777 does the job!!!!

Records Fall as Nick Coury pulls three 7's to win the 2008 Squaw Peak Scramble Poker Run. Nick said this accomplishment was just as satisfying as his 5th place Hardrock 100 finish. Asked how he did it and he added "with some of the hardest card playing training of his life!!"

Under perfect weather conditions 28 runners participated in this year's SPS Poker Run. Leaving the starting point at Dreamy Draw Park interestingly about half the runners went to the Squaw Peak Drive check point first and the other half went to the 40th Street lot first. Mileage ranged from 9.1 miles to Dave Cauthon's early meandering 11.3 mile route. On the way down to Tatum Dave was overhead asking "Is this squaw peak drive???"

What was once thought of as an unbeatable record time was smashed by 6 runners. First in was Adam Hunt with a time of 1:09:05. Paul Bonnett 1:13:01 and Nick Coury 1:13:01 rounded out the top 3.

Honey "Catra" was the first female finisher and tied for 4th overall with Chip. Honey broke her 2006 womens record in a time of 1:21:45. Must have been the outfit and tattoos. Dare you to run your next Ultra in that thing!!!

Joe "Elvis" Galope rounded out the top 6 with the time of 1:26:25.

Even though there were some quick times, the SPC Poker Run is not all about who runs the fastest. Its about having fun, pulling the best poker hand, dressing up in a costume, winning some prizes and getting people out trail running.

If you were out in the Preserve that morning you would have seen people smiling, laughing, dazed and scratching their head as a tattooed up female "Catra" ran by them being chased by Elvis who was closely followed by a 6 foot "Girl Scout" with hairy legs. That "Girl Scout" was Jeff McCoy the winner of the Best Costume. (Hopefully someone has a photo!! The official photographer sucked this year)

Others who ran: John Pearce, Jody Chase, Jamie M, Dave "got lost" Cauthon , Tim Meyer, Mike Schell, Brad Combs, Laura P, Carol C, Candice, Lisa O, Robert A, Bob, Joanne, Jeff Jones, Jim Baca and Matt B with his 4 fellow medical students.

A special thanks Blain, Jamil, Kate and Kirk McCarville for manning the check points.

A big special thanks to Jeff Jones who designed and donated the travelling trophy.