Fort Steilacoom SCX#4 Race Recap by Terry Davis

Ft. Steilacoom SCX#4 – What happened to the run-ups?

Sunday found Seattle Cyclocross down in the south-end at Ft. Steilacoom. This was the third cross event held at the park so far in 2009. The morning started off very cold with frost on the ground and on my roof before leaving for the race. However, the temperature raised enough to make racing comfortable for the first race at 9:15 am.

For this race, the SCX course doctors chose to skip the major Knapp Time run-up due to conflicts with walkers along the lake trail. They instead opted to make the course flat, fast, with a couple long ride-able climbs up to the top end and water tower. Once at the tower they directed us onto the fast trail down to the flat grass north of the barns. For me this choice by the course designers was disappointing. I’ll explain; since I flatted out of my first race attempt at Ft. Steilacoom and I didn’t get to experience the fun, I was hoping to take it on. I was also hoping to use it to make up some time as I’m faster with a good run-up. However, that plan didn’t happen and I was again struggling to keep-up with the speedsters in the grass.

TAI results on Sunday:

9:15 am Masters 35+ Cat 4 (63 starters)

20th Bob McGee (8:20 avg lap)

31st Chris Liebsch (8:30 avg lap)

43rd Terry Davis (8:46 avg lap)


11:00 am Women 3 (22 starters)
20th Jenn Sinclair (9:42 avg lap)


12:10 pm Masters 35+ Cat 1/2 (29 starters)

6th Matthew Lynch (7:17 avg lap)

10th Jim Albright (7:21 avg lap)


2:30 pm Men Cat 4 Group A (34 starters)

16th Bob McGee (8:16 avg lap) – 2nd race of the day and faster than the morning session



Well, next weekend I was looking forward to MFG’s event on Saturday at Lincoln Park in Seattle, but if you haven’t heard the City of Seattle Parks Dept. cancelled their permit due to 2 complaints. They are scrambling right now to find an alternative venue, so say a prayer so we can keep our local double header weekend. SCX is showcasing another new venue on Sunday at Marris Farms out in Buckley. This is the home to the haunted forest. Given it will be the day after Halloween, I expect it to be a scary experience. I’m betting I get my run-ups back.

See you at the races.

Terry D.

Photos taken by Joe Martin