Matzger, Perkins Win the Greg Levien 50 K

The 2005 Greg Levien 50 K

Matzger, Perkins Win the 2005 Greg Levien 50 K

Top U.S. Ultra-marathon Skaters Start Their Roll Toward the A2A

By Robert "Just the Factoids" Burnson

The top two ultra-distance skaters in the United States, Eddy Matzger and Kim Perkins, opened their 2005 campaigns today with victories in the Greg Levien 50 K Road Skate in San Mateo, California.

Matzger toyed with the lead pack during the first four laps on the 10 K road course at the scenic Crystal Springs Reservoir. At times, he would pull ahead; at other times, he would fall back.

But on the fourth lap, he took off on a flier that left the rest of the lead pack far behind. "We didn't see him again," said second-place finisher Louis Beaudoin.

Matzger won the race in a time of 1 hour 30 minutes and 56 seconds. Beaudoin finished 39 seconds behind him.

Women's Race

Kim Perkins easily won the women's professional division.

Despite an equipment problem (a loose wheel which she reached down to tighten on a downhill), she finished six minutes before the next woman, Maria DeSouza.

Overall, Perkins finished sixth in the race.

Perkins has won the 87-mile Athens to Atlanta Road Skate three years in a row (same as Matzger).

Matzger has won the prestigious ultra marathon eight times.

Pack Sprint

The men's race for second came down to a sprint between Beaudoin, Grant Foster and Howard Yeh.

The three finished within three seconds of each other.

The Greg Levien 50 K is the first event of the Dan Burger Race Series, organized by Dave Miles and the California Outdooor Rollerskating Association.

About 40 skaters turned out for today's event. The weather was perfect: sunny and mild with little wind.

Top Men Finishers:

Eddy Matzger, Berkeley 1:30:56
Louis Beaudoin, Danville 1:31:35
Grant Foster, San Jose 1:31:36
4 Howard Yeh, San Diego 1:31:37
Bryan Mackay 1:31:45
Rob Motta 1:37:42
Mike Chevedden 1:38:20
Linus Havth 1:38:23

Top Women Finishers:

Kim Perkins, Berkeley 1:37:39
Maria DeSouza 1:43:38
(tie) Sabine Corpuz and Sandy Miller 1:52:33