If you missed this years UltraCentric, you missed a great year of best for a lot of our participants. The weather was perfect and we can’t forget the great food that was masterfully prepared throughout the event by Lorrie Gray.

Visit our web site for the official results at www.ultracentric.com/results/2011/index.shtml

Here are a few of the great comments we have received regarding this years excellent event.

“Thanks for everything at this year’s race.  I can’t wait til next year.  It was my first 100 miler ever.”
Michael W.

“Thank you and your volunteers for putting on a great 48-Hour race.  We had lots of fun and made some new friends.  And the food was delicious, too.”
Joyce O.

“Your race was a great one…”
Ali W.

“Thanks for a great day!  For me a personal best.”
Holly G.

“Hey Robert, Great race this year!  You have such a great team to support the runners and do a great job of making family and crew feel welcome.  As a result I have a slew of folks that want to come with me next year!”
Lisa P.

Look forward to another great race in 2012. Stay tuned for all the details.

The weekend is shaping up to be a beautiful weekend at Meadowmere Park in Grapevine, Texas.

Here are the details according to weather.com as of this posting. Click here for the latest update.

Friday, November 18th

Partly cloudy. Highs in the low 70′s and lows in the low 60′s. 20% chance of rain.

Saturday, November 19th

Windy with a possible thunderstorm. Highs in the mid 70′s and lows in the upper 60′s. 30% chance of rain.

Sunday, November 20th

Isolated thunderstorms. Highs in the the mid 70′s and lows in the low 60′s. 30% chance of rain.

As the boy scouts say be prepared… the weather can change drastically in this area of Texas. Be prepared for all types of weather, and have a great record setting event.

The UltraCentric Team

The UltraCentric 2011 Menu

All scheduled menu meals of The UltraCentric are open, and encouraged for enjoyment by all event participants, volunteers, crews, friends and family.

Supporting the folks who assist The UltraCentric in supporting the participants is a big part of The UltraCentric Experience.

The two course-side aid station tables are intended for participants only. The described ground rule is intended to avoid congestion, and participants potentially being inhibited in their route.

Friday, November 18th:

Lunch 1:30 PM

• Italian Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with all the fixings
• Vegetarian Minestrone Soup

Dinner 7:00 PM

• Loaded Baked Potatoes
• Spaghetti Primavera or Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
• French Bread
• Rice Krispie Treats

Late Night 9:00 PM:

• Vegetarian Minestrone Soup
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Grilled Cheese

Saturday, November 19th:

Breakfast 7:00 AM

• Breakfast Burritos – choose from ingredients such as sausage, eggs, fried potatoes, pinto beans, cheese, and salsa to build your own breakfast creation.
• Apple and Orange Juices
• Milk

Lunch 1:00 PM

• Hamburgers (veggie burger cooked to order upon request) with all the Fixings
• Hot Dogs
• Baked Beans
• Chips
• Brownies

Dinner 8:00 PM

• Chicken and Beef Fajitas (veggie cooked to order upon request) with all the Fixings
• Chips and Salsa
• Refried Beans
• Spanish Rice
• Cookies

Late Night 11:00 PM

• Vegetable Beef Soup
• Chicken Rice Soup
• Vegetable Noodle Soup
• Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce
• Grilled Cheese

Sunday November 20th:

Brunch 10:00 AM

• Bacon
• Sausage
• Eggs
• Pancakes
• Fresh Fruit
• Yogurt
• Oatmeal
• Apple and Orange Juices
• Milk

Menu Items and Meal Timing are subject to Change Without Notice

UltraCentric 2010 Menu

Friday, November 19th:

Breakfast 7:00 AM

• Scrambled Eggs
• Sausage
• Bacon
• French Toast
• Oatmeal
• Apple and Orange Juices
• Milk

Lunch 12:00 PM

• Italian Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with all the fixings
• Vegetarian Minestrone Soup

Dinner 6:00 PM

• Baked Penne with Meat sauce and Mozzarella
• Spaghetti Primavera or Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
• French Bread
• Rice Krispie Treats

Late Night 9:00 PM:

• Vegetarian Minestrone Soup
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Grilled Cheese

Saturday, November 20th: 

Breakfast 7:00 AM

• Breakfast Burritos – choose from ingredients such as sausage, eggs, fried potatoes, pinto beans, cheese, and salsa to build your own breakfast creation.
• Apple and Orange Juices
• Milk

Lunch 1:00 PM

• Hamburgers (veggie burger cooked to order upon request) with all the Fixings
• Hot Dogs
• Baked Beans
• Chips
• Brownies

Dinner 8:00 PM

• Chicken and Beef Fajitas (veggie cooked to order upon request) with all the Fixings
• Chips and Salsa
• Refried Beans
• Spanish Rice
• Cookies

Late Night 11:00 PM

• Vegetable Beef Soup
• Chicken Rice Soup
• Vegetable Noodle Soup
• Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce
• Grilled Cheese

Sunday November 21st:

Brunch 10:00 AM

• Bacon
• Sausage
• Eggs
• Pancakes
• Fresh Fruit
• Yogurt
• Oatmeal
• Apple and Orange Juices
• Milk

Menu Items and Meal Timing are subject to Change Without Notice

Unfortunately the 2009 UltraCentric Mountain Bike 6/12/24/48 Hour was rained out do to trail conditions, the scheduled “rain-date” of two weeks later suffered the same fate.

The Ultra Centric Experience: A Gateway to Endurance Mountain Biking !

The Ultra Centric Experience gets underway in Murrell Park, November 20 – 22, 2009, in Flower Mound, Texas. This Mountain Bike format is unique by design to introduce Mountain Bikers to exceed their self imposed limits of endurance. New members to the sport may select a modest 6 hour, or endurance junkies might go for the gusto; the 48 hour Solo. The weekend of events also offers fairs in between; endurance events of 12 and 24 hours, also, a 4 person 24 Hour Relay.

The North shore Trail of Lake Grapevine was formerly a two-way trail. After years of planning in the making, and hundreds of man power hours; D.O.R.B.A. has meticulously transformed ¾’s of the entire trail into a one-way trail. Sixteen miles of one-way trail are used for The UltraCentric, under permit issued by the Army Corp’s of Engineers.

Regardless of the mountain bike event entered, the Payout is the same for all. The Mountain Bike Payouts will be awarded Sunday, Nov. 22 at the Champions Awards Brunch. Very simply: $50.00 per rider payout each for Men, and for Women. Each event awards 100 % from that event; 45 % to the champion; 25% to Second Place; 15% to Third Place; 10% to Forth Place; and 5% to Fifth Place, respectively. No minimum mileage is required in any event. The generous prize payout is designed to create competition within each event. Members of each field can look to their left, and right prior to the start, and witness their own competition. Folks already entered have every incentivize to encourage their potential competition to enter. The larger each field, the larger their potential take-home payout.

Pepper in some fun into your mountain biking; ten dollars of each entry goes directly to the St. Jude Children’s research Hospital. St. Jude is one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.

The overwhelmingly user friendly site plan is designed to accommodate entrants needs without the use of a support crew, or handler. A participant can certainly be competitive without these usual needs. The Aid Station serves hot soups and pastas, in addition to traditional aid station nutrition. The aid station is placed right next to the sixteen mile loop, for easy access every loop. Seasoned bike mechanics provided by Bicycles Plus will keep bikes running smoothly the duration of all events. A weatherproof participant “Green Room” is available to provide a rest stop, and, effortless electronic timing all compliment the experience. The experience provides valuable insight to the workings of completing a 24 hour event. The entrants and spectators can see just how the experienced riders command their; caloric needs, hydration, pace, and mechanical aspects of endurance events.

The Camping resources available in Murrell Park are also very beneficial. The Camping selection is determined on a “first come-first served basis” so arrive early. Event parking is on site in Murrell Park. The Murrell Park entrance gate is closed every night at 10:00 pm, to 6:00 am. Plan accordingly.

The event concludes with a brunch, and awards ceremony on Sunday morning served from 9am to 11am in the main events area. Prize Payouts awarded!

Volunteers have made The Ultra Centric Experience one of the nations most sought after events for twenty-three years. Volunteers have come from local groups; DORBA, NTTR, and GRAW are strongly represented. Please give us the honor of your volunteer service, this may be in a safety patrol on the mountain bike course, or service in the aid station. You will select your very own time slots on the events web site, www.UltraCentric.com , then click the Volunteer now box. The Ultra Centric Experience’s participants are the most gracious; you are assured to have a blast!

So enter early, and enter often. I will meet you at The Ultra Centric Experience. For UltraCentric details, registration, and volunteers www.UltraCentric.com .

An Uncomfortable Experience

“The UltraCentric Experience is a unique combination of great athletes, good crews, supportive spectators, and unmatched volunteers”. So says the description on www.UltraCentric.net under the frequently asked questions tab.

Dose The UltraCentric Experience deliver?

If you include wind chills in the teens, and, frost in low lying meadows, I would say so. I would be remiss in the experience if I neglected to mention; piping hot lasagna, peach cobbler, and home style breakfasts with biscuits.

The Ultra Centric Experience is “an uncomfortable, comfortable event”.

Participants in the Mountain Bike events in Erwin Park; both solo, and teams, could have stayed home if they weren’t looking for a little discomfort. Entrants don’t register for 6/12/24, or the worlds first 48 hours of anything, not looking for a little discomfort.

I did observe discomfort over the weekend; in a comfortable kind of way. Nearly one hundred mountain bikers rode 4,450 miles in the sun, wind, in the day, and in the night. All completed their journey with little more than a scraped knee.

Not a single registered participant of The UltraCentric Experience required available on site medical attention.

Frankly, it would be tough to disseminate between champions; the hundreds of volunteers who braved sometimes inclement weather, or, the gusty registrants with the courage to start the twenty-third annual event.

Many of those who persevered turned their weekend battle against the elements into a payday. The mountain bikers were awarded $ 9,500.00 of a possible $ 20,000.00 in prize money available to them. The money was awarded using a rigorous “minimum mileage” standard posted on the events website. Many participants said the “minimum mileage” standards were too challenging, even unreasonable. Five of the more courageous cyclist proved them wrong.

The gritty payday winners seemed to relish limits of discomfort. They came from many parts of the country, and, drove thousands of miles to participate. All were glad they did.

Chris Janiszewski of Florida, completed 27 laps, 222.75 miles for his 24 hour solo victory and a $ 3,000.00 payday.

The world’s first 48 hour mountain bike solo of The UltraCentric Experience was truly a challenge. Before Sunday would arrive, four racers exceeded 1,170 miles. The first ever 48 hour solo men’s champion is David Haase of Wisconsin. Haase completed 43 laps, of 8.3 miles, over 356 miles!

Haase claims The UltraCentric Experience’s 48 Hour Solo “was the greatest mountain bike challenge I have faced”. David knows a thing or two about cycling challenges, being the top American finisher three times in The Race Across America.

Haase modestly credited his 48 Hour Solo victory to Richardson Bikemart, “without the awesome support of Richardson Bike Mart I would not have finished the race, eight flats and other bike problems were fixed without me having to stop my riding”. David refers to the “full service” mechanics for all participants RBM provided for the 48 hours of The UltraCentric. David adds “it is amazing that you can complete a 48 hour race without a crew, the food pit area kept me going”.

48 Hour Second Place Shaun Taylor

Shaun Taylor finished two laps down from Haase’s 43, collectively the two just shy of 700 miles. Taylor adds “with the weather conspiring against us, an already epic challenge was made even harder with constant 30 mph winds and lows of 21 degrees”. “I still shake my head thinking about racing into corners in the middle of the night and not being able to feel my break levers because my hands were numb from the freezing temps”.

Erik Blaty of Arkansas completed 48 hours on his single speed

Erik Blaty of Arkansas completed 48 hours on his single speed, amassing 32 laps equaling over 265 miles.

The women’s field in the solo 48 hour was well represented in quality over quantity.

48 hour solo women’s champion Sarah Miller of Arkansas

Sarah Miller of Arkansas not shy among her male peers, collected over 200 miles in her 48 hour victory.

Teams also competed in The UltraCentric Experience, compromising eighty percent of participants.

The first place coed four person 24 hour team was led by Mountain Bikers credited founder Keith Bontrager, and sponsored by Richardson Bikemart. Bontrager’s team collected 38 laps, and turned coed by RBM’s own Kim Chance.

The UltraCentric’s event organizer credited the superb trail conditions to the persistence of Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association’s Erwin Park Trail Steward Bill Skalenda.

Skalenda and his trail crew spent countless hours in Erwin policing the safety of the trail, removing potential rider hazards. D.O.R.B.A. even had a team on stand by with the necessary tools to remove fallen brush for the entire event. Barry Bishop led the course marking, and course safety reviews. Bishop also saw to the course returning to a markings free state upon the events conclusion. No small feat when eight miles of trail are involved.

Jay Norman of The North Texas Trail Runners has served in the events capacity as “Volunteer Coordinator” for several years. Norman personally oversaw the filling of hundreds of man-power hours. Staffing two aid stations and a complete kitchen for 48 hours is a monumental task. Norman coordinated members of Grapevine Runners and Walkers, N.T.T.R., and D.O.R.B.A. into an army of “unmatched volunteers”.

Jim Hoyt, Richardson Bikemart founder committed early in the summer to The Ultra Centric Experience, and the necessary infrastructure. Jim was undaunted by the suggestion of the first ever 48 hour bike race. Bikemarts willingness to serve all cyclists clearly present in The Ultra Centric Experience.

Make a resolution in ’09, by joining “great athletes, good crews, supportive spectators, and, unmatched volunteers”. Venture to “an uncomfortable, comfortable event” November 20-22, 2009. Registration opens March, on line only www.UltraCentric.net .

12 Hour Run Overall Summary

November 14-16, 2008 Ultracentric

12 Hour Bike Overall Summary

November 14-16, 2008 Ultracentric

The UltraCentric Experience by Robert Tavernini RD

The UltraCentric in its 22^nd year was again fortunate for the distinction to serve as The National 24 Hour Championships, was well represented by 38 states, and 8 countries.

The Experience is a beehive of five ultra-distance events occurring concurrently, complimented by Texas friendly volunteers, twelve hours of live music, and several hot food buffets.

However, one look at the potential prize money being offered by The UltraCentric in The National 24 Hour Championships leaves little doubt to the events primary focus, “to contribute to the fielding of our Nation’s finest Men, and Women in the 24 hour run”.

The Ultra Centric offers $12,500.00 in Prize Money in The National Championship, with a non-duplicating offer of $5,000.00 for a new Men’s or Women’s American Record. All prize money recipients must be eligible to participate, and compete on The AUA National 24 Hour Team.

This year’s unseasonable warming front became evident at the start of the 48 hour event on Friday morning, with highs exceeding 70 degrees. David Goggins appeared to be in his element as he ran uncontested, compiling 136 Miles in his first 24 hours! Not since John Geesler’s American Record in The UltraCentric’s 48 Hour of 2002, had such a lofty first 24 hour distance been established. Unfortunately, Goggins sustained a debilitating muscle tear shortly thereafter. David’s second 24 Hours was couraglessly completed by a rotation of icing, treatments, and massages. In spite of a seemingly debilitating injury, Goggins was able to sustain his lead to victory with over 203 miles. Darren Worts took over second in the predawn hours Sunday from last years 48 Hour Champion, Butch Allmon. All three men, including forth place finisher Jeff Hagen exceeded Allmon’s ‘06 Championship performance of 182 miles.

Texas’s own ultra running standout Rochelle Frazeur added to her ever growing ultra resume with the Women’s 48 Hour victory of 148.57 miles. Frazeur’s Women’s victory would have won the event outright in years past.

Friday’s warming trend continued through the start of The UltraCentric’s National 24 Hour Championships on Saturday, with an eventual high of 82 degrees. The humidity on Saturday reached 88 percent. Both the Men’s and Women’s fields were a virtual “Who’s Who” of American Ultra Running. A significant portion seemingly ready to take home their share of the record prize money.

Southern California’s Akos Konya reigned the day with a personal record performance of 146.33 miles. Bob Sweeney, one of the top American 100K runners of the past decade would win The US National Title in his first attempt in the 24 Hour with 139.64 miles.

The ageless 59 year old legend Roy Pirrung is American Men’s Runner-up with 138.51 miles. Pirrung was the inaugural Men’s Champion in 1988, and has remained in the top five most every year since.

Connie Gardner strives for every foot as The UltraCentric 24 Hour finish horn sounds

The celebrated toast of The UltraCentric Experience, and of The National 24 Hour Championships is hands down, Connie Gardner. Gardner paid no attention to the unseasonably oppressive heat, and humidity. Regardless of the temperature, Connie seemed focused on Sue Ellen Trapp’s 14 year old All Time Best American Record.

Connie Gardner $4000.00 UltraCentric 24 Hour Champions Check presentation

A $5,000.00 Payday would be her reward if she were successful.

The Women’s American Record of 145.28 miles had been seen by most as untouchable by America’s current crop of Women distance runners.

The last hour of all events, participants are restricted to an independently certified quarter mile loop of the course, around the start/finish line. The final hour, with over 140 miles on her legs, Connie’s pace escalated from just shy of eleven minutes a mile, to sub ten minutes a mile. Many of these quarter mile loops were just seconds over a nine minute per mile pace!

The enthusiastic competitors on the loop left the inside of the course free for Connie. Spectators, participants’ crews, and competitors were cheering loudly in support of Connie’s efforts.

Gardner was several yards into a new loop before the air horn sounded, signaling the completion of the championship.

Once tabulating the large loops, and the last hour loops, plus additional distance measured by a wheel, the heartbreaking reality emerged: Connie had fallen short of Sue Ellen Trapp’s 14-year-old U.S. Record by 40 meters.

Connie Gardner’s run, pending ratification, is the All Time #2 Women’s 24 Hour Performance with 145.26 miles.

Gardner’s UltraCentric’s 24 Hour Championship Title, and, by exceeding the performance standard of the prize money structure has been awarded $4,000.00 by The UltraCentric. Had Gardner broken the record, an additional $1,000.00, or total prize of $5,000.00 would have been awarded. (www.ultracentric.net/prizemoney.html)

Another sixty participants jumped into the ultra-running pool by competition in the 6 Hour, and 12 Hour. The shorter events run concurrently with the 24, and 48 hour events, and fueled by live music, great fun, and food. Several of last years participants have graduated to the 24, and 48 Hour this year.

Both the 6 Hour, and the 12 Hour, seemed to be a battle of the sexes for the championships. Men’s 12 Hour Champion Richard Cullen with 63.5 miles narrowly outdistanced Women’s Champion Victoria Goguen with 62.0 miles.

The 6 Hour battle was closer, separated merely by a quarter mile with Marc Elliott completing 38.75 miles, and women’s winner Carol Carpenter completing 38.5 miles.

With the list of truly stellar accomplishments over the weekend, one of the most noteworthy contributions is pointed out by The UltraCentric Volunteer Coordinator Jay Norman. Jay Norman is exclusively responsible for staffing the nearly 200 four hour volunteer shifts over the UltraCentric’s Experience weekend. Jay Norman is also an Officer in the UltraCentric’s primary beneficiary, The Dallas Town North Optimist Foundation. Through Norman’s fund raising efforts in collaboration with The UltraCentric, thirty-seven hundred dollars was raised for The Optimist Foundation. Norman said “for an Ultra Running event to fulfill a community need is truly rewarding”

The UltraCentric Experience of 2008 will again host The National 24 Hour Championship. The Experience as always will occur the third weekend of November.

Save the date, November 14^th, 15^th, and 16^th, 2008.

The UltraCentric Experience in the continued effort to make a measurable contribution to fielding our Nations finest Men, and Women in the 24 Hour has increased the American 24 Hour Record Incentive from $5,000.00 to $7,000.00 for 2008. The UltraCentric National Championship Prize Money will increase accordingly.

Please join us in any of the several mediums of participation The UltraCentric Experience offers. Come meet many of the tirelessly serving Texas friendly volunteers from The North Texas Trail Runners, and Grapevine Runners and Walkers. We look forward to The UltraCentric Experience of 2008!