Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 30, 2019)
A10 FRIDAY August 30, 2019 Summer Sports SeasideSignal.com Teamwork leads to achievement at Hood to Coast By R.J. MARX Seaside Signal For the more than 1,000 teams and 19,000 runners and walkers of the Hood to Coast Relay, it was all about teamwork. The race, which began for many at 5 a.m. Friday, it also came with exhilaration, creepy sounds in the woods and aches and pains. The Speedy Sloths, com- prised of employees from Embassy Suites in down- town Portland had an “amazing walk,” accord- ing to team member Jesus Moreno, fi nishing four hours earlier than anticipated. For members of Soar Feat, representing Hoff- man Construction, “it was exhausting but it was good,” team member Heidi Walker said. One member of the team encountered goose- bumps overnight in the woods “I thought some- one was watching me,” team member Austin Brand said. “There was howling — probably just barking dogs, shepherd dogs howl- ing. It was kind of spooky in the beginning. But I didn’t feel like I was in any dan- ger. Just in pain. My hips are hurting.” The Vine Maple Savages crossed the fi nish line on the Seaside beach amid whoops and cheers. “We are all Nike guys,” co-captain Kayla Dahl said shortly after the team’s fi n- ish. “We actually fi nished under 22 hours for the fi rst time.” Co-captain Luke Hurst, credited teamwork for their achievement. “Every sin- gle person added to cutting under our projected time, which was the best one yet. We love seeing individual runners do that.” Do they practice before the relay? “To be honest, we just show up and throw down,” Hurst said. “I’m not gonna lie.” Team member Red Semon said his biggest challenge in his fi rst Hood to Coast. Everybody really showed up. And we’re savages!” Photos by R.J. Marx A moment of exhilaration for the Vine Maple Savages. Members of the Vine Maple Savages celebrate their accomplishment, fi nishing under 22 hours in the relay. The team “Soar Feat” represented Hoff man Construction. This team enjoys its cross at the fi nish. The B-50 Toes cross the line at Hood to Coast. Hood to Coast chief operating off icer on the scene By R.J. MARX Seaside Signal We spoke to Hood to Coast Race Series Chief Operating Offi cer Dan Floyd at the Seaside beach Saturday, as nearby, run- ners and walkers crossed the fi nish at the Hood to Coast Relay and Portland to Coast. Q: What’s going on so far? Dan Floyd: Eight-thirty in the morning in Seaside means top men’s, wom- en’s, and mixed teams for the walk, run and the high school championship are all coming in right about this time. The top high school team (Oregon Road Runners) came in within the last hour. They had a really dominant run. The top men’s (Bower- man Track Club) has already come in on the Hood to Coast side. The top women’s will come in around 10 a.m. Q: When did runners start? Floyd: Runners go from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Timberline Lodge. The last wave has about 40 teams in it. Waves go every 15 min- R.J. Marx Hood to Coast Chief Operating Offi cer Dan Floyd. utes. People catch up, pass, and they’re long gone. Q: How are the speeds this year? Floyd: Speeds haven’t gotten faster. They’re a lit- tle bit slower overall. That’s good for us because it’s become less competitive of a race and more of an expe- rience, something that peo- ple want to do with their family and friends. Q: Is the terrain rougher than in past years? Floyd: No, the terrain’s the same. It’s appealing to the everyday person, the everyday runner. You don’t have to be a super athlete to run Hood to Coast. Q: Tell me about the number of people expected. Floyd: There will be 19,000 runners and walk- ers and another 3,000 volun- teers. At this beach party, it’s so hard to guess we should get anywhere between 40,000 and 60,000 partici- pants counting, participants, spectators, family, friends. Q: How is it going with the local community? Floyd: The relationship with Seaside has been great. Mayor Jay Barber will be down here later. The Sea- side Chamber’s been good, the police have been great, the interaction is awesome. They’re supportive of us and we respond when they call. Q: I see a big pres- ence here from Providence. Where do charitable funds go? Floyd: The Providence Cancer Institute will receive a little over $900,000. It stays within our state. Q: When do you break it all down here on the beach? Floyd: We break down tonight at about 11. On Sun- day and Monday it’s high speed to get everything out of there. It takes a week to set up, two days to tear down. The Speedy Sloths pose after completion of Hood to Coast. SEASIDE FIRE & RESCUE FUNDRAISER SEPTEMBER 7 TH 11 AM - 5 PM SEASIDE FIRE STATION BBQ CHICKEN 15 PER PERSON $ 10 KIDS (12 & under) DRAWING TO WIN PRIZES SAMUEL S. JOHNSON FOUNDATION TOM & MARY HERCHE LESLIE TRACY Committee to Elect Betsy Johnson $ Seaside Helicopters, LLC Visit Website: SEASIDEFIRE.com • Contact us: 503-738-5420