MDRA Mudball Four Miler Race Report

I know I am waaaaaay behind on posting.  I owe this blog a Results and Race Report Round Up.  I hope to give you a comprehensive report tomorrow (Monday) night.  My non-running life at work and home has really got the best of me.  And to think, a year ago, I was laying around in a hotel in Boston, shooting the breeze with some college friends, resting up for a marathon.

Things change.  This weekend was a bit more busy.  But I hope to get back on the blogging horse this week.

But I did get out to run a four miler on this beautiful spring day.  The MDRA Mudball was more of a Dirtball race, as there was no mud to be found with our early thaw.

For those of you who have yet to run an MDRA race, I hope you do at least one of the remaining two races.  It's the closest you can get to Minnesota's racing roots.  No frills.  Affordable.  Grassroots.  Fun.  Here are your two remaining choices:

Mom’s Day 5k Saturday May 8th 8:00 a.m.

MDRA Mississippi 10 Miler Sunday May 30th 8 a.m.

Now on to the Mudball.  Or more specifically, the story of today's Mudball as told in pictures.

First, click here for results.  

The close reader will note that Blognation's own Steve in a Speedo was third overall.  I would also like to thank Steve for kicking my ass by 80 seconds after we were side-by-side at mile 1.5 providing MDRA with some of his pictures.

So here is my race report of the Mudball, as told in pictures.

Starting line preview.

Course preview.

Starter preview.  The Mudball is the third oldest race in Minnesota and has always been held in Wirth Park.  And flour is probably the oldest way to mark a course in Minnesota.

The start of the kids' race.  If you couldn't figure that out on your own, you are not very observant and probably would have tripped on a root during this old school cross country course.  Thanks to Steve "In a Speedo" Stenzel for the picture.

Another picture from Steve.  Kids could run one or two 1/4 mile loops, depending on their age.  

 

One last picture from Steve.  There is a rumor floating around MDRA that these kids ran their last 1/4 mile faster than I did.  I am here to say that rumor is 100% true.

Minutes before the start of the race.  The tension is palpable.  This race is laaaaaaiiid back.

NEWSFLASH: Kirt Goetzke ran more than one race this weekend!!  And in other news, the sky is blue.

Smiles mark the start of the race.  MDRA would also like to recognize Andrea Berger (#286?) in light blue and sunglasses.  With this picture, she becomes the first runner to show up in two different pictures on this blog, as she was previously part of this post.  Congratulations Andrea!!  You are either a very active member of MDRA or a stalker.  Your prize will either be all the Powerade and Nutter Butters you can consume in the MDRA Fall Marathon Training Program, or a restraining order.

There they are: your first place (#3) and second place (#251) finishers.  That guy in blue went through with the leaders and then his body reminded him he is out-of-shape and old and he had to slow to down.  Steve Stenzel is about to pass his way to third place.

Take your pick of anything on this table.  It will be the fanciest thing about the race.  That course map is awesome.

MDRA Mudball Four Miler

It's never too late for a free race.

Just a friendly reminder to all MDRA members to come out for tomorrow's Mudball Four Miler!!!  It is a free race, but also a member's only race.

 Here are the details.

MDRA Mudball Classic (Wirth Park, Minneapolis, MN) Link 

• Members only race.  Free to MDRA members, but you can join MDRA at the race.
• Four mile trail run (10:15 a.m.)  and 1/2 mile kids trail run (10:00 a.m.).
• Another no frills, very fun MDRA race for runners of all abilities.  
• Great Harvest is bringing the cookies.
• My wife ran this years ago and said the race is a lot of fun.  I have learned over the years that my wife is always right.
• Celebrity guest appearance by.... ME!!!!!  Will I be a volunteer or a participant?  Show up at the race to find out.

Fred Kurz Handicap Ten Mile

This Saturday offers you a chance to run in one Minnesota's oldest races, and a unique race at that.  Head out to the western suburbs and participate in the Fred Kurz Ten Miler.  And to review, here are the remaining races in the MDRA Spring Race series.

Fred Kurz Ten Mile Saturday April 10th 8:30 a.m.

Mudball Classic 4 Mile Sunday April 18th 10 a.m.

Mom’s Day 5k Saturday May 8th 8:00 a.m.

MDRA Mississippi 10 Miler Sunday May 30th 8 a.m.

Now about Fred Kurz...

First, for registration information, directions, and times, click here.

LOGISTICS

• The race is organized in pursuit fashion, similar to some of the cross country ski and biathalon races that accompany the Winter Olympics.  Using the honor system runners report their two most recent race times and race officials use a chart to determine your handicap.  That is, the slower your previous two races, the bigger your head start.  
• This sets up a potentially wild finish with runners of all ages and ability challenging each other throughout the course, all the way to the finish.

COURSE HISTORY

• The race was originally held on Victory Memorial Drive (1962-1972)
• It then moved to East River Road (1973-1982)
• The course then moved to its present home, the Luce Line Trail in 1983.  It starts at Wayzata Middle School on Vicksburg Lane, goes north on Vicksburg to the Luce Line Trail, then west on the Luce Line past Old Orchard Road, where you turn around and back.  
• Flat and soft would be two words to descrine this course.

RACE HISTORY

• This is the oldest continuously held race in Minnesota.
• The inaugural 10 Mile Handicap Road Race was held April 1, 1962, with 11 runners finishing within 8 minutes of each other.  Last year brought over 100 runners finishing within an hour of each other.
• Fred Kurz, a charter MDRA member, was killed in a car-bike accident and the name of the race was then named in his honor.

NOTABLE FINISHERS AND WINNERS

• Two-time winner Barney Klecker holds the event record in 50:11 (1981).
• Two-time winner Lorraine Moeller holds the women's record in 57:14 (1981). 
• Paul Noreen set the master's record of 50:49 in 1979.
• Kelly Keeler (now Kelly Keeler-Ramacier) set the women's master's record of 62:09 in 2003.
• Hal Higdon (1962)
• Ron Daws (five time winner)
• Steve Hoag
• Bruce Mortenson (whose two wins were 15 years apart - 1970 and 1985) 
• Jan Arenz was a four-time winner
• MN House Representative Phyllis Kahn
• MDRA's own Heidi Keller-Miler 

MDRA 7 Mile Race

You know the routine: another spring Saturday means another free “members only” race for MDRA members. This Saturday (March 27, 2010) brings the MDRA Seven Mile Race in Hopkins. What the name lacks in creativity it makes up for in truth because, well, it’s seven miles long.

Race starts at 9 a.m. and registration starts at the race site at 7:30 a.m.
Click here and here for more details.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hills. What better way to get yourself into racing shape than with a hilly course. The chair of the MDRA Race committee, Norm Champ, pointed out that the spring race series is designed to get runners in race shape by the end of spring. If the four miler last week was designed to get those racing feet wet again, this Seven Mile Race is designed to build your strength and sharpen your mental edge.

• Last year's course marked a change in the course. Savvy veteran runner and MDRA Secretary Kathy Benhardus described the course as a continuous series of hills. The previous course featured something called "Puke's Peak." "If you can make it to the top of that hill, you feel you can do anything."

• This year's course will bring on some new changes due to road constructions, but expect just as many hills, or as savvy MDRA 7 Mile veteran, Rosemary Harnly says, "a grand vertical experience."

• Like all MDRA races, this is a very accessible, age-group friendly race, where runners of all ability participate. "This race is a great age-group experience," says Harnly, "The masters gals are a bunch of incredible performers."

• And Harnly is clearly a runner with good taste. She is quick to note the giant Great Harvest cookie, the defining feature of any MDRA race.

So come out and enjoy this free members only race. If you're not a member, it's a good time to join MDRA because it's alwayss a good time to join,

Come out for the hills, the old school, grassroots atmosphere, and of course, the cookie.

Lake Johanna Four Miler

The MDRA Spring Race starts tomorrow! Below is the rundown on the seven upcoming races.

Lake Johanna Four Mile Saturday March 20th at 11:00 a.m.

MDRA 7 Mile Saturday March 27th at 9 a.m.

Ron Daws 25k Saturday April 3rd at 8:15 a.m.

Fred Kurz Ten Mile Saturday April 10th 8:30 a.m.

Mudball Classic 4 Mile Sunday April 18th 10 a.m.

Mom’s Day 5k Saturday May 8th 8:00 a.m.

MDRA Mississippi 10 Miler Sunday May 30th 8 a.m.

So tomorrow brings the opening race of the series, the Lake Johanna Four Miler. Each week leading up to the race, we will try to give the background of the race in terms of its history, course, and people’s experience, beginning with the Lake Johanna 4 Miler.

This race is free to all MDRA members, but is also a member’s only race. But you can always join MDRA at the race.

Click here for more information.

COURSE

It is a four mile race, hence the name. Norm Champ, chairman of the race committee summarized the course.

• Moderate hills
• A good distance to race this early in the racing season.
• The course in on the streets and loops around Lake Johanna and through neighborhoods.
• You can always do a loop or two extra if you're so inclined. Sounds crazy? Read on.

HISTORY

Race director Jim Rath helped provide some of the race’s history.

• 1961 Inaugural race run at Columbia Park
• 1971(?) The race was interrupted by a passing train. The leader got across ahead of the train, but no one else did. I call that a savvy veteran move. MDRA called that a reason to move the course. Someone should have called a train track operator outisde of Des Moines to give him a heads up about all this.
• 1972 The race is moved to its present home, Lake Johanna
• Also of note, in 1972 the men ran the four mile race. The women ran a mile race. Nice to see how times have changed.

RACE HIGHLIGHTS AND MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• It wouldn’t be an MDRA race without a giant Great Harvest cookie to enjoy at the end.
• One of the biggest post-race door prizes drawing around. To quote Norm Champ, “After the race we raffle off literally a table full of race entries, clothing, and other miscellaneous running do-dads.” No word yet if Drew’s five-toed Vibrams are on the table.
• Most notable 26:00 four miler ever. A woman showed up one year, well after the start, while Jim Rath was taking down the starting line and putting up the finish line. She asked if she could run the race too. So Jim signed her up as quickly as possible and she ended up finishing in 26 minutes.
• Norm Champ wasn’t kidding when he said you can run extra loops if you want. He recalls a group who got to the race early and completed two warm-up loops and then ran the race. Oh yeah and then they did two cool down laps. That’s one way to get in your 20 miler for the weekend!

So whether or not you need a cheap, laid back race to get your feet wet with racing, or are in it for the door prizes, love cookies, or are looking for new ways to get a long run in, come out to Lake Johanna and be a part of MDRA history.

Who knows? Maybe you will be a part of next year’s story.