2003 Report

Report: Tai Aon Yaon 50 km

50 km (more or less) single track trail with snow, mud, and cold.

Well the so-called “tough” people got clear, dry weather for David Horton’s latest craziness, Hellgate, while those doing the Tai Aon Yaon 50k got cold, wet snow that turned to cold, wet mud. Who had it tougher?

Actually, the toughest thing was getting to the start. Twenty minutes before the scheduled starting time there were fewer than 10 runners at Hemlock Overlook. But by the time of the delayed start there were almost 50 people who had braved the snowy roads. As the group took off down the trail, it looked like one of those wonderful winter days, gliding through squeaky snow. But that ended quickly as the tread became mushy, muddy, and very wet. As the temperature rose above freezing (but not much above) the snow underfoot melted while the snow next to it damned in the water to make a thin but very long lake of slush. Dry feet were not an option.

As usual, some ran the entire way, some went shorter. The cold, wet run was rewarded by a hot fire and warm pizza at the finish. Oh, it was so good to have dry, warm feet!

The VHTRC has continued to name its Fat Ass event in another foreign language. Tai Aon Yaon is Thai for “Big Flabby Buttocks.” (See story at right.) The term “Fat Ass” started as a franchise for a 50 miler held just after the holidays with no entry fee. “Fat Ass” has become an adjective that only means a low key run without an entry fee. Language changes.

Thanks again to Joe Clapper for all the work he does on this event. Despite his pitifully late results, everything else went pretty well. There were other helpers of whom, Joe said, “I would like to thank all folks that helped, some risking life, limb, and their cars.”

Results

Results appear below. They are certified by Enron’s auditors. As Joe said, “Folks that can’t write clearly get what they got.”