Letter to the Editor: Sierra Recon

Editor, Today I ran the Sierra Recon race and entered the green trail the beginners course. I run a different race about every 6 weeks ranging from mud and trail runs to half marathons with all different types of terrain.  Today I witnessed a man die on the course. He suffered a head wound and had a seizure and finally stopped breathing.  It took over 10 minutes to get medial personnel to assist, leaving competitors to administer CPR.

I had no clue that this race would make me feel so unsafe.  It was poorly planned from the start within 50 feet I gouged my knee on exposed metal that was submerged in a mud pit created by the race staff.

Additionally these "obstacles" we're over the top dangerous from any of the other runs I have participated in.  In fact this was not a "run" it was a timed hike over dangerous terrain.

Suspended logs over 6-10 ft drops
Rock and boulder fields
Snow melt pools 5ft deep ( Breathe taking and possibly heart stopping considering the man has his accident within 100 yards of exiting the freezing pool.

I signed up to get a workout and have a good time, I was not expecting to risk my life. The lesson I take from this experience is to always check into the reputation of the people who chart the course and then double check that it has adequate medical coverage through out the course. God bless this man and his loved ones he has left behind.

Lisa Hogan
Sacramento