Marc
Davis and his 14:38 Woodward
Course Record
The record has stood since 1986 - could it fall this weekend?
Doug Speck - Editor DyeStatCal with Marc Davis
A Kinney (today Foot
Locker) National Champion in 1986, Marc Davis in the qualifying
competition
for that December
championship affair broke the Course Record at Woodward Park with
a 14:38 clocking. I remember the race and it was a smoker. Marc
went out at 4:26 for the mile and won by over 22 seconds. Intent
on a quick start in the contest, Marc relates below that were two
recalls in the record race, and comments on his own pacing, among
other things in an interesting read. He
went on to take the National Championship a week later in San
Diego, just missing the CR there by two seconds at 14:38, interestingly
similar times with the Woodward and San Diego Balboa Park National
Championship course appearing to run very close on the clock.
Marc is still back
east now, but we asked him to fill us in on the Course Record
run, and
he provides us with a
bit of history below. Some think the Record may fall this
weekend, and so it could be an interesting time to be there.
Marc Davis (San Diego HS)
Marc Davis:
When I arrived in Fresno my senior year in 1986,
I had run at Woodward Park for the previous 2 years. The first
time was the Freshman/Sophomore race in 1984, and it was the first
time I had ever raced outside of San Diego County. Heck, it was
only the 5th race I had ever been in since beginning to run just
that fall. Of course I surprised not only everyone, but even myself
when I won that race. But I had to wait one more year until I was
able to run with the big boys.
So 1985 rolls around, and I was coming off a pretty good Junior
season. I think I had only lost one race that season so far,
so I was pretty confident I could make the finals in San Diego.
But again, I hadn't raced that year except locally, and maybe
one race in Los Angeles. But you know how I am, that never stops
me from being sure. We took off in the race, and I just settled
in with the Mastalirs and the Stonerocks. Boy those sets of twins
were fast. I ended up 8th place by just a hair, and was off to
run in the National Championships. And can you believe it, I
ended up 8th place overall in San Diego! It may of been on my
home course, but I had no idea what came over me that day. But
it was probably foreshadowing miracle races to come. Regardless,
I finally had put myself on the national scene. I wasn't just
this surfer kid from Oceanside anymore. Come next year, they
were going to have to watch out!
So 1986 rolls around, and I came into Woodward on fire! I had not
lost a race all season, and in fact had broken records left and
right on all most of the courses I ran that fall. I honestly
didn't feel anyone could touch me. Really! Not out of cockiness
or over-confidence. It was just a fact. However, things didn't
go so smoothly for everyone. We ended up having a re-start twice.
You see, there is a street crossing on the course about 100-150
meters into the race. Pretty much the end point for any re-start.
But twice someone went down, and the second time they went down
right on the road crossing. It was very frustrating, because
I kept going out so fast to really take home the race. So every
time we had to go back I started getting worried that I was sprinting
out the whole race in the first 150 meters!
But finally the gun went
off, and we all made it out safely. Now again, I had been on this
course a couple of times in the past
two years, so I did feel I knew it pretty well. But my confidence
really got the better of me, and I went out WAY TOO FAST! I think
I was around 4:26, and I had almost a 100 meter lead. People
at the mile mark probably thought I cut the course. But you know
the crazy thing is, I barely felt it. I honestly could of gone
out faster, and still ran the same. But at the same I have to
admit I was a little concerned I was getting ahead of myself.
By mile two, I couldn't even
hear the crowds cheering behind me for the pack. I had pretty much
maintained my lead, and the pack
behind me had thinned out, so it was like I was all alone in
the race. I truly couldn't believe how great I felt. I was going
to have to fall in a huge hole in order to loose this race.
Now I knew Eric Reynolds record was fast (14:39), but I hadn't
really thought about going after it. I mean, who really knows how
a
cross country course is going to run several years later. So
all I could do is keep pushing the pace, and make sure everyone
knew who owned this day.
So I came around the last
turn on the course, a huge lead, and nothing on my mind but soaking
up the vibe. The crowd was going
crazy, because apparently the announcer, Bob Womack, was
talking the whole race about how fast I was running, and how close
I was to the record. So by the time
I came within sight of the finish line, hysteria had ensued.
Once I heard him calling out how close I was to the record, I
honestly felt like I could cry. I was so happy to be winning
this race, and solidifying my place as a favorite for the finals
title. But to him also say I was close to the record is almost
too much. But hear I came, rolling into the finish area, thundering
applause, and chills up even my spine. And boom, new course record!
I had beaten the record
by only one second, but it felt like I had smashed it by a
minute.
I was so incredibly jacked up. I knew Eric Reynolds
had gone on to win the finals, and he was infamous in California
running. So after that race, I headed into San Diego with more
confidence than anyone could of had. I can honestly say that
I pretty much knew I was going to win the finals after my race
at Woodward. The way I took off at the beginning and held my
advantage throughout the race, I just knew I could win in San
Diego. In fact, I pretty much ran the finals the same way. Maybe
I held back a bit, but after 800 meters I took off, and never
looked back there as well.
Woodward will always have
a soft place in my heart. I can never hear the name and not
think about my Kinney/Foot Locker days
there. I mean, come on it's Fresno! There's not a whole lot there.
But for me, there's a lot of history, and a lot of success. I
went on to win a couple of other races there in college, so I
have to say I've had probably the most success there than on
any other course. But honestly, please don't go out in 4:26!
Only crazy people should do that! :)
Marc Davis
Dyestat.com
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