The Willow Glen Resident

Dammit Run heads back to Lexington

By Dick Sparrer

It's rough, it's dusty, it's competitive. But it's also become one of the most popular running events in the Santa Clara Valley. It's the Los Gatos Dammit Run, and it will return to town for its 25th running on Aug. 22.

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 face of Lexington Dam and back knows it.

Jason Balkman of Saratoga sure knows it. He covered the five miles in just over 28 minutes last year to win the Dammit title.

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 flier: "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 and 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.

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 Athletic Performance, 55 W. Main St., or at the Runners Factory, 51 University Ave. There are also special running hats on sale for $10.

Proceeds from the Dammit go to benefit the Los Gatos High School Track Repair Fund. For more information, call 354-7365 or 395-4311. The Dammit Run is not for everyone, but you'll find serious runners looking for a challenge in the Dammit field on Aug. 22.

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