Signal Staff Writer
mgasca@the-signal.com
661-259-1234 x518
Posted: Dec. 13, 2009 10:14 p.m.
UPDATED Dec. 14, 2009 4:55 a.m.
It was a messy battle. Their opponent was muddy, slippery and monstrous in size.
"That was a beast," said a drenched Jason Mock of Valencia.
Actually, it wasn't just a beast, it was "The Beast," a popular local trailhead that begins at the "park and ride" lot off Highway 14 Freeway's Newhall Avenue exit.
Mock was one of several runners, joggers and walkers to brave The Beast on Saturday in the rain, and even some hail, to help feed the hungry in the Santa Clarita Valley.
The trail peaks at a 3,864-foot summit and is considered one of the SCV's most challenging.
For the third year, the Santa Clarita Runners Club paired with the SCV Food Pantry to present The Beast Charity Run and Walk. All entry proceeds go to the pantry. The number of people the pantry has helped in the last two years has nearly doubled, with its volunteers serving more than 7,000 people through September this year.
"(The pantry) is what we come out here for - rain or shine," Mock said.
Nathan Seyler conquered "The Beast" for the first time.
"I just did something crazy," said Seyler, a track athlete at The Master's College. "I ran uphill five miles in wind and rain and mud."
Participants paid $20 to trek the 9.72-mile round-trip journey. This year, many agreed it was a messy one.
"The first mile was real sloppy," said Amie Schroeder, assistant track coach at The Master's College. "We were just sliding around."
Amie and Zach Schroeder, head track coaches, brought their runners out to the trail.
"We wanted to come out and have a good time, supporting the running community and the Food Pantry," Amie Schroeder said.
Oregon resident John Lutts left the SCV a long time ago, but he hasn't forgotten about The Beast.
"I used to drive to the top of this hill when I was in high school 30 years ago," Lutts said. "We called it the top the world."
Lutts, who was visiting a local friend in the hospital, joined others in daring The Beast and was not disturbed by the rain.
"That's the fun of it," he said. "This is a good run."
