The 31st TUDC — Another One for the Record Books!

Records, as they say, are meant to be broken. Then again, some are meant to be threatened just enough to open up possibilities for the future! In 2010 we introduced a new course featuring a 10K loop to replace the long-standing 2.07M loop that produced some of the fastest ultra times ever recorded - anywhere. We thought a 10K loop would help our lap counters as the TUDC was swept along in the growth spurt so apparent in the ultra world today. What we didn't expect was a significantly faster course than the one we retired. Oh, were we ever wrong … The inaugural year produced 9 new course records and a pending American AG record. The surge continued this year with 2 pending US Age Group records and 6 new course records. Furthermore, we reached a new high with over 100 entries; the number of finishers reached 83, just 2 shy of the all-time high set in 1988.

Let's take a look at who did what on what many described as "a perfect day for running." I could not agree more, for with start-time temps in the mid-40s and an afternoon high of 60, mostly cloudy skies and a moderate breeze, there was nothing between the runners and the clock (save for the minor detail of 50 or 31 miles).

The 50 miler produced one of the finest battles for the win that we have seen in years. Tallahassee's Jack McDermott, a past winner of the 50M (2007) and the 50K (2008), came into the race with a year of sub-3 hour marathons. His main competition was Jacksonville's Sung Ho Choi, one of America's best ultrarunners with outstanding performances over the past 3 years. But, he had won a 100 miler just 6 days prior, and there was no way he could be expected to have any legs …. at least not for the entire 50 miles! In an incredible exhibition of talent, Choi and McDermott dueled all day, trading the lead and pushing each other to be more than they would be on their own. Sung Ho Choi prevailed, never losing his strong and efficient stride. His time of 6:18:45 is the fastest since 2004 and the 3rd fastest winning time recorded at the TUDC. McDermott was only minutes behind, taking the masters title in 6:27:24. On the women's side, another Jacksonville runner's name is now firmly etched in the TUDC record books. Amy Costa, the picture of strength and grace, was 3rd overall and the winner of the women's title for the 4th time in the past 6 years with a time of 7:39:09. Amy's 4 wins at the 50 mile eclipsed the three 50M titles she shared with Gordy Hawkins and Dann Fisher, further affirming her position as one of America's finest ultrarunners. The women's masters winner was Tallahassee's Chrissy Coutts, running her first 50-miler, and making it look easy with a time of 8:39:09. Grandmasters wins went to Joe Edgecombe of Panama City and Diane Seale of Milton, GA.

The 50K lacked the drama of 2010's battle to the finish but not strong performances, highlighted by a new pending US 55-59 AG record of 3:39:47 set by winner Pete Kaplan of Charlotte, NC. He was rock-steady, clickingoff 43/44 minute 10Ks. Running 3rd overall for the first half, his experience, talent and patience paid off as he bested a strong performance by ultra newbie Dan Mosier of Tallahassee (4:07:38). Only seconds behind Dan was Andy Roberts of Tallahassee, taking the masters title in 4:08:05. Not to be outdone by the young guys, perennially young and stunningly fast Joe Burgasser of St. Petersburg, FL lowered his own US 70-74 AG record by nearly a minute, finishing 5th and running 4:16:03 for the grandmasters title. Joe has run three sub-4:20 50Ks at TUDC in the past 3 years – all since turning 70. We are honored to have him with us. Kristine Cox of St. Petersburg powered to a 4th place finish with a stellar time of 4:14:19, prevailing over masters winner and 2nd overall woman, Kathryn Schubert of Gainesville, FL. Kathryn, in her first ultra and looking strong, ran 4:27:30. The women's grandmasters winner was Maria Anderson of Tampa with a time of 4:32:53. Maria's time broke the 12-year old TUDC 55-59 AG record held by former TUDC co-Race Director and one of America's finest masters runners, Margarete Deckert. In addition to the new 50K age group marks set by Burgasser and Anderson, there are four others that will enter the books: Stephanie Stout of Tallahassee, in her 50M debut, shattered the 25-29 AG record by over an hour with an outstanding time of 8:06:04; Jessica Rosario, a talented Jacksonville runner, lowered the women's 30-34 AG record by nearly 25 minutes with 8:06:49 in the 50M; the 2nd OA 50K finisher, Dan Mosier, broke the men's 20-24 AG record by nearly 35 minutes; and finally, running her first ultra (which begs the question, "What took you so long?"), Tallahassee's remarkable Sue Kelly knocked a mere 75 minutes off the women's 60-64 50K record with a time of 5:23:59.

Outside the record books, there were some remarkable happenings. Paraplegic Kyle Pease and brother Brent inspired us with their determination and constant smiles. The ultimate smiling runner, Gordy Hawkins, ran what he says is his last ultra. If that's so, our TUDC Saturdays will be a bit emptier, for he has crossed that finish line 27 times in 31 years, amassing 1200+ miles on the course. Pat Judd, Nick Mazza & Bill Hillison, with nearly 50 finishes among them, joined us once again. Each has a story that would make you shake your head and wonder how they do what they do. Witnessing these finishes, together with the rest who crossed the finish line, is what makes directing this ultra so rewarding.

From your post-race comments, there was high praise for the volunteers who come year-after-year for this reunion at Wakulla Springs, the locally crafted finisher's awards, post-race massage and chili, and abundant manatees that presented themselves for your viewing pleasure within stumbling distance of the finish line. Peg and I, and Gulf Winds Track Club (and our sponsor – The North Face!) thank you for joining us. We'll be back next year for the 32nd running of the TUDC on December 8, 2012. Put it on your calendar. We look forward to having you back with us.

—Gary Griffin