The 11th annual version of the Rocky Racoon 100 Mile Run with a fifty miler took place under excellent conditions on Saturday , Feb. 1-2. Skies were clear and it was about 42 at the start of the 100 miler. With flashlights on the 104 runners who actually showed up took off into the night. Ann Trason was aboard as was Karen Scott and Chrissy Ferguson. Serge Arbona(French) Maryland led the entire race. Vassili Triantos , also of Maryland, would end up second. There were some changes from time but the result was the same. First time 100 miler Ryan Loehding of Sugar Land, Texas, would finish third.

Nine people had a chance to complete their five year buckles and 7 would make it! Lucille Mason of Chicago made it her fifth as did Lee Norris, Evan Groutage, Leo Lavender, Jack McBroom, Jay Barry, and Rex Friend!!

While the numbers were down this year(111 compared to 139), the spirit was there. Who knows why there weren't more folks, but you do with what you have. I was unfamiliar with Serge and Vassili but they lived up to their qualifying times which is good enough for me. Ryan Loehding who won our first fifty miler ran a sub 17 hour 100 miler. Serge's time was 14:37.45 , Vassili's 16:18.30 and Ryan's 16:59.34. Serge's time ranks among the top 10 finish times for Rocky. Bobby Keogh ran his fourth consecutive time under 20 hours. Jack McBroom finished all five of his Rocky's with sub 24 hour times and was first official masters.

I was quite happy to have Ann Trason run Rocky this year. Unfortunately for Ann, this was to be a crash and burn event. She was running quite well after one loop though eventual winner , Karen Scott, was close in second place. During the second loop Ann's ankle and knee began to bother her to the point that she had to drop at 52 miles. Karen, in the meantime, was running quite well and continued to push until nightfall. When Karen finished in 17:47.43 and in 4th place, her legs were swollen pretty badly. Karen ran about 54 minutes better than last year when she was fourth overall. She ran one hell of a race in my opinion. Second place fell to Chrissy Ferguson with a 19:50.24 and was 12th overall. Two Wyoming gals finished 3rd and 4th : Shannon Rochelle of Lander and Katy Cotton of Cheyenne with 21:05 and 22:42.18, respectively. Molly Gibb was first official masters woman.

In the fifty miler, Bill Gardner of Garden Ridge, Texas, led from start to finish. Bill had just completed the Bandera 100 K three weeks before. He ran a fine 7:48.58. German Collazos of Houston was second(8:04) and cousin Eddie Espinosa was third(8:14.50). Carol Schmidt of Houston was first female in 9:17.19. Teresa Taylor of Colorado was second and Jackie O'Brien-Nolen of Kingwood , Texas, was third.

As far as state representation was concerned there people from 25 states , Canada and Germany in the 100 and 10 states and Mexico for the fifty miler.

This was my last year as race director for all of my races. By the time this is published, I will have completed my last, the Sunrise Marathon. I have been an ultra RD for 12 years as well as helping start the Sunmart Trail runs. I think that is enough! The Coon has been in existence for 11 years and will continue under the fine hand of Joe Prusaitis in 2004. Paul Stone is continuing both the Rocky Racoon Trail Run and the Hog'sHunt Trail Run so I am happy that some of my work will continue. I believe the Sunrise will continue , also.

I sort of feel that I am responsible for introducing a large number of runners to trail running and to that extent I am proud. I hope my races will continue for a long time no matter who the RD is. While I will miss all of the friends I have made, I do not consider this goodbye as I will drop in to help from time to time. I cannot stay away from what has become my extended family. God Bless all!!

Thanks too all the people who volunteered over the last 12 years. I will single out a few in a sec. It is not easy being a volunteer - especially with me at the 100 miler as I am a basket case until the race has started! Once the race starts, everything depends on those wonderful people who give up all or part or their weekend to spend time in the woods with a bunch of smelly people! These are the great ones and not the race director. A race director is only as good as those folks who give of their time to make it work. And I've had the best!!!

Among those who I must mention are Don Griffiths, Larry Sbar, Phil Zeigler, J.P. and Diane Reed, Wayne Lauritzen, Wayne Webb, Ken Johnson, Eddie Espinosa, John Stowers, Leo Lavender, Gigi Wark & friends and Jane Marsh. You know both Eddie and Carol Schmidt worked the 100 after running the 50. Eddie into Sunday afternoon. I must, also , thank Antje Spethmann for covering the breakfast for the last three years and help before that. I know I am forgetting other people who have helped over the 12 years I have been doing the do but I am remembering the best I can.

I am off to search for that elusive stardom all musicians crave - promotion of their music in some form. At my age it better come soon..

Thanks to everyone who was there when I needed them.

Mickey Rollins(The Old Fatman)