Thanks, the race was great, very well organized, great support. The location was awesome. See you this Saturday at the Prickly Pear. Bill Gardner has a another great race planned. This will be my first attempt at back to back.
Bart Childers

Thanks for putting on an awesome race. I had a lot of fun. You do it the way it should be done. I use you as a model for putting on a great race and website. Thanks
Bill Gardner

Just wanted to drop a note of thanks. Saturday was my first ultra, and second trail run (Grasslands half-marathon was first), and I had a great time. The volunteers were the best I've ever encountered. Job well done.
Brody Fanning

I wanted to thank all of you who organized Rocky Hill---it's a wonderful race and you guys did a great job! I look forward to coming back again next year. Thanks again,
Darra Loest

Just wanted to thank all the aid station people for taking such good care of me (us) Saturday. I especially want to thank whoever refilled my water bottles as I stumbled through the aid station at mile 25. I know it wasn't Shan - she just wanted me to do a cartwheel. I vaguely remember sitting and trying to get rocks out of my shoes (turns out I was trying to dump out a blister) and someone putting my full water bottles WITH ICE back in my belt. THANKS. And thanks to the gal who poured water down my back at mile 30. I even was able to shuffle a little bit after that. You guys were all great.
Duane Lewis

Well the last I saw, Ferd was spread eagled on The Wall trying to shift his pacemaker into high gear, Kelly E. was making a poison Ivy bouquet, Padre Crownover was praying forgivness for his evil thoughts about the early Sat AM drunks in the tent next to him and his wife and baby, Max R was looking for some 61/2 size gaiters, Neil was looking for a skin graft for the 2" blister from his new orthotics, Jennifer was smiling serenely as usual, Antje was causing trouble at the finish line, as usual. Joe P. was driving around the course offering $5.00 cab rides, Joyce P was working her rear off, as usual. Butch Allmon was parking cars (this was the first year they charged $2 for parking) and Robert Tavernini was no where to be found. At the end of 25K the temps were 90 and climbing and I was praying in thanksgiving for not signing up for the 50K. The burgers and fries were great. The country/folk/newage band was NOT playing Friday nite, so that was good. I think Paul Tidmore was there but he is getting so fast he is just a blurr and I may have been mistaken. Sarah Brown had our banner prominently displayed in front of her Popup trailer in the camp ground. I ran the last few miles with newmember Lori? who was moving gingerly on a twisted ankle. This made my day as I was able to bore her with my vast amatuer medical advice until she finally dropped back and put in her ear plugs. She did comment on how nice the NTTR clubmembers are and how much she enjoyed trailrunning. She must have been brainwashed by Jay Norman. Wes was grinning idioticly the last time I saw him, and was having a great time in the heat for his first 50K. There may have been others but Mary was dragging me off to play golf in Bastrop,. (in the heat) so I may have missed a few. Finish times do not count at the Rocky Hill Ranch. The first few winners in the 25K were young, buff, healthy, strong dudes and dudettes. ( Obviously not NTTR's) And I just avoided being lapped by the 50K winner. "3:50 something." (He needs one of our shirts to cover his massize pec's) Joe is going to have start stud grading the race. Us old ex-studs need a handicap over these road warriors he is importing from Houston and UT. Either that or we need to drug test. (Well, in Rocky Hill ranch, maybe not) So there you have the Ferd report. If there are any inaccuracies they were intentional.
Fred Holmes

i'll be there next year. this has become my favorite race of the year. no doubt. you hear about claire's finger? avulsion fracture. she's still game for more trails, tho. my kind of girl.
Fred.Fletcher

John & I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed your run at Rocky Hill. I don't think people understand how involved it is to pull together all the manpower and stuff it takes to put on a really well-organized race. It's your efforts that make the runs really enjoyable for us not-so-fast runners who depend on your advanced planning to have what we need to get us to the finish line. A job well done - thank you. Happy running!
Ginny Blaylock

Thanks for another great time out at the Rocky Hill Ranch. I looked for you after the 25K, sorry I missed you. I love that course and the race, thanks to you and to your staff for all of your efforts to put it on. Thanks for roping off all of the 'this is the wrong way' places as I would have ventured into them for sure. Thanks for your report Joe and thanks to you and to your crew for all that you do.
Julee Pollock

Just a quick note of thanks for the great race last Saturday - it was superbly hard for me, at least, but I've been needing to expand my horizons (!) The course was wonderfully varied, weather was perfect, the aid stations & volunteers were the best, and I'm more motivated than ever to keep at it. I can only imagine how much work is required to organize these events - so thanks to you & all the volunteers and I hope to be out there next year. Best,
Kathryn Vidal

Outstanding race. Unbelievable aid stations. What a great event. The only problem was that the directions below are wrong. It is impossible to exit onto FM153/FM2104 from Highway 71. You have to take the loop around Smithville to get to 153/2104. At 6:51 AM we finally stopped at the Shell station for directions (after driving from Dallas). We ended up starting the race about 12 minutes late. See you next year.
Ken Ord

No problem. 2 liters of iv fluid at Smithville Regional Hospital, and I was home by 9:30. I was having fun 'til I kicked a root about mile 25 and realized from the cramping that I had sinned. I liked the rain and mud better. Thanks for putting on the race.
Leo Lavender

Indeed! Heart felt thanks and appreciation to Doug, Joe and all the gang. The ice in my bottles was a really nice touch. Thanks!
Liam Douglass

Thanks. you guys did a great job!!!
Elizabeth Kreutz, Kreutz Photography

I had lots of fun and it was nice running the trails again. I would like to try the 50k. The Bandera trails 50k in January, sounds like a winner. I noticed you run that race too. Do you ever get a chance to run any races yourself? Don't worry about the award. I'll see you some time, maybe we can connect at a race. Have a great day!! Thanks for letting me know what place I got. I wasn't quit sure what position I was in the run. Yours In Running,
Lynn Doelger

Thanks, once again, for putting on a terrific race
Matt Harrington

Hey, I just wanted to drop you a line and thank you for the great event you put on last week. Great Race!! Well thanks again for putting on a 1st class event.
Mike Hayes

That was a blast - again. What a fun course. Makes a great change to do a weekend long run in the country - camp out, drink a beer, eat chocolate (that's important to me), see the two of you in your element, admire the sunrise and the dappled light on the forest floor, enjoy the peaceful twisting trails interjected occassionally by the clatter of rocks dislodged by our feet (and occasionally by the babbling of Fletcher when the trails wound back on each other), the wildflowers in slow motion, the friendly waterstops that are worth stopping at, and the camaraderie at the finish. Thanks.
Patrick Hall

Thanks for keeping after me to try one of these. It was quite an experience. I fell twice in the last 5 miles. On the roads, you can get in a groove and cruise. On the trails, if you do that you will land on your face. I started out too fast before my feet and ankles adjusted to the terrain. I wore the wrong shoes -- Mizuno Mavericks. Not enough outer sole/cushioning under the ball of my foot. I ended up bruising my foot early on in the race. I had to slow down the last half of the race because of the discomfort any time that I hit any sharp object on the trail. It appears that I have reinjured my second metatarsal head. I still have some swelling and my first two toes are discolored. The same injury that put me out of commission several years ago before Spears straightened me out. After saying goodbye, Ellen and I went into Smithville for some antique shopping. We came back out to eat lunch. You were right about the burgers! All in all, it was great experience. I enjoyed the trail (except for the rocks -- I could count each one with my sore foot). I know now to forget about the pace and enjoy the race and the scenery. I plan to try another one of these. Do you know how "rocky" the park is in San Antonio for this weekend's 10 Miler? Thanks again for your persistence!
Paul Seals

I wanted to thank you again this year for a wonderful race. The course is great and the race was extremely well organized. Although I'm sure you've already done this, please let the volunteers, especially the aid station volunteers, know what an excellent job they did. Again, thanks for running this race.
Tommy Prud'homme

Just a quick note of thanks... I had a great time. Thanks again,
Rebecca Watkins

Thanks for such a fantastic event! This was actually my first trail run & I'm glad it turned out to be such a positive experience. I look forward to the next one. Hopefully I'll get to run Rocky Racoon in October. Inbetween then, I look forward to seeing you & others from the trail running world out on the trails around town.
Richard Jones

First thing, Great race! Ya'll did a top notch job again.
Robert Heynen

Really nice work at the Rocky Hill Ranch 50k! It was my first ultra and the organization and support were simply outstanding.
Ron Defries

Thanks for a great though tough 25K. This was my first time on this trail and I love it. There was enough to challenge me without wiping me out. The two little kids at the end were wonderful, with cold water and a towel love it. Will be back again for sure, and a big thanks to your volunteers.
Shirley Musfy

This was my first trail race and 50K distance race. I think the ultra bug has bitten!
Stuart Skeeter

That was my first time at Rocky Hill. Y'all really put on a great race. And you are right - the people at the aid stations were the best... I wouldn't have finished (even as slow as I was) without them.... Thanks...
garland bullock

I have been around road running, triathlons and adv racing for a long time and I (we) tend to forget the labor, sweat and commitment involved in doing an event. Your composition really makes me appreciate all of the effort and passion that goes into making a great event happen. I had a great time and have really enjoyed being a part of the Trailrunners group. Thanks for your hard work and leadership.
Bill Sleep

I think you did a great job in putting on the Rocky Hill race. I have run a little over 20 trail runs and it is really up there at the top. Great t-shirts and packets, scenery, aid stations, photographers, volunteers, hamburgers, etc. I took a tumble early in the race and every one of the volunteers were right there at eachaid station asking what I needed and offering to help me. I've never been in that type of predicament so it was good to know that I was well looked after. I wouldn't normally like being the last finisher but it sure was pretty out there and I'm glad I was part of it. Thanks again,
Susan Rouse

You definitely put on a first class show and everybody got their money's worth!!! Congratulations for a job well done! Sorry that Bill and I will miss Bandera next spring, but everybody tells me it is VERY DIFFICULT. I tried to enjoy the scenery at Rocky Hill Ranch but was too terrified to look up for fear of falling. The rocks, nonetheless, were very pretty.... Take care and enjoy your own running and adventures! Laughter,
Tamara Hew

Thanks so much for a great run on Saturday. I am starting to really get into this ultra running stuff. I may start joining you for your long runs on Sunday mornings. Thanks again,
Todd Gerlach

Yes, Thank You to all the great volunteers. The only thing I couldn't get at any of the aid stations was the one thing I needed most - a kick in the ass to get back out on the trail! I must have spent 5 minutes at every aid station. The buffet style aid stations were a bit overwhelming for this first timer!
Tracy Shaff

Thanks for a GREAT time at the ranch.I say it all went very well for you. THE TORNADOS RUNNING CLUB
Pres. Victor M. Aguirre

Houston Trail Runners EXtreme (HTREX) would like to thank you and all your volunteers for yet another great event. We've been participating since the inaugural run back in 2001 and it just keeps on getting better (and harder!!) The aid stations are great! Specially with the Popsicles and ice baggies...those really hit the spot during the second loop of the 50K! See you again next year!
mariela.v.botella