Pat, John, Lynn, Doug, and Danny Jasso at a running relay.
That June, Pat posted his first and only DNF to this day. Here's why he never let it happen again: The local "Backwoods Press" newspaper announced that Doug and Lynn were going to attempt a marathon, and added, "Watch for a Post Race Medical Bulletin!" The post-event coverage was somewhat different: "Running at a sustained pace that even veteran racers have difficulty regulatin, Lynn Carey and Doug Mood ran 26.2 miles at the Governor's Cup Marathon. The two Cheetah Herders completed the run in fine style without any major problems or injuries. In fact, at 17 miles they were still fresh and sassy enough to offer long strings of criticism to a certain local runner who for once was being outclassed. The two finished a little stiff, but otherwise looking fresh and fit. However, they soon faded under the strain of the brand of post-race celebrating for which the Cheetah Herders are notorious."
The first Cheetah Herder T-shirt in action. Pat at the 1979 Western States.
Then there were the endorsements. Sadly, Bombardier Ale (The Official Beer of the Cheetah Herders Athletic Club) was not on the market long, but Samuel Adams easily replaced it with its label proclaiming Samuel to be both a Brewer and a Patriot (two honorable titles the dudes instinctively knew meant the same thing). Bag Balm was the "Official Lubricant", and John Madden was the "Official Sportscaster". The "Official Anthem" was "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap." Copenhagen, the "Official Drug", was often sampled after a good workout to removing any lingering sensation of health and mental clarity. A duct-taped 12-gauge shotgun became the "Official Starting Device", etc, you get the picture.

The Club's quintessential relay performance was delivered at the Great Race Relay. On two days notice they assembled a five-man team to bike 15 miles, run a 3/4-mile pass run and a 3 1/2 mile run, canoe 7 miles, then chug a large pitcher of beer over the sawdust floor of
John, Lynn, friend, Gary, & another friend in front of the "Official Pace Car."
Cheetah Herder History
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