Four times 100: one ultra-tough exam -- Lake Grapevine Runners And Walkers

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Date Posted: 07:49:13 09/12/03 Fri
Author: Dallas Morning News
Subject: Four times 100: one ultra-tough exam
In reply to: Jack 's message, "Letha Slams" on 17:05:50 09/07/03 Sun

Four times 100: one ultra-tough exam
Bedford woman passes the test to complete an endurance Grand Slam

10:18 PM CDT on Thursday, September 11, 2003

Letha Cruthirds of Bedford can consider herself a "real" ultra runner now.

Cruthirds, 50, completed four challenging 100-mile trail runs this summer to capture what is known in ultra running circles as the Grand Slam. She was the oldest woman, and the only woman from Texas, among the 16 runners who completed the endurance test this year.

Capturing the Slam means completing the June 28-29 Western States 100-miler, the July 19-20 Vermont Trail 100, the Aug. 16-17 Leadville Trail 100 and the Sept. 6-7 Wasatch Front 100.

She achieved the Slam when she crossed the Wasatch Front finish line Sunday after 33 hours, 57 minutes, 53 seconds. She endured extreme conditions during the Utah run, including hail and freezing temperatures as well as stretches of scorching heat. She climbed 26,800 feet and descended another 26,000. She only had one toenail left after completing her Slam.

"This last race was harder than I thought it would be," said Cruthirds, a preschool physical education teacher. "I was thankful to be able to finish it. It was the hardest of the four."

Cruthirds said she decided to attempt the Grand Slam after having run a few 100s.

"It's just something you look forward to trying to do," she said. "It's like proving you're a 'real' ultra runner. I also thought it was a good way to celebrate turning 50."

She said she enjoyed bonding with other area ultra runners and Grand Slam hopefuls. She turned 50 at the Leadville race last month.

Cruthirds said she now plans to rest and recuperate while deciding her next goal and growing back her toenails.

"I can't believe it's already over," she said. "I can't believe I finished."

CCCD scrambling after race director resigns

The Cross Country Club of Dallas has scheduled an emergency meeting for 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Sunset Bay for anyone interested in helping with the upcoming Dallas White Rock Half Marathon.

Race director Mel Cyrak resigned Saturday, seven weeks before the Nov. 1 race.

In a letter to club president Cline Taplin, Cyrak said: "Life is too short to work my fanny off to end up spinning my wheel not accomplishing what I thought I was trying to do."

Cyrak declined to return phone calls. In response to an e-mail asking him to elaborate, Cyrak wrote: "Thanks for your interest, but I will decline to respond."

Cyrak rescued the 2002 Half by taking over as race director last fall when 2002 race director Michael Mullin resigned.

Taplin said he's evaluating what needs to be done. He said he's soliciting volunteers and will delegate responsibilities to those attending Saturday's meeting. Taplin said he plans to hold weekly meetings until all assignments are completed.

"The Cross Country Club will still put on the race," he said. "It'll be a great half."

Briefly ...

Sunday's Ironhead Dallas Triathlon in Grand Prairie concludes the Ironhead Multi-Sport Series. The overall men's and women's series titles could change depending on the outcome of Sunday's race. ... Area triathlete Karen Hagner of Grapevine won the Dawg Dayz Off-Road Triathlon on Saturday in Crystal Springs, Ark., in 2 hours, 51 seconds. The Rangers and the Dallas Athletes Athletic Club have teamed to put on the Arlington Kids and Family Duathlon, set for 8 a.m., Sept. 28. They're also sponsoring the Texas Man Triathlon at Williams Square in Las Colinas on Oct. 21.

E-mail dfetterman@dallasnews.com

RUNNING CALENDAR

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 - Mike Doocy's Stars of Texas 10K and 5K run-walk, Big Thicket Cabin, White Rock Lake, Dallas, 10K 8 a.m., 5K 9 a.m., $21 through Friday, $22 race day, 214-637-2911.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 - The Protectors of Freedom (Fire and Police Appreciation) 5K, Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, 8 a.m., $20, 817-251-9311 or www.runnersandwalkers.com.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 - Firefighter 5K, Collin County Community College Fire Science School, McKinney, 8 a.m., $20, 903-891-3561 or www.firefighter5K.com.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 - HealthSouth Run-Walk-Roll 5K, Craven's Park, Arlington, 8 a.m., $18, 817-417-4204.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 - Grapedash Cross Country 5K, Meadowmere Park, Grapevine, 8 a.m., $15, 817-267-9563.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 - Walk for the Whisper 5K fun run-walk, Baylor Medical Center, 1650 W. College Road, Grapevine, 9 a.m., $25 through Friday, $30 race day, 817-359-9072 or www.dfwovarian.org

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 - Judi K. Skinner Memorial 5K and 1-mile fun run, St. Andrew's Catholic School, 3304 Dryden Road, Fort Worth, 5K 7 a.m., 1-mile fun run 7:10 a.m., $15 per person or $45 per family, 817-924-8917.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 - SGCA X-Country Open 4-mile, junior high school and high school races, Mike Lewis Park near Carrier Parkway and Roy Orr (off Interstate 30 and Northwest 19th St.), then go North), Grand Prairie, 7:45 a.m., $17 early, $20 after, 214-734-4479 or rapndiamond@usa.net.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 - Sister to Sister Festival Fitness 5K, Kiest Park, Dallas, 8:30 a.m., $25, 972-501-9983 or 800-207-0992 or www.celebratinglife.org.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 - Cattle Barron's 5K and 1-mile, Cedar Creek Lake, Mabank (near Dallas), 1-mile 8 a.m., 5K 8:30 a.m. $25, 903-887-4477 or www.cancerrun.com.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 - Bodies for Life 5K and 1K, Cross Timbers Community Church, 9119 U.S. Highway 377 South, Argyle, 5K 8 a.m., 1K 9 a.m., $18 through Friday, $20 race day, 940-240-5100 or www.crosstimberschurch.org.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 - Candlelighters Night Run 5K and 1K, Sundance Square, 5th Fifth and Main streets, downtown Fort Worth, 1K 7:45 p.m., 5K 8:30 p.m. 5K. 5K: $23 through Friday, $25 race day. 1K: $17. 817-877-3000 or www.candlelightersfw.org or scott@uptg.com 1-817-877-3000.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 14 - Ironhead Dallas Triathlon (IMS Series Finale), 1500-meter swim/41K bike/10K run, Lynn Creek Park at Joe Pool Lake, Grand Prairie. Individuals: $70 Wednesday through Saturday. Teams: $95 Wednesday through Saturday. No race-day registration. 817-355-1279 or 214-821-0909 or www.ironheadrp.com. (USA Triathlon membership required: $9 for one-day a pass; $30 for an annual fee.) membership.)

FRIDAY, SEPT. 19 - Carnival Day 5K, St. Bernard's Church, Old Gate Road and Forest Hills, Dallas, 7 p.m., $18 through Sunday, $20 after, 214-542-3374.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 - Autumn Equinox 15K and 5K, Stone Tables area, White Rock Lake, Dallas, 7:30 a.m., $20 through Saturday, $22 after, $25 race day, 214-821-0909 or www.thrustonracing.com.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 - Addison Oktoberfest 5K and Run for the Children 1-mile, Addison's Oktoberfest Grounds, 15650 Addison Road, Addison, 7:45 a.m., $16 through Friday, $20 after, $25 race day, 214-987-4662 or www.wokc.org.

SATUDAY, SEPT. 20 - Fall Breakaway 5K, Amon Carter Stadium, TCU, Fort Worth, 9 a.m., $16 through Sunday, $18 after, 817-877-1448 or www.lukeslocker.com.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 - Greek Food Festival of Dallas 5K and 1-mile run, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Hillcrest at Alpha, Dallas, 8 a.m., $20 through Sept. 21, $25 race day, 972-991-1166 or www.active.com.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 - Celebration of Freedom 5K and Fun Run, Arlington ISD Administration Building, 1203 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, 8 a.m., $15, 817-459-4738.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 - Harvest 5K and 1-mile, St. Matthew Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Burleson, 8 a.m., $13 plus a canned good through Saturday, $15 plus a canned good after, 817-295-5832 or 817-295-0729.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 - Sherman Arts Festival 5K and Mini-K, downtown Sherman, 8 a.m., $16 through Sept. 19; $21 after, 903-868-2023.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 - Jackrabbit 5K, downtown Graford, 8:30 a.m., $12 early, $15 after, 940-664-3455 or 940-664-2012.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 21 - Fort Worth Runners Club Pioneer 5K Run/Walk, The Pavilion near the Stockyards Station, Fort Worth, 8 a.m., $5 members, $8 others, 817-654-5390 or www.fwrunners.org.

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dallas/sports/columnists/dfetterman/stories/091203dnspofetterman.bf681.html

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