The Run It Fast ‘Race Across the USA‘ relay got off to an amazing start today. It was almost as if all four teams were shot out of a cannon from the Santa Monica Pier towards the East Coast.
All four team’s eager to run in the newly minted ‘smog-less’ Los Angeles air, took off like 7-year old’s at a 5K with ill-regard to pacing or exactly where they were headed (more on that below).
Day 1 saw a remarkable 57 of the 60 runners put down a total of 566.24 miles. Every runner on the Charlie Taylor Team and Suzy Michelson Team put down miles today.
Jeremy Reed, of the Charlie Taylor Team, set the tone immediately, not just his team, but everyone in the race, when at 12:01 am he laid down a strong 12.0 mile run. He followed it up later in the day with a 11-mile piece.
But the big-mileage stars of the day were Barry Reece (27.02 mi) and Thomas Fowler (31 mi) from the Suzy Michelson Team.
Other heavy hitters from day one included Alex Barrientos (SMT – 20.05 mi), Jeremy Reed (CTT – 22.11), Heather McComb (JPT – 20.02), and Karl Studtmann (JPT – 20.27).
Our youngest runner, Juleann Roberts (HST) put down 7.02 miles.
RIF’s Race Across the USA Standings (Day 1)
- Suzy Michelson Team – 188.97 miles (12.6mi/r)
- Jeffrey Price Team – 142.29 miles (9.49mi/r)
- Charlie Taylor Team – 126.93 miles (8.46mi/r)
- Hope Shull Team – 108.05 miles (7.20mi/r)
Now the good stuff. Where exactly are the teams after Day 1?
Well, they might be at a convenient care by Thursday, but the Suzy Michelson Team, with smoke still on their soles, is currently at 188.97 miles. They are halfway between Barstow, CA and Needles, AZ resting at a Motel 6 for the night. No word yet if they set an alarm or not.
Next down the road is the Jeffrey Price Team at 142.29 miles. They are about 15 miles past Barstow on I-40 with hopes to get to Needles tomorrow and close the gap with the SMT.
The Charlie Taylor Team currently sits in 3rd, with 126.93 miles, and is also sitting at a honky-tonk in Barstow just as Charlie would have insisted. They appear to be well lubricated for the road ahead tomorrow. No word if they will start back from the honky-tonk around 3am or attempt sleep somewhere.
If the Hope Shull Team is telling their family and friends they are in fourth place then they are probably be congratulated proudly by them for being in 4th. Hopefully, they didn’t finish the sentence with, “…out of four teams.”
More detail could be added, but to get straight to the point for Hope’s Team, a wrong turn just off the I-10 ‘mare’ miles into the race led to a quick detour to Gus’s Fried Chicken. Once there the team refueled on chess pie, sweet tea, and chicken. They also used the opportunity to study the map and refocus on how to get back on the correct route. They did finish the day strong and made up a good bit of lost time. They finished the day with 108.05 miles and are near Bell Mountain which is just past Victorville, CA. Victorville is the site of the first Cracker Barrel in CA that opened just two years ago. Marylou insisted the team finish with a team meal there before retiring for the night a couple miles on down the road.
Team Mileage Leader of the Day
- Suzy Michelson Team – Thomas Fowler (31.01 mi)
- Jeffrey Price Team – Karl Studtmann (20.27 mi)
- Charlie Taylor Team – Jeremy Reed (22.11 mi)
- Hope Shull Team – Kit Brazier (18.24 mi)
Top 10 Mega-Miles of the Day
- Thomas Fowler – 31.01 (SMT)
- Barry Reece – 27.02 (SMT)
- Jeremy Reed – 22.11 (CTT)
- Karl Studtmann – 20.27 (JPT)
- Alex Barrientos – 20.05 (SMT)
- Heather McComb – 20.02 (JPT)
- Kit Brazier – 18.24 (HST)
- Tom Orr – 16.09 (JPT)
- Chris Clemens – 15.00 (SMT)
- Randy Broadway – 14.00 (HST)
A long way to go, but it was a wonderful start to the Race Across the USA Relay.
