THIRD
ANNUAL HEARTLAND 100/50 MILE ROAD RACES
CASSODAY,
KANSAS
OCTOBER
12-13, 2002
COMBATING
KANSAS PRAIRIE
By: Eric Steele
Over fifty
runners from twenty states and Canada gathered for the Third Annual Heartland
100/50 Mile Road Races and were greeted by a misty morning and overcast day
that turned out to be just a "little windy" before temperatures
dipped into the mid-thirties on Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Returning male and female 2001 Heartland 100
Champions and course record holders, Mark Henderson and Monica Scholz, were
back on hand to defend their titles and do battle with the prairie once
again. However, out of the west and
from the far east came two veteran gunslingers, who even though were new to
this event, have proven their ultra-acumen many times previously and would
surely give our past champions a valiant fight.
When the
race began at 6 am on Saturday morning, true to form, Eric Clifton shot out of
the gate like he was running a 5K...and actually, in his mind, I'll bet he was...just
the first one out of nearly 33 consecutive 5K's he would run back to back that
day. Yes, Eric took off and opened up
an immediate lead that he would increase and hold throughout the race. He blazed through the finish line in
14:30:27, smashing the old course record and setting a precedent for this
course that will most likely stand for many years to come. As a matter of fact, I'm almost tempted to
call it a "permanent record!"
We'll see just how many ultra-legends step up in future years to take on
Eric's course record in our simple little "race across the
prairie." Equally as impressive
was Sue Johnston's sub 19-hour finish, thus making her the 2002 Heartland
Female Champion and new female course record holder, as well.
Hats off to
all 100 and 50 mile competitors, who hung in there, or even attempted to hang
in there this year with the vicious wind that I have grown to know as
"Kansas Mountains." This
course is really not technically difficult at all, however, there is virtually
no shade and no element protection and the rolling hills at times seem to go on
for an eternity. In many ways this
course has the potential to wear on her competitors like a 24/48 hour track
ultra does...relentless and repetitive, yet different than a track event...exceptionally
beautiful. Congratulations to all
ultra-athletes who have even attempted doing battle with the prairie!
Thank you
very much to all participants and especially volunteers for making the Third
Annual Heartland 100/50 Mile Road races spectacular successes...we couldn't
pull it off without all of you. Our 100
mile race is quickly becoming the "premier 100 Mile Road Race" for
100 mile connoisseurs to conquer in the Midwest. And with the spectacular scenery of the historic Flint Hills, as
well as the ultra-hospitality (that has came to be know as KUSpitality over the
years) provided by an organization that was created "by ultrarunners for
ultrarunners" and has eight successful years of putting on ultras, this is
one you definitely do not want to miss in future years...veterans and newbies
alike. Thanks again...we'll see ya'll
next year.