The December handicap was appropriately cold and snowy with a beautiful dusting of snow on the mountains.  Many thanks to Robert Feuer for getting up in the cold and dark morning to mark the course for us!  It was a loop of 1.14 miles which each team member ran a total of three times.  Nine teams braved the crisp weather for a total of eighteen runners.  First time handicapper and aspiring runner, Supra, warmed up enough to take his shirt off, but the rest of us were barely thawing.  There were several new runners and first time handicappers including Fay Ondelacy and her 13 year old son Kenai, Alma Rodriguez and Ambrose Ashley, and the long and lanky Tim Koehler.  Several old time club members came out to the handicap for the first time in quite a while as well.  The cold weather must bring runners out of hiding.  There were only 9 runners at the balmy November handicap, but 18 at the frigid December handicap.  Perhaps it was t he thrill of the relay that brought everyone out.  If so, you're all in luck!  Robert is thinking about hosting another relay handicap at the end of the next six month series. 

Shannon and Ed Zanelli claimed this month's handicap rather easily, but Matt Shike had such a strong lead in the points that no one was able to come close.  Matt won the series with 68 points while his wife Laura,  Shannon, Marcel, and Nicole came in with 53, 52, 49, and 49 points respectively.  The fastest team with an impressive pace of 6:31 was Matt Shike and Robert Feuer.  Many of the runners met at a nearby Starbucks after the race for hot coffee and potluck baked goods.  Since Matt had to leave immediately after the race, the awards presentation will be at the January meeting when all our fingers and toes have thawed out. 

Be sure to join us for the January handicap which Al Enciso and his wife will be hosting in Placitas.  You'll have a warm house to thaw out in as well as great company and beautiful scenery!  See you there!  Check website or December newsletter for directions.

2007 Second 6-Month Handicap Series
December 15, 2007
Bullhead Park Relay
6.84 Miles total, 3 laps each team member
Points	Name	Elapsed Time	Start Time	Actual Minutes	Pace	Notes
18	Shannon and Ed Zanelli	52:46	06:00	46:46	6:50	Winning Team!!
16	Nicole Buerger and Darrell Armstrong	55:06	09:00	46:06	6:44
14	Fay Ondelacy and Kenai Ondelacy	55:54	00:00	55:54	8:10	First time team
12	Alma Rodriguez and Ambrose Ashley	56:56	00:00	56:56	8:19	First time team
10	Matt Shike and Robert Feuer	57:32	13:00	44:32	6:31	Fastest Team!!
8	Tim Koehler and Supra Intong	57:37	05:00	52:37	7:41	First time team
6	Holly and Jeremy Palmer	59:33	01:00	58:33	8:34
5	Kathy Kirsling and Marcel Hesch	59:46	09:00	50:46	7:25
5	Robert Tsinnajinnie and Frank Griggs	1:02:29	07:00	55:29	8:07