Stump Jump in Chattanooga, TN was a wet one. It was misting on the way to the race start and a slow drizzle started minutes after the gun went off and continued throughout the entire day. Occasionally, there would be a short downpour.

Race director told me at Starr Mountain race earlier this year that he would have the yellow jackets under control. It was better this year. The only reports of bee stings I heard came from Rob Apple. He got stung on his calf and Randy Saxon got stung on his wrist. Nearly everyone got stung last year.

Randy Saxon finished the race in 6:09 and had the audacity to complain saying that if he had known that he was that close to six hours, he would have picked up the pace to break six. Some people are never happy.

Iva Lightsey got lost again. That's three for her. However, she was accompanied by Dennis Bisnette and David Dill on this excursion.  I understand that Bill Matheny from the Gulf Coast was along, too. I also understand that they and some other runners missed the Rock Garden. The hardest part of the entire course.( Sounds like that may have been a devious plan to avoid the hardest part and claim getting lost.) They were running up and down a highway instead.

It is alleged that some markers had been taken down and placed elsewhere
sending the runners down the wrong path. They came upon an aid station and
the workers sent the misguided runners down the highway, hopefully, to get
them back on course again.

Raz Estridge completed the 11 mile race. Plans were to run the 50k, but due to lack of training for various stressful reasons, wasn't able to keep up the mileage needed to run this course and opted to do the diaper dash.

Got two dozen cookies from our friend, Herb Hedgecock of KY fame. He cooked for "three wicked women", as he called us. I won't tell who the other two wicked ones are. I bet most could guess one of them. P.I.? How'd you know?

Great to see Adventure Racer, Linda Sledge. About as big as a minute and one tough-as-nails athlete.

There were many newly made friends there as well as old acquaintances. It was great to see everybody. Especially, my Mississippi friends who have renamed themselves from the Whiner's Club to If you are following me, you are lost.

© Raz   

Check for results at: http://www.rockcreek.com/events/cumberland_race_basic.asp

Poison Ivy (alias Iva Lightsey) drying off after the race

Ultra Dressing Room
Randy Saxon, Dennis, and PI share a unisex facility

An Ultra shower

Dennis Bisnette is ready to jump stumps

PI can still dance!

Rob Apple finishes (his 391st Ultra)