The Dale Hall 3k Results

The Silver Strider online presents
 

The Dale Hall 3k

 by Jerry Dietrich
photos by Bruce Fisher

The weather Gods smiled upon the Dale Hall 3k, held on the Cushman Trail on Saturday, December 8th. Despite the race being held in the midst of the rainy season, not a drop fell during the window of time allotted for Dale’s race. 

The race was named after Dale Hall who completed an amazing 83 series races, over a ten year period, wearing his Silver Strider shirt (shown above) at every race. Dale was honored as our all-time ambassador.

At 9:00 a.m., the group enthusiastically greeted each other in anticipation of the hilly, but shorter distance race. A start at 10:00 a.m. was appreciated by all during the cold season with it’s shorter daylight hours.

After brief instructions the runners were off, enjoying a short downhill 60 yard start. The course took a turn at about 300 meters revealing the biggest hill on the course. This challenge was at the right time for the runners were fresh and met the challenge strongly. 

The uphill start would be a downhill section near the end of the race would be the best and fastest section of the course. The course was basically uphill going out and downhill coming back. Nevertheless, it was hilly in both directions. Runners who had run the course previously at the time trials, had an advantage. Attack and relax was the strategy on this course and most of the uphills were short except for the beginning challenge. Runners who had ran the course before, had a good chance of bettering their previous time.

After starting the race, I began setting out water, bananas and cookies for the runners enjoyment after the race.

Ten minutes had barely elapsed when 57 year old Michael Magnussen came flying around the final turn, his legs still stretching out from the long downhill section. A finish of 11 minutes and 50 seconds left Mike gasping for air as he bent forward after ripping off the timing portion of his race number.

Knowing that Michael would finish 1st led me to ask if he would volunteer to staple the tear off portion of the race numbers as the rest of the field finished. He readily agreed to help and my volunteer shortage was ended. Michael had a chance to catch his breath before Keith Lerew, a National Class runner in the men’s 65-69 age division crossed the finish 1 minute and 12 seconds later, in 13:02.

Steve Husko finished 3rd overall, in 15:08 and was followed by the rest of the field who seemed well strung out by the hilly course.

The first woman finisher was Tiare Bailey. Tiare, age 67, finished in a time of 18:13. Late arrivals, Mae Elcock, Ray Arrington and Joe Elcock got lost trying to find the Cushman Trail. They started late and Mae finished in 17:55, according to  her watch. So we had an official winner and an unofficial winner as well.

Barbara Prine broke the course record for Women 70-74 with 19:23 and I did likewise with the Men’s 90-94 course record finishing in 36:19. Brent White, who was in charge of the course turnaround, and myself, ran earlier so that we could carry out our duties during the race.

Everyone seemed surprisingly fresh afterward, talking excitedly and enjoying the camaraderie.

I got a bit carried away and started the drawing right after the last finisher. I should have printed out the results first. No one would have noticed a 15 minute delay for results and everyone would have had their time and place.

Larry Larsen was the lucky first person to have his name drawn. The prizes were on a table and as names were called, runners came up and took the object they wanted. Larry picked a $50 gift certificate from Fleet Feet Sports in Tacoma. Other prizes were a $100 one hour massage, a grab bag from Fleet Feet with a gym bag, socks, neckerchief and drinking cup. Also on the table were a choice of 10 Silver Strider shirts, singlets or hats, three $25 gift certificates from Route 16 running in Gig Harbor and a belt to hold race numbers.

Following the drawing, trophies were distributed in each age group. A registration deadline before the race insured that ever entrant in the race received a trophy, going four deep in some age groups.

Following the awards and teardown of the Silver Strider booth at start-finish area, we adjourned to Moctezuma Mexican Restaurant, an upscale eatery in Gig Harbor for some delicious food.

The day had been a fitting tribute to Dale Hall, a fine gentleman and a popular Silver Strider.
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Here are the Dale Hall 3k results by age group.
Women
W80-84 – 1. Judy Fisher 20:12  –  10 pts
                 2. Gretchen Ramsdell  24:45  –  9 pts
W75-79 – 1. Nancy Larsen  24:37  –  10 pts
W70-74 – 1. Barbara Prine  19:23 (a new course record for W70-74) – 10 pts
W65-69 – 1. Mae Elcock 17:55* (unofficial female winner) – 8 pts
                  2. Tiare Bailey 18:13 (official female winner) – 10 pts
                  3. Susan Hall  18:51  –  9 pts
Men
M90-94 – 1. Jerry Dietrich  36:19  (a new course record for M90-94) – 10 pts
M80-84 – 1. John Phillips  19:04  – 10 pts
                 2. Larry Larsen  24:45  –  9 pts
M75-79 – 1. Dennis Zaborac  17:15 – 10 pts
                 2. Mike Henderson  17:42 – 9 pts
                 3. John Marsteller  19:09 – 8 pts
                 4. Ray Arrington  20:14* (unofficial) – 7 pts 
M70-74 – 1. Steve Husko  15:08 – 10 pts
                 2. Terry Rishel  24:37  – 9 pts
M65-69 – 1. Keith Lerew  13:02  – 10 pts
                 2. Ken Peper  17:31  –  9 pts
M60-64 – 1. Joe Elcock  20:05* (unofficial) – 9 pts
                 2. Brent White  20:25  –  10 pts
M55-59 – 1. Michael Magnussen  11:50 (First Overall)  –  10 pts

* Times ineligible for TOP IO 

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