By David Yon
“I will get us a big lead,” Sarah said as she pointed her finger at Cris’s chest, “and if you blow it, you are sleeping outside with the possums tonight!” True to her word Sarah Docter-Williams ran the fastest split, male or female, in the Couples Caper Feb. 11 – 14:38. A terrorized Cris Williams was up to the task of protecting the big lead, running a 16:23 for an overall time of 31:01, more than a minute and half up on the second place duo of David and Mary Jean Yon who followed at 32:34. (So, I slept with the possums last night, instead.)
This unique race gives couples a chance to test their relationships or form new ones. You don’t have to be romantically involved to team up, but you never know where in the race Cupid is so you’d better keep moving — fast.
The Couples Caper is a great way to gear up for Valentines Day. The ladies take off first on the 4K course, while the gentlemen wait patiently for their partners to return to the start/finish area. Then, after a proper greeting, the men take off to defend their position or try to run someone else down. If you are lucky, everyone else is already gone and you don’t have to worry about getting passed.
The third edition of this race had 32 couples battling it out and a few singles looking for someone to claim as a partner. The overall awards were unique, as GWTC member and hotel proprietor Gail Reinertsen gave away two nights at the Calhoun Street Inn Bed and Breakfast. Fred and Margarete Deckert have put together another great event.