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A Third Place Victory for "Scud"

The professionals steal most of the attention at XTERRA championship races and deservingly so as their speed and athleticism are worthy of marveling at.  It’s important to note, however, that every entrant in the race has a story to tell.  So, just as Dan Hugo might talk about what it would take to take down Conrad Stoltz, age group athletes in every division have their own scenario just like that and here’s a look at one from the XTERRA East Championship in Richmond, Virginia.

Scott Scudamore, aka “Scud,” has been racing XTERRA since Richmond 2004 and he’d never gone faster than Charlie Redmond.

“Last year was a fairly small field for my first 60-64 division race and I had somewhat hoped for a win (would have been a first at a regional).  I had a great swim start and went out hard on the bike and was leading the race going into the run.  About two miles into the run fellow division racer Charlie Redmond, who I had never beaten, passed me fairly easily.  He went on to win by 15 minutes, and another three miles later I got passed again, so I finish in 3rd place.  Not bad, but not what I had hoped for,” said Scudamore.

Fast forward to Richmond 2011.

“When I arrived on Friday, I attended the swim clinic because unlike courses in a lake, this swim in the James River is not intuitive so you can really benefit from the local knowledge.  This year was no exception.  Even after doing this course six previous times I learned a ton at the clinic.  I picked up my packet and looked at the start list.  Unlike last year, this year the field was stacked!  Five previous regional champs and a former world champ plus an aged-up hot shot from Colorado that I got crushed by two years ago in New Mexico, and of course – Charlie Redmond.  Although the 60+ fields are smaller than the younger age groups typically they are pretty tough because at this age we all have to work harder to compete,” explained Scudamore.

With a ton of mountain biking in his legs following an expedition to Peru and a heavy early season training schedule, Scudamore thought this could be his year.

“The closest I have ever come to Charlie was two years ago and last year he spanked me both times we competed against each other.   To add more pressure, Don Morrison (former world champion in my AG) came out of a three-year retirement to compete again.  So we start the race and I have a really good swim and I believe I am out of the water ahead of Don and Charlie.  The bike course was lengthened this year to over 20 miles and I took full advantage of it passing well over 50 riders over two laps.”

Onto the run…“About five minutes into the run I felt some cramping in both legs, but I had plenty of GU so I managed. I hit the two-plus mile mark with no one in my division passing me when I hear Don Morrison behind me.  It’s the longest I had ever held off Don.  I picked up the pace ever so slowly, managing my cramping by taking a GU and water every 10 minutes or so.  With less than a mile to go I get a good look behind me as I cross the foot bridge over the James River and no sign of Charlie and sure enough - as I cross the finish line I had finally gotten my victory over Charlie and it felt great,” said Scudamore, who posted his best run split in Richmond yet.

“Charlie finished about seven minutes behind me and was gracious as ever.  There will always be another race and who knows what will happen next, but today was my day.  The stud from Colorado (Michael Orendorff) beat Don by almost 27 minutes and I came in about 16 minutes behind Don to snare the last podium spot.  Although it is the same spot as last year, it felt so much better.”