Bookin’ Babes pound the pavement

The Bookin’ Babes, a 10-woman racewalking team from Sisters, competed in the Willamette Valley Relay (WVR) on July 15-16.

The 135-mile relay started at Champoeg State Park near Wilsonville on Friday. The course primarily followed back roads through the Willamette Valley, finishing at Alton Baker Park in Eugene on Saturday.

Forty-six teams participated in the event and the Bookin’ Babes placed sixth overall, completing the course in 27 hours and 56 minutes. They finished second out of six teams in the Women’s Masters Division (everyone over 40).

Walker Sue Tank reports that, “Believe it or not, four of the Bookin’ Babes are over 60 — and the speediest walkers on the team to boot — five are 50 and above and only one is in her 40s! Proof positive that you can be an accomplished athlete at any age.”

The Bookin’ Babes consist of Susan Tank (captain), Marcia Plows, Nadean Murray, Donna Carter, Tonye Phillips, Grace Walsh, Mary Smith, Rennie Morrell, Barbara Haynes and Gayle Baker.

This is their fifth year as a team; they previously competed in the Portland-to-Coast relay (2001-2003) and the WVR in 2004 where they finished seventh overall and second in their division.

The WVR relay is sponsored by the Wonders of Walking, LLC, an organization from Portland that sponsors walking events for walkers by walkers. Judy Heller, who heads up WOW, previously managed the Portland-to-Coast relay, the walking component of the annual Hood-to-Coast running relay.

Heller brought two-time Olympic racewalker Philip Dunn to Sisters earlier this spring. WOW’s next event is the second annual Sisters Stride into Autumn on September 25. The event is being hosted by Sisters Athletic Club. Entry forms can be found at SAC, Cascade Fitness and the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce. Visit http://www.wondersofwalking.com.