Buffaloes Stampede Along the American River
Jaymee Marty looking strong at the halfway point.
Since the 1970s, runners from around the region have lined up on the first Sunday after Labor Day to take on one of Sacramento’s premier distance running events: The Buffalo Stampede.
In the heyday of American distance running, there were fewer races to choose from and the competition was fierce. A sub-60 minute time might not guarantee you a top-20 finish!
The popularity of this 10-mile race has ebbed and flowed over the years, and the fast end of the field at one point dwindled to a single runner breaking that 60-minute barrier.
The addition of the Buffalo Migration, later renamed the Parrott Migration in honor of long-time Buffalo Chips coach George Parrott, helped establish this fall race as an ideal build-up race for local runners training for their first or a PR marathon at the California International Marathon in December.
This year, over 600 runner took the 10-mile challenge under the watchful eyes of Race Directors Jose’ Rodarte and Diane Vlach, while countless volunteers took time out of their weekend to get the runners through the event as safely and quickly as possible.
The men’s race was stacked with local talent and there were 16 runners completing the course in under an hour! Kevin Pool of Folsom took an early lead and finished in 51:38– a full minute ahead of second place finisher Alan Jackson, of Sacramento, who came in at 52:47. Cheyne Inman, of Vacaville, was another minute back at 53:40.
Chips President Edward Randolph
In the women’s race, it was a familiar face out in front as Jaymee Marty of Sacramento held a commanding lead over Liz Gottlieb of San Rafael by the time they reached the halfway point, and they finished in 1:01:17 and 1:03:39, respectively.
Janine Marello, of Sacramento, earned the 3rd place spot with her 1:06:28 finish.
The male and female winners get to take home what is probably the least coveted but most intriguing prize in local running: a plaque with a shellac-coated buffalo chip on it. These prizes have been lovingly made each year by Buffalo Chips founder Abe Underwood.
Every summer, Abe risks life and limb to gather them from the local buffalo ranch near Eldorado Hills. “They’ve never even seemed to notice me,” he says. “But I’m always looking over my shoulder when I’m out there.”
Complete results are at Capital Road Race Management. Pete Zinsli has some snapshots from the race up at his Weekend Results page.
Wendy Pratt is all smiles on her way to an age division win.
A standing “o” to all who helped put this together. Especially to Diane and Jose for all the hard work they put in to making this a smashing event. Thank you!!!!!
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