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Title:Winter Challenge Cross Country IV
Date:Sunday January 9th, 2022
Author:Bill Thom
Report:
Winter Challenge Cross Country IV
[logo:Winter Challenge Cross Country]
Cross Country and Gratuitous Six-Hour Runs!

Winter Challenge Cross Country IV was held Sunday January 9, 2022 within the tree-lined forest preserve groves of Caldwell Woods and Bunker Hill, Chicago/Niles, Illinois. Upon arrival at sunrise, with the entire landscape coated in an overnight layer of frozen drizzle on-top-of two inches of snow, it was obvious this would be our slipperiest ever race day. Many 6-hour runners who were already onsite tested the traction of their footwear by helping haul equipment down the sledding hill to our race pavilion.

Of 91 preregistered runners, 76 braved the wintry conditions to take on this year's challenge. 12 started our Gratuitous 6-Hour Run, 29 raced WC3 15-Km, 35 opted for one lap in WC3 5-Km. Our very-thin team of volunteers was superbly staffed by community ultrarunner Boris Tannenbaum, and enthusiast Abby Dixon.

Local climate statistics for January 9, 2022...
Air temperature: minimum 8°F, maximum 32°F.
Wind speed MPH: mean 12.8, maximum sustained 25 NW, maximum gust 34 NW.
Sunrise: 7:20 am. Sunset: 4:39 pm.
Official race statistics for 2022 Winter Challenge Cross Country IV...
Weather Statistics
Time:Temp
°F
Humidity
%
Wind Chill
°F
Wind
MPH
Exposure
8:00 am:257915NW 13Partly Cloudy
9:00 am:247411NW 15Partly Cloudy
10:00 am:21688NW 16Partly Cloudy
11:00 am:19625NW 15Clearing
12:00 pm:18604NW 15Clear
1:00 pm:17613NW 14Clear
2:00 pm:18604NW 14Clear
Race Registration Statistics
Event:RegisteredStartedFinished
Gratuitous 6-Hour:201212
15 Kilometer:362924
5 Kilometer:353535
WC3 Race Totals:917671
Volunteers:2

12 noon on Saturday, race eve Tom Kohler and I began setting up our racecourse. We marked the entire course with knee-level colored-wire-flagging, at a maximum interval of 35 steps between flags. In the direction of running... keep blue flags on your right and pink flags on your left.

On race day at 8:08 am, Gratuitous 6-Hour runners began repeating laps of our five kilometer cross country loop. Their mission... cover as much distance as possible in the span of six hours. They could continue running along the 5k "Big Loop," then as six hours ticked down-to-zero, switch to our quarter-mile "Little Loop" and continue right up to the 2:08 pm air-horn signal.

Meanwhile traditional-distance runners arrived for check-in and packet pickup, which was managed by volunteer Abby Dixon. At 9:37 am, volunteer Captain Boris Tannenbaum gave the commands "To your mark..." then blasted the air-horn, starting events WC3 15-Km and WC3 5-Km. Soon after, the groves of Caldwell Woods / Bunker Hill were churning with variable-speed runners of Winter Challenge Cross Country IV!

11:30 am... while Gratuitous 6-Hour runners pursued evermore mileage, our traditional distance runners were completing their races. An awards ceremony / pizza party was held in the warming-shelter building atop the hill near our start/finish area. Presented to top-performing runners in both traditional distance events... Gold, Silver, Bronze medals, along with engraved pint-glasses for top-three "Age Group Podium Achievers." Engraved pint-glasses were earned by "Team Podium Achievers" for both distances as well!

Winter Challenge Cross Country 5-Km...
Young Female Achievers:
1st) Jamie Hansen
2nd) Elsie Conwell
3rd) Suli Kamholtz Roberts
Young Male Achievers:
1st) Graham Hansen
2nd) Winston Conwell

Open Female Achievers (All Ages):
1st) Chloe Jensen
2nd) Alisha Welc
3rd) Dawn Steele
Open Male Achievers (All Ages):
1st) Dan Palmer
2nd) Jeremy Ohmes
3rd) Jamie Dihiansan
Masters Female Achievers (40 - Over):
1st) Nana Rodriguez
2nd) Betty Lee
3rd) Robin Karlov
Masters Male Achievers (40 - Over):
1st) Matthew Krecun
2nd) Michael Brosilow
3rd) Jeff Hansen
3-Runner Team Podium Achievers (combined time):
1st) Outer Lanes Athletic Club - 1:15:24.2: Jeremy Ohmes, Jamie Dihiansan, Matthew Krecun
2nd) Famsquad - 1:26:15.5: Graham Hansen, Jeff Hansen, Jamie Hansen
3rd) Aerial Dance Chicago - 1:31:52.8: Winston Conwell, Elsie Conwell, Chloe Jensen
4th) Evanston Running Club - 1:33:31.0: Barry Clements, Jerry Brennan, Dawn Steele
5th) Team Sloth - 2:04:03.7: Suli Kamholtz Roberts, Adar Kamholtz Roberts, Charles Roberts

Winter Challenge Cross Country 15-Km...
Open Female Achievers (All Ages):
1st) Becky Patch
2nd) Laura Lackner
3rd) Agnes Burkevic

Open Male Achievers (All Ages):
1st) James Weissensel
2nd) Eric Hofmann
3rd) Steven Bugarin
Masters Female Achievers (40 - Over):
1st) Leann Larrey
2nd) Jana Willman
3rd) Marta Borkowska
Masters Male Achievers (40 - Over):
1st) Matthew Thompson
2nd) Kip Conwell
3rd) Sean Patton
3-Runner Team Podium Achievers (combined time):
1st) South Chicago Track Club - 3:14:35.6: James Weissensel, Eric Hofmann, Steven Bugarin
2nd) Evanston Easygoers - 3:42:01.4: Elias Theodosis, Matthew Thompson, Matt Reilly
3rd) Biegam - 4:46:23.1: Agnes Burkevic, Wladyslaw Maciej, Marta Borkowska
4th) Ladies Who Run Hard and Laugh Harder - 4:54:36.2: Laura Lackner, Leann Larrey, Nicole Saubert
5th) Team Sloth - 4:55:33.5: Andrew Masciopinto, Vince Roberts, Rachel Weyers

2:08 pm... our air-horn signaled the end of Gratuitous Six-Hour Run and those runners who were still on our "Little Loop" stopped, held their position and were tallied with each extra eighth-mile that they'd achieved. Five of twelve starters covered more than eight laps, which for this day with its extremely treacherous conditions earned newly minted "Ultra Achiever" custom heavy medals molded with the image of Sleipnir, Odin's eight-legged horse of Norse mythology. More pizzas arrived at the warming shelter and all runners were honored for their achievements.

Winter Challenge Cross Country Gratuitous Six-Hour...
Female Podium Achievers:
1st) Ann Heaslett, 15.534 miles, 2:57:18.5
2nd) Mandi Florip, 15.534 miles, 2:58:15.6
3rd) Tracy Swartz, 15.534 miles, 4:17:18.1

Male Podium Achievers:
1st) Ken Schuch, 29.462 miles
2nd) Brian Sheridan, 29.212 miles
3rd) Michael Glennon, 28.462
Additional Ultra Achievers:
4th Overall) James Pszanka, 26.230 miles
5th Overall) Andy Thomson, 25.105 miles
Also Ran WC3 Gratuitous 6-Hourers:
6th Overall) Jonathan Mireles, 21.748 miles, 5:20:28.9
7th Overall) Michael Czuba, 21.748 miles, 5:57:34.4
8th Overall) Jason Dorgan, 15.534 miles, 2:50:41.3
12th Overall) Jorge Godinez Jr, 9.321 miles, 1:51:42.4
2-Runner Team Podium Achievers (combined distance):
1st) Riis Park Striders, 58.673 miles: Ken Schuch, Brian Sheridan
2nd) TURD Runners, 43.496 miles: Jonathan Mireles, Michael Czuba
3rd) Mad City, 31.069 miles: Jason Dorgan, Ann Heaslett


Race production, hosting, timing, webcasting and finish-line scoring was managed by RunRace. Check out complete results through the links...
Results: Results on RunRace
Webcast: Webcast on RunRace (with Checkpoint Splits where available)

Let's give a rousing "shout out" to our thin-line of expert race volunteers for their generous support and dedication to cross country ruuning:
  • Packet Preparation: Michelle and Bill Thom.
  • Aid Station Setup: Boris Tannenbaum, Jill (crewing for Jorge Godinez Jr).
  • Runner Greeting / Check In: Abby Dixon, Michelle Thom.
  • Aid Station Captains: Boris Tannenbaum.
  • Pizza / Refreshments Coordinators: Michelle Thom.
  • Racecourse Marshalling: Michelle Thom.
  • Racecourse Marking / Course Cleanup: Thomas Kohler, Bill Thom.
  • Photography: Michelle + Bill Thom.
  • [Did I miss anyone here?... if you notice a missing or misspelled name please let me know.]
Photos of our gallery have been optimized for web-display... if you'd like a high-resolution original contact me, and I will respond with an attachment of the original image... be sure to specify which photo(s) you'd like. Got a photo that you'd like to share? We'd love to include with our gallery, so please send to me, optionally with your copyright credit info and description!

Congratulations to all who participated in this fourth annual edition of Winter Challenge Cross Country!
"Cross Country... best of all human endeavors!"
-Bill Thom: bill@runrace.net


Got related info? Please send your link and we'll include it here!

WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
Image ©: 2022 Michelle Thom
Viewed: 118
Last View: March 21st, 2024 11:21 pm
Image Id: 19596
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Race Director High-energy Cookies
Racecourse Marking with Tom Kohler
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Racecourse Marking with Tom Kohler
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Arrival from Mad City
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Arrival from Mad City
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Bill's Camera
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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WC3 Action through the Lens of Michelle's Phone
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Cross Country... best of all human endeavors!
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15-Km Runner Patti Ogden Races the Local Talent!
15-Km Runner Patti Ogden Races the Local Talent!
Team members of `Aerial Dance Chicago Community Movement Club` and `Outer Lanes Athletic Club`
Team members of `Aerial Dance Chicago Community Movement Club` and `Outer Lanes Athletic Club`
Team members of `Aerial Dance Chicago Community Movement Club` and `Outer Lanes Athletic Club`
Team members of `Aerial Dance Chicago Community Movement Club` and `Outer Lanes Athletic Club`
Team members of `Aerial Dance Chicago Community Movement Club` and `Outer Lanes Athletic Club`
Team members of `Aerial Dance Chicago Community Movement Club` and `Outer Lanes Athletic Club`
Team members of `Aerial Dance Chicago Community Movement Club` and `Outer Lanes Athletic Club`
Team members of `Aerial Dance Chicago Community Movement Club` and `Outer Lanes Athletic Club`

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Posted:January 13th, 2022 4:00 pm
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Last View:March 28th, 2024 9:45 am
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