History of Annual Club Handicap Race

We began running our annual handicap race in 1971. It was originally called the Cunningham handicap race because it started and finished at Frank Cunningham’s house, which was located just off Summit Road in the Santa Cruz mountains. The race was an out-and-back course of 7.2 miles. After the race, we had a nice lunch on the Cunningham property.

We ran the same course from 1971 through 1978, when Frank sold his home and moved to Stockton. Four club members ran the race every year during this period – Ken Napier, Walt Van Zant, Carl Martin, and Craig Windham. Dick Barrett, whose name is on our weekly trophy, ran the race six out of eight times. Don Cantrell was the winner of the first race and Ken Napier was the scratch-time winner the first four years and five of the first six years. He held the course record at 41:06.

Ken’s streak of running in every handicap race ended in 1979. Craig Windham’s streak ended in 1980. Carl Martin’s streak ended in 1981. And, Walt Van Zant’s streak ended in 1984.

We moved to Los Gatos for our 1979 race, starting and finishing at the Blossom Hill Park. The distance of the race was 7.0 miles. We also changed the name of the race to the Shettler Handicap Race in honor of club member Jim Shettler, who died of a heart attack in 1976 at the age of 42. He was the top Northern California master runner at age 40 and 41 and was leading in 1976 prior to his death.

The handicap race was run at Vasona Park from 1980 through 1983. The race consisted of three 2-mile loops. We stopped running at Vasona after 1983 because the park personnel failed to open the gate at the Oak Meadow Park entrance in 1983 until most club members had completed two loops. Club members were forced to climb an 8-foot fence during each of the first two laps. Smaller club members were able to squeeze under the gate.

We moved the race to the Carol Stroud residence in Saratoga in 1984. We ran two 5K loops that year, starting and finishing in front of the Stroud residence. Carol’s house was located at the corner of Horseshoe and Los Gatos/Saratoga Rd. The course was changed to one 4.19-mile loop for the years 1985 through 1987.

Our next change was to the Russ and Terri Kinsch residence in 1988. Their home was located in Saratoga near Prospect high school. We ran a 3-loop course of 1.12 miles each. The race was followed by a nice dinner across the street from the Kinsch home at a swim pool complex. We ran races on this course from 1988 through 1995. The course record holders for this course were Mike Kriege for the men (1989) and Becki Kriege for the women (1990).

The 1996 race started and finished in front of the Dave and Vicki Garcia home in Saratoga. The 5K course consisted of 3 loops.

No handicap race was held in 1997.

All races from 1998 through the present have started and finished in front of the Rich and Judy Collins home in Saratoga. This race course consists of four 0.76M loops for a total of 3.06 miles. All races have been followed by a great breakfast put on by Rich and Judy. The course record holders for this course are Slim Pickens for the men (2005) and Becki Kriege (2006) for the women.

The race winners and scratch-time winners for this race have been --

Year Handicap Winner Scratch Winner

1971 Don Cantrell Ken Napier

1972 Craig Windham Ken Napier

1973 Virginia Collins Ken Napier

1974 Kent Guthrie Ken Napier

1975 Glee Edholm Rick Bowers

1976 Gordon Dudley Ken Napier

1977 Ralph Bowles Ralph Bowles

1978 Walt VanZant Kent Guthrie

1979 John Laws Kent Guthrie

1980 Don Cantrell Jake White

1981 Harry Hill Ray Russell

1982 Seymour Collins Jerry Lynch

1983 Bob Rea Don Dugdale

1984 Chris Nunez Ken Drew

1985 Chris Loosley Chris Loosley

1986 Vicki Eyre Rob Meinhardt

1987 Walt Van Zant Danny Moon

1988 Walt Van Zant Frank Ruona

1989 Robert Russell Mike Kriege

1990 Damon Lease Don Dugdale & Bill Meinhardt

1991 Vicki Garcia Rob Meinhardt

1992 Steve Stearns Bob Rea

1993 Bob Sferra Dave Garcia

1994 Pauline Beatty Al Murray

1995 Marion Carter Danny Moon

1996 Dave McCarten Ray Russell

1998 Karl Hiltner Bob Pickens

1999 Carol Mendoza Dave Beauley

2000 Chris Hallen Ray Russell

2001 Danny Moon Danny Moon

2002 Rick Kananen Bob Pickens

2003 Dena Noble Bob Pickens

2004 John Peterson Bob Pickens

2005 Tim Riley Bob Pickens

2006 Dena Noble Bob Pickens

2007 Joe Johnson Mike Bordoni

The only scratch runners to win this race were Ralph Bowles in 1977, Chris Loosley in 1985, and Danny Moon in 2001.

5/8/71 – Frank Cunningham Handicap Race

7.2 Miles

Finish Actual

Pl Runner Time Start Time

1 Don Cantrell 64:07 8:35 56:32

2 Harvey Swenson 64:32 15:20 49:12

3 Ed Tico 65:13 18:40 46:33

4 Bob Blonder 65:37 18:40 46:57

5 Bob DiMascio 65:57 7:20 58:37

6 Carl Martin 66:04 20:00 46:04

7 Craig Windham 66:15 14:40 51:35

8 Bruce Castle 66:29 19:40 46:49

9 Jim Mackey 66:31 17:00 49:31

10 Bob Mackey 66:34 19:00 47:34

11 Bill Buckley 66:41 _____ 66:41

12 Gay Castle 66:46 5:20 61:26

13 Frank Cunningham 66:59 16:50 50:09

14 Ken Napier 67:05 25:20 41:45

15 Bill Mackey 67:10 23:50 43:20

16 Harry Hill 67:34 17:50 49:44

17 Walt Van Zant 67:44 21:20 46:24

18 Art Pedreira 68:01 10:30 57:31

19 L.D. Bennett 68:21 17:00 51:21

20 Dave Peterson 68:39 22:00 46:39

21 Dick Barrett 70:59 15:00 55:59

5/7/72 – Frank Cunningham Handicap Race

7.2 Miles

Finish Actual

Pl Runner Time Start Time

1 Craig Windham 62:08 14:00 48:08

2 Eddie Tico 62:08 14:00 48:08

3 Seymour Collins 62:44 7:00 55:44

4 Mike Devine 62:54 13:30 49:24

5 Harvey Swenson 62:56 15:00 47:56

6 Dave Cantrell 63:05 10:00 53:05

7 Ken Napier 63:09 20:30 42:39

8 Harry Hill 63:25 16:00 47:25

9 Walt Van Zant 63:41 20:30 43:11

10 Bob Mackey 64:07 17:00 47:07

11 Wymond Schultz 64:15 13:00 51:15

12 Ed Tico 64:18 18:00 46:18

13 Virginia Collins 64:40 2:30 62:10

14 Bob Blonder 65:02 17:00 48:02

15 Don Osborne 65:08 10:00 55:08

16 Dick Egner 65:10 17:00 48:10

17 Carl Martin 65:23 20:00 45:23

18 Jim Mackey 65:34 15:30 50:04

19 Don Cantrell 65:45 10:00 55:45

20 Larry Fox 66:31 12:30 54:01

21 Pam Miller 67:03 8:00 59:03

22 Ed Fitzgerald 72:26 11:30 60:56

5/6/73 – Frank Cunningham Handicap Race

7.2 Miles

Finish Actual

Pl Runner Time Start Time

1 Virginia Collins 65:19 7:45 57:34

2 Bill Buckley 65:55 4:15 61:40

3 Seymour Collins 66:05 18:45 47:20

4 Ken Napier 66:06 25:00 41:06

5 Walt Van Zant 66:44 23:15 43:29

6 Marcie Tico 66:45 _____ 66:45

7 Don Osborne 67:17 12:00 55:17

8 Harvey Swenson 67:21 18:45 48:36

9 Ron Joelson 67:23 16:45 50:38

10 Carl Martin 67:25 20:30 46:55

11 Criag Windham 67:35 19:30 48:05

12 Bob Mackey 67:39 19:58 47:41

13 Len Edholm 68:07 18:00 50:07

14 Jim Mackey 68:41 16:15 52:26

15 Carl Gillette 68:57 20:30 48:27

16 Dick Barrett 69:27 5:45 63:42

17 Ed Tico 70:38 20:00 50:38

18 Larry Fox 70:54 14:15 56:39

19 John Laws 71:26 9:15 62:11

20 Ed Fitzgerald 71:57 14:15 57:42

21 John Elliott 72:08 16:15 55:53

22 Don Cantrell 72:34 11:15 61:19

23 Rich Hendrix 73:35 17:15 56:20

24 Dave Cantrell 76:20 20:15 56:05

5/4/74 – Frank Cunningham Handicap Race

7.2 Miles

Finish Actual

Pl Runner Time Start Time

1 Kent Guthrie 63:43 21:15 42:28

2 Dick Barrett 64:00 7:00 57:00

3 Bill Buckley 64:20 3:30 60:50

4 Eddie Tico 64:33 18:30 46:03

5 Carl Gillette 64:34 16:30 48:04

6 Bob Mackey 64:37 17:15 47:12

7 Ken Napier 64:40 23:15 41:25

8 John Elliott 65:00 13:45 51:15

9 Len Edholm 65:05 15:45 49:20

10 Ed Tico 65:06 14:15 50:51

11 Don Cantrell 65:15 10:00 55:15

12 Carl Martin 65:30 19:45 45:45

13 Keith Campbell 65:32 17:45 47:47

14 Seymour Collins 65:41 18:15 47:26

15 Ron Joelson 65:59 13:45 52:14

16 Larry Fox 66:04 10:45 55:19

17 Dick Egner 66:08 16:15 49:53

18 Glee Edholm 66:22 _____ 66:22

19 Harry Hill 66:26 18:15 48:11

20 Virginia Collins 66:36 9:15 57:21

21 Mike Healy 66:41 21:00 45:41

22 John Goodman 66:49 18:15 48:34

23 Harvey Swenson 66:52 16:15 50:37

24 Dave Cantrell 66:58 15:15 51:43

25 Frank Cunningham 67:10 14:15 52:55

26 Craig Windham 70:22 16:15 54:07

27 Walt Van Zant 70:43 21:15 49:28

28 Bill Mackey 72:36 17:15 55:21

29 Don Osborne 74:39 9:45 64:54

5/25/75 – Frank Cunningham Handicap Race

7.2 Miles

Finish Actual

Pl Runner Time Start Time

1 Glee Edholm 62:40 _____ 62:40

2 Mary Healy 63:00 8:45 55:15

3 Seymour Collins 63:10 14:45 48:25

4 Rick Bowers 63:19 20:45 42:34

5 Ed Tico 63:45 12:30 51:15

6 Carl Gillette 64:05 15:15 48:50

7 Virginia Collins 64:11 7:00 57:11

8 George Jacobson 64:13 14:30 49:43

9 Mike Healy 64:32 20:00 44:32

10 Bruce Rider 64:36 21:30 43:06

11 Orv Osborne 64:38 17:30 47:08

12 Dick Egner 64:42 13:30 51:12

13 Harry Hill 64:54 14:15 50:39

14 John Elliott 65:21 11:00 54:51

15 Dick Barrett 65:37 7:45 57:52

16 Walt Van Zant 65:58 18:15 47:43

17 Ken Napier 66:10 20:15 45:55

18 Eddie Tico 66:28 16:00 50:28

19 Len Edholm 66:30 12:30 54:00

20 Craig Winham 66:34 13:45 52:49

21 John Goodman 67:41 14:45 52:56

22 Carl Martin 68:29 16:15 52:14

23 Larry Fox 69:64 7:30 62:24

24 Gordon Dudley 70:01 10:30 61:16

25 Don Osborne 79:12 5:30 73:42

26 Harvey Swenson 79:12 13:15 65:57

Bob Blonder DNF 14:45

5/22/76 – Frank Cunningham Handicap Race

7.2 Miles

Finish Actual

Pl Runner Time Start Time

1 Gordon Dudley 63:14 11:00 52:14

2 Manny Mahon 63:22 20:00 43:22

3 Carl Martin 63:50 17:30 46:20

4 Dave Collins 64:04 16:30 47:34

5 Ken Napier 64:08 21:00 43:08

6 Bill Mackey 64:15 15:00 49:15

7 Preston Hill 64:23 16:00 48:23

8 Carl Gillette 64:37 15:30 49:07

9 Larry Fox 64:43 9:00 55:43

10 Bob Blonder 64:46 15:45 49:01

11 Walt Van Zant 65:02 18:45 46:17

12 Virginia Collins 65:21 8:00 57:21

13 Seymour Collins 65:25 15:45 49:40

14 Phil Sanfilippo 65:41 17:45 47:56

15 John Elliott 65:49 11:15 54:34

16 Lauren Hill 65:50 15:00 50:50

17 Bill Meinhardt 65:51 21:30 44:21

18 Wymond Schultz 66:29 13:00 53:29

19 Alex Quartly 66:40 11:15 55:25

20 Ellen Collins 66:46 3:00 63:46

21 Cliff Collins 70:05 18:30 51:35

22 Ron Neidrauer 70:36 15:00 55:36

23 Bruce Rider 84:15 23:15 61:00

23 Kent Guthrie 84:15 23:15 61:00

25 Ann Hill 84:45 _____ 84:45

Craig Winham DNF 13:00

Kent Guthrie and Bruce Rider started last and had made up

1:45 on Ken Napier by the turnaround point, which indicated that they would have run near 40:00. Alas, they missed the turnaround rock (not well marked) and kept on running for quite awhile before turning around. They probably would have finished 1-2 if not for the mishap.

6/4/77 – Frank Cunningham Handicap Race

7.2 Miles

Finish Actual

Pl Runner Time Start Time

1 Ralph Bowles 60:29 19:00 41:29

2 Virginia Collins 60:31 4:45 55:46

3 Carl Martin 61:41 15:15 46:26

4 Phil Sanfilippo 61:44 16:00 45:44

5 Bill Mackey 61:53 12:00 49:53

6 Ed Tico 62:04 13:15 48:49

7 John Laws 62:12 5:45 56:27

8 Seymour Collins 62:18 12:15 50:03

9 John Elliott 62:36 12:15 50:21

10 Ken Israel 62:37 12:00 50:37

11 Ken Spring 62:45 :30 62:15

12 Andy Lewis 62:51 17:30 45:21

13 Walt Van Zant 63:10 14:30 48:40

14 Craig Windham 63:34 11:00 52:34

15 Dick Egner 64:00 12:30 51:30

16 John Naylor 64:09 12:30 51:39

17 Larry Fox 64:55 5:45 59:10

18 Harry Hill 64:59 12:15 52:44

19 Dick Scherer 65:12 4:00 61:12

20 Ken Napier 65:30 17:15 48:15

21 Kent Guthrie 65:31 20:00 45:31

22 Charlie Roskosz 65:56 11:00 54:56

23 George Jacobson 65:57 12:45 53:12

24 Carl Gillette 67:30 14:00 53:30

25 Dennis Chase 68:05 2:00 66:05

26 John Finn 69:02 2:00 67:02

27 Gil Tarin 70:02 20:30 49:32

28 Richard Clark 70:41 20:15 50:26

29 Dick Barrett 70:49 5:45 65:04

29 Don Cantrell 70:49 2:00 68:49

31 Joe Sordi 73:07 _____ 73:07

6/3/78 – Frank Cunningham Handicap Race

7.2 Miles

Finish Actual

Pl Runner Time Start Time

1 Walt Van Zant 69:34 19:30 50:04

2 Craig Windham 69:52 20:30 49:22

3 Ken Nickel 70:36 23:30 47:06

4 John Naylor 70:59 22:15 48:44

5 Rich Collins 71:10 23:00 48:10

6 Link Lindquist 71:24 21:00 50:24

7 Jim Wurm 71:30 26:30 45:00

8 Kent Guthrie 71:32 30:00 41:32

9 Carl Martin 71:40 24:30 47:10

10 Charlie Roskosz 71:46 23:30 48:16

11 Joe Sordi 71:59 12:45 59:14

12 Jennifer Nickel 72:00 12:15 59:45

13 Ken Napier 72:19 27:15 45:04

14 Phil Sanfilippo 73:08 27:45 45:23

15 John Elliott 73:18 20:00 53:18

16 Ralph Bowles 74:14 30:00 44:14

17 Dick Barrett 74:34 12:15 62:19

18 Bill Buckley 74:48 9:15 65:33

19 Ken Spring 74:52 13:10 61:42

20 Lynn Harris 75:20 18:15 57:05

21 Tom Grogan 76:31 12:15 64:16

22 Mike Fenner 76:36 26:00 50:36

5/20/79 – Shettler Handicap Race

7.0 Miles – Near Blossom Hill Park

Finish Actual

Pl Runner Time Start Time

1 John Laws 62:36 8:00 54:36

2 Dave Garcia 63:22 22:45 40:37

3 Seymour Collins 63:35 15:15 48:20

4 Ron Niedrauer 63:46 17:00 46:46

5 Kent Guthrie 63:57 24:30 39:27

6 Bob Mackey 63:58 14:45 49:13

7 Dick Barrett 64:11 7:00 57:11

8 Glenn Douglas 64:32 17:00 47:32

9 John Elliott 64:40 14:45 49:55

10 Walt Van Zant 64:52 21:00 43:52

11 Virginia Collins 64:54 9:15 55:39

12 Rich Collins 65:02 20:30 44:32

13 Harry Hill 65:04 14:00 51:04

14 Larry Fox 65:16 9:15 56:01

15 Carl Martin 65:23 19:00 46:23

16 Craig Windham 65:33 19:00 46:33

17 Joe Sordi 65:37 7:00 58:37

18 Jesse Van Zant 66:52 14:45 52:07

19 Ron Nelson 67:38 21:00 46:38

20 Bob Rea 67:43 20:45 46:58

21 Don Cantrell 68:41 6:30 62:11

22 Dennis Facchino 70:29 20:00 50:29

23 Bill Buckley