Cowman stands out in the field

Though he?s listed as an entrant in the Western States Endurance Run, you may as well call Ken Shirk the official rodeo clown of the event. Or you can just call him by his name on the list of entrants ? Cowman A-Moo-Ha.The colorful character from Honaunau, Hawaii has been a serious ultrarunner for just about as long as the sport has existed. He?s also added a not-so-serious flavor to countless endurance events over the years.Shirk was the only runner to compete in the third run in 1976 as he ran alongside the horses in the Tevis Cup. Paced by his friend Gordon Ainsleigh for the final 25 miles, Shirk finished the course in 24 hours, 30 minutes.?It was actually his finish that convinced people that it wasn?t a superhuman feat,? explained Ainsleigh, who was the first person to make the 100-mile journey on foot. ?After that, Wendell Robie came to me and said, ?Let?s make this an annual event.??Shirk is bound to show up at the Western States Endurance Run with a bag full of props, just as he did 28 years ago. The original prop was a broomstick horse, with which Shirk made his inaugural Western States Trail journey. ?I was living in Tahoe City at the time and I drove all over ? down to Reno, to South shore ? trying to find a broomstick horse and I finally found one,? Shirk said. ?It was pretty important to me that I had that horse.?Shirk navigated the 100-mile course, hooking up with Ainsleigh near White Oak Flat. Shirk was checked at the final aid station by Dr. Bob Lind, who gave him the thumbs-up to finish the race along with some words of encouragement.?Dr. Lind really gave me courage and the confidence to continue on. He was really helpful,? Shirk said. ?I felt really good at No Hands Bridge and I remember thinking I?d like to do it again.?Shirk has finished the race 11 times since his historic venture in 1976.Western States isn?t the only race Shirk has made a lasting impression on. Since 1978, Shirk has been a boisterous part of the IronMan Hawaii. In ?78 the event included just 14 competitors and Shirk finished eighth despite very little pre-race training.?I was living in North Shore at the time and I was visiting some college friends in Hawaii. I heard about the race and I said, ?Well shoot, I should try it,?? Shirk said. ?It was all new to me, but I felt like I was an iron man already because I was used to running and skiing and riding horses and all that.?Shirk now has 13 IronMan finishes to his credit. He?s also adopted a Hawaiian nickname ? Cowman A-Moo-Ha ? which combines his cowboy roots with the place he has called home since 1981. ?He was from Salinas and moved up to Tahoe City. He was a Salinas hayseed, so everyone called him, ?Cowboy,?? Ainsleigh said. ?He was in his 30s and he told me, ?I?ve been telling my friends to start calling me ?Cowman.??Shirk got his start in endurance sports in ride-and-tie events while living in San Jose in the early 1970s. After moving to the Lake Tahoe area, he got to know several Tevis Cup riders and was introduced to Ainsleigh through the event. Later this summer, Shirk plans on riding in the Tevis Cup and ironically, Ainsleigh will be taking to the Western States Trail on foot as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 100-mile ride in July.?We?re speculating on how interesting it would be to have him go by me on a horse,? Ainsleigh said.Any day on the trail with Shirk is bound to be interesting. The 60-year old still paints a t-shirt for just about every event he competes in. An art major in college, Shirk uses washable paint to create colorful designs and often includes humorous sayings or words of wisdom on his raceday apparel.?I try to have a little message when I run a race,? he said. ?It?s a hobby, a tradition. I?m a competitive person, but I like to have fun while I?m doing it.?Ainsleigh?s wife, Paula, gave Shirk the inspiration for this year?s shirt, which celebrates the, ?Moo-lennium.?Shirk would be trying for his 13th WS 100 finish on Saturday, but a nagging hamstring injury will keep him from running. Still, just before sunrise, Shirk will pull out his colorful buffalo hat, throw on his custom-designed t-shirt and help get the party started at Squaw Valley. ?I decided I?d go to the summit at Emigrant Pass, wait for runners and greet them with the buffalo hat,? Shirk said. ?I figured that would be a spiritual, wonderful place to be for this race.?Shirk plans on being a part of the WS 100 as long as he?s able, passing on his joyful spirit and his rich appreciation of the scenic Western States Trail to as many people as possible.?The mountains draw me back every year,? Shirk said. ?It?s important for me just to be there and encourage the runners. And I just love being in the mountains, on the trail and with the people.?