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- Before 5/11: $50
- After 5/11: $60
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Gerry Ward: "May I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to all concerned with the 2003 Valley Crest Half-Marathon. My home city is Belfast, North Ireland and I entered for the race on the basis of being on vacation with my son who lives in LA. Having participated in many races here over the past 20 years I must say I was impressed with your organization and band of willing helpers - the entire atmosphere on the day was so very friendly. The race itself was certainly challenging (or at least it was for me...) as we in Ireland have very few courses of such hill magnitude stretching over the 13-mile distance. It was therefore all the more pleasing for me to come first in my age category of 70+ and to receive the lovely medal. This is something I will cherish and place amongst the others I have been fortunate to attain over the years. If I am fortunate enough to get back to LA sometime again I will try to arrange the visit to coincide with the race. In my 11-day stay with my son I had a wonderful time, so full of happy memories and to have participated in the Ultraladies’ event was 'icing on the cake'."
Overall winner Robert Leonardo
Erik A. Schnautz: "My wife and I ran the Valley Crest Half this morning. We want to thank you all for such a great time and for making us feel so welcome. I ran for a stretch with Steve Matsuda and met Larry last week. Those two, and everyone else we saw and spoke with this morning really impressed us and all are a credit to your club and our sport. We've been running from Marvin Braude Park for the last ten months or so and we had no idea there was such a great group of people who share our enjoyment of this treasure."
Second place, Damian Mendoza
Sharlene Wills: "What a day! What a race! Better than last year (and that was great)! Thank you so much, Nancy and all the volunteers, for again putting on such a wonderful event! My guide this year, Jean Ballantine, who is a Legger, said to me more than once, "I'll do this race with you any time!" We had a lovely day. Once again, thanks for a great race, and I already look forward to next year."
Women's winner Marie Hermann w/ RD Nancy Shura
Mary Button: "Thank you for the extremely well-organized, challenging, but SCENIC trail half marathon. We realize that a great deal of planning is necessary to coordinate such a successful race! Gerry & I both enjoyed the course and the camaraderie of the runners. Race Ready is proud to be a sponsor of the race. We wish you continued success with the Valley Crest. We sincerely hope the race continues to grow and succeed. We will be certain to spread the word to fellow runners about your great event."
Runner Check-in
Shari Nicholls: "What a great half-marathon! It was the first time for me and I really enjoyed the morning. The awards and the raffle prizes were given out quickly. I did get a 2nd place in my age group! Thank you to all the volunteers for a well-organized race and fun time!! The homemade tamales were fantastic!!"
Loading the truck
Christine Welsh: "Thank you very much for having us at your event on Sunday. We enjoyed being there and speaking with many of the Ultraladies. It was a very well-run event, and the participants seemed to really enjoy it (minus the hills!) Thank you as well, for your support and promotion of our product. Once again, thank you from all of us here at Injinji Footwear."
New Basin Blues Lynn & Duffy
Thom Deane: "I thoroughly enjoyed the half-marathon… I was amazed at the amount of give-aways after the race – truly generous (even I got something)."
Race Start
William Capone: "This is a race put on by experienced trail runners for experienced trail runners. A really great and challenging course with all the difficulty you want to see. The kind of difficulty that makes you draw from your experience and brings out your best. You feel challenged and satisfied when you finish this one. I have already placed the date of next year's race on my calendar. I will be back with as many of my trail running friends as I can bring."
Into the fog
Jeanne Tomcavage: "Did the half marathon today. MODERATELY challenging? I kept seeing that in my head while I suffered up the hills. Both up and down. I have only done paved road races up until now. I have such a new appreciation for the off-road racer. My previous half marathons were a breeze compared to this. My seven- minute miles pace went out the window from the start. That being said ... it was a blast ... and I will do it again next year ... ready for the hills this time! Thanks for creating such a good environment and introduction to the world of outdoor running! You almost broke me -- but not quite. I'll be back."
Love that uphill start!
Steve and Belinda Bellingham: "Two out of two and already looking forward for the third one next year!! Thanks for a wonderful race!"
Steve Matsuda
Rick Sanford: "I want to thank you, your volunteers, and sponsors for putting on such a great race. The volunteers were cheerful and friendly, the refreshments were plentiful, and the door prizes were top notch. The course was very scenic and proved to be a substantial challenge for this boy from the Texas plains. I hope to run the Valley Crest Half again in the future, and I'll highly recommend it to my running friends. Thanks for the experience."
Into the finish!
Jennifer Henderson: "Thanks for a great race. Dave and I can't think of any way to improve it. We really like the course with especially the two turn-a-rounds. It's always fun to see the leaders and your friends. We will look forward to it again next year."
Bonnie Ades
Post-race activities
This year’s “June Gloom” weather provided near perfect running conditions for the second annual Valley Crest Half Marathon, held on Sunday, June 8, 2003. Many of last year’s runners returned this year, promising to become “regulars” in the future. Last year’s defending champion, 41 year-old Robert Leonardo ran to another overall win, improving his course record by 3-seconds (1:21:32).
The women’s race belonged Marie Hermann, age 39, in her first appearance at the VCHM. Marie’s time of 1:35:54 represents a respectable improvement in the previous women’s course record of 1:40:31, set in 2002. Robert and Marie each received a winner’s package including VCHM trophy and perpetual entry into the race plus an assortment of gifts from Montrail, Race Ready, Injinji and Universal Studios. Congratulations to our champions!
Several new age division course records were set this year and are also posted on the website. Damian Mendoza ran an amazing time of 1:22:20 to establish the age division record for males age 16-19. This record will be tough to challenge. Damian was also the second place runner overall. Harry Pantelas and Shirley Blush each now have repeat VCHM 66-69 A/D championships and are setting the standards for the youngsters to follow in years to come.
Gerry Ward traveled all the way from Ireland to establish the 70+ male course record of 2:11:38. Gerry’s lovely post race letter will appear on the website “Runner’s Comments” page soon. All the age division winners (3-deep) will be wearing a pair of Injinji “toed” running socks compliments of our generous sponsor.
As was the case last year, the biggest winners of the 2003 race were the many volunteers who came out to assist the runners with race registration, aid station support and food service. Several of the comments coming from the runners emphatically stated how wonderful the volunteers were and how special was the treatment given to them by the volunteers. The runners really experienced the friendship and support that our running community has to offer. The New Basin Blues and UltraLadies deserve all the credit for this exceptional display of enthusiasm toward the runners of the VCHM. The guaranteed future success of this race will be a credit to them.
Not least of all we appreciate and thank all of our race sponsors. Literally thousands of dollars worth of beautiful merchandise was awarded or raffled to the runners of the VCHM. Many runners commented favorably on the generosity of our race sponsors and have expressed their intention to become customers. Please go to “Sponsors” on our menu bar and take a look at our exceptional sponsor support.
In closing, I apologize for the delay in writing this race report. I’m in the throes of the final training push for the Badwater Ultra. Tapering begins soon and I should have a little extra time to work on posting the Runner’s Comments and Race Photos. Much appreciation goes to Greg Minter for the beautiful design and display of our website. Our race keeps him busy every June.
Hope you all come back next year… first Sunday in June!
Happy Trails,
Nancy Shura-Dervin
