Superfit Productions

OK, did my first recon of the Flagline 50k in the higher elevations. Made it about 3 miles and I was going over snowfield after snowfield. Bend has had a very cool wet spring so the snow is holding in the higher elevations very well. I estimate based on what I saw today that it will likely be 3 weeks minimum before the trails are in any shape to get onto without losing the trail (which I did several times today).

So for those of you from out of town coming to our trail running mecca and want some beta on the trail here is what I can figure. I think the climbs on this trail are very runnable with a  total elevation gain of over 4000 feet. The high trails I will be using are characterized by long gradual climbs through great alpine meadows. As I was reminded of today the views are really incredible and I think the course will be enjoyed by all.

I apologize for not getting a map up yet but I am really trying to be as accurate as possible so keep checking back and as soon as I can I will post a map. I forgot the camera on my excursion today but I will post some pictures soon.

Thank you for reading and being patient while the snow melts,

dave

A few weeks ago I had a meeting with the nice folks from Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) it was decided that COTA would benefit from the Flagline 50k as well as Dirty 2nd Half . As  a company policy Superfit Productions donates 10% of it’s net to a local charitable organization. COTA does tons of trail building here in Central Oregon and I believe that they need all the help they can get on such a  noble undertaking. I can’t always volunteer as much as I would like so this is a good way to give some much needed funds to a worthwhile organization. For more information on COTA go to www.cotamtb.com

Thanks for reading,

dave

Horse Butte went off on April 3rd and it was great! Weather was still kinda crappy but anyone who has done this race in the past knows to expect less than optimal conditions. It seems to add to the event in a strangely positive way. The trail was in great shape and primed for a try at the course record. The field was stacked as any Bend event is these days but the men’s race was particularly interesting. Horse Butte would pitch course record holder Andy Martin against Bend’s other sickeningly fast runner Max King. As for the ladies 3 time winner Kristen Riley was the odds on favorite but it is Bend and you never know. Last years champ Lindsey Peters was on hand as well as Ahna Jura and Amy Freeman. More on that later.

As folks were warming up I caught a glimpse of a big foamy cowboy hat running by. On further inspection it was in fact Max King and not only was he sporting a sweet hat but he had cut off jean shorts, western shirt, and was actually warming up in cowboy boots. Max was definitely channeling the east side vibe.

After I started the race I wanted to see how the race was going so we drove out to the aid station to see how the battle was going. As we were setting up the aid stations with rock star support team of Lou and Barb Becker. Lou shared some great bourbon tea after we had everything squared. We only had to hang out for a short bit and over the snow dusted hill came two guys flying down the trail. Look closely at Max’s choice of race kit for the day. As expected Andy and Max were battling it out at a record setting pace. After they went through we were all curios about how the race for the ladies was playing out. I was a little surprised to see Kristen Riley and Amy Freeman come through so quickly. They both had the game face in place and were setting a fast pace. We had to leave the festive aid station so we could see the race unfold at the finsih. I didn’t want to miss it as both battles looked close.

At the finish everyone was wondering who was going to pull of the win of the kick off race to Central Oregon’s trail racing season. We did not have to wait long as Max cam over the rise and was on the gas towards the finish. Max came across the line in 56:28 which not only made him the new record holder and fastest of the day but he was probably the fastest man in jean shorts in the world. Now it was time to wait for the women to come in and I was really curious to see how it was going to go down. The race was still close as the ladies came down to the line. Kristen Riley prevailed by a mere 5 seconds and both ladies looked like it was all done as they crossed the line. Kristen set a new record of 1:10:33 so it looked like competition was a good motivator.

Lot’s of great performances on the day with people setting PR’s and others just getting their trail legs under them for the season. All seemed to have a good time and despite some cold weather folks hung out to enjoy a Oregon Country Beef hot dog and a little of Deschutes Brewery’s finest. I decided to take the overall and overall masters awards up a notch this year. For the overall male and female it was embroidered long sleeve western shirts. for the masters it was embroidered Snuggies to keep their old bones warm on those long winter nights. Nothing but good feedback here but the the discussion that dominated the post race atmosphere was the finishing prize. Kathy Harshburger who is a local ultrarunner and very talented quilter, sewer, knitter, and basically any kind of craft that involves fabric. She handmade over 200 hats that we handed out to finishers as they crossed the line. Everyone loved the hats and they really added to the success of this years race.

I have to say that is years race was was my favorite Horse Butte 10 miler to date. Thank you to all the racers and volunteers who make this race what it is. I’m already looking forward to next year.

Dave

Hey everyone, registration the Flagline 50k scheduled to happen September, 25th is now live. More iformation will follow on this site but if you want a spot go to this registration LINK and have at it.

Thanks,

Dave

Superfit Productions has just secured Hammer Nutrition  as the fuel sponsor for all 2010 events. I am really excited to have them on board as I have worked with them in the past and have used their stuff for years. So for you participants who have never tried the stuff we will have Hammer Gel at aid stations and HEED as the electrolyte drink. Use the link above to get more info on Hammer products. As a company they give great product details and full manuals on how to use their stuff.

For those of you who have never run or those of you who maybe have forgotten about how much fun it is to run the Horse Butte 10 miler check out the video made by my homie Chirs Maley.

Sweet Video

Thanks for reading,

dave

Registration for the Dirty 2nd Half is now open. The race isn’t until October 3rd  but what the heck the form was done so have at it. Click here to register.

Lots going on here at SFP (superfit productions). Planning all kinds of stuff with the races on the schedule for 2010. Getting all the paperwork into the proper authorities, sorting out dates and whatnot. Horse Butte registration is off to it’s earliest start ever. I don’ think I have ever had entries out this early in the 5 years I have put on this race. registration will be ready for the Dirty 2nd Half later this month. This race doesn’t take place until October 3rd but I was on a roll with Signmeup so what the heck. Keep checking back as info on the Flagline 50k and Dirty Half will surely follow in the coming weeks.

Thanks for reading,

dave

This is my website for Superfit Productions. Here you will find updates for upcoming races, course profiles, what is new, what is old, and what is on my mind. Right now the website is quite basic as I am just learning how to manipulate this whole WordPress thingamajig. One thing is for sure that I am much better at putting  on races than I am at making websites. I hope in the future that this site will help people who have either participated or who are thinking about participating in an event that I put on find information about the event they are interested in. I am always up for suggestions on what the site should have so feel free to contact me with any suggestions.

Thanks,

Dave Thomason

Head Wing-nut of Superfit Productions.

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