The event was run in Anoka and Isanti Counties for the first time in its 22 year history. While the terrain isnıt as interesting as some of the counties weıve run in, there was enough tricky stuff out there to keep everyone on their toes. Contestants visited 15 cemeteries and 9 other ³special² locations in their search for points. Most questions were straightforward, although a couple of tough trick questions stumped most contestants.
The format of the last two Tombstone Trails minimizes the benefit of experience, as demonstrated by the scores. In addition, the seeding rules were relaxed a little this year, so that experienced people running with ³newbies² might run in a lower seed. The result was that the top teams overall came from all 4 classes.
Brad Odegard and Liz Hare, competing for the first time, finished first overall with a perfect score of 818 points, upsetting teams with as many as 21 years experience. Second overall and 1st in class B were Rolf and Miriam Strand, taking their first class win with only 1 penalty point. Lisa Kloncz on her first event and Joe Brockman on his second took 3rd overall and 1st in class C with 2 points. In 4th overall were Chris Richter and Mary Cress, also running for the first time, with an error of only 7 points.
Doug Davenport was the highest finishing first-timer with a ³ringer², navigator Lea Hoffa, who has run Tombstone Trails with her parents since she was a little girl. Doug and Lea tied for 5th overall with the class A winners, Mark and Mary Utecht.
Thanks to all the contestants who made the 1999 Tombstone Trail a success, and especially to my daughters Rachel and Heather who helped me pull it off for the 22nd time.
The next Tombstone Trail starts October 28, 2000 in Cannon Falls, MN. We hope you can make it.
You can see the event results here.
Mark Larson