Hagg Lake Trail Run
2003 Race Report

The Oregon Ultramarathon Trail Series for 2003 began with the third edition of the Hagg Lake Trail Run. This run is a fun combination of 25K and 50K Trail runs presented by Scott Diamond, Rick Klocke and Seth Sundin. The obvious popularity of early season runs is partly responsible for the 275 finishers this year from 228 finishers in 2002 and 150 in 2001. The RDs and volunteers can be given the rest of the credit. They give it a feeling of a run that's organized for trail runners by trail runners. Prices are going up on everything possible but the entry fee on this run has gone down and it's not necessary to buy a shirt. Let me see the hands of those who have more shirts than you can store much less use.

There were several improvements over last year's run as promised by management. The M&Ms for the Aid Stations were in place and the sign advertising them were within a reasonable distance of the delectable morsels. There was more separation in the 25K and 50K start times. Who likes getting passed by the Rabbits in the 25K. The footbridge that threatened to swallow runners last year was gone. I rather enjoyed that bridge. It gave the race that edgy feel.

The course is the best part of the run. Rolling hills with sharp turns in the deep trees crossing moss covered bridges, open fields with sumpy mud holes and streams of water replacing the trail. When these wasn't standing or moving water on the trail there was a delicious layer of mud. With all this said, there was much less goo to run in then last year but it slowed you just enough to enjoy a fabulous day with early morning mist rising off the lake making it all seem like a dream.

It is just the kind of race a street runner needs to get introduced to running on the wild side. A little dirt (mud) is good for the soul and its just plain fun.

Ty Draney from Tillamook took 1st overall in the 50K with the first master runner, Val Buckmaster, 45 seconds behind for second. Val also broke his own masters record by almost a minute from last year. Kari Newby from Idaho was 1st woman in the 50K and has the third fastest time recorded on the new course. Juan Martinez from Salem took top men's honors in the 25K and a new course record, Congrats Juan. Mindy Giblin from Portland clenched top woman in the 25K and the second fastest time recorded. Honorable mention goes to Eb Engleman for setting what like an unbeatable 60+ men's course record of 5:16:41. I can tell ya personally, that it ain't all-bad to be getting a little long in the tooth.

Hope to see everybody at the rest of the Oregon Ulta Trail Series of Runs

Mike Burke