Olney-ites compete in Hotter ‘N Hell
Olney was well represented this year at the Hotter’N Hell Hundred, with several hometown participants entering the nation’s oldest and largest cycling event in Wichita Falls to test their metal amid scorching temperatures on Aug. 25-28.
The Hotter’N Hell Hundred is an annual event that began as a celebration of Wichita Falls’ centennial in 1982. The race event got its name from a hundred-mile race, on a hundred- degree day, to celebrate a hundred years. With 10,000 and 13,000 registered riders, the four-day event is one of the largest cycling competitions in the world.
Races included: 25- to 100-mile street route bike races, an off-road race of just over thirteen miles, an off-road foot race, and 25k to 100k marathons. Participants also partake of dinners, seminars and, of course, make plenty of memories.
Olneyites did the town proud by bringing home prizes in a number of races. Hometown competitors included the father-andson team of Chris Garcia and eighth-grader James Garcia. James Garcia, 13, finished second in his age group and seventh overall in the 10K (6.2 miles) race. “This was our second time to ride in the Hotter’N Hell together as a father-son group,” Chris Garcia said. “It is always fun and a great way to make memories. Next year, James plans to do one of the longer rides and really push himself.”
Eric Searcey did very well in his first HHH MTB race. “I’ve raced that course before and ridden it numerous times and never
Trina [L] and Jeremy Johnson [R] from Olney, competed in the Hotter’N Hell 100 bike race in Wichita Falls.
Photo Submitted By Trina Johnson
Eric Searcey of Olney participated in the Hotter’N Hell Mountain Bike division and placed third place, his first year out. Photo By Dwain Linden
James Garcia [L] and his father Chris Garcia [R] competed in the Hotter’N Hell as a father-and-son team. This was their second year to attend the race as a team. Chris Garcia is the Post Commander for the American Legion Post 414 in Olney.
Photo Submitted by Chris Garcia
Megan Widner [L], son Christian Widner [M] and daughter Jenna Widner [R] competed in the Hotter’N Hell Half Marathon this year as a family and walked away with many wonderful memories.
Photo Submitted By Megan Widner been able to break an hour so I just set a goal to run it in less than an hour and finish top 10,” Mr. Searcey said. “I ended up running it in just under an hour and happened to get a podium spot finishing in third place.”
Megan Widner participated in the Wee-Chi-Tah Half Marathon with son Christian and daughter Jenna on Sunday, Aug. 28. “The WCT half course was unlike anything I have experienced before,” Mrs. Widener said. “It is comparable to a 13.1-mile hike/run obstacle course surrounded by nature. Thank you to those who donated to United Regionals Children’s Miracle Network HHH100 fundraiser and for the motivational support. I am thankful to have participated and am looking forward to next year’s run!”
The husband-wife team of Trina Johnson and Dr. Jeremy Johnson, who work together at their Graham clinic to help keep the community in good health, competed in the 100-mile bike race together, naturally. Training is already under way for next year’s Hotter’N Hell event. It is never too late to join the community of riders and runners in the hottest race of the year.
James Garcia of Olney competed for the second year in a row in the Hotter’N Hell race in Wichita Falls. James finished second in his age group.
Photo Submitted by Chris Garcia