Cross Canadian Ragweed at Stables

43rd running of the Twelve Mile 500 lawn mower race

Here's the pictures I took from this year's 43rd Annual Twelve Mile 500 Lawnmower Race The Peru Tribune :: Peru, Indiana

Wabash Plain Dealer Sports Editor Aaron Turner immersed himself into the competition for the first time this year, and learned what racing is all about - finishing.

Turner couldn't get his machine up to speed early on, but his day really slowed down when he suffered mechanical problems.

"The belt got so hot it melted right off," Turner said. "But (racing) was great. It was a lot of fun."

Turner, who finished 24th, got turned onto the sport by his cousins Todd and Greg Martin.

The native Roann brothers have designed their own course at home, but had varying success.

Todd finished ninth, while Greg had difficulty getting out of the faster racers' way, including his brother, en route to a 20th-place finish.

Midway through the race Todd sent Greg careening into a bale of hay.

"He was going too slow and wouldn't get out of the way," Todd said.

"I gave you the inside," Greg explained in disagreement.

But Greg was not too upset, as he explained the crash as "rubbin's racin'.

Race day doesn't last long

Well, when I last left you, loyal readers, I was struggling to find some speed after qualifying for the 43rd Annual 12 Mile 500.

And, I did. I found a lot of it.

New Year's Eve

Ryan, Matt, and Greg seconds before ringing in 2005. As you can see, shoes and socks are already off in preparation of running around the house bare-footed at midnight. It is a tradtion started many years ago by my grandpa, Jim Bever. This year it was the ground was saturated. Besides getting mud everywhere, the conditions made for decent barefoot running. Some years, the ground is frozen and there is no snow. That is the worst condition to run in. My favorite is when there is a lot of snow....cold, but soft and clean.

My trip to the Rolex 24

Random pictures from my trip the Rolex 24 hours of Daytona 2005. (the pictures should change everytime you visit)