Data, data, data. Some very interesting, and a few amazing, statistics shine from Saturday.
115 finishers in the 12K. 77 men. 38 women. A phenomenon worth pondering. Why the disparity, over twice the men as women.
But those 38 women! Kaci and Amanda Lee (Boulder) and Elena Bragg (Ft. Collins) and Ashly Farmer (Humeston, IA), Emily Steenson (Lincoln), Katy Billings (Auburn), Emily Langdon (Omaha), Connie Nemec (Walton), Pam Bjerrum (Lincoln), Janet Gross (Omaha) and Laura Bostwick, Deanna Jares, and Dianne Wallace (all of Omaha). The top Age Group finishers from 20-29 through 50-59.
But wait! Some of the best performances of the day came from the 60+ set. Worthy of Big Tips of the Sombrero. Starting with 72 year old Gloria Rinkenberger from Illinois. She had run the 4 mile 6 years ago and had set the 12K as a bucket list item. She came back and did just that, conquering the 12K in 1:55:33. For the women’s *60+, Bev Janak (61,1:35:49), Joy Mann (66, 1:44:39) and The Venerable One, our Ten Year Legacy Runner, Bea Sides (64, 1:44:59). *Moving forward we have added 70-79 and 80+ age group categories.
Michael Fletcher (67, 1:41:18) led the men, John Ritland (64, 1:24:09) had a Rizzo-esque age graded performance finishing 52nd overall and Rick Shever (62, 1:44:12) all turning in fine races.
Wherever you finished, whatever your age, regardless of gender, you that dared to challenge yourselves are a rare and special breed. I’ve been in race management for over 30 years and this event, far more than anything, stands out as a testament to what can be, through sheer will, a powerful display of human potential achieved.
Inspiring.
My daughter is coming over today to teach her dinosaur of a dad how to download and manage the pics. Thanks for your patience, we’ve got some good finishing shots of most all of you.
Bea Sides, Deanna Jares, and Joy Mann. Three of the Toughest Trail Runners in the Midwest!
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