The Senior Olympics race (ages 50 and over) and renegade race (open to skaters of all ages) was June 3, 2007, (Sunday). Once again we were all looking forward to seeing everybody at EL Dorado Park for some more fassssst racing, prizes, fun, refreshments after! Well, looking forward, turned into a "glad we were there party!" As this was the last year for the Senior Olympics/renegade event, and what a race it was, skaters were hauling around EL Dorado!!! With Pre registration that was available on active.com on the web making it super easy to pre reg. helped the race director to have an idea of how much in advance to prepare for.
What made this race way different from other events was the laid back attitude of everybody during the early morning registration and the funny moments after during the awards ceremony. Since everybody there knew each other from regular Saturday practices and other indoor events there was an air of familiarly. What made for a unique moment when the race director gave the prizes to the top skaters in the 60 to 64 categories and forgot to hand out the medals! Needless to say it was pointed out and few minutes later the skaters missing medals were called back up to the stand for a re do~ (LOL) OK so there is a blonde running the event.....
check out the guys hauling butt in the renegade race~ photo by George Vivanco
With the results in from the Senior Olympics, here are a few of the comments about the "renegade" race.... "I had a blast yesterday racing a 10K up at Eldorado Park. Audrey put on the event and it ran very smoothly. She's gotten really good at this. The pavement is a lot nicer up there than it used to be. I guess it was re-surfaced last year. There's another race ther on October 7. I encourage everyone to plan to go. It would be a great preparation for the Silver Strand race too. (is referring to the San Diego event in Nov.) another skater said...
"The special trophies were great, too. Did you see the grin on little Tabatha's face? Priceless!"
another skater said....
"After reading the discussion about supporting races on racereports.net and the beachskaters skatelist I decided to attend todays renegade race even though I don't feel I was prepared and fit enough to compete. I'm glad i changed my mind, It felt good to get back into the action again. Most of the skaters were exhausted after their 5 and 10k senior races with little rest between events. But a few younger fresh bodies showed at the start line just to take advantage of the10K renegade event to test themselves. It was a very tactical race and enjoyable race until crunch time."
someone else said.... "The race was fun. First time I've been able to race for awhile and I really enjoyed it"
So will you be at the upcoming Parkinson's Open Road Race Oct 7., 2007? Or will you be the lone skater missing the fun and the racing???? See you at the start line!!!!
Tabetha drafting Dez in the renegade race, photo by G. Vivanco
the pack whizzing by in the 10k, Photo by Stephen Kenney
Ever wonder why we race? To get great legs like all these guys have in the photo above! Go fast, no stop signs! Leading the pack is Terry Holm followed by R000ger, Glen, Mike, Elliot and Bob. All of them are some fassssst skaters! Will your legs be behind them on the pace line during the next event the Parkinson's Half Marathon skate race Oct 5th 2008 a great warm up for the Silver Strand in San Diego!
Sprinting for the 10k finish!Wow, they were hauling! photo by Stephen Kenney
With skating the great exercise, we, that is all of us, have been very fortunate to have met some great friends and awesome athletes. As a skater, as well as a race director and promoter, I forget sometimes with all the craziness that goes on in an event, that I have forgotten to say thanks to those whom have helped me and been there for me. Steve Abenoza, (graphics) Diane Harrison, (timing) R0000ger Olsen (flyer handouts and town cryer) Mike Chevdden, (photos and DVD's) a gizillion thanks and Stephen Kenny and his girlfriend Jen, for some amazing photos truly catching the moment and the looks on the skater faces as they whiz by. It's hard for one person to get all the things that go in an event, But it's your friends who really help, to make it happen! Thanks! See at the start line! Audrey
start of Senior Olympics 10k race 2007.photo by Audrey W.
