The Press Room offers material for print and Internet publications. Copy on various Tram topics is available below, and may be downloaded as a PDF file.
RESULTS OF THE 32nd ANNUAL TRAM ROAD CHALLENGE
PALM SPRINGS, CA (October 28, 2017) The winner of today’s 32nd Annual Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge was JJ Santana who ran the “World’s Toughest 6K” in 29 minutes, 24 seconds. The first female to cross the finish line was Marina Orrson in 34 minutes, 09 seconds. Austin Redwine, age 6, finished first in the youngest category (6 and under) and Anthony Silva, age 85, finished first in the oldest category (85-89).
This year’s Female and Male Challenge Division Winners are:
| Age Groups | Name | City | Time |
| 6 and under | Austin Redwine | — | 01:18:40 |
| 7-10 | Radai Cruz | — | 00:59:11 |
| Richard Olivares | — | 00:39:42 | |
| 11-14 | Madelyn Stone | — | 00:56:40 |
| Ricardo Franco | — | 00:34:35 | |
| 15-19 | Franka Johne | — | 00:49:56 |
| William Beyma | La Quinta | 00:40:02 | |
| 20-24 | Harlie Morales | Yucca Valley | 00:50:51 |
| David Coppens | Mishawaka | 00:35:10 | |
| 25-29 | Alex Carrera | — | 00:40:09 |
| Ryan Mills | San Diego | 00:37:45 | |
| 30-34 | Samantha Stringham | Palm Desert | 00:37:45 |
| John Martino | Dallas | 00:35:54 | |
| 35-39 | Shaela Luter-Plunkett | La Quinta | 00:43:25 |
| Mark Tripp | Redondo Beach | 00:31:33 | |
| 40-44 | Miwa Kawai | Aliso Viejo | 00:43:38 |
| Brian Ansely | Palm Desert | 00:37:26 | |
| 45-49 | Sherry Ewing | — | 00:49:14 |
| Simon Cooper | Glendora | 00:35:27 | |
| 50-54 | Maria Himelman | Rancho Mirage | 00:49:14 |
| Anthony Tanner | — | 00:34:53 | |
| 55-59 | Kathi Garcin | — | 00:51:47 |
| David Guss | — | 00:33:49 | |
| 60-64 | Mo Mittelstaedt | Port Angeles | 00:53:28 |
| Kevin Prochaska | — | 00:41:42 | |
| 65-69 | Paula Goldfarb | Rancho Mirage | 00:55:02 |
| Greg Odonnell | Pahrump | 00:37:00 | |
| 70-74 | Lola Ackerman | Beaumont | 01:01:11 |
| Keith Culver | — | 00:48:28 | |
| 75-79 | Anna Maddan | Palm Desert | 01:32:34 |
| Hans Mueller-Gesser | Palm Springs | 01:06:12 | |
| 80-84 | Suzi Falco | Palm Desert | 01:08:31 |
| 85-89 | Lucy Brown | — | 01:34:02 |
| Anthony Silva | — | 01:31:41 |
The first Tram Road Challenge was held in 1983, and was won by Rob Slick in 27 minutes, 35 seconds and Nancy Baird in 35 minutes, 25 seconds. The fastest men’s time was set by Rubin Garcia of Mexico—26 minutes, 5 seconds—in 1987. Lubov Kremleva of Russia set the fastest women’s time—28 minutes, 56 seconds in 1998.
Over 1,200 runners and walkers participated in this year’s Tram Road Challenge, which, again, benefitted United Way of the Desert.
PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAM ROAD CHALLENGE OCTOBER 28
32nd Annual Event Supports United Way of the Desert
PALM SPRINGS, CA (October 14, 2017) The 32nd annual Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 with a start time of 7:00 a.m. This 6K run/walk begins at the bottom of Tram Way and ends at the Tram’s Valley Station, an elevation gain of 2,643 feet in just 3.7 miles.
Special finishers’ medals will be presented to all participants along with a Cool Tech race shirt. Awards will be given three deep in each age category for both male and female finishers during a breakfast ceremony near the finish line immediately following the race. Cash awards ($100/$50/$25) will also be given for best costume—first, second and third place.
Proceeds from this event benefit United Way of the Desert.
The first Tram Road Challenge was held in 1983 and was won by Rob Slick in 27 minutes, 35 seconds and Nancy Baird in 35 minutes, 25 seconds. The fastest men’s time was set by Rubin Garcia of Mexico – 26 minutes, 5 seconds – in 1987. Lubov Kremleva of Russia set the fastest women’s time – 28 minutes, 56 seconds in 1998.
The Tramway’s road will be closed until (approximately) 9:30 a.m. on race day with the first tram scheduled for 10:00 a.m. This year, spectator shuttles will run from 5:30-6:00 a.m. from the Palm Springs Visitors Center (all spectators and participants will be directed to nearby parking lots.)
For more information or to register for the race, please call (760) 832-0497 or visit www.kleinclarksports.com.
FALL STATE PARK PROGRAMS
Mt. San Jacinto State Park & Wilderness and Mt. San Jacinto Natural History Association Announce Fall Programs
PALM SPRINGS, CA (October 12, 2017) October 14 kicks off the fall series of the Mt. San Jacinto Natural History Association (NHA) in partnership with the Mt. San Jacinto State Park & Wilderness.
According to NHA President Joe Migliore, “Our first series last summer was so successful, it reinforced our belief that people really do want these types of nature experiences.”
The fall series features five unique and informative programs:
- Saturday, October 14 – “The Hubbub About Hubble,” presented by Allison Barnes, State Park Interpreter.
- Saturday, October 21 – “The Geologic Story of the San Jacinto Mountains,” presented by Allison Barnes, State Park Interpreter.
- Sunday, October 29 – “Birds of Another Feather,” with Kurt Leuschner, Ornithologist and Professor of Natural Resources at College of the Desert.
- Saturday, November 4 – “The Ten Essentials for Winter,” with Carl Maple, Senior Wilderness Patroller and members of the Hasty Search & Rescue Team.
- Saturday, November 18 – “Round Valley Discovery,” with Allison Barnes, State Park Interpreter and Carl Maple, Senior Wilderness Patroller.
There is no charge for any of these programs, except for regular Tramway admission.
For more information about the NHA fall programs or to register, please visit www.msjnha.org/events.
