Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Two-time defending Dammit Run champion Kenrick Sealy will try to make it three straight this year.

Los Gatos Dammit Run returning for 24th year

By Dick Sparrer

It's dusty and dirty. It's rough and rocky. It's a rugged, steep trail up to the face of Lexington Dam. And runners can hardly wait to challenge tough Dammit Trail when the Los Gatos Dammit Run makes its 24th return to town on Aug. 16.

Another competitive field is expected this year for the traditional event. But one thing's for sure-- it's certainly no walk in the park. And anyone who has made the dusty climb to the dam face and back knows it.

But still they return.

Kendrick Sealy tops the list of Dammit veterans. Sealy won the five-mile event in 1995 in 27:39.60, and he defended that title last summer when he came home in 28:04.90 when the runners returned to the "old loop course."

Sealy was first, with Gilbert Munoz second in 29:18.94, Patrick Fear third in 29:31.95, James Cardoza fourth in 29:55.85 and Rob Nast fifth in 30:10.02.

Christine Kennedy was the women's winner in 32:25.35, with Susie Blake second in 32:51.22, Julie Rohloff third in 34:08.55, Elizabeth Nast fourth in 34:42.72 and Rosemarie Lagunas fifth in 34:48.59.

As races go, this is a tough one. And race organizers caution Dammit entrants about the extreme conditions they may face on the trail with a warning printed right on the race flyer:

"This course is rough, rocky, dusty, with very steep uphill terrain and narrow trails," the race flier warns. "Don't underestimate its difficulty--this is not a race for the faint of heart or the timid."

The race will start tamely enough on the track at Los Gatos High School, and it will finish in the same location. But in between, runners had best be prepared for the rocky, dusty trip into the foothills to Lexington.

Runners will race down the trail next to Los Gatos High School's lower field, past the Old Mill and across Main Street to make the climb up to Lexington Reservoir. Runners will cross the face of the dam, head back down the hill to College Avenue and race back to the finish line on the Los Gatos track.

Race-day registration will begin at 6:30 a.m., and the starting gun will blast at 8:30 a.m. Runners can pre-register at Athletic Performance, 55 W. Main St., or at the Runners Factory, 51 University Ave., through Aug. 15.

Awards will be given to the top 10 male and female finishers in the following divisions: open, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44 and 45-49. The top five male and female finishers in the 13-and-under, high school (ages 14-17), 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-and-over and heavyweight divisions will receive awards.

All finishers will receive ribbons, and the West Valley Track Club will provide computerized results.

The preregistration entry fee is $8 ($20 with a T-shirt), and the fee is $15 on race day ($30 with a T-shirt). T-shirts alone are priced at $15 and will be sold at the track on race day or in advance at Runners Factory and Athletic Performance. Proceeds from the Dammit go to benefit the Los Gatos High School Track Repair Fund.

The Dammit Run is not for everyone, but you'll find serious runners looking for a challenge in the Dammit field on Aug. 18.

For more information, call 354-7365 or 395-4311.

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