an excellent pre-run pasta feed followed by post-run chili. It is very well organized, with well stocked and staffed aid stations every three miles or so. The trail was well marked, with many markers at ground level (you didn’t have to look up often). Many finishers came in wearing a little blood and mud, but an especially gutsy finish was recorded by David Dinkle. Dave broke two toes on the second 25 km when he kicked a rock! If you want an especially challenging run, and are tired of easy trails, this is the one for you. After running this course, falling hard twice and spraining my ankle I am still ready to do it again next year!