Before the runners took off on Saturday for a 50 km marathon to the summit of Mount St. Helena – an 8,500-foot climb – race organizer Adam Ray said: âIt’s technical and difficult. , have patience and watch out for brush.
âTechnicalâ is the jargon used by runners to refer to rugged and rocky terrain.
This is the fourth year that race promoter Scena Performance has held the Napa Valley Endurance Run in Calistoga. Scena hosts sporting events statewide, but âIt’s by far the most difficult 50 km we do. These are difficult kilometers. It always amazes me what people are going to do, âsaid Ray, also founder of Scena.
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The race was sold out with 150 enthusiastic athletes from across the country eager to compete in running events again. The race usually takes place in April and was canceled last year, due to the pandemic.
âI think everyone is really looking forward to the connection,â Ray said. âThis race is epic so a lot of people are paying attention. Calistoga has always been open to this race and people love to come here for it.
Runners started at Logvy Park, headed N. Oak Street to Oat Hill Mine Trail and “Out into the wild”.
The run to the top of the mountain can last all day for some, starting at 7:30 am and ending around 5:30 pm. Sena is teaming up with Palisades Vineyards for a first aid station on the way up the mountain, otherwise, “There’s no way you would be able to run a race like this without a first aid station there,” Ray said.
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Those who weren’t quite up to the 50K could also participate in a half marathon or a 10K run.
Robert Covey of St. Helena ran the 10K as his wife, Hailey, who coached cheerleaders at Calistoga from 2011 to 2015, clapped with pom poms from the sidelines.
âIt’s nice to see people return to activities that they love,â she said.
As difficult as the race was, the hardest thing, according to the participants, was on the mental side.
Dianna Clock and David Williamson of Berkeley were first in the 10K. Williamson grew up in Napa and the couple met in a group of runners. This race was a first for both of them.
Williamson said he didn’t watch the course ahead of time because “I didn’t want to be excited about the elevation or the distance up the mountain from the starting point,” he said. declared. âI haven’t run a race for two years and I didn’t want to think about it too much. (Again) It’s not what we expected.
Steve Peterson, a sergeant with the St. Helena Police Department, and his son, Parker Boden, of Lake County, also ran the 10K. The two also participate annually in the Special Olympics Torch Race, which runs from Calistoga to Napa.
Boden, 17, is a cross country runner and said this was his fourth year competing in the race.
âI love the trails. The climb sucks, sure, but it’s a great view at the top, âhe said. âIt’s one thing to go up to a level of 800 feet, and another to go down a rocky hill avoiding road cyclists and the occasional hiker.â
Peterson admitted he didn’t like running, but did short marathons and turkey trots. âBut I knew Parker would push me, and he was very encouraging. It was awesome. Very difficult, but my son motivated me, âhe said.
Peterson also berated his son, “You don’t even sweat.” When it was pointed out to him that he was sweating a little, “It’s just sweat of sympathy,” Peterson said with a laugh. But for the course? “I will definitely do it again,” he said.
Sena also provides food and drink for participants. Rob Ullman of Pacifica cut fresh watermelons, bananas and tomatoes. Burgers were also served. âAll the things that runners will be happy to eat,â he said.
Calistoga’s Christian Ramirez notched the first of three interceptions for the Wildcats to keep the momentum on their side in the second quarter at Branson on Saturday.
Photos: from Weekly Calistogan, week of November 11
Son of Civil War Union veterans
In 2019, the Calistoga Chapter of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (Col. Elmer Ellsworth Camp # 23) marched in the Petaluma Veterans Day Parade. They will walk again this year.
Ann schleeter
Bothe Napa Valley State Park
Jason Jordan, steward of Bothe-Napa Valley National Park, left; Senator Bill Dodd; Representative Mike Thompson; Cathie Bennett Warner, chair of the board of directors of Napa Valley State Parks Associates; and Rob Grassi, park maintenance specialist, were in attendance at a special event at Bothe-Napa Valley National Park on November 8 to mark the park’s 175th anniversary.
Cynthia Sweeney, Calistogan Weekly
Christian Ramirez, Edgar Cardera, Juan Vega
Calistoga junior Christian Ramirez scores an extra point over Edgar Cardera as Juan Vega (5) blocks a Tomales defender on October 22.
Photo by Dave Mosher
Brandon juarez
Calistoga’s Brandon Juarez scores against visiting Roseland Collegiate Prep on November 3.
Photo by Dave Mosher
Alexis Escobedo
Alexis Escobedo (4) of Calistoga shoots against Roseland Collegiate Prep on November 3.
Photo by Dave Mosher
Carlos avina
Carlos Avina of Calistoga wins a big bouncer against Roseland Collegiate Prep on November 3.
Photo by Dave Mosher
Brandon juarez
Calistoga’s Brandon Juarez, left, aims for a header against Roseland Collegiate Prep on November 3.
Photo by Dave Mosher
Diego Flores
Diego Flores of Calistoga controls the ball against Roseland Collegiate Prep on November 3.
Photo by Dave Mosher
Isaac garcia
Isaac Garcia (14) of Calistoga kicks the ball towards the goal of Roseland Collegiate Prep on November 3.
Photo by Dave Mosher
Isaac garcia
Calistoga’s Isaac Garcia (14) holds off a Roseland Collegiate Prep defenseman on Nov. 3.
Photo by Dave Mosher
Carlos avina
Carlos Avina of Calistoga jumps for a header against Roseland Collegiate Prep on November 3.
Photo by Dave Mosher
Alexis Escobedo
Calistoga’s Alexis Escobedo (4) tries to pass Roseland Collegiate Prep goalkeeper on November 3.
Photo by Dave Mosher
Plein Air Paint Out from Calistoga Art Center
Plein Aire artist Therese Legere took third place this year at the Plein Air Paint Out at the Calistoga Art Center.
Therese Light
Plein Air Paint Out from Calistoga Art Center
This watercolor by Najeeb Abdulrahiman of Lincoln Avenue, titled “After the Rain” won first place in the Plein Air Paint Out at Calistoga Art Center this year.
Najeeb Abdulrahiman
Plein Air Paint Out from Calistoga Art Center
Artist Loretta Loy-Adair’s ‘Napa Vignette’ oil received a community vote award at the Plein Air Paint Out at the Calistoga Art Center this year.
Loretta loy
Four Seasons Farm
The Truss Restaurant + Bar in Calistoga is run by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Erik Anderson.
Photograph by Tim Carl
Four Seasons Farm
The strip loin for two at Truss is served with anchovy butter.
Photograph by Tim Carl
Four Seasons Farm
The 400 Silverado Trail, also known as the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, spans 27 acres.
Photograph by Tim Carl
Four Seasons Farm
Guests of the Truss can enjoy various âsnacksâ around the fireplace.
Photograph by Tim Carl
Four Seasons Farm
The outdoor terrace of the Truss Restaurant and Bar overlooks the resort grounds, vineyards and surrounding hills.
Photograph by Tim Carl
Four Seasons Farm
Truss’s Jekyll and Hyde Cocktail features locally distilled Bourbon Burning Chair, St. George, pear liqueur and brown sugar.
Photograph by Tim Carl
Four Seasons Farm
Thin crust pizza is on the menu at Truss in Calistoga.
Photograph by Tim Carl
Four Seasons Farm
The âpressedâ chicken at Truss is colorful and surprisingly spicy.
Photograph by Tim Carl
Four Seasons Farm
Pastry chef Gaulin offers three desserts at Truss, each one delicious, textured and irresistible.
Photograph by Tim Carl
Four Seasons Farm
Randy Languerand of Truss in Calistoga creates a small collection of creative cocktails, including the Tom Joad cocktail which features a 10-year-old Laphroaig Scottish âspritzâ.
Photograph by Tim Carl
Four Seasons Farm
The Truss team harvest, clean, dirty and pack their own caviar and serve it with sourdough blinis to the height of an inch.
Photograph by Tim Carl
Four Seasons Farm
Duck ham with a prosciutto texture is served at Truss.
Photograph by Tim Carl
Four Seasons Farm
A salad plate at Truss, filled with crispy local vegetables artistically besieged, served with a green goddess whipped tofu dressing and an interesting oyster leaf wrap.
Photograph by Tim Carl
Adopt a Pet | Yo-Yo and Boo
You can reach Cynthia Sweeney at 942-4035 or [email protected]