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June 11, 2006—Records flew at the 5th running of the Valley Crest Half Marathon (VCHM) on Sunday, June 11. With perfect weather, a record number of runners, record number of volunteers, record number of sponsors, the ladies course record fell and seven age division new course records were set. It doesn't get any better than that!
With the temperature hovering around 70 degrees, the runners were treated to cloudy skies and an occasional misty sprinkle to cool them as they took on the tough VCHM course. Defending champion and course record holder Sal Bautista found himself running in the middle of a lead pack this time, when he took an unfortunate step, twisted his ankle, and went down. Twenty six year old Juan Valencia, running in his first VCHM, continued to hold the lead and crossed the finish line first in a time of 1:16:32, just 5-seconds short of Sal's course record. Sub-1:15 half-marathoner Fritz Van de Kamp placed second, and champion triathlete Jonathan Toker captured third place. Forty-year-old Kathy Kobrine's time of 1:31:44 established a new women's course record. Kathy finished a full five minutes ahead of the next female competitor.
The overall male and female winner each received a prize purse valued at $600.00, including $250 cash, CW-X Performance Tights, Montrail Running Shoes, Race Ready Gift Certificate, free entries into 2006 Bulldog 25K/50K and the 2007 Valley Crest Half Marathon.
The 2006 runners set 7 new age division records. Trini Espinoza (M/65-69) and Elaine Smith (F/45-49) both shaved nearly 12-minutes off their respective age division records and Jussi Hamalainen's M/60-64 age division record setting time of 1:35:50 is 5-minutes and 35-seconds faster than the current M/55-59 course record he also set in 2004!
The crowning glory each year of the VCHM has been our team of wonderful race volunteers! This year we had 54 volunteers who pitched in to perform the tasks necessary to make this event a huge success, once again. That's a ratio of about one volunteer to every six runners! Where before, have you ever before seen that kind of support in another race, of any distance? Please read this e-mail comment from runner #684, Kevin: "Had a wonderful time...weather perfect... people warm and friendly...made me proud to live in the Valley!" We thank our volunteers, 100-times over!
Not least to mention, we have stellar group of sponsors who support the Valley Crest Half Marathon. Without our generous sponsors, smaller races such as this would not stand a change of survival. We have a hard time competing with the deep pocket events that draw thousands of runners. If you appreciate the opportunity to experience the beauty of wildflowers and the joy of breathing fresh mountain air, please take the time to shop with our sponsors and tell them you are a VCHM runner! This is the only way to make them aware that their sponsorship does make a difference with these small races.
The 2006 race will again make donations to the following non-profit groups: New Basin Blues High School Cross Country Fund, Garden of Angels, and Para los Ninos.
To all our runners, thank you for supporting the 2006 Valley Crest Half Marathon. We look forward seeing you at the race next year, and maybe even at the Bulldog 25K/50K trail races in August.
Happy Trails,
Nancy Shura
