Photograph by George Sakkestad

Runners make their way up the paved road beside Lexington Dam as they compete in the Los Gatos Dammit Run. The 26th running of the rugged event is set for Aug. 14.

26th running of the Dammit Run

Jason Balkman a three-time champ

By Dick Sparrer

Jason Balkman made a little history last summer. The Stanford All-American ran to an unprecedented third title in the Los Gatos Dammit Run, a rugged race that pushes runners from the Los Gatos track up to the face of Lexington Dam and back again.

Balkman, though, didn't exactly win the Dammit last summer... he tied for first with Stanford teammate Brad Hauser when the two ran side-by-side through the finish gate on the track at Los Gatos High. And the two may just return to defend their crown on Aug. 14 when the Dammit runners return to the trails for the 26th running of the event.

But while that won't be certain until race day, a few things are for sure about the Los Gatos Dammit Run--it's rough, it's dusty, it's competitive. And it's also become one of the most popular running events in the Santa Clara Valley.

As races go, this is a tough one. And race organizers caution Dammit entrants about the extreme conditions they may face on the trail with a warning printed right on the race flyer:

"This course is rough, rocky, dusty, with very steep uphill terrain and narrow trails," the race flier warns. "Don't underestimate its difficulty--this is not a race for the faint of heart or the timid."

The race will start tamely enough on the track at Los Gatos High, and it will finish in the same location. But in between, runners had best be prepared for the rocky, dusty trip into the foothills to Lexington.

Runners will race down the trail next to Los Gatos High School's lower field, past the Old Mill and across Main Street to make the climb up to Lexington Reservoir. Runners will across the face of the dam and head back down the hill to College Avenue, and race back to the finish line on the Los Gatos track.

Race-day registration will begin at 6:30 a.m., and the starting gun will blast at 8:30 a.m.

For information, call 354-7365 or 395-4311.

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