Photo by Larry Freitas
The big question in the photo above: Are the two guys exiting out of 'stage right'
about to run another lap... or are they merely racing to get to the bathroom ???

Check out Larry Freitas' race pictures HERE!

       
Joe Hartman's pics of the action - Album

By Rich Gonzalez
Editor, DyeStatCal.com
    (DECEMBER 22, 2007) -- Twenty-four teenagers with a pretty sick drinking problem no doubt became even a bit
sicker on Saturday afternoon while taking part in the inaugural "Egg Nog Mile" at an undisclosed track location in
the Northern California area. At least as many onlookers as there were participants looked on in humored shock as
runners alternated bouts of 400-meter surges along with cupfuls of non-diluted egg nog in a battle of, uh, well
outright lunacy!
     When all was said and done -- and either chugged, gargled, or uncontrollably expelled -- it was Folsom HS alum
and current UCLA distance star Jake Matthews who came away with bragging rights (not to mention an upset stomach
and a newfound appreciation for Gatorade) in winning the four-lap challenge over 23 other competitors. Matthews
won by eight seconds (5:47 to 5:55, or about two gulps of the thick malt) over Oak Ridge alum and current Cal Poly
SLO harrier Ryan Cosens as both were the only athletes to better the six-minute mark. Morgan Pugh was the top
female finisher, completing the messy challenge in 8:49.
     "(Personal record times) meant nothing when it came to doing well," said another ex-SJS'er Ryan Freitas, who
now attends th University of New Haven in Connecticut. "Garrett (Seawell) had the fastest two-mile time coming
in among the high school guys and he finished last today."
     Seawell was among several highly trained athletes that were humbled here, left to bend over (trash cans) in
reverance to the holiday liquid confection. Garrett and Chris Haworth needed FOUR TIMES as much time as
Matthews to complete the challenge, which was made even lengthier once they regurgitated their "refreshment"
on the track during the race. Under contest rules, any athlete involuntarily dispelling the liquid before completing
their four laps would have to run an additional lap as a penalty. One organizer estimated that four runners had to
engage in the penalty lap.
     "Chris was standing next to a trash can for a while," explained Freitas with a laugh. "I don't think he was feeling
too good."
     That's pretty easy to understand. The teenage organizers, led by current Sheldon HS runner Spencer Christy,
purchased egg nog of regular consistency, rather than the thin-consistency, non-fat variety some were hoping for.
Thus, each 12-ounce cup of egg nog that was consumed was worth 500-525 calories, half of which are fat
calories! Since all finishers consumed four cups (presuming there were no spills), that's over 2,000 calories
consumed in a matter of minutes!
     "I was impressed, I was happy (with the turnout)" said Christy, who thought up the event less than two weeks
ago and conjured up enough interest via the DyeStatCal message board. Christy, who placed in the middle of the
pack, indicated he'd be willing to set up a return challenge next year.
     Call it a glutton for punishment.
     "A lot of people threw up," added Freitas. "I hope the school doesn't get mad... there were streaks of egg nog
in some places, but it didn't look that bad. People were throwing up in the trash cans though."
     Top finishers has preferred pick from some donated items, mostly of the Nike variety, ranging from t-shirts,
singlets  and watches to backpacks, shorts and socks. As evidenced by posts on the message boards, it definitely
seemed like a fun time was had by all.
     Thanks for organizing it, Spencer and crew! Happy Holidays!!!

RACE PHOTOS BY LARRY FREITAS!

"24" runners actually competed!
(Jack Bauer would be proud!)

Inaugural Egg-Nog Mile
Format: Four laps by each contestant. A 12-ounce cup of egg nog must be consumed
after each lap, with the winner being first to run the four laps and drink the four, 12-ounce cups
of regular consistency egg nog. Anyone who "barfs" during the race must run an extra lap!
Official Results:
1. Jake Matthews 5:47 (an egg-cellent run!)
2. Ryan Cosens 5:55
3. Wilie Metz 6:04
4. Kyle Edwards 6:09
5. Josh Arrieta 6:10
6. Chris Kigar 6:33
7. Eric Gregory 6:36
8. Thomas Evangelista 6:42
9. Josh Ruff 6:53
10. Evan Bornstein 6:54
11. Matt Duffy 7:24
12. Peter Chester 7:29
13. Steven Miller 7:36
14. Ryan Freitas 7:39 (fastest n00b in the field)
15. Cody Lemons 7:30
16. Spencer Christy 7:52 (didn't break 7:00?  Time to ban him on the boards!  :-D)
17. John Ahmann 8:29
18. Morgan Pugh 8:49 (top girl finisher!)
19. Nathan Spangler 9:10 (odds - and sense of balance - were against him from the start)
20. Marlon Patterson 10:17 (probably was busy madly working his Sidekick again!)
21. Nicole Mendoza 12:16 (only one of two girls brave enough to give it a go!)
22. Abe  Weintraub 12:23
23. Chris Haworth 24:06 (he was at the garbage can for a while)
24. Garrett Seawell 25:07 (oh my! the fastest PR among HS'ers gets beat-en here)

Joe Hartman's Funny Previews On Some Entrants!