Red Shirt Shuffle Review

Last Saturday was the second running of the Red Dirt Shuffle, a Half and Quarter Marathon at Lake McMurtry on the east side mountain bike trailz. We had about 10 more entrants than last year, so at least it grew a little. 

I marked trailz for most of the day Saturday, tackling the easier south trailz first. I rode my bike and marked the intersections with arrows. I had a pretty decent bike wreck, flipping my bike and flying over the handlebars landing on my back with my head against a fallen tree and a stick from the tree piercing my right ear lobe. Wasn't clean enough for one of those giant hoop rings, and it's healed up nicely in the week since. I found the north side trailz had quite a few downed trees over the trailz. By the time I'd rode 1.5 miles and fixed a flat tire, I had climbed through 10 or 11 trees. I talked to two different mountain bike couples and a few hikers who told me the whole trail system was a mess--no way possible to get through some of the sections. I was also gathering plenty of seed ticks and chiggers, and made the brilliant decision to have the race use only the south trailz with the half marathon running the course twice.  

picture by Jodee Whitworth

 We started about ten minutes late since I led my aid station workers out to their post. No worries. I did explain that this was an ish race--as in halfish marathon, and quarterish. The south loop is marked on the signs as being 6/5 miles, but by my Garmin, it was 7.2.

picture by Brian Lamb

 We sent about 2/3 of the runners out on the half, and the quarter started a half hour later.

picture by Tammy Cryer

 It had rained like crazy Friday, about 10 miles east of the campground, but did not rain more than a few drops at the race site. About 4:00 am, the sound of a rumbling thunderstorm woke me, and I thought for sure we were gonna be in for a muddy day. And it did rain a little, but the trails were damp at the very worst, and really the rain fixed the problem where the trailz had so much loose dirt. They were perfect.

picture by Tammy Cryer

 Thanks to the summer of rain we've had, the lake was FULL for the first time in years. I knew there was a pond somewhere on the course, but this year there were several.

picture by Jodee Whitworth

 But the best watering hole was the aid station in the dead center of the figure 8 course. Other than a soy pumpkin latte, you could order ANY drink known to man here. Runners hit this aid station at 2.5 miles into the loop, and then again around 3.5 miles later where they were a mere mile to the start/finish. Half marathoners ran this loop twice--and some were--well--loopy.

picture by Jodee Whitworth

 Jodee found this sign amusing, but it did keep a few runners from following a double-track trail out of the park.

picture by Jodee Whitworth

 I sure hope I collected all the chiggers and seed ticks on my own hairy legs. In my thinking, the brief light showers before the race might have messed up those itch-bastard-bug's plans of latching onto any warm blooded legs that passed through.

picture by Brian Lamb

 The aid station at the start/finish was manned by Dana. She watered and fed the halfers and sent them out for another loop.

picture by Jodee Whitworth

 Now I did say this was relatively something--flat maybe? I did say the course was relatively dry, and had no one disagree. Relatively long was mentioned. I'll own that.

picture by Brian Lamb

 The second loop passed by Meego's pub twice. Where else do you find this kind of craziness than in a TATUR Trail Race? What the heck is a PickleBack Shot?? It was a small shot of whiskey followed by a pickle juice chaser. It was awesome. I realize this is not for everyone, but pickle juice is the wonder elixir.

picture by Brian Lamb

 Brian Lamb was waiting at the finish line handing everyone their very own vial of red dirt--corked and hung from their neck with genuine cowhide leather strips

 The quarter marathon featured a fast trio that battled hard for the win.  Skylar Turner (in the center) won the race after coming in second last year after getting of course because of a sign marking a turn had been knocked down. I was glad to see him get the win. Robert Rice (on the right) was second, while 15 year old Hayden Wolford was 33 seconds back and took third.

 Lexi Hastings (on the right) won the quarter marathon. Elisha Adams (in the center) took second while Sarah Ellers finished third. 

 Daniel (aka Ryan) (the shirtless dude) won the half marathon. It was close for a while but somewhere in the second loop he poured it on and put a little distance between him and second place. Rey Waldestiand (on the right) finished second in just under two hours. Michael Tupper was just a couple minutes over 2 hours and finished third.

 In the women's half, Ruth Loffi (on the right) got the win. Erin Cardin (in thew center) was second. Jana Graham was third. I probably will get roasted for saying, but I'm thrilled that the ladies in their 50s ruled the podium. Congrats. CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS

picture by Brian Lamb

Hats off to a sleepy Brian Hoover, who has been running himself ragged lately with a super full slate of races to time. Our results were flawless.

Thanks to my sweetie Dana for running the start/finish aid stop. She also makes the trips to Sams and Wal-Mart for aid station supplies. 

Big-time thanks to those who worked at Meego's Pub. Mike Rives, Jason and Sue Ann Bement, Michelle Bates, and Jbob Jones--you guys are rock stars. I know you picked up some help during the day from runners who wanted to just come hang out and help after their race. 

Thanks to Shorty Jennings, who helped get people signed up, and then did double-duty with the finish line and the start/finish aid station.

And to Dennis Hotson, who helped with pre-registration and packet pickup, and then ran the course while picking up the markings. A HUGE help.

Susan Melon Westmoreland has my gratitude for making these awesome awards and trophies. I rounded up the red dirt and glass vessels, and she put her magic to it.

Kevin Lemaster from Ultra Gator did our shirts. He always jumps through hoops to get my shirts to me. 

picture Clint Green

Finally, thanks to all my running friends who came and ran.