March 29, 2015

In 1993, fifteen self-proclaimed idiots doubled the trouble of the Annadel Loop course to complete the first annual Loop de Loop – you’ve got to be kidding trail race. This was originally intended to be a one-and-done mental health stress test, but so much fun was had not having fun that the event has gone on and on, over and over, year after year, ad nauseam. Famous people ran that first Loop de Loop, among them Doc, Mojo, Coach, Mad Dog, Iguanadon, Legendary Darryl, 409, and Dale the Last Man Standing Peterson (21 Loop de Loops and going strong). Rumor has it the first Loop de Loop was timed with a sun dial. For years the event was orchestrated by Doc’n’Mojo Productions. Despite a decline in the quality of management, the race continues to thrive.

The Loop de Loop offers handicap head starts based on a complex algorithm factoring age, gender, and contributions to the race directors’ retirement funds. Older people deserve every break they can get, including discounts at IHOP and movie theaters and powerful lobbyists persuading Congress not to waste money investing in the future. We get tired of younger, faster runners showing us up, so we concoct events such as the Loop de Loop to put youth in its place.

Cathy DuBay was smart enough in 1993 to steer clear of the Loop de Loop, but with age comes dementia tinged with desperation. Cathy, now age 50, showed up for this year’s 23^rd annual Loop de Loop and absolutely kicked butt, running negative splits, finishing well over 2 minutes ahead of second-place Kate Papdopoulus (36), and leaving Downtown Kenny Brown (45, third, first male), Deanna Rossini (49, fourth), Adam Wolf (37, fifth), and everybody else…in the dust.

Without handicap starts, the results would have been different, but who cares? Well, some people might, so here are some stats: Fastest actual running time, Adam Wolf, 37, 1:40:35. Fastest female: Kate Papadopoulos, 36, 1:53:13. Youngest male: Julian Heaps, 18. Youngest female: Addie Salomon, 24. Oldest female: Diana Teeter, 61. Oldest male: Hans Schmid, 75. For times, check the 2 x 7-Mile Relay Results, and the 14-miler Results. 

The 2 x 7 Relay

Last year, Bradford Bryon’s teammate naively assumed the course would be well-marked, missed a turn, and spoiled what might have been a team victory. This year, Bryon’s new teammate, Don Lindsey, inexplicably stayed on course and helped provide team “Starsky & Hutch” a well-deserved victory. Second place, weighing in collectively at 168 pounds with a combined age of 23, was team “168 Pounds,” starring Sarah and Job Skandera. Third was “StarBobas,” Ashlee and John Staroba.

Factoring out handicaps, the fastest team was “Smooth and Relaxed,” featuring Hugo Yescas, 36, and Andy Howard, 54. Sarah Skandera, age 11, was the youngest relay runner overall. Her brother, Nehemiah, running on team “Big Bear, Little Bear” with yet another brother, Abraham, was the youngest male runner. Nehemiah is 12. The oldest team, comprised of the oldest male and oldest female relay runners, was team “Notorious Grey Wolf” (Tori Meredith and Kevin Teuscher, 120 years).

The weather this year was miserably dry and sunny. Peter Tapia, the EMT, was delighted to have something to do, administering to at least 3 banged up bodies.

Co-directors Al Tagliaferri and Jerry Lyman threaten major changes next year.

Many thanks to our numerous club volunteers, the JC XC team, and Camelbak and Heart & Sole Sports for assorted swag.