Paper: Sunday News (Lancaster, PA)
Title: LANCASTER TEAM CAPTURES MEDALS IN 'HOOD TO COAST'
Date: September 6, 1998

While most were winding down from a busy work week at 10:15 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, a dozen Lancaster county runners stood at the pinnacle of one of the greatest adventures in their lives.


Nearly 3000 miles away from their familiar Amish countryside, they stood on the highest mountain in Oregon - Mt. Hood. These 12 running friends had worked together for months for this moment - the 195-mile Hood to Coast relay.For the next 20 hours they would pound their bodies on all types of terrain and changing elevations, while depriving themselves of sleep to achieve their goal of finishing the challenge.


The end result, according to team co-captain Jeff Roth, was very "satisfying." Their team name, which they said typifies their competitive personalities, "12 Wild And Crazy Guys," was posted as 6th in the Open Age Division and 20th overall. The Lancaster team won medals for their effort.


Considering the fact that 1000 teams began this race, these 12 "guys" were "wild and crazy" about their finish position and time.


Said Roth, "Our team time exceeded our expectations and we all had an excellent time doing it."


The team averaged an amazing 6:05 minutes per mile on the entire 195-mile course. The Open Division winner, Chico Track Club from Anchorage, AK, finished in 18:16:18, with an average time of 5:39, while the overall relay winner, Bucknell Alumni Distance Team from Newtown, CT, finished in 16:52:46, with an average of 5:14.


Roth explained that running the 36 legs of the relay was only one of the challenges. With each team member needing transportation to get to their next exchange zone, nearly 2000 vans were on the move.


Said co-captain Phil Garland, "The farther into the relay we ran, the more congested the van traffic." But that took nothing from the fun of this adventure. In fact, Garland, who supported the relay with Garland construction company, vows to be back next year with another relay team.


Garland explained that the most difficult part of the race was his second leg, which came at about 4 a.m. on Saturday.


Chris Goodling led off the relay with a 5.6 mile leg, which dropped 2,000 vertical feet, down Mount Hood with a time of 32:05. This put him near the top of his group. His following legs included a 5.2 miles (30:52) and 4.8 mile (30:30).


Other individual results included: Matt Robinson-5.6 miles (28:30), 6.1 miles (34:00), 5.7 miles (31:00); Scott Weaver-4.5 miles (24:40), 5.4 miles (33:45), 5.9 miles (36:52); Pat Lafferty-6.9 miles (46:30), 5.9 miles (39:00), 4.2 miles (26:00); Jeff Roth-6.1 miles (37:50), 4.6 miles (28:10), 6 miles (38:30); Matt Seigford-6.8 miles (41:00), 4.4 miles (27:53), 5 miles (29:10); Phil Garland-5.9 miles (36:50), 5.9 miles (40:50), 4.6 miles (28:07); Joe Reigard-4.6 miles (27:50), 4.2 (25:30), 5.2 miles (34:00); Tim Schuler-6.4 miles (36:52), 5.4 miles (32.40), 7.6 miles (45:50); Art Morris-4.9 miles (33:45), 5.1 miles (36:54), 4.2 miles (29:24); Mark Hribar-5.3 miles (30:00), 6 miles (36:30), 6.7 miles (39:15); Bob Ulmer-5.9 miles (38:00), 3.8 miles (24:00), 4.7 miles (30:00).


John Stoudt, alternate runner and designated van 2 driver, found a race suited to his liking on Friday at Mount Hood (Mount Hood 1 1/2 mile Truck Ramp Run), which he placed first overall with a time of 54.01 seconds breaking the previous record. He was crowned "King of the Ramp."


One thousand teams started the race with 987 teams finishing under the 36 hour cut off.