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This year was a challenge for our HRW team of walkers that included one rookie (Laurie Bell) and 4 veterans (BJ Thornburg, Phil Jacobs, Susan Rico-Presnell and Alan Poisner). At the 6:00 am start, the temperature was about 38 degrees and falling with a 5 mph breeze. After that, it deteriorated. By 10:00 am there was a strong freezing rain coming in from the northwest that made it feel like wet needles being driven home. Finally, by the last part of the race, we had to contend with 35-40 mph winds. Although it was dry by this time, the force of the winds was enough to lift the anchorman off his feet on more than one occasion.

We were supported by our volunteer, Tom Oakes, who bravely manned the peanutbutter sandwich station that served the amazing solo runners. This year, BJ Thornburg was our nautical teammate who got to take the boat ride over Stranger Creek. Laurie Bell, our rookie, had the privilege of taking leg 6 which has an unending succession of hills but that did not seem to faze her (she likes to train on hills). As a matter of fact, Laurie and BJ trained for this event by doing the Olathe Half-Marathon on the preceding day. That is not a recommended training routine but somehow they both survived. As usual, our team celebrated their achievement with a feast at the Mad Greek restaurant in Lawrence, arriving about 4:00 after almost 10 hours. Also, as usual, our team beat at least 5 running teams in the Scratch division due to the age- and gender-based scoring (See the Results Link). Some pictures can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/racewalker/3424818764/in/set-72157616425978743/ (click on each picture individually to see comments).