Uncle Hal Winton: An Incomplete Memoriam

Ultrarunning lost a giant today. "Uncle" Hal Winton, co-RD of the Angeles Crest 100 since its 1986 founding, died this morning. He had just completed his 35th Avalon Benefit 50 this past January. RIP.

I first met Hal in 1990, at a 35mile fun run around Mt San Jacinto near Idylwild, CA. I was an ultra newbie and he was already a legend in Southern California ultras.

Back in those days, he was instantly recognizable with a cross "bigger than the one Christ came down from" [in the words of my ultra mentor Tom Pontac] and wore a t-shirt saying "Winton 4 Jesus". Over the years the cross got smaller, but it was a mighty diamond of no-bullshit faith. One story I heard was that his church was debating getting new carpet. He reportedly stood up and asked why they were thinking of carpet, when there were hungry people out on the street. But if they wanted carpet, then he'd find another church. The carpet idea died.

Some bio info

Originally from Indiana. Enlisted in the Navy, managed not to have a radio mast fall on him, discovered that sailors were profane but got through it. Went to college, and became an aerospace engineer, worked at TRW until retirement.

"Hey Lar! You know what TRW stands for?"
"Uhhhh....hit me Hal..."
"THE WRONG WAY!"

He'd taken the early retirement rather than falsify time sheet and billing data, which later ensnared various higher-ups in the company, and they went to prison.

Oh yeah, ultras

In 1990 my first Angeles Crest was still a year off, and I probably bored the crap out of him asking all kinds of newbie questions. But he cheerfully answered.

Trail work

Uncle Hal and trail work were synonymous. Trail work arrived in 1996, and came out of a response to the Wasatch 100's requirement, coinciding with slashed USFS funding. Yes, its political. Hal sat at countless meetings with USFS, and kept the AC100 at the table like no one else did. And I heard plenty. 

For many runners it was their first intro to Mssrs Pulaski and MacLeod, and even physical labor. We all got to look at poison oak, wild manzanita, rock-hauling and dirt moving; because the USFS simply didn't have the manpower or funding to make it happen. And still doesn't.

 And here's how he became Uncle Hal

We became friends beyond the customary ultra terms. I became more closely involved with him, the Angeles Crest 100, and the whole trail-work thing—which got a lot of pushback and WTF from people. He'd tell me what was going on with the Forest Service, and how they were being savaged by the GOP dickheads in Congress. One good man wasn't enough, and I was drawn in.
 
My affection for him deepened. I jokingly began to call him "Uncle Hal", and would leave messages for him as "Hiya Uncle Hal....this is your apostate nephew". He knew perfectly well that I wasnt a born-again, but there was a common purpose. The endearment took on a life of its own, and I'm pretty sure he enjoyed it. Not that he'd cut you slack for bullshit either.

At his 85th birthday I emceed the ambush at the AC100 Finish Line. He never knew what hit him. I had my arm around his wiry shoulder, and was thinking, "I'd better strike hard and start running, he's dangerous..."

God rest your immortal soul, Uncle Hal.

Uncle Hal giving the safety benediction

Uncle Hal Winton, AC100 finish line, 2008.I dragged him to make this portrait. While I was focusing,
I was struck by how similar he was to the actor William Holden.
He grinned, and said "I think he had better luck with the ladies than I did..."