May 11, 2024 at 8:00 AM
What is the 5th Annual Bison Squad Stampede? The event is a rousing run among friends, with distance options of Half Marathon, 10k or 5k followed by an outdoor picnic. Last year we had ~20 participants (a mix of runners and cheer squad) and everyone can maintain whatever pace feels right. You can see the routes in the attached link. Think of it as a semi-organized jaunt through the park with opportunities to socialize and get a workout at the same time. We have attached the Squad Circular publication which gives a recap of the event from last year.
Registrations for the 2024 Stampede is open!
Half-Marathon
10k
5k
This year we will be offering 2 options: Women’s Tank and Unisex T-Shirt, each for $35. If you are interested, please ensure you’ve size and preferred style to the signup sheet by EOD Monday (April 8th).
| 🏆 | Half-Marathon | 10k | 5k |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Emily and Andrea (tie) | Kyla and Molly (tie) | Dave |
| 🥈 | Ethan | Paola and Audrey (tie) | — |
| 🥉 | Ace | — | — |
Races End In Ties, Runners Cheer Aid Station Workers
"We couldn't do it without you. This medal really belongs to you." — Anonymous
Despite vast distances, the 10k and half-marathon races ended in ties. The only deniable champion is Dave, who absolutely dominated the 5K category. His accomplishment is even more impressive considering a 5K race was not part of the official stampede.
Half-Marathon Recap
In the half-marathon race, Ethan started strong and arrived at the first aid station with a considerable lead. But like in nature, a bison is the most vulnerable when it"s away from its herd. A series of injuries slowed Ethan down and allowed Emily and Andrea to overtake him on JFK. The final moments of the race were made more dramatic due to a GPS error that sent leading runners through the finish line 3 times as they extended their run to hit 13.1 miles.
The rest of the field stayed together throughout the race thanks to a strong effort by pacesetter Cheryl, who upgraded from 10K to half-marathon just minutes before the race.
10K Recap
The 10k race also kept spectators on the edge of their seats. The eventual winners, Kyla and Molly, were tied at the hip throughout the race. Distractions at the final aid station gave each leader a chance to break away but neither of them seized the opportunity. The temptation to listen to The Average White Band, the 1970s' king of funk, and their classic 'Pick Up the Pieces' proved too strong. The Mile 3 aid station worker got lost in the sax tunes and missed Kyla's and Molly's crossing of the finish line.
Meanwhile, Paola and Audrey, fiercely competing for a podium finish, masked their competitive spirit by making polite conversation and being a joy to be around. Deeming running too simple, they enriched the race by adding elements of orienteering and searching for bathrooms.
"What's Next?" Ask Runners
The 2nd Annual Bison Stampede was a resounding success. The organizing committee received top marks in a survey during post-race mimosas and muffins.
In post-race interviews, runners shared that one race per year is not enough. "I don't know if can wait until next year, there will be a void in my heart," said a female runner from San Francisco. An idea of a Thanksgiving trot quickly gained support in the paddock.
Asked to comment on the situation, the organizing committee replied "Per standard Bison Squad policy, we do not comment on rumors or speculations."
