alan@mtxinu.UUCP (Alan Tobey) (07/27/85)
WE regret we only have info on the women's division at this time -- our reporter, in a support crew and suffering his own sleep deprivation, neglected to leave word on the men's leaders! We'll catch up ASAP. Elaine Mariolle, in 9th place among the approximately 20 riders still in the race, passed the halfway point at Fort Smith, Arkansas, late FRiday morning the 24th. It's interesting to note that her average pace of c. 320 miles/day so far is exactly the record winning pace of Pete Penseyres last year; this year it's barely good enough to stay in the top half of the field! Sue Notorangelo, in 5th place overall, is about 2 1/2 hours ahead of Elaine and now seems to be losing ground to Shelby Hayden-Clifton in fourth, who's still burning up the road another 2-3 hours ahead. We estimate the lead men are across the Mississippi in Tennessee -- more details as soon as we get them.