| Eight days ago the weathermen were forecasting 16
degrees, 3 degree wind chill factor, rain and high winds for today’s
race. The race director, Scott “Scary” Cary, contacted his bank about
a loan to cover expenses, Scary was scared. He was concerned about the
weather scaring off everyone except the Freescale Distance Challenge
participants who had to run to keep their string of completions
intact. The 427 who were still left in the Challenge would not be
enough to cover expenses. Thank goodness the weathermen were wrong!
As the sun rose over northern Hays County, the forecasters could not
have been more off base. Temperature was above freezing and the wind
was low, for the time being. The start was delayed a few minutes to
get the course set. Then Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, made a few
comments and a trio of girls from Hays High School sang a beautiful
rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. The traditional fireworks
display set 1,102 runners off on their journey.
Runner #733, an unknown, led at mile 1 and it was expected that he
would fade. A clothing drop at mile two was set up with laundry lines
complete with wild colored boxer shorts and laundry baskets lining the
road. The leaders crossed mile 2 at 11:03 and #733 was still in the
lead. Local running hero, Gilbert Tuhabonye, two time Runtex 30K
champion, was near the front but appeared to be struggling. The mile 2
water stop was manned by the ROTC unit of Jack C. Hays High School.
They were at attention lining the road like tin soldiers with 1100
cups of water ready to be served. As the runners turned north they
were hit smack in the face with a fierce head wind which they battled
to the turn around point at mile 11.
A drum line at mile 2.5 composed of Hays High students and parents
greeted the runners and set the cadence for the rest of the race.
#733, Eric Rivas of Kingsville, led the entire race and was not to be
denied. He is no longer an unknown! He seemed to float on top of the
wind as he outdistanced the competition. At mile 5.5 an arrow head
hunter along Onion Creek was spotted just before “Pit Bull Alley”.
Rivas climbed the hill at 6.2 with ease. Jeff Shelton, Austin, held
onto to second place about 200 meter back the rest of the race. As
Rivas was coming up on mile 14 he passed Governor Perry who was
northbound across the road at mile 8.3 and looking good.
With the wind now at his back, Rivas turned it on and cruised to
the finish line. As he entered the stadium, the 15 members of the
Austin Police Pipe and Drum Honor Guard band played the pipes and beat
the drums in a victory celebration. Winning time: 1:44:46, 5:38 pace.
The first female was Wendy Terris of San Antonio who was ecstatic as
she crossed the finish line. Winning time: 2:00:59, 6:30 per mile
pace. She had given birth to a new baby 6 weeks prior to the race and
decided to run the 30K a day earlier. Both overall winners of the 30K
were awarded Brooks shoes and new Oreck Vacuums. As they say, “The
awards at the BUDA really suck!” Scary said he prayed for a north wind
this year, and that he must have prayed too hard. The wind was a
factor for the first half, but a godsend on the road back to the
stadium. Runners commented that unlike past years, the wind pushed
them up the final long hill at mile 16.
The volunteers at all the water stops were great. They sure seemed
like they were having a good time cheering on all the runners. The
Hays County Deputy Sheriffs were their usual friendly selves. The dogs
on “Pit Bull Alley” even behaved. The Lions club had their hot sausage
wraps waiting for even the last walkers. The Hays Seniors will have a
fun drug and alcohol free graduation celebration because of today's
successful run! Hope everyone had fun and runs a PR at the Freescale
Austin Marathon.
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