By Charles James
Special to The Inyo Register
More than 200 runners attended the Wild, Wild West Marathon on Saturday, May 2.
The race which finished at the Spainhower Park in Lone Pine is the third oldest trail marathon behind Pikes Peak and Catalina Island. This annual event, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce in Lone Pine, has an almost cult-like appeal to many ultra runners, many of whom return year after year.
The route includes several steady climbs and declines ranging in altitudes of between 3,700 and 6,600 feet. The trail route started at Tuttle Creek Campground at almost 5,120 feet. To the west are some of the most impressive peaks in the Sierra Nevada Range: Mt. Whitney, Lone Pine Peak and Mt. Williamson, while to the east is the Alabama Hills, famous for its movie history.
 Jeremy Meyers of Cool, Calif. and Katy McNamara of Woodland Hills, the female winner, take a break from running. Photo submitted The weather could not have been better with mild temperatures and light winds. Complementing the weather was spectacular vistas of the snow-capped Sierra and the Owens Valley, as runners cross several creeks and race along paths that showcase many varieties of wildflowers, including crimson Indian Paintbrush, Lavender Lupine, Mohave Asters, and yellow Desert Dandelions. You never know what kind of wildlife you might see but runners may have come across bears, Tule elk, deer, badger, raccoons, coyotes, skunks and native birds as they wind their way to the finish.
Making the race a success was a host of local businesses and volunteers. Lis and Kevin Mazzu of Lone Pine McDonald’s provided snacks and drinks for runners at the end of the race as well as breakfast and lunch for volunteers, while County Supervisor Richard Cervantes was also on hand to assist the marathon staff.
Southern Inyo Hospital provided a shuttle and driver throughout the day. Crystal Geyser provided much-needed and appreciated bottled water for runners. Other supporters included the Best Western Motel, Dow Villa Motel, Elevation, Gardner’s True Value, Boulder Creek RV Resort, Lee’s Frontier, Lone Pine Pizza Factory, Lone Pine Laundromat, Ben and Denise Jones, Trail’s Motel, Bonanza Mexican Restaurant, Joseph’s Bi-Rite Market, Lone Pine Film History Museum, Comfort Inn, De La Cour Ranch, Whitney Portal Store, Lone Pine TV, Subway, and the Bureau of Land Management.
Pictures and results of the marathon will be posted at www.HealthyCommunitiesofSIC.org.
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