Rockledge Rumble 2004

by Team Danger Ventures November 6, 2004 Northshore Trail, Grapevine Lake, TX Results: 10K 25K 50K Official Race Photos Race Director’s Report by Tom Crull This year’s ninth presentation of the Rumble was the biggest yet, 266 runners signed up, 242 on the trails between the 10/25 and 50k. The 60 runners in the 50k were greeted with beautiful, clear skies and temps hovering around 50 degrees, perfect! The trail was in great condition after recent rains a few days before. Runners from TX, Ok, LA, CO, VT, CA, UT, VA, NJ and Mo were entered in the various runs. After a Pledge of Allegiance to the RD and a moment of silence for our Troops the race was started with Raymond Brintle from Texas taking the Men’s lead, one he would hold to the end, finishing in a new course record of 4:04. Barbara Hitzfeld, also from Texas, did the same in the women’s race leading the entire way and finishing forth over all in an outstanding 4:57:57. Jack Christian age 51 from OK finished third over all in 4:36:20. Due to the cool temps most runners went out fast on the first, long out and back only to pay later when the afternoon temps rose to an unseasonable 80 degrees. Bonzi Joe Magruder joined his SoCal running mates Mary legs Campilongo and Surfer Jennifer Evans, in his first trip ever to the Sovereign State of Tejas. Well Joe, remember your kind words to me when I was climbing Thunder Mountain DFL at Baldy Peaks? Pay backs are hell and we got him good on each out and back with the loud speakers. A picture of Jennifer’s cheer leader routine at the finish will follow soon. There were great performances all day: Will McCarley, age 16 in his first Ultra, finished 20th over all and won a pair of Montrail shoes. The Venerable Dave Woody from NoCal, at age 67, finished 24th in 6:13:12. Nancy Hogan at age 45 completed her first Ultra in a very gutsy effort in 9:18:15 for the final finisher. All participants were well treated by our outstanding volunteers, great post race food and exceptional products from Patagonia, Montrail, Hammer Nutrician (HEED, E-Caps, Hammer Gel) and Sara Lee Baked Goods. Next year will be our Tenth Anniversary of the Rumble, stand by, it will be one big party! I’ll see you all there! Tom Crull RD