The Run Down will post a complete Calico 50K Race Re-Cap but in the spirit of moving towards  more frequent posts, here’s a preview of the strange occurrences in the abandoned silver mines outside Barstow, CA.

The Calico 50K never disappoints. The second you hit the parking lot, look hard right because it’s Rod Serling welcoming you to the “Calico Zone.” You can’t predict what’s going to happen but there’s one thing for certain: some bizarre and non-run related anomaly will unfold before your eyes. There’s nothing you can do about it.

At check-in, I was elated to discover the “Ultra Diamond Fine Jewelry Cleaner” as part of the event’s upscale swag. My Presidential Rolex, gemstone ankle bracelet and 64-carat gold necklace got trashed during the race and it was extremely convenient to clean them before the sawblade award ceremony. Are you kidding me? I own a Garmin, Swatch and Cubic Zirconia Tiara (that baby never leaves my night table).

Maybe I’m missing something but I don’t recall a bunch of bling being worn by the ultra crowd aside from Keith Swiatkowski’s bronze nipple ring. The black jar says “Ultra” so maybe this zippy product is for keeping our bodies crystal clean during long runs. Fine, next race the BodyGlide is out and the Ultra Diamond cleaner hits the family jewels; gonna be cold.

The logo heavy T-shirt had Ben Hian in a state of temporary insanity. Ben, the 2009 Calico 50K overall winner, spotted Michelle Barton and immediately dove into a pose-off for INKnBURN’s coveted in-house super model spot. We had no clue Ben was this photogenic. It’s obvious from this dramatic hood pose (Magnum from “Zoolander”?) that his 10-year ultra hiatus was spent shredding the walkways for Victoria Secret and Calvin Klein.

The editorial opportunities at these races and with this crowd are unlimited. Stay tuned!