Ann Beardshall and Running Bear represented the Pine Belt Pacers at the 4th annual ~5K/3 Mile run held in Timberton. This is a hotly contested run, won in the past by the likes of Running Bear, Martha Ray Sartor, and Eric Burch. Once again Khalid Khannouchi skipped the event in fear of the competition. Martha Ray skipped town entirely when she heard Ann and RB were both coming. Eric was also apparently afraid to defend his course record (19:32).  Running Bear fought hard to become the first ever repeat winner, but Ann distracted him at the line and he came in a close second. Both were caught in a time of 45:20. The crowd was down this year due to thunder and lightening right up to the start time.

The 2004 Race: A Classic Win Turns to a Photo History Loss

Timberton hosted a 3 mile St. Patrick's Day run last Saturday.  Turn out for this run was small despite premier advertising spots on the PBP website.  Rumor had it that the big guns were afraid to compete against Running Bear on his home course.  When I talked to Martha Ray earlier in the week, even she was going out of town to race rather than face The Bear on their turf.  "Last time I ran with Elmer, I ended up lost in Dixie Community," said Martha Ray.  "He knows all the local trails, paths, streams and woodland creatures around Timberton.  You had better stick to paved surfaces," warned Martha.  Other big guns missing were Coll, Worley, Barrett, Copeland and Mozingo.  Guess they had better sense than me.

A 10:00 AM start made my wife happy enough to even participate in the walking category.  The Timberton sponsors were friendly and well organized.  There was no legal representation at the sign in table so the registrar signed the waiver form for us.  When I questioned her about this practice, she stated that all the runners' X's looked the same anyway, so know one would know the difference during litigation.

Then Running Bear showed up.  I started to worry.  He was wearing his big, clunky trail shoes and carrying a goodie bag that I speculated contained his climbing gear and shoe pontoons.  He had that cocky look of confidence on his face.  I checked with the race director to again make sure I knew the course directions and that all surfaces were paved.   As we toed the line, I started my pre-race mantra, "I'm younger, I'm faster, I'm better looking."  This chant started the women to guffawing.  Most embarrassing fact was that my wife led the cheer for The Bear!

I took off fast.  I couldn't let The Bear start with a lead.  I was able to hold him off for a little more than a mile, then he glided up beside me and said, "you can by-pass the hill ahead if you take off on a side trail.  I'll follow you."  I ignored his taunts and pushed harder, but I couldn't shake him.  With each surge he just laughed and floated at my side.  This was shaping up to be a real classic battle.  Past mile 2 The Bear pulled ahead and I was having doubts about my reserves to recover.  After all, I have been dusted before by one of The Bear's famous finish line sprints.  However, at the last bend in the road before the finish line The Bear stopped.  I couldn't believe my luck as I put the hammer down and raced forward.  Moments later, The Bear glided in.  I immediately ask him what happened back there.  He just grinned and said, "A real trail runner doesn't care about his time.  It's all about how good you look for the finish photos!  Have you ever seen a bad photo of Raz?"  There I was, humiliated again.  I am bent over wheezing and The Bear looks as fresh as if he was on the starting line.  Seems his goody bag was filled with towelettes and a fresh shirt.  He dropped it at a convenient point on his way out, and groomed before the finish.  Another secret of trail running revealed.

Well, I won the 40 to 64 age group time while Running Bear captured the coveted 65 to 100 age group.  Eric Burch, a ringer that The Bear brought from the MS50, won the event without any serious challengers.  Nestor ran well even though he claimed this was just a warm up event for the coming weeks' school protest marches.

Thanks to all the nice folks at Timberton and let's get more PBP members to turn out next year.  The Bear will reveal more tricks.

© Steve Ulery