The First Annual XTERRA Boney Mountain Scramble Went Off With a Bang

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

 "Most of the runners crossed the line limping, dirty and in obvious pain, yet all had the glow of having just accomplished a great deed…as if they were waiting to fall into somebody's arms who cared about their latest and most wondrous accomplishment," commented Gerardo Barrios, Finish Line Volunteer and 4th place overall in the 6K. 

The first annual XTERRA Boney Mountain Scramble went off with a bang. Nearly 300 competitors hit the trails of Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa National and Pt. Mugu State Park for the first EVER organized trail running race in this location.
The day began with a dense fog that enveloped the hills and surrounding area, however most of it burned off by the start time, giving way to the most spectacular views of panoramic hills and a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean.  

For the Half Marathon:

The overall top honors for the men went to Sal Bautista (22) in a time of 1 hour and 31 minutes.  Bautista, familiar to crossing the finish line first, has been a dominating force in the local circuit for the last three years.  According to Bautista, the course was one of the most challenging yet beautiful courses that he has raced.   The terrain was reminiscent of the trails of his native town in Guerrero, Mexico. 
 
Sal enjoyed a commanding lead from the start of the race with an initial 5:50 mile split.   As he approached the initial climb of the very well marked and narrow single-track trails, he strategically made his breakaway.

Race Director Brennan Linder commented that with his win of the Boney Mountain Half Marathon, Sal is well poised to win the SoCal Series XTERRA Scramble.
 
Two hours subsequent to Sal's triumphant finish, other runners continued to quest to finish the race.  
 
Second and third place respectively went to Jonathan Toker (31) in a time of 1 hour 40 minutes and Eric Walecki in 1 hour and 41 minutes.

In the women's category, Anissa Segun (34) blazed to the finish in 1 hour and 51 minutes.  Not only was she the first female to cross the finish line, but she placed 5th overall.  Jen Halverson (31) took the title of second place with 1 hour and 58 minutes and Stacy Stern (36) was third in a time of 2 hours and 9 minutes.

All competitors did a phenomenal job considering that this half-marathon is one of the toughest around.  90% of the course consists of single-track trails and with an elevation of 2,000+ feet, it gives new meaning to the phrase "runner's high".

For the 6k:

The men's winner was Edmundo Ruiz Huerta (27) with a time of 28 minutes and 10 seconds.  Just inches behind him was the second-place Tim VanOrden (38) at 28 minutes and 33 seconds.  Third place fell to Gerardo Barrios (33) in a time of 32 minutes and 57 seconds.

Tamara Reid (40) astonished many with her third place overall finish time of 32 minutes and 11 seconds.  She was the first female to cross, followed by Julie Leibert (46) at 38 minutes and 55 seconds.  Julie Thatcher took third in a time of 39 minutes and 56 seconds.

This course took runners along Sycamore Creek, zigzagging all the way up, up, up…

Proceeds from this event went to the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.  Founded in 1901, the hospital has been treating the most seriously ill and injured children in Los Angeles for more than a century.

This event was put on by Generic Events, and is part of XTERRA SoCal Scramble Series.

Full results can be found at http://trailrace.com/results/2006/boneymtn_093006.htm

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