Discussion: Youngest!!

So, in your informed opinion, will Stephen become the youngest to complete the Billygoat??!!!

Well, he will be younger than anyone who has started previously (and thus obviously younger than anyone who has finished, John Goodwin being the current record holder). But he may not be the youngest starter this year, because I think Isabel Bryant, who is a few months younger, is also planning to run. And then we have the simple question as to whether either, both, or neither of these two will be able to do the course in under 3.5 hours. I think Stephen is positioned pretty well to be able to make it, and I'll make a wild guess that he can do it faster than Isabel (though I really have no idea), which would mean that he'd be the youngest for at least a few minutes. Barb was talking about a target of getting to the aid station with Isabel in under 3.5 hours, but that may be an overly modest goal, I really don't know. But in any case, my job is to be an accurate and efficient tour guide for Stephen.

I'm certain you'll be a very accurate and efficient tour guide, and I wish both of you the best on Saturday(?)!!!

Now, if he's feeling really sprightly, he could go for the youngest ever under 3 hours. Does Ms. Cosmus still hold that record?

She probably does, though I'd have to check some dates to be positive. At question is Mr. Goodwin's age when he did his second Billygoat. Same O age as Jessica, but seeing as how her birthday is in November, she was likely younger.

'Goat is Sunday. Now, what I'd really like to see is somebody making an attempt at the oldest finisher record, which has stood unchallenged since 1991 (Andy Gagarin, age 77).

Our oldest registrant this year is 74 (Cameron Murray), so this isn't the year for breaking the oldest finisher record. Every year that Lyn Walker runs, though -- isn't that a new record for oldest female finisher?

Isabel's friend Rachael is also going with Barb and Isabel, and she's also 10. I'm placing my bets on Stephen, though.

Latest rumor on Barb's log (or maybe it was something she said to me) is that Rachael might not show up. Cameron could be a good candidate for breaking the age record in a few years, although we must note that he hasn't finished within the time limit since 2002. And Lyn does set a new women's record whenever she finishes, though when she doesn't, there's always a possibility that somebody like Allmuth or Sharon will take it instead.

After much discussion, Rachael will not make the attempt. (Concerns include that she's going to be up late partying at a wedding the night before, and in our trial 5k, she was not so into running.) Isabel will. But yeah, Stephen (+J-J) has a strong chance of finishing in time, and Isabel (+me) does not. It's all very exciting though. Sometimes I feel like we're training racehorses. Especially when I'm taping Isabel's ankle, and she starts whinnying.