alan@mtxinu.UUCP (Alan Tobey) (07/25/85)
Late Wednesday the 24th into Thursday the 25th it "rained like stink" for 4-5 hours where almost all the racers were riding. That and strong headwinds made the going difficult, and the riders had to bear down even more. As of Thursday morning, Secrest was still narrowly leading Boyer but by an insignificant distance. Mike Shermer was about 2 1/2 hours back and maintaining the pace. The leaders were in eastern Oklahoma and approaching the half-way point at Fort Smith, Arkansas. That amount of progress, if continued, would produce about an 8 1/2 day finish -- a day faster than last year! This lead group is now about 12-13 hours ahead of the rest of the pack. Shelby Hayden-Clifton is still fourth, with Sue Notorangelo perhaps 40 minutes back in fifth. About three hours further back was a group of about half a dozen, including Kye Waltermire, Elaine Mariolle and Marvin Christy, all trading off for about 10th place. The lead riders may reach the Mississippi today. That will put pressure on the other men to reach the river before the 48-hour cutoff-- it looks like at least a dozen will do so. All three women will still be officially in -- they would be even on the men's timing -- as the race hits Tennessee.