Trivia of the Week

What is the oldest active trail race in the United States?

Email brian@tatur.org with your answer.

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DuDraper Twice

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Quote of the Week:

"I was very surprised! I had no idea how long I had been out there! I could’ve sworn we were running for at least 2 hours. I had to keep stopping and waiting on my friends, and turning around and running back looking for them…so I had no concept of time at all. But that is what was so fun about it! I’m not a serious runner. Time doesn’t really matter to me. I just run because it is fun and I enjoy the time with my friends."

Kimberlyn Bivens after winning the Tatur Estim8ur with only a 6.5 second difference fron her estim8ed time.

Tom's Corner

A collections of running articles by TATUR Tom Dorothy

Tale #1 "Trail Side"

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Enter Now for the Turkey & Taturs 50K/25/10K Trail Race

Three ways to enter this great race:

1. Sign up at RunnersWorld Tulsa (44th & Peoria)
2. Click here to download then print race application. (PDF)
3. Click here to register online.

Click here to read more info about the race.

2008 Barkley Book Fair

Click Here to View Barkley Book Fair Results

BBF Entrants Find Their First Book

The Third Annual Barkley Book Fair was a smashing success!! Ken Childress and his nephews John and Jeff slaved away all day in temps that soared to over 80°. As Ken was putting the final touches on the day run, Brian started setting up the tents, tables, generator, boom box and all the food and drinks. Jeff Largent was the first entrant to show up and he helped set up the start area and put all the tiki torches into the ground.

The premise of this race is modeled after an infamous race known as the Barkley Marathons. The Barkley Marathons is definately worth doing a Google Search on.

The Barkley Marathons is actually a 100 mile trail race in Frozen Head State Park Tennesee. It has a 60 hour time limit and to date only seven runners have ever completed the race. It is five twenty mile loops in which participants must find about eleven paper back books per loop and tear out the page that corresponds with your race number. To finish the race within the time limit all you have to do is maintain a 35 minute/mile pace. Sound easy doesn't it. Well here are some of the obstacles you find along the way.

It has 52,900 feet of climb (and 52,900 feet of descent), more than any other 100 mile race, more than the 33,000 ft. of climb at Hardrock, and more than the 45,000 ft. at Nolan's 14. There are no aid stations, there are thousands of blowdown (trees that you must climb over of duck under) briars that will rip your legs to shreds, snow, fog, swollen creeks, mud and in some years extreme heat.

The race has plenty of "oddness" to it also. The entry fee is $1.55. The 35 entrants per year are selected only by whim. You must write an essay to be considered for that years race. The essay must cover topics such as Why I should be allowed to run in the Barkley." He asks that you include discussion on such topics as unnecessary surgery, Tommy Lasorda, uninspected poultry, duck costumes, investment bankers and unwanted hairs. The form also includes such other off beat questions like the one asking why "You can never know too much about fungus," or the one asking whait is your "favorite parasite?" Once you have completed his form and enclosed your $1.55 he asks you address it not to him but to Idiot.

Many other parts of the race give a good picture of the man. For example the race has no concrete day on which it is run or time which it will start. The day, which is usually April Fools Day ironically enough, is not announced so as to deter bandits, however the time is not announced so Gary can sleep till he wants. Once he has gotten up he blows a Conch shell or horn before the race so that the runners know. Once the runners have assembled he gives a customary pig call and then lights a cigarette, rather than shooting a gun to begin the race. As the runners complete the course they come to the books to take a page. Gary picks titles such as "Never Let Them See You Cry" and "There May Be Thorns." Other race customs include the night before chicken roast and the awarding of the mug. His chicken is rumored to be barely cooked by the runners. The mug is not the normal kind of award that races give out. It is actually a traveling award in which the runner who wins keeps it only for the year after he won. The engraved part of the mug listed "0" as the finishers for 1986, 1987 and 1989 while it lists the Three Stooges for 1990. The Mug however was not returned one year so the Barkley now has no award.

Kathy Hoover started getting all the bib numbers handed out along with having the entrants sign the waivers (hey this is a hardcore endurance event). Most runners also carried a glad bag to keep all their book pages in so they did not get too soggy. As all the entrants began trickling in we got all the Gatorade, water and most importantly the four cases of beer on ice. At 6:46 pm (TATUR never starts anyhthing on time) we sent all the day runners off.

With all the day runners off and running other details were being handled. Since no one actually started a watch when the runners took off we just decided to time everyone by the time of day until a runner came though with a Garmin that would tell us exactly when we started the race. Bobby Michaels and his clan was nice enough to camp out by the finish line and write down the finishing times for everyone.

With six books set out on the trails the entrants were forced to keep thier eyes open so as not to miss any. There is a popular saying about the trails at Turkey Mountain. "If you look up, you are going down" The teemps were in the nineties, with high humidity and no breeze whatsoever. What a great evening to do some trail running.

The day runners learned quickly that although the day run was much more tame than the night run, it definately was no walk in the park. Near the start of the race a large hill was begging to be climbed. How steep is this hill? Take note of the runner or should I say crawler in the background. of the picture below.

The Barkley Marathons course is run on a variety of surfaces, none of which come close to ideal . Around 10% is run on rough dirt roads while 10% is run on old dirt roads which are now overgrown with grass. Approximately 20% is run on rough trails with 40% being on old abandoned trails which are said to be easily mistaken for the deer trails that are actually better. The remaining 20% is run on no trails at all but is actually bushwhacking through the forest.

The day runners finished up sweaty and a bit muddy. The first group to come through was a foursome of speedsters, Scott Herbst, Brad Stumph, Katie Stockstill, and Anjeanette Leving.

The next group to come thorugh the long awaited finish were the wonderful Drew clan. This group of young but experienced trail runners were Eliza, Eva, Margeret and Jacob Drew. This group has done several trail races including Cross Timbers and Turkey & Taturs. Several of them are planning to go to K.C to do a great race called the Psycho Psummer Trail Race.

Next to come through were Jeff Largent for Holdenville then a great couple named Todd and Christie Bullard. Following the Bullards were a group of five including Barbara and Kim Drew, Kim Jackson, Mark Crew and Polly Chase.

For many this was their first trail race. Candace Brown was one of the trail newbies. Candace was followed by two amazing runners who traveled from Enid OK to run in the Barkley Book Fair. Nikki Watson and Desiree Powell are not new to trail runnign but deserve the award for "Best Attitude" Both were among the lead packs during the day run and were only about a mile from the finish when they made a wrong turn due to some ribbons being taken off of the trees. They spent over an hour lost in the woods. We sent patrols to look for them, called their cell phones and were really starting to get worried when they one of the searchers, John Childress called to say that he had found them. Minutes later they came through the finish line with smiles on their faces and relief that it was finally over. They were yelling triumphantly that they made it. Not only were they not discouraged, they said that they were definatly going to do the grueling night run also.

Click Here to View Barkley Book Fair Results

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TATUR's 2008 Five Mile Poker Run

The Plate Brothers With an Ace Up Their Sleeve

What : Tatur and RunnersWorld Tulsa proudly present the 3rd Annual TATUR 5 Mile Poker Run.

When : Saturday, July 12th at 7am.

Where: Veterans Park (21st & Boulder)

Why: This is a fundraising event to help with the costs of organizing the Annual Turkey & Taturs 50K/25K10K Trail Run on September 14, 2008.

How: Entrants start this non-timed event with one poker card . Run one mile get another card, run two miles get your 3rd card, pass the four mile mark and get card number four and get your fifth card at the finish line. The best poker hand gets first pick at the Gift Table. Second best hand gets second pick and so on. If you are not up to running five mile you can still compete.

Cost: Since this is a fundraiser we are requiring a minimum $5 donation.

How Many: We are limiting this event to the first 150 entrants who sign up. Pre-Register in person at RunnersWorld Tulsa (44th & Peoria) or call 918-244-6918 to reserve a spot.

Prizes: Each year we have lots of high quality technical running fabric gear (shirts, shorts, jackets, hats, etc) that we give away to Poker Run winners. We will also have gift certifacates, free race entries, and many other greta give-aways.

If you, your company, or a race you are promoting, would like to donate ANYTHING (Gift Certificates, product samples, giveaways, race entries, shirts etc.) please email Brian. We will certainly give you some free PR !!!!

Questions: Email brian@tatur.org or call 918-244-6918 or stop by RunnersWorld Tulsa.

2006 Poker Run Results

GREENPEPLE
Trail Run

For Climate Change Awareness

Saturday, June 21st at Pat Murphy Park/Bluff Creek Trails, at the corner of W. Hefner and Meridian.  Registration and event instructions start at 8:30.  Runners take off at 9:00.  Run as many loops as you like on this 3.5 mile course.  One aid station stocked with water, Gatorade, oranges, pretzels and whatever else we think of! There will be a Poker Run! At registration you will receive 3 cards, with an additional 2 at the completion of each loop.  Best poker hand wins… SOMETHING GREAT! Run a lap, get your cards, eat a hot dog, then run another.  No penalty for taking long breaks between laps. But the more laps you run, the more cards you get.  Have your cards ready at 11:30 and 1:30 for the Poker Games.  You are welcome to keep running laps after that, but the aid station will be cleaned up soon after.

This event is not a race.  No bib numbers, no timing chips.  The winners are all participants who will learn about global warming, ways to limit it, recycling and to respect the Earth.  What better way to celebrate the Summer Solstice!

Your $5.00 donation / per person will get you a wonderful event, aid stations during the run, and family entertainment at the Start/Finish area.   Hot-dogs, veggie dogs, beer and soft drinks available throughout the day. Pre-registration is encouraged!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name ___________________________________________
Email ___________________________________________
Phone___________________________________________
Emergency Contact/Phone___________________________

I understand that Trail Running can be dangerous.  I assume all risks during this event, and will not hold OKC Trail Running Association, Bluff Creek Trails, Oklahoma City, or any other entity involved with this event responsible.

Signature__________________________________________________

Make checks payable to:  Oklahoma Trail Runners Association – Or register in person at event.
3421 NW 25th Street
 OKC, OK 73107

For more information: cranwell@cox.net or Katharine at 820-2243

Date Changed for 2008 Barkley Book Fair !!

Saturday June 21st at 6:30pm

Are You Brave Enough to Take the Challenge?
Click here to learn more about this very unique event!!!

One of the Barkley Book Fair Caves. Home of a huge turkey vulture!! (Seriously!)

2008 Inaugural Tatur six hour Snake Run Results

Saturday MArch 8, 2008 9am-6pm

50 Starters & 50 Finishers !!!

Conditions: Sunny for most of the day. Start time temperature °19 Finish temperature was °42. Trail conditions were icy puddles at the start and within an hour the ice began meting leaving puddles of mud and water.

Be sure to join us again in May for the 3rd Annual Tatur's Barkley Book Fair !!!

All results are preliminary !!!! Please email Brian Hoover at brian@tatur.org if you see any mistakes or discrepencies.

Sponsored by:

Bold Italics = Female

Masters is over 50 years of age (The Tatur Masters scoring system !!!)

The Tatur Invasion of the Texas Independence Relay

Twenty -Two Happy Taturs After Finishing the Texas Independance Relay.

From L-R:Shannon Wilson, Julie Swagerty, Jeff Childress, Monte LeBlanc, Brian Hoover, Mike Slough, Tina Williams, Miriam Howard, Jonathan Johnson, Dave Anderson, Karin Slough, Teeny LeBlanc, John Childress, Ken Childress, David James, C.J, Nels Bentson, Alexis Jones, Susan Young, Donna Bentson, Robin Hudson, Susan Dezso.

All twenty-two of us converged on the historic town of Gonzales Texas. Most of us met at RunnersWorld Tulsa at 4am and made the ten hour trip to Southern Texas.

We all stayed at the same motel in Gonzales and got to meet several of our teammates including our drivers and three great runners from Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene Texas. We went to Wal-Mart and purchased some supplies including a six pack of Shiner Bock beer which is brewed in the town of Shiner that we would be running through.

We went over some rules and strategies in the parking lot then all made the drive to the pre race pasta dinner where we met up with the Pirana team from Oklahoma City.

After loading up on spaghetti and salad we made our way back to the motel to get some much needed shut eye. The start times are staggered so that most of the teams finish around the same time. Our start was scheduled as one of the the first slots since we were not out to set any land speed records. As they sounded the canon at 6am we were off. We had two teams of nine people a piece. Our two relay teams would stay together and run in tandem. The race was 203 miles long and divided into 40 separate legs ranging from 3 miles to eight miles. We had two vans per team, one active van and one resting van.

The day started out foggy and slightly warm. We would make good time in the early morning hours before the sun broke through in the afternoon and the temps soared into the eighties. All the small Texas towns that we ran thorough clapped and cheered as we made our way through their quaint shops and Main Streets. Several towns would have tents set up where they would be out cooking sausages, chili, hamburgers and other delectables to keep us fueled up for the upcoming night time.

Most of us got little to no sleep as runners trudged their way in the dark on lonely highways with narrow shoulders. The traffic was minimal but the thought of drunk rednecks still was at the forefront of many participant's minds as we hugged the sides of the roads.

Daylight broke and the skies began to look ominous as we hoped not to get caught in a torrential downpour. It did rain some, but not enough to slow us down much. By this time some of the Taturs had already run as much as 34 miles and fatigue was beginning to set in. Town after town flashed by as our two teams drew closer and closer to the goal that we had set out to reach almost thirty hours previously. Suddenly the last set of runners could make out the distant shape of the San Jacinto monument in the horizon.

We had made it to our goal despite the fatigue, a knee injury, fog, high heat, many sleepless hours and being cooped up in a van with several other not so sweet smelling runners.

We all joined hands and crossed the finish line together as team. After several hugs and promises to stay in touch we departed ways and quickly made plans of doing another relay like this in the not so distant future.This was truly a trip of a lifetime and we made some wonderful new friends and deepened some existing friendships.

Front Row L-R Teeny LeBlanc, Tina Williams, Jeff Childress, John Childress, Jonathan Johnson, Ken Childress. Back Row L-R C.J, Miriam Howard, Nels Bentson, David James, Donna Bentson, Dave Anderson, Robin Hudson, Monte LeBlanc.

Taturs Go Psycho!!!

Taturs Paul "Grim Reaper" Hall and Johnny "Tatur Uno" Spriggs finish a mudfest in Kansas City Missouri. The conditions made for a memorable day. The area had recieved a heavy snowfall the week of the race. The morning greeted the 400+ runners with chilli temps with snow and ice on the ten mile loop trails. However by the second lap the temps began to rise and the snow began to melt. The trails soon became a muddy "shoe sucking" mud.

Every runner's lower torso were totally brown by the time they crossed the finish line. Most runners had to tighten up their laces to keep their shoes from being sucked off their feet in the huge mud bogs. Every one had a great time and if you have never done this fantastic race put on by the Trail Nerds and RD "Bad Ben" Holmes you are missing out.

Entrants were also treated to a fantastic long sleeve shirt, coffeemugs, huge medals, and a challenging course.

The Next Tatur Club Race:

The Six Hour Tatur Snake Run
Are You Ready For an Adventure. Click here for more details

This unique race will be a timed run taking place on mostly flat, rock and root free, single track trails on the western side of Turkey mountain. The run will start March 8, 2008 at 9:00 am, and run until 3:00 pm. The course will head west from the old upper parking lot following some of the trails used in the Turkey and Taturs race, then north onto the Snake Trail. These are some of the smoothest and easiest trails on the "mountain". We also have taken great pains to remove all of the larger snakes from the course.

Actually, the snake trail gets its name because it winds around like a snake, not because of an infestation of slithery reptiles! You will run exactly 2 miles out, and then return and run the trail in reverse to the start/finish area.

You will pass FIVE aid stations per circuit, one at the start finish area at the upper parking lot, and one at the turnaround. You do not have to run for the entire six hours. You can run one out and back, run until you complete a half marathon, a marathon or a 50K if you're real fast. All starters who complete one out-and-back segment will receive a long sleeve T-shirt with our TATUR mascot being hotly pursued by a vicious viper! (see the picture in the top left of this page).

The above picture shows the relative smoothness of the trail. You do not need trail shoes, in fact we would recommend that you wear road shoes. You can choose to run a 1/4 mile out and back during the last hour for those not able to complete a full 4 mile out-and-back circuit. The winner is the one who runs for 6 hours and covers the most miles. You can choose to run one circuit, then sleep for an hour and do another etc.

The entry fee is $20, which includes the shirt, and 2 awesome buffets of trail food and drinks. We are going to limit this race to the first 50 people who sign up. So ya better hurry if you want one of these awesome inaugural collectible T-shirts. We are only charging $20, so there are no awards, no fanfare, no belt buckles and no whining. If ya want all that, don't do this race. Smiles!!!

Click Here for Mail in Registration form (PDF). You can also register for the race at RunnersWorld Tulsa on 44th & Peoria.

Click here to see who is signed up for this race or to see how close we are to filling up!

Taturs Sweep the Dan Man Trail Run

Tatur Brady Paddock scorches the marathon course and takes first place with a time of 3:22:00. Tatur Rob Philip wins the 50 miler overall with a personal best 9:15:00. This was his first run over the marathon distance. Kathy Hoover wins the womens division with a time of 10:24:00. Kathy set a PR of almost an hour with her win.

Also newsworthy is that Robin Almendares ran 18 miles in her first trail race and Charlie Willsey completed his first ultramarathon by running 30 miles!!!

Three Taturs Rock the Coon (The Rocky Raccoon)

Tatur Scott Ostrem Wins SJIT Triathlon!!
Kathy Ostrem Comes in Fourth!!!

Full Results

Tatur Year End Party

Dan Threlkeld looks on as Johnny Spriggs receives an award

We had a great time at the Tatur year end party!! Over thirty five Taturs joined in the fun!! The event was held inside of Studio B within the KJRH Channel 2 News building on 37th & Peoria. I hate to say that this spread of food that was laid out had to ruin a few New Years' resolutions!!! We had chopped brisket, potato salad & bbq beans from Elmers BBQ. We had potato casserole, over 15 different desserts, snacks, cookies, sodas and other delectable items. The studio tables were decorated with tree limbs which were very hard to find in Tulsa. (humor).

After socializing and stuffing our faces we watched a Power Point slide show of pictures that the Taturs sent in and some that Dan T. swiped off of various sites. Then we presented the five Silver Spud awards that Dan had made. The five recipients of the awards were: Johnny Spriggs for the Most Tired Feet Award, Terriann VanDeventer for the Rookie of the Year Award, Randy Ellis for the Best Performance of the Year Award, Kathy Hoover won the Tatur of the Year Award, and last but not least Charlotte Lindley won the most Inspirational Tatur Award.

Others in attendance were: Dave and Marilyn Sargent, Ken and Dana Childress, Dan and Brian Threlkeld, Christy Bullard, Todd and Cadan Masters, Charlotte Lindly, Susan Young, Randy and Marcy Ellis, Joe Hartl, Bobby and Susan Michaels, Steve Huhn, Charlie Willsey, Robin Almendares, David Clear, Johnny Spriggs, Diana Snyder, Doug Massey, Alex Eaton, Whitney Brown, Steve Lee, Denise Smart, Mark, Cameron and Brandon Plate, Tom and Julie Dorothy, Terriann VanDeventer, Keith Landers, and Brian and Kathy Hoover

Charlotte's Story

Charlotte Lindley receives her Inspirational Tatur of the Year Award.

On December 8th 2007 Charlotte along with about 20 other Taturs ventured south to do a 50 Mile/50K race called Sunmart. This race is located just north of Houston in Huntsville State Park. Several of us did the 50K race and the rest opted to do the 50 miler. The race is held in December to avoid the summer and fall heat & humidity that often smothers southern Texas. This year Mother Nature had a little surprise in store for the tougher than nails ultra runners. The start time temperature was in the high 70's and soared into the mid 80's by noon. Several runners experienced cramping, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms due to the excessive heat and humidity.

Charlotte was one of the fifty milers and struggled the 12 miles but finished just after nightfall. She did not eat or drink much after the race and rode back to Tulsa with a friend and arrived home in the early morning hours. She was fixing herself some tea when she felt faint and passed out and hit her head on a corner wall. Charlotte was taken to the hospital where doctors told her that she passed out due to dehydration and had broken her neck!!!

Several Taturs visited her in the hospital and Charlotte kept talking about how she was going to return form this injury and resume running. She remained positive, did not lose hope and was even setting goals for herself. The surgery was successful and after more than a week she was discharged form the hospital. The first thing Charlotte did was to force herself to stay mobile and as of the Tatur Party she is now up to walking three and a half miles!!!!

Charlotte will continue to progress and soon will be back to running long distances and continuing her adventurous ways. Charlotte's determination and will on her road to recovery serves as an inspiration to all of us and also reminds us how important hydration is with the sport of ultra running. For this Charlotte is our Inspirational Tatur of the Year!!!

t

L-R Scott Herbst, Bobby Michaels, Ken Childress, unknown, Kurt, Don Fain, Joe Hartl, Arnold Begay (kneeling), Michael Mosher, Carmie Anderson, David Sargent, Marvin Lee, Carisa Ramming, Randy Ellis, Jeff Childress, Kathy Hoover, John Childress, Roman Broyles, Vicki Arterburn.

Twenty-One Taturs met at Turkey Mtn for a group training run on Saturday December 1st.. Ken Childress led a group of runners for a 3.5 mile run on the east side of Turkey Mtn. Brian led another group who ran 8.3 miles of the new pink trail. We all had a great time and the rain that was threatening never materialized. We will meet at Turkey every Saturday at 8am until further notice .Please check the Tatur Chatroom to find out who is planning on being at the training runs.

2007 Von Franken Run

Hundreds showed up to brave the sub 30° chill complete with a brisk breeze. Due to the construction on the Riverside trail, the run had to be re-routed this year. Everyone bundled up and had many things to be thankful for in 2007.

Route 66 Marathon

Tatur is looking for several Board Members for the 2008 season. If you would be interested in becoming a Board member we are searching for a vice president, webmaster, race directors, secretary and other positions. Please email brian@tatur.org if you are interested.

Route 66 Mock Marathon & Half Marathon

We will run the same course, start at the same time, serve some of the same foods, and try to emulate the real marathon as best we can. We will even have a timing clock set up at the start finish.  The course will be minimally marked so that you can run as many miles as you choose. 

 

For those of you going the full 20 miles, we will go south to Jenks before turning back north. We will provide limited aid along the course including bananas, pretzels, water and Accelerade. BYOG (Bring your own Gu's)

 

We are anticipating a large crowd so please RSVP so that we do not have another "Chicago Marathon" incident where we do not have enough aid on the course.  

T&T Race's Spider Aid Station

Jessica Tranchina flying down the trail

Want to Read About Our Past Adventures. Click On the Tatur Archives.

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