TEAM BENFIELD BLASTS RELAY COURSE RECORD
By Janet Beamer
The Illinois Valley Relay was held on Saturday, October
13, 2001, in Winchester, IL, and the GERWC made its
presence known with a team of six speedsters-Mike Wootton,
Janet Beamer, Angie Gray, Eric Cox, Laura Finch, and
Jim Bush. The team was coached and verbally abused by
our own Gordon Benfield. Leighann Gee provided invaluable
assistance with driving, picture-taking, and basically
putting up with a group of high-strung runners.
The weekend began on Friday night with a pre-race dinner
of salad, pasta, and desserts, and plenty of (ahem)
beverages for those who were so inclined. A quick team
meeting was held to strategize and make final preparations,
then the team members and entourage retired to their
hotel rooms to rest and mentally prepare for the day
ahead. Or drink beer. Or whatever.
The team woke Saturday morning to temps in the 60's,
with overcast skies and a threat of rain. Other than
a brief delay of the start due to still-dark conditions,
the race of 29 teams began without a hitch. The course
was scenic and hilly, and the Illinois hospitality was
unbeatable. The clouds finally did open up during the
last leg of the race, treating Angie, Eric, and Laura
to flood-like conditions. This did little to dampen
the team's enthusiasm, however, as Jim was dispatched
for the final leg of the 62.2 mile venture.
As Jim approached the finish line, the group attempted
in vain to fall into stride with Jim, whose pace approximated
that of a runaway locomotive. The race clock read 7:14:15
as Jim sprinted over the line, setting a new course
record. By the time the results were tabulated and the
handicaps assigned, Team Benfield had blasted the former
course record by over an hour with a final result of
6:34:45.
Many thanks to Gordon Benfield for his support and
encouragement, Leighann Gee for decorating our van and
for her quiet tolerance of a quirky group of runners,
Eric Cox for the use of his van, and Ellen VanRoyen,
our fully-prepared alternate.
Relay racing is an unparalleled experience-despite
the rain, the hills, and the carbohydrate overload,
all of this year's team members vowed to return next
year. GERWC would like to make an even stronger showing
in October 2002 by bringing two or more teams to the
starting line of the Illinois Valley Relay. If you would
be interested in participating in next year's relay,
contact Gordon Benfield at 963-9394.
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