| Ultra-Walker Gallery |
Ultra distance walkers look like a cross section of people off of any street. Overall the entrants were in their 30's up to 70's. Some had been walking long distance for many years, some for only a year.
Leroy Wright again rode to the event from Texas on his motorcycle and bettered his 1999 distance to reach the gold with 101 kilometers.
Photo: Leroy takes a foot break
Everyone cheered on Darlene Gubele, back for her second year, as her husband joined her on her last kilometers walking around the VA in the dark. She came in at midnight with an amazing 93 kilometers, up from 80 in 1999, and was the top woman finisher.
Joe Sutter and Jo Hefner of Vacaville, California were back for another year.
Joe became another new gold medalist with 100 kilometers, up from 90 in 1999.
Photo: Joe and Jo with gold and bronze medals.
Karen and Joe Kelly were back from 1999, this time as newlyweds. Karen began distance walking just in the past couple of years and achieved 83 kilometers to come in as the second top woman finisher. Joe showed is usual energetic form, despite a professed lack of distance training this year, and again went for the gold with 104 kilometers.
Photo: the Kellys at midnight - silver and gold and tired!
John Zuiker put in his usual amazing performance to achieve 110 kilometers. He still looked fresh after finishing 80 kilometers (50 miles).
Photo: John Zuiker, at midnight
The long day was a marathon as well for the staff. The chief instigator was the author, Wendy Bumgardner, who serves as president of the Tough Trail Trompers and VAEA Walk and Run Clubs who host the event. Trails were marked the prior day by teams including some of the ultra walkers who were also club members: Wendy Bumgardner, Ken Searl, Eric and Lou Glosenger, and Joe and Karen Kelly. A pre-walk pasta dinner was arranged at Little Italy's Trattoria for Friday evening by Elizabeth and Bill Mitchell, and about a dozen enjoyed the camaraderie.
Working on the day of the event were: Rich and Wendy Bumgardner, chef Bill Mitchell, Elizabeth Mitchell, Lou Glosenger, Martha Korff, kinesiotherapist JR Malpass, Sheila Day, Mary Jansen, Lillian Fullerton, Margie Bickford, Betty Van Zandt, Mark and Sheri Miranda, Naomi Kihn, Nona Litch, Jesse Miller, Janet Elkins, Debbie and Harvey Miller, Nancy and George Vartanian, Fred Hicks, Ken Searl, Mike Cashner, Marge Lucas, Marge Bergeron, Lois Hooker, Norm and Dorothy Hettwer. Trail sweeping progressed on Monday by Wendy Bumgardner. Many thanks to the VA Medical Center and to the Homewood Suites Hotel for being start/finish and checkpoints for the event.
Full Disclosure: Wendy Bumgardner was president of the non-profit club that hosted the event. Photos © Wendy Bumgardner.
18 Hour Walk 2001 - Event Report
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Photos copyright 2000 Wendy Bumgardner, licensed to About.com
