Race Directors through the Years

1974 to 2006

The job of a race director can be difficult. The pressure is often intense. The hours are sometimes unbelievable. The number of details that have to be remembered can be enormous. At all times, the director has to be pleasant, courteous, patient, and considerate of participants, volunteers, sponsors, and community officials. The benefits of directing Eppie's Great Race far exceed the challenges, however. There is a tremendous sense of pride after a successful race, when the participants are happy, the sponsors see value for their contribution, the volunteers are eager to return, and important funds are raised for a great cause. There have been eight race directors of Eppie's Great Race. Below, a few past directors shared some of their thoughts on the impact the race has had on the community and on them.

Frazier Beauchamps (deceased) and Jim Sabraw
1974 - 1978
These two were the owners of Take One Productions, an advertising firm specializing in video productions, and they also created the first Great Race medal design. It was made out of plastic and imprinted with the original Great Race logo. It was the finishers' medal though 1981.

John McIntosh
1979
Eppie's Great Race is a cool event and a lot different than coordinating a 5 km or a 10 km. It's a big deal. I helped redesign the course in 1979. We used a rolling bike start. After about a quarter mile, the cyclists had to make a hard left. Not too much further, they got on the Sunrise canal bike trail and went through a blinding tunnel. The place where it is held now is so much better. It can handle all that enter.

I opened my first sporting goods store in Sacramento in 1966 and sold it in 1987. We had our first fun run in 1976 and held them the first and third Saturday of every month for 10 years. I invested in race equipment and was about the only one to have anything, so anyone who wanted to put on a run came to me. I helped Eppie start a fun run in every town that he had a restaurant, including Stockton, Davis, and Las Vegas.

I watch the Great Race every year and competed in it three years ago. My sons all do it. That fact that everyone can get involved is what makes it such a unique event. Eppie needs to add a 60-over Ironman division and I'll do it again!

After selling my stores, I published a newspaper. Now I have turned a hobby of antiques and collectibles into a business.


Gary Rominger
1980-1982
I was there from the beginning as I was the chief park ranger. I threatened to arrest Eppie because he ran the event on the parkway without a permit. Eppie did just what he should have done: he put me on the race committee! Back in the early years, it was pretty chaotic. In 1979, a rainstorm hit on race day. The water shorted out an electrical connection at the finish line. Now, it is very well managed. It's amazing that it has been over 30 years.

I remember Eppie always thinking of interesting ways that he could bring the donation into County Board of supervisor's meeting. Sometimes making the donation was as big a media event as the race itself!

We used to get dozens of requests for events on the Parkway. The vast majority of them are turned down because the Parkway is a nature preserve. Eppie's Great Race is something that has always fit in. It hasn't caused any damage or problems. It has been a real good thing for the Parkway.

I retired from the County 15 years ago. Now I just fly hot air balloons around and have fun.
Congratulations, Eppie!


Shirley Willd-Wagner
1988-1993
I first got involved with the race in 1980. I was a program supervisor for Adaptive Leisure Services. I recall meeting Eppie and telling him about the program. He said the race needed more volunteers. We had a huge number of volunteers, we were a positive charity, and we could help secure more resources from the county so it was a great fit. People with disabilities get a lot out of volunteering for the race. It promotes independence and involvement in regular recreation activities. It also helps the public make the connection that people with disabilities can participate in a big event.

The positive nature of the beneficiary has helped attract very committed volunteer race committee members. Many have been on the committee for 25-plus years, mainly because of the charity. Many of the parents of people with disabilities are at the race. I think it helps race participants see people with disabilities participating and volunteering at the event.

The lawsuit from the visually impaired athlete (in the early 1990's) was very stressful. To be sued along with the entire race committee was very difficult. It was personally insulting to be accused of being insensitive and uncaring of disabled persons because of my personal and professional commitment to the disabled. The race committee stayed really strong behind me and Eppie and the suit helped us all bond together.

I remember how much fun the event is. I still have race posters in my office. The race is really well known throughout the community and in other cities. I'm now a manager at manager at the State Environmental Protection Agency. I still do the race as a participant, and this year my team is going to win an award!
The race is so colorful with all the boats in the water and so exciting with teammates yelling to get attention. Race day is a great day in Sacramento!

A lot of the publicity goes to the winners and to the Parkway. To me, the event's legacy is the lasting impact it has on the disabled community. The race has a very special place in my heart.


Will Kempton
1994-2006
The thing that impresses me the most about The Great Race is the cadre of supporters and participants we have year after year. It's like the event is at the center of some of these people's lives or at least plays a significant part in their lifestyles year in and year out. And I don't say this in any demeaning way (like the William Shatner spoof of Captain Kirk telling Star Trek fans to "get a life"). I am really impressed with what the event has meant to people over the years. I've met a lot of folks, I've made some great friends, and I've always been particularly proud of my involvement in the Great Race.


Charlie Willard
1994-2006
Eppie’s Great Race is one of Sacramento’s premier sporting events and as we celebrate our 35th year, it is appropriate to recognize all this event brings to the community. It brings friends and families together year after year, provides the major source of funding for Sacramento County Adaptive Leisure Services, draws visitors and competitors to the American River Parkway (Sacramento’s crown jewel) to practice and compete, raises awareness of the need to protect our precious parkway resources, promotes physical fitness, and provides revenue to businesses in the Sacramento area.

For me, Eppies Great Race is like a reunion, meeting friends while practicing and visiting with many on race day. I have competed in the race for 30 consecutive years since I first started in the fifth year of the race. I have done the race with long time friends and family as team mates and found new team mates and friends. While many people participate in the race to win, many more do it just for the sense of fun and accomplishment. Thanks to Eppie Johnson for his vision to start this event and continuing support for the race.

Frank Cirill
Director Emeritus
I first participated in The Great Race in the third year. I was a runner on a team called SARA for the Save the American River Association. Bill Griffith was the kayaker and Hal Ritchey the bicyclist. The pedestrian bridge over the river from William Pond Park to Goethe Park is named for Ritchey. I started to do the event as an Ironman and I also set the Great Team Ironman time for quite a few years. I helping design several of the courses and I have served on the race committee for 27 years.

I am very proud of what the event has raised for programs for the disabled, which is particular important now that the County is experiencing budget problems. The race is the biggest single event in the Parkway. Usually people go to the Parkway for the naturalistic experience; this is the only event that closes the Parkway. The Great Race is written into the Parkway policy.

At the 30th Annual, the race was like going back to a high school or college reunion, along with guys who are continuing to participate. There is a lot of camaraderie and a lot of friendly rivalries that have been going on for years. It's simply a great community event.