Carlos Ramirez ran down Eddie Herena – who had a 37-meter head start – in the last leg of the 4×400 relay race at the 1000 Mile Club’s track meet in an exciting finish you wouldn’t believe even if you saw it on CNN.
Ramirez passed Herena on the back stretch, turning the final corner and sprinted ahead with 15 yards left to the finish line.
“He was the better runner today,” said Herena of Ramirez. “This morning, he is the winner.”
The 4×400 meter relay was the final event of the morning filled with several races.
To begin the day, Bernard “Abdu’r RaHiym” Ballard, 40 years of age, won the One Mile event with a time of 5:39.
“Man, I just stretched. I thought about how bad my hamstring was killing me from running on Monday,” said Ballard. It was Ballard’s first win since becoming a member of the 1000-Mile Club. “It showed what I am capable of, and what I could be if I stay focused and dedicated.”
Diana Fitzpatrick, one of the sponsors for the 1000-Mile Club, said, “It’s a perfect morning for the track meet; great participation and effort by all the runners. We’ve gotten close to a couple of records, but none broken so far any way.”
The 100-meter dash included separate races for those age 50 and over and under age 50. Tone “Barefoot Tone” Evans (50) won the 50-plus event against Dennis Barnes (64) with a time of 12:4, which he ran barefoot, and made it into the record books. Evans beat the former record holder, Dallas Eaton, by a full second (13:12)
“I was chasing the 50 and over record. I now hold the record at San Quentin with the time of 12:4,” said Evans. “Dallas Eaton was the former record-holder at 13:12. He was my mentor. Today, I am the greatest. I’m humble, but I snatched the pebble from my teacher’s hand today,”
In the under-50 category, John “Dunie” Windham, 44, of Sacramento crossed the line in 11:1, followed by Jamar Smith, 33, from Los Angeles.
“I tip my hat to Dunie,” said Smith. “It’s a reason that they call him ‘The man with the 24th chromosome.’ He’s 11 years older than I am, but he’s built as if he plays semi-pro ball. I knew he was my only competition when we stepped to the line. He got me by a full second on the clock, 12:3. I respect that,” said Smith.
In the 200-meter dash, Larry Ford, 58, took the 50-plus category with a time of 30:49.
“I eat these old dudes for breakfast,” said Ford after the race. He beat Barnes, who is 64. “The youngster got me today,” Barnes said, laughing.
Ralph Ligons, All-American track star for Sacramento State, 1971-74, stood at the finish line for all the events. “Today is fantastic! We have track meet level speed and, next time, we’ll start a little later so more people can be involved.” Ligons smiled as another group of half-milers came across the finish line. “It’s always a pleasure to work with the guys who participate in the 1000-mile events.”
One-MILE RUN: Bernard Ballard, 40, 5:39; Chris Scull, 35, 5:47; Jose Sandoval, 31, 6:12; Larry Ford, 58, 6:18; and Marlon Beason, 34, 8:22.
100M DASHES: 50-plus: Barefoot Tone Evans 50, 12:41 and Dennis Barnes 64, 16:10.
Under 50: J. Windham 44, 11:1; J. Smith 33, 12:3; E. Scott 46, 13:2; Beason 34, 13:6; R. Thomas 43, 14:9.
QUARTER MILE: Carlos Ramirez, 36, 1:04:02; Stacy Bullock, 54, 1:12:45; E. Scott, 46, 1:18:46; Louis Hunter, 54, 1:21:33 and Beason, 34, 1:43
200M DASH: 50-plus: Larry Ford 58, 30:49 and Dennis Barnes 64, 34:03,
Under 50: J. Windham, 44, 23:54; Eric Sandoval, 31, 27:42; Abdu’l WaHid Moody, 44, 28:55 and Beason, 34 30:93.
HALF MILE: Eddie Herena, 30, 2:26:43; Miquel Quezada, 32, 2:48: L. Ford, 58, 5:05 and Beason, 34, 8:07.
4X400M RELAY: Evan, 50 (in shoes) v. Stacy, 54; Rahiym v. Chris; Quezada v. Sandoval and Eddie v. Carlos Ramirez: 4.24.65-4.21.13 respectively.