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Frozen Ass 30M/20M/10M
by Scott Weber, Ultra Marathon Coach
Results
The 1999 ultramarathon season opened in Colorado on January 9th with the running of the
Frozen Ass Trail 10, 20 and 30 mile run at Chatfield State Park in Littleton. Over
110 runners toed the line eager to begin their quest for improved fitness, fun, victories
and records in the new year.
The Frozen Ass Trail Race is contested on a 10 mile loop that winds through suburban
Denver's Chatfield State Park, the site of over a dozen ultramarathon races each year put
on by Supermarathon Sports International and sponsored by Boulder Running Company and
Running Delights. The first 4 miles is on an 8 foot wide dirt path that is punctuated by 4
small climbs. At the 4 mile point, the course drops down to the Platte River via
double-track. Along the way a historic settlers site is passed. At Mile 5, the course
enters single track trail alongside the Platte River and through a forest, where at
treetrop, huge Blue Heron's nests abound. Mile 6 challenges the runners with an open
meadow which, as the day worn on, became a shoe-sucking quagmire. Mile 7 features a small
stream crossing. Three methods of crossing where noted: the 'steeplechase style' of a
huge bound, landing with one foot in the water and then onto the other bank; the 'I don't
care to get my feet wet style' of walking across a thin, slippery plank (which resulted in
a couple racers taking a lovely morning bath); and the 'kid with a puddle style' of
jumping in with two feet and dousing the other competitors! Miles 8-10 returned to the 8
foot wide path to complete the loop near the B & B stables.
Among the starters of this year's race was Comrades Champion, Charl Mattheus. Mattheus has
been a regular at the Supermarathon Sports Events in Colorado since 1997, as he lives and
trains in Colorado for 6 months per year. Charl uses the races as training runs,
often working out before and after the race to get in extra miles. This year he was
content to enter the 20 mile as he was going to run the Houston Marathon the next
weekend. Mattheus is a professional runner sponsored by Reebok.
All three events start together and from the gun, Mattheus took the lead. He opened up
with a blazing 5 minutes flat per mile pace for the first two miles. Even with that,
there were two competitors on his heels: Jason Saitta, also running the 20 mile; and, Mark
Stenback, racing for the Boulder Running Company Team, who was going the 10 miler. Not far
behind this trio was Adam Chase, winner of 7 ultramarathons in 1998, who was going
the full 30.
Mattheus completed his first 10 mile loop in 59:14 looking none the worse for wear.
His second lap of 10 miles was completed in 1:06:34 for a winning time of 2:06:20 for 20
miles. Jason Saitta finished second to Mattheus in the 20 miler by just 2 minutes
and 10 seconds with a fine time of 2:08:30. In third place for the men was Dave
Mackey with 2:13:05.
The women's 20 miler was won by Dee Kowalski in 2:41:00. Second was Karen Voss in
2:46:50. Third was Lori Pietraszewski in 3:03:35.
In the 30 mile, Adam Chase continued his winning ways with 3:42:22. Second place went to
Bob Fulkerson of Ultra Group 5 in 3:55:30. Third went to Robert Green in 4:17:30.
The women's 30 mile champion was Katie Benson of Ultra Group 5 in 4:38:00. Second
was Alena Grabowski in 4:42:10. Third was Julie Montoya in 5:20:00.
The next race hosted by Supermarathon Sports International is the Frosty Trail Race on
Saturday, February 13th, 1999 at Chatfield State Park. 3 distances will be contested:
12.5K, 25K and 50K. Charl Mattheus is entered in the 50K for anyone who would like a
chance "to kick some South African ass". Requests for race information and entry
forms should be directed to:
Scott Weber, Race Director
6970 Buckskin Drive, Unit 90
Littleton, CO 80125
Phone: (303) 973-7575
Email: coachweber@coachweber.com
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