Most Career Finishes - Big Tesuque

BigT, October 1, 2016
Three Weeks, Zero Days...


Hope folks have been getting their running in, stretching the legs, maybe a bit of both up high where the air is thin. 

We were reviewing the BigT results database, now fully updated with 2015 marks (<-- see sidebar, at left). Felt the need to recognize several of the top climbers in the area who've notched 10 or more career race-day summits up the Big Tesuque course (and back). We count 16, with three at 20(!) or more. I'd note that we're missing two years of results and have only partial results for a couple of the other early events so totals for these exceptional runners may be approximates, but wow, what a collection of finishes, eh?

I'd think most know the top 3 listed here: Peter Fant being our fearless race director for the last 20 years, a top 10 finisher seven times. Chris, a legend in his own right particularly at both the Pikes Peak and Duke City marathons, has twelve top 10 finishes at BigT. Jim will race anyone in any endurance event, and has dedicated himself to doing so over much of the last 30yrs - Jim's the 1990 BigT Champ and a top 10 finisher at least eleven times. 

Keep running.

#BigTesuqueTR
#RunNM

Big Tesuque 2014 - Race Analysis and Statistics

Alright now! We have several highlights from this year's race we wanted to get out. We'll start with a couple easy ones and get into more detail over the next week. 

To begin, we had a total of 151 finishers at this year's Big Tesuque Trail Run. Our results database is now updated and complete. As can be seen in our profesh looking table below, the 151 tally is the largest field in the event's 30yr history. As is generally the case, more than 50% of this year's runners were first time Big T racers. 

A record field at the last three races

This year's race also had representation from 29 towns/cities in 7 states, highwater marks for both statistics. Dustin Martin's finishing time was the speediest since 2007. Give yourself a solid pat on the back if you pushed yourself up and down the mountain this year. 

The Striders are contributing $2,000 to WINGS of America, the race's sole charitable beneficiary. The contribution used to be structured strictly as proceeds from the race, we now kick in a larger sum that includes general Club funds. One not-so-insignificant factor in this change was the recent involvement of WINGS program director (Martin), in the race. He also happens to have collected three straight titles. 

Lastly, we had two runners this year that competed in the inaugural 'Run to the Towers' in 1985; our own Chris Chavez and Jack Lippincott who now runs his miles in Houston. As it happens, both men have long marathon streaks to their name - Chris has run every Duke City Marathon (31 straight years); Jack has reeled off 40 straight at the Houston Marathon. A tip of our cap to both these gentlemen for bringing honor to the race over the last three decades. 

Related Posts:

 - Further Results Big T - 2012

 - Big Tesuque Live Results - 2013

Further Results - Big T 2012

Alright, so after a few days to recover the quads and reflect on Saturday's race we've compiled a trove of great stuff: 

Runners at this year's start - photo by Russella Serna

 Finishers and Records

1. We had 129 finishers at Saturday's race, roughly half of which were first time participants. The highest number of finishers at Big T before Saturday was 121 in 2006 and 119 back in 1987. On an average year we generally have about 105 brave souls show up for the climb. So, we pretty much crushed that this year.
2. Our new champions, Dustin Martin (1:24:22) and Katie Gillen (1:43:18), were not only first time winners but first time Big T participants. A terrific performance by both runners.
3. Claudia Bergshon of Albuquerque ran to a new Age-Group Record in the women's 50+ division. Her time of 1:51:55 lowers the previous record held by Santa Fe's Deb Werenko of 1:55:33 (BT 2009), by over three minutes. Huge run by Claudia. We hope to have her back next year.
4. In other top AG performances: Santa Fe's own Vin Kelley put up the second best time on record in the M60+ division (1:44:13) behind his record effort from BT 2011 (1:42:51). Kathy Kirsling of Tijeras put up the third best time on record for the F60+ division (2:27:08). She holds the division record of 2:21:08 from BT 2009. Ed Trzcienski of Albuquerque posted the sixth best time on record for the M50+ division with an 11th overall finish in a swift 1:37:38. Talking to Ed after the race he tells me that he moved to New Mexico recently from North Carolina. Guy's got mad skills, it was nice to have him in the field at Big T this year.
5. We had several young faces out on the course Saturday which was a very pleasant sight. Santa Fe's Jessie Talbert ran to the fourth best time on record in the F19-under division in 2:19:11. David Naranjo of Santa Fe posted the third best time on record in the M19-under division in 1:51:42, followed closely by Boye Ladd Jr. of Albuquerque in the fourth best time on record in 2:00:59. Great job to these three athletes.
6. Santa Fe's Ed Scott posted the 10th fastest time on record in the M60+ division (1:55:34). Ed also owns the third best performance in this division from Big T 2010 (1:49:35). Santa Fe's Robert Werner posted the 10th best time on record in the M70+ division (2:27:28). This was at least the fifteenth Big T finish for Bob going back to the inaugural race in 1985. I don't know which stat is more impressive.
7. Lastly, the esteemed Otto Appenzeller of Albuquerque completed his sixth Big T with the fifth fastest time on record in the M80+ division. At 84 years, he is the oldest athlete to compete and finish the Big Tesuque Trail Run. Hats off to a stellar accomplishment.

Other Items:

• Searchable results of Big T 2012 (and 23 of the previous 27 Big T races) are available with our new search widget here.
  
• Official results with (bib numbers) are now posted at the Striders website in .pdf format - 2012 Results .pdf
• Max has photo albums from the race posted to SmugMug. Find a photo or two that you like and make a custom print for your trophy case.
•  Next year's 29th annual Big Tesuque Trail Run is scheduled for October 5, 2013. The first Saturday in October. Schedule a few more long runs for the year and knock a few minutes off of that PR.