1983 Barathon, vol. 2

BAR-A-THON II A BIG SUCCESS
by Tom Collins
(Originally printed in Tchoupitoulas Newsletter , Vol. 2, No. 3, Oct.-Nov. 1983.)

Proving once again that the beer bottle is mightier than I don’t know what, Tchoupitoulas runners subjected themselves for the second time in a year to the grueling BAR-A-THON. As earlier in the year, John Stuhlman played host to this unique racing event and did a tremendous job. Ran a pretty darn good race, too. Attaboy, John!! Anyways, Oliver Marshall returned to the scene of his earlier triumph and successfully defended his crown as the king of “drinking on the run”. With weather conditions ideal, Tchoupitoulans and invited runners gathered at Hillary’s Restaurant (race hq.) in early October to run the more-or-less 10K course through Uptown’s “corner bar district.” Bars on the course were Hillary’s (start and finish), Frankie and Johnnie’s, F & M Bar, Norby’s, Audubon II, and Bon Temps. Many of these bars donated free beer and we are very grateful, f’sure. Ron Brinkman exerted his race-coordination skills for the event and all-in-all, it was a pretty smooth event.

The starting gun sounded at 5:30 P.M. and it was every man for himself. Leaping over car hoods and dashing through intersections, the pack rapidly branched off as everyone took their favorite routes and shortcuts …. In a sterling performance of alcoholic running, Oliver Marshall fended off a strong field of runners to finish first again, in 33:21. Gordy Cookshaw was next in 34:20, another impressive performance. And 3rd behind Oliver was fellow drunk Alan Menkes, in 35:22. First female was Peggy Cleary, who ran 49:45. Way to go, Peggy!

Following the race, the usual festivities got under way at Hillary’s, with a unique awards ceremony taking the spotlight. Emcee Ron Brinkman again dispensed some of the most original awards seen at any race to numerous runners…. TuTu Man capped the event with a stirring watermelon sacrifice — one of his better performances, too. A good time was had by all, f’sure. Thanks again for playing host, John, and thanks also to all the race workers and volunteers!!!!

Complete race results for the Bar-A-Thon immediately follow:

1. Oliver Marshall 33:21
2. Gordon Cookshaw 34:20
3. Alan Menkes 35:22
4. Kent McDonald 36:00
5. Willie Stamm 36:50
6. Ray Ward 37:05
7. Joey Provenzano 37:36
8. Doug Watkins 38:58
9. Jerry Hardouin 39:36
10. Bryan Roberts 39:37
11. Ron Brinkman 39:59
12. Michael Dews 40:29
13. John Johnson 41:05
14. John Stuhlman 41:29
15. Roger Hairr 41:35
16. Mike Benoit 42:05
17. Chuck George 42:38
18. Greg Hamilton 43:06
19. Pat Casey 43:26
20. TuTu Man 43:30
21. Ralph Marchese 45:16
22. Steve Kennedy 45:34
23. Ronnie Blanchard 46:33
24. Howard Heno 47:15
25. Charles Weymouth 47:58
26. Peggy Cleary 49:45
27. John Pinholster 51:25
28. Jorgen Jorgensen 51:38
29. Rue Amberg 55:28
30. Scott Van Camp 1:07:43
31. Carolyn Sigman 1:08:13