The TransAmerica Foot Race

Vendredi 12 décembre 2008 5 12 /12 /Déc /2008 08:30

Course Trans-continentale : The 1994 MoonBat TransAmerica Footrace

La TransAmerica Footrace fut organisée à quatre reprises de 1992 à 1995 par Jesse Dale Riley et Michael Kenney. C'était une version modernisée des Bunion Derbies de 1928 et 1929.
Cette trans-continentale de 64 jours fait rêver de nombreux pratiquants de l'ultra endurance pédestre, notamment les "gaulois" de la Transe Gaule (1151 km en 18 jours).

1994 Moonbat Trans America Footrace
Huntington Beach CA - New York NY
18 juin - 20 août 1994 - 2 925.7 miles (4 708,45 km)

14 partants, 5 finishers

1. Istvan Sipos, 35 HUN 517:43:02
2. Dante Ciolfi, 39 USA 563:11:04 (+45:28:02)
3. Michiyoshi Kaiho, 50 JPN 587:02:02 (+69:19:00)
4. Motohiko Sato, 29 JPN 596:38:22 (78:55:20)
5. Kawika Spaulding, 40 USA 598:48:24 (+81:05:22)

Part 1 (9'44)

Part 2 (9'30)

Part 3 (9'27)

Part 4 (6'38)

Part 5 (5'18)

"Il n'est pas possible d'aborder la course avec un esprit logique,
car il est impossible de comprendre»
(Istvan Sipos, vainqueur de l'épreuve)

Voir ou revoir aussi : Running Across America - 1992 TransAmerica Footrace

Par Thierry D. - Publié dans : The TransAmerica Foot Race

Jeudi 16 octobre 2008 4 16 /10 /Oct /2008 23:32

Running Across America - 1992 TransAmerica Footrace

La TransAmerica Footrace fut organisée à quatre reprises de 1992 à 1995 par Jesse Dale Riley et Michael Kenney. C'était une version modernisée des Bunion Derbies de 1928 et 1929.

Results 1992 TransAmerica Footrace

(28 starters, 13 finishers)

Runner's World Trans America Footrace
Huntington Beach CA to New York NY
June 20 to August 22, 1992 - 2935.8 miles

1. David Warady, 35, USA CA - 521:35:57
2. Milan Milanovic, 32 SUI - 527:16:21 (+5:40:24)
3. Tom Rogozinski, 24 USA - 528:48:54 (+7:12:57)

1992 TransAmerica Footrace

Les "Néféliens" (lire : participants à la No Finish Line) 2006 auront le plaisir de revoir Milan Milanovic sur cette video.

A la suite de la publication de cet article, Jean Benoit Jaouen a eu la gentillesse de m'adresser ce mail qui vient enrichir l'information :

Salut Thierry,

C'est une pépite d'or que tu as trouvé là ! C'est génial, je n'avais jamais vu d'images animées de la Trans'Am 92 mais pas mal de photos car j'avais suivi à l'époque le feuilleton sur Runner's World et puis VO2 avait aussi fait un sujet sur Serge Debladis.

Le classement officiel de 1992 :

1992
Results - Runner's World Trans America Footrace
Huntington Beach CA to New York NY
June 20 to August 22, 1992 - 2935.8 miles

1. David Warady, 35, USA CA 521:35:57
2. Milan Milanovic, 32 SUI 527:16:21 (+5:40:24)
3. Tom Rogozinski, 24 USA 528:48:54 (+7:12:57)
4. Richard Westbrook, 45 USA 537:33:04 (+15:57:07)
5. Emile Laharrague, 45 FRA 542:38:03 (+21:02:06)
6. Edward Kelley, 34 USA 545:09:45 (+23:33:48)
7. Helmut Shieke, 53 GER 563:05:40 (+41:29:43)
8. Peter Hodson, 37 GBR 575:50:42 (+74:44:04)
9. Stefan Schlett, 30 GER 619:28:22 (+97:52:25)
10. Marty Sprengelmeyer, 46 USA 625:27:15 (+119:20:33)
11. John Wallis, 55, USA 653:14:37 (+131:38:40)
12. John Surdyk, 34 USA 693:36:25 (+173:54:44)
13. Serge Debladis, 44 FRA 793:35:15 (+182:33:13)

Sur ce film on reconnaît l'Allemand Helmut Schieke qui fut le meilleur ultramarathonien allemand à son époque et qui ne court plus depuis la Trans Europe 2003 (abandon). Helmut officie maintenant chaque année comme bénévole et fournisseur de bières à l'étape, toujours avec une immense gentillesse, sur la Deutschlandlauf et il sera encore dans le staff de la TransEurope 2009.

Je ne résiste pas à l'envie de rajouter que, outre Emile Laharrague et Serge Debladis, 2 autres Français (et 2 seulement !) ont terminé cette épreuve : Luc Dumont-St-Priest et Olivier Forti, respectivement 2è et 5è en 2004 qui fut la dernière course organisée.

Beaucoup d'autres ont traversé les USA en solo :
http://www.seejohnrun.com/Trans_USA_Ultra.htm

Vraiment sympa, ces images !

Merci à toi, JB !

1928 C.C Pyle’s International Trans-Continental Race (From LA to New York)
Was the brainchild of C.C. (Cash and Carry) Pyle who was already a successful sports promoter when he hit upon the idea of a transcontinental footrace to be contested in a similar manner to the already famous Tour de France bicycle race. Pyle was sure that the race would make him a fortune and he offered a $25000 first prize in order to attract the best athletes in the world. Although it is questionable whether the race did in fact attract the best athletes, it was certainly an international field of 199 runners who toed the starting line at the Ascot Speedway on the outskirts of Los Angeles on March 4 1928, and a motley crew of 55, who finished at Madison Square 84 days later.

The 1929 Race – From New York to LA.
Despite the fact that he probably lost about $100,000 on the 1928 run, Pyle was confident that with the experience he had gained the previous year, he would make his fortune in 1929! This time the race was run in the opposite direction and on different roads. Prize money was offered again but this time it went down to the 15th finisher.
The race started from Columbus Circle on March 31 and many of the runners were veterans from the 1928 race. These men had learned the hard way about racing strategy, pacing and how to take care of themselves. The rate of attrition was very high among the untrained runners and out of a starting field of over 100, by the end of day five the field was down to 51; by day ten, 36; and by the 21st stage there were only 31 runners left!
The race turned out to be a two horse race between Peter Gavuzzi and the man who came in second in 1928, Johnny Salo. On the final stage, amidst much controversy, Salo won by a margin of 2 minutes 17 seconds!
The top 15 men, who should have won prize money, are set out below together with their finishing times and the amount of prize money. C.C.Pyle was bankrupt at the end of the race and no money was paid out!

These 2 races became known as the Bunion Derbies. But these races (perhaps due to all the financial problems that occurred) were the last Trans-USA races to be held for some 63 years!