50k records fall at Calico Trail Run

Records fell at the sixth annual Calico Trail Run on Sunday at Calico Ghost Town.

Two runners topped the old mark in the men’s 50k race while the old course record also fell in the women’s 50k.
Lancaster’s Roberto Leonardo topped the old 50k course record by 7 minutes, 59 seconds when he finished at 3:46:12. Second place finisher Jorge Pacheco, from Los Angeles, finished at 3:51.59 to also top the old record. Scott Jamie set the old record at 3:54.11 in 2006.

Sierra Madre’s Sada Crawford knocked more than five minutes off the old record in the women’s 50k when she finished at 4:32.42. Michelle Barton set the old record, 4:37.50, in 2008.

Several runners with local ties competed in the event.

Desert Dispatch staff writer Eunice Lee ran in her first trail run and finished at 4:14.23 in the 30k. Steve Schweikant, who grew up in Barstow and ran for Barstow High School in the 80s, traveled from Lynchburg, Va., to race and finished at 3:29.11. Schweikant was the first BHS runner to win a CIF-Southern Section title. Former Barstow Community College cross country runner Miles Lindsay ran a 5:40.27 in the men’s 50k race. A handful of runners from the Victor Valley also participated.

Several runners continued to race beyond the nine-hour time limit set by the race organizers. Jeannie Dodge, Patricia Devita, Michelle Bauer, David Bauer and Hawyward Crowder refused to quit before finishing the race. Devita celebrated 76th birthday on Sunday.

“These five runners refused to quit and be picked up by Desert Rescue, who followed them the last five miles,” race director Andy Ziemer wrote in an e-mail. “Desert Rescue and the race officials respected their request and stayed to see and cheer them all at the finish.

About 160 runners partipated.

Joe Morris, a Navajo Code Talker during World War II, was honored by his nephew Vernon Morris, who helped to start the race, before the race. Joe gave a prayer before the race and handed out awards to runners after it.

“I think everyone really enjoyed his presence there, and I know he really enjoyed it,” Vernon said. “He was impressed with the people running.”

Proceeds from the race go to Desert Discover, a non-profit organization supporting The Desert Discovery Center which educates youth and the preservation of the Mojave Desert.

Top Finishers
50K Males
1. Roberto Leonardo    Lancaster        3:46.12
2. Jorge Pacheco         Los Angeles     3:51.59
3. Ben Hian                Carlsbad          4:04.36
4. Jai Ralls                  Eugene, Ore.   4:16.39
5. Alexander Luedtke   Omaha, Neb.   4:18.03

50K Female
1. Sada Crawford    Seirra Madre    4:32.42
2. Paula Krulicki      Toronto           5:09.26
3. Windy Barth       Glendora         5:27.13
4. Maria L.M. Rios   Chula Vista      5:34.57
5. Vanessa Jones    Apple Valley     5:36.32
 
30K Males
1. Alexander Koops   Azusa              2:26.45
2. Simon Cooper       Seirra Madre    2:27.03
3. Abraham Alvores   Ailela              2:34.01
4. Angel Soto            Ailela              2:42.04
5. Emilio Martinez      Ailela              2:43.25

30K Female
1. Jennifer Heiner    Seirra Madre     2:48.12
2. Diane Rush         West Hills         2:58.08
3. Cherie Rich         Monrovia          3:02.35
4. Frances Bono      Tajunga            3:05.27
5. Nina Suh            Victorville          3:17.59
 
Area Participants
30K
Eunice Lee            Barstow          4:14.23
Denisa Matthias    Victorville        3:49:37

50K
Vanessa Jones   Victorville         5:36:32
Miles  Lindsay    Barstow           5:40.27
Daniel Freed      Victorville        6:24.54
Kennan Follis     Victorville        6:31.25
Kristina Tudor    Apple Valley    6:36.28
Michele Bauer    Apple Valley    9:28.18
David Bauer       Apple Valley    9:28.19


Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4124 or
mpeters@desertdispatch.com