2017 TATUR Snake Run

The 2017 Snake Run went off as close to flawless as was possible. Other than running out of peanut M&Ms everything went as planned. This was our tenth year, and we were blessed with good weather, sunny skies, calm breezes, and almost no mud.

110 runners toed the line in the Three-Hour and Six-Hour events. The Six-Hour took off at 9:05 to give the runners time to get spread out on the single track trailz. Then the Three-Hour started 10 minutes later.

Showing up at trail races is like coming to a family reunion--or at least one where you LIKE your relatives. Laura is all smiles before her race and basically was in great spirits all day long.

Look for the smoking gun. I fired the shot then blew the remaining smoke from the barrel.

Daniel Jennings set a torrid pace for the Three-Hour race. He dialed in on a 5K sprint pace and held on to it for the win.

Jason Bement, on the other hand, found a dwarf to wear a bear costume and carry him around all day. The poor dwarf lasted only one 3.75 mile lap and the two of them crashed at the Cracked Hippies aid station.

TATUR and TZ Trail Runs do aid stations right. We had the usual fare of chips, pretzels, candies, cookies, PBJ's, and then grilled quesadillas, and BBQ and Boca-burgers. Oh, and BEER!

Back to the race--Lori Enlow came back home to run. Lori is a native Oklahoman transplanted to Arizona. It's awesome to see her run and run she did en route to a Six-Hour win.

Alicia Bell and Jessy Deanna aka the Cracked Hippies ran the aid station out on the course. This oasis serves as a pass-by watering hole twice, and between fly-bys serves as the turnaround as well. They are super busy getting hit from both sides, and as always some people get confused forgetting that the aid stop is visited three times per lap. Some runners think they are pixies magically transporting themselves from one location to the next when in reality, they are awesome but simply turn around to the table facing the other way.

Brian Williams ran a solid race, yet dd not crack the top three. He won honors for the best mustache on the mountain, though.

And back at the Cracked Hippie stand, Brandon asks where the cookie cake is. Truth be known, the cookie cake was at the start/finish. We always try to have this 20,000 calorie delicacy at the races for Brandon and his brother Cameron. They nearly always find a way to smuggle it to their car. It must be part of what makes them so fast and go so far. Brandon went the next week to Kansas and ran the Prairie Spirit 100 mile, and finished under 24 hours for the second year.

The finisher's medal. All one has to do is do one 3.75 mile lap. All who toed the line did at just that.

Mitch Drummond has timed our race almost all of the past 10 years. It's a tough job to catch every runner as they lap through, and it gets really tough when the runners begin their short laps near the end of the time period. When the runners do not have enough time to do their next 3.75-mile loop, they can start 2-mle loops on another marked section of trails on Turley Mountain. This means counting laps from two different courses. Of course, we have extra help counting these laps, but there are 30 minutes near the end of both the Three and Six-Hour events where it really gets hectic. And for the runners, there is a lot of strategy here. Do they chance doing another long loop and risk not making it back in time, or tackle the 1/2-mile loops and see how many of these they can do. This year, not a single lap was not accounted for.

And our winners: April Reeder in the middle took first in the Three-Hour running 19.75 miles in 2:55. Kristian Pfeiffer on the right took 2nd running 19.75 miles in 3:00. And Sharon James was 3rd running 18.5 miles in 2:55.

As mentioned earlier, Daniel Jennings n the right won the Three Hour running 23 miles in 2:57. Jeremy Harrison on the left was 2nd running 19.25 miles in 2:57. John Stanfield was 3rd also running 19.25 miles and doing it in 2:59.

Six-Hour ladies: Lori Enlow on the right was the winner running 36.25 miles in 5:56. Stephanie Bramlett in the middle was 2nd running 34.75 miles in 5:59. Christine Fischer was 3rd with 30 miles in 5:55.

And the Six-Hour men: DC DiPrince in the middle took 1st running 40.5 miles in 5:56. Leon Foust on the right was 2nd running 39 miles in 5:57. Richard Airey was 3rd with 36.25 miles in 5:51.

I spoke highly of my buddy Mitch Drummond earlier, and right here, I am proud to announce Mitch as the new Race Director of the 2018 Snake Run. I have loved putting on this race for ten years now, and now I'll actually get to run it, or jump in and count laps. Mitch has cut his teeth on race directing the Turkey and TATURs trail race alongside RunnersWorld's Kathy Hoover. I think Mitch will continue to do a great job.

Snake Run stuff

The Snake Run seemed to slither in quietly this year, getting here a few weeks sooner than I wish. I felt like I was behind schedule, short on volunteers, and possibly a bit overwhelmed. I was up at 5:00 am, and by 6:00 am, it seemed unlikely that we would have the aid stations in place by race time. Mitch and I set up the TATUR arch in the cold predawn blackness. Shorty arrived right at 6:30, and I put her in change of setting up the tables for registration, and headed out to deliver aid station stuff on the course. One trip to the house, and I was greeted by Scott Moore who was there to help with whatever. I snagged him and we got the turnaround tent and tables set up, and the supplies delivered. 

By the time I got back to the start/finish, several more volunteers were there, and everything was moving along smoothly--with a good 30 minutes to spare. Maybe my stupor was just that--a sleep deprived under-decaffeinate stupor.

A Facebook friend Muki Meme and I chatted a bit before the race, She came from Wichita, and had signed up last year but was not able to make the trip due to an injury. She was gearing for a marathon this day, but slipped in a slick muddy patch, and badly stretched her hamstring and had to drop after a lap and a half. Still--it was good to meet a Facebook friend.

At 9:00 am sharp, we sent the 6-hour runners off. 36 signed up, and 34 started.. All 34 completed at least one lap.

The 3-Hour race was better attended, with 92 registered and 85 starters. The 3-hour race started promptly at 9:15.

The format of the race is not how fast you can run a certain distance, but how far you can run in a set amount of time--in this case, 3 or 6 hours. The race is run on the Snake Trail, which gets it's name because it winds and twists and turns, and might from an aerial view resemble a snake. (At least that's what we tell prospective runners who are iffy about signing up because of their morbid fear of snakes!)

The course is 3.75 mile loops, which are really modified out-and-backs. The trailz have a few rocks and roots, but is virtually flat with very little ascent and descent.

Runners hit the aid station on the course at one mile, 2.1 miles, 3.1 miles, and then they hit the start/finish at 3.75--and then do it all over again. We were blessed this year with awesome volunteers. Susan Melon Westmoreland, Bryan Carpenter, Geoff Simpson, and Justin Franklin  manned this station on the course. I heard a few reports of people hitting the aid station at mile 1, and then the other side of the station at 2.1 and were confused, thinking they were at a different aid spot, yet the workers were the same ones. Then they reversed directions and hit it again from the other side. It must have seemed like the  Twilight Zone. It's kind of fun to see delirious runners so perplexed.

The highlight of the out and back aid station and the start/finish were Dana's bacon chocolate chip cookies. Tammy Cryer thought so, and I swiped her picture. There were about 3 dozen cookies left after the race. They are almost gone now. I need to buy a new belt. Dana again stocked all the aid station kits, and ran the start/finish aid station. It would be super hard to put on this race without her.

When the runners had ran a few laps, and had more time but not enough to run 3.75 more miles, there was a half mile  short loop where runners could tack on some additional mileage. There was a bit of strategy here. Tackling a 3.75 mile loop, and finishing even a couple seconds past the end of the time period, and the whole lap would not count. But if you executed your last lap well, you might actually gain a bit more ground on a competitor doing the short loops. It's a gamble. Counting the short loops gets hectic. I was on short loop counting duty, and the new numbers were much more visible than in years past. That coupled with fewer runners than in years past made for flawless results.

The 3-Hour race winners: Katie Kramer Ochoa (left) won first, running 21.25 miles. Katie Whelan (center) was second, running 19.25 miles. Sharon James (right)  took third with 18.75 miles.

In the Men's race, Victor Brown (left) ran 25 miles, winning the first place trophy. James Hensel (center) also ran 25 miles but finished about 90 seconds behind Victor. Trace Heavener (right) ran 23.5 miles for third place.

The trophies--these intensely scary rattlesnakes. My taxidermist did a great job on them.

But there was still a race going on. The 6-hour runners ran until 3:00.

Did I mention that there were TWO aid stations? This year, a BANDIT aid station cropped up. Jason Bement and family were serving up real moonshine, home made bourbon, Fireball, Jack Daniels, homemade wine, several craft beers, lime-a-ritas, and some cheap beer, Not every runner stopped at the Bandit aid station, but those who did often stayed a while.


I'll have to say, the bourbon was the best I've ever had.

Some trail angels had preformed some trail maintenance in the past few days, making rock bridges over some of the boggy areas on the west side of the Snake Loop.

More than one person told me about the NEW Oklahoma rock. Thank you Michelle Bates for taking it's pic.

Candi Paulin (left)from Kansas was second until near the end of her last full lap, but she made a move and caught up about a mile to Eventual second place finisher Melena Mayes. Candi tacked on a couple more short loops, and almost scored another lap, but missed the buzzer for the last lap. She finished with 34.75 miles. A half mile behind her, Melena Mayes (center) nailed down 2nd place, Any Arnstrong (right) finished third with 31.5 miles.

Let's go right to left on this one. Travis Jennings (right) surprised me by running 35.25 miles and taking third place. Jbob Jones (center) ran a steady pace and pounded out 40 miles for second place. Chris McCkure ran like an antelope all day long, and stopped with 47 miles in 5 hours 57 minutes. His first place performance was also a huge course record!

This years shirts were a throwback to the first Snake Run in 2008. My sister-in-law Sharon Childress designed this. It's Dana's favorite shirt. The medal doubles as a bottle opener.

Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition friends Erin and Colon Tawney helped all day long, not even thinking about leaving. They helped pack things up, and were awesome. Also Laurie Biby, who spent her birthday weekend taking pictures for us was once again brilliant with her photography skills. Wes Rupell and Michelle Bates helped out at the start/finish too,  Mike Rives helped out too, but migrated out to the bandit aid station where he felt like he fit in better.

Mitch Drummond timed our race again this year, and did a great job. Brian Hoover showed up and selflessly volunteered his time helping Mitch and I with the timing. Thanks to all my awesome volunteers, ones who give up their day so their friends can have a good race. And congrats to all my friends who ran and had fun with us.

Slither with us!!!

There is no race like the Snake Run. Sure, there are other races on trails, but this one is different. Your finish time is whenever you want to call it. And how far you run is also up to you. There's more awesome snacks than you can imagine--and most all of your running friends are there. And, you'll see them all day as you pass each other by.

This race has it all. We have old guys....

We have trail brats.... (and they will beat you!)

We have RockStars!!!

We have crazy redheads....

And we have crazy redbeards!!!

(Above pictures provided by Beyond Ordinary Life Photography LLC)



Finish in the top three in the 3-Hour or 6-Hour Snake Run, and you'll earn the scariest trophy on your shelf.

Sign up by CLICKING HERE.

It all started in 2008

6 HOUR LONG SNAKE RUN  (from 2008)

Come to Turkey Mountain SATURDAY for the....
6 HOUR LONG SNAKE RUN


This will be a timed run all on nice easy single track trails on the western portion of Turkey mountain.
The run will start at 9:00 am, and run until 3:00 pm. The course will run west from the upper parking lot following some of the trails used in the Turkey and TATURs race, then north onto the Snake Trail. These are some of the flattest and easiest trail on the mountain. We also have taken great pains to remove all of the larger snakes from the course.


(Actually, the snake trail gets its name because it winds around like a snake, not because of an infestation of slithery reptiles!) You will run approximately 2 miles out, and then return and run the trail in reverse to the start/finish area. There will be 2 aid stations, one at the start finish area at the upper parking lot, and one at the turnaround. You can run one out and back, run until you complete a marathon, a half, or a 50K if you're real fast. All starters will receive a long sleeve T-shirt with our TATUR mascot being hotly pursued by a vicious viper!

There will be a 1/4 mile out and back to be ran by choice during the last hour for those not able to complete a full 4 mile out-and-back circuit. The winner is the one who runs for 6 hours and covers the most miles.

From last year

2013 Snake Run Report

Click here to sign up for the 2014 Snake Run

Sunday was the 6th running of the TATUR Six Hour and Three Hour Snake Run. This is Oklahoma's OLDEST trail run measured by time rather than distance, a record of which I am particularly proud. The format: how far can you run on easy trails in six hours, or three hours. This is a great event for one to try trailz for the first time--there are really no hills (ok, a couple of very gradual inclines) and very few technical areas (ok, a couple of very brief rocky spots.) The winner? The one who runs the farthest in six or three hours.

A race like this could not happen without lots of volunteers, and we are blessed. There was never a time in set-up, during the race, and clean up that we did not have plenty of help--and this was on a day that it was cloudy, misty, windy, and COLD! Although it was actually great running weather, it was tough on those in the volunteer tents and the timing area. Michelle Bates (with the soccer hat, and Diana Mar worked with signup, with the lap counting, and aid stations all day long.

Everybody did their best to find parking places, and filed in before the race, eager to get going so they could WARM UP! There were far more long pants than shorts this day!!

I barked out directions for the race, sending the six hour runners off with a 15 minute head start. The idea behind that was to get the runners spread out on the trailz and hopefully minimize the log jambs where the trail was narrow. I'm sure there were a few congested areas, but I heard no complaints this year.

 We are able to put this race on with runners being treated to an aid station every mile. The first aid stop is hit after one mile, and then after a one mile loop, it is hit again from the other direction. This is the turn-around, and the runners reverse course and return to the start/finish for a 4..2 mile circuit. Shorty was the aid station captain at the turnaround aid stop, which actually gets triple duty. It is still funny to me that a lot of runners never realize that they are hitting the SAME aid station over and over again. One guy after the race was so sure there were two DIFFERENT aid stations out there, that Brian almost thought I had snuck another one in. Shorty had help from Nedra and Russell, with John Nobles helping out here and there.

Dana, Brynna, Edward, Brandon, Jen, Diana, Danielle, and Pam manned the start/finish aid stop, serving bbq sandwiches, scrambled egg and sausage burritos, and the other basic aid station goodies.

Not pictured--the Oreos covered with peanut butter and m&ms. The peanut butter cups and jelly beans were huge hits too. Also, the two flats of brownies went pretty quick, although I had a huge hand in that.


After the runners were off, John Nobles, Diana, and I marked the half mile finishing loop where the runners can tack on additional mileage near the end of their run when they do not have time to complete another 4.2 mile circuit. Then, I ran a loop with Chrissy Whitten, an engagement which has become a tradition. About 3.5 miles into the loop, I saw Dana who had ran a few supplies out to the turnaround, and I ran the rest of the way back in with her. Dana played gopher most of the day, going to the store for more bananas, bread, and bring back several thermoses of hot coffee!!



The finishing chute--at a rare time when runners were not speeding through before taking off for another circuit.Brian Hoover and Mitch Drummond worked feverously all day counting laps and monitoring the stats. Michelle Bates manned the 10-key and nearly froze her fingers off. Thanks you so much!!


Chrissy enjoys a PBJ/M&M/OREO at the Turnaround. Chrissy and I discussed details of her upcoming race in which she is RD--the Warrior Princess Trail Run. This is a great race at Keystone State Park trails and has a 10.3 mile and 10.3 K run. It's April 25th which is on a Thursday this year. I highly recommend it!

The three hour winners: Lori Enlow, Misty Carson, and Jody Lingbeck finished 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Jack Morrow, Nick Seymour, and Jordan Christy nabbed the top three spots.

In the six hour race, John Stanfield, Justin Walker, and Shannon McFarland were the top three men. Christy Davis out-sprinted Kris Rider to the finish, with Jill Bates coming in third.

We recognized Rondalyn Reynolds for running her record distance on trailz and tacking on 5.5 miles on the finishing loop. We also recognized Brandon and Cameron Plate who ran together most of the day, and at 11 and 12 years old, ran 31.4 miles. WOW!

We had a glitch in the timing which left some gaps in the finishing lap tally. I helped out manually recording numbers of runners as they crossed the mat. Brian and Mitch have worked for hours to get these results accurately posted. They are very close to having it all perfect, and if anyone has a correction, let me or Brian know and it'll be fixed. :-)

 Ken Saveth took quite a few pictures, and I borrowed heavily from his collection. Danielle Martin took the pix of the winners, and I think I also swiped one or two from Russell.

And more volunteers who need patted on the back: Mike Clark, who came early and stayed late, Cassy Russell, Mike Rives, Daniel Sheppard, Kathy Hoover, Edward Lebowski, and David James. I probably have forgot someone. As I said, it's awesome to have such great friends who help out at our events.

A good friend of mine, Laurie Biby, has started her own photography business, and spent the day taking pics at the turn-around aid station. I have stood on this spot in years past to take pictures-- it's a good spot. She took over 500 pics, and I copied a few of theme to post here. These can be bought on her website Beyond Ordinary Life.