Winter Quadrathlon to host volunteer signup

By Jim Maniaci
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — The message board on Santa Fe Avenue in downtown Grants reads "Pray for Snow!"

And the agenda for the 23rd annual Winter Quadrathlon meeting on Wednesday night in the New Mexico Mining Museum next to the Grants-Cibola County Chamber of Commerce message board, concluded with, "Think Snow-Snow-Snow-Snow-Snow-Snow!"

That's because the leaders of the 400 volunteers needed to produce the premier winter multiple-sport event Saturday, Feb. 18, in Grants and on Mount Taylor really need snow.

Even with people wondering if there will be a race yes, there definitely will, leaders say the chamber already has received 43 paid entries, with about two dozen more requiring only the entry fee payment, the group was told.

Approximately another 350 volunteers are needed to sign up at the Wednesday, Jan. 18, meeting at 5:30 p.m. at La Ventana Steak House on Geis Street between Santa Fe Avenue and High Street. Local restaurants are donating the free food for those who sign up.

Race Director Mary Savacheck and her crew of leaders also vowed repeatedly Wednesday night the panel will meet every Wednesday (except Jan. 18) at 5:30 p.m. at the chamber conference room in the museum at Santa Fe Avenue and Iron Street through Feb. 15 to hold the race no matter what adjustments have to be made for the weather.

This week's meeting was the first since the initial organizational gathering on Jan. 4 and was spent reviewing progress and how to overcome obstacles. The leaders also discussed how to improve traffic safety, seeking interim measures this year and a long-term solution starting with the 2007 race. The problem has been bicycle racers wanting to come down the mountain on N.M. Route 547 (Lobo Canyon Road) while vehicles try to use the same road space.

With a distance far longer than a standard single-event marathon foot race of more than 26 miles, the Grants event offers a cash prize of $3,500. Contestants must pay an entry fee of $55 until Feb. 1 and a $30 penalty on top of that for late registration through Feb. 16, the Wednesday before the Saturday race. Entries should be submitted to the chamber at 100 N. Iron St., Grants, N.M., 87020. Telephone inquiries can be made at 800-748-2142 or locally at 287-4802.

There are categories for solo entrants (male or female), pairs (male, female and mixed) and three or four-member teams (male, female and mixed) to bicycle, run, ski and snowshoe. The hardy athletes climb 4,881 feet from the start-finish line at Iron and High streets to the summit of Mount Taylor and back down the same route a distance of 42 miles.

Racers pedal east on High Street to state Highway 547 then turn north on First Street (Hwy. 547).

The first 13 miles is the bicycle ride, from 6,420 ft. to 8,229 ft., on paved roads. Then comes the 5-mile foot run on a gravel road, rising to 9,479 ft., followed by the 2-mile snow ski up "Heart Break Hill," going up to 10,702 ft., concluding with the 1-mile snowshoe leg climbing to the 11,301-ft. summit.

Authorities close the race route streets and highway to vehicle traffic at 8 a.m. that Saturday, with solo competitors leaving at 9 a.m. and the pairs or teams departing at 10 a.m.

Contestants must leave the summit by 5 p.m. and all equipment must be checked in by 6:30 p.m. since the awards ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. A few weeks later an appreciation dinner will take place for the volunteers and others who assist in putting on the big event.

Awards on the 18th include overall male and female last year Josiah Middaugh won the men's title in 3:42:50 and Danelle Ballangee the women's crown in 4:18:34 overall pair and overall team, plus 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each age and gender category. There are 12 in the solo division and six each in the pairs and teams divisions.

Each entrant is entitled to a long-sleeved T-shirt, a pre-race high carbohydrate dinner and a $7 meal voucher, plus a timing bracelet. Water, oranges, portable restrooms and first-aid stations are provided along the route.

— To contact reporter Jim Maniaci, telephone 285-6184 in Grants or (505) 870-7775 (cellular).