The Hood to Coast Relay
It's a yearly tradition for the members of the Donner Family to find their way from Timberline Lodge on
Mt. Hood to the shores of the Pacific Ocean in Seaside.

Just remember...
We get to the beach "one leg at a time."

JUST EAT IT!!!

Oh, and once a Donner, always a Donner.

2013 Donner Party
Capt. Mark Rogers-Donner (18)
David Schweitzer-Donner (18)
Aaron Currier-Donner (14)
Rick Schaefer-Donner (9)
Peter Schaefer-Donner (9)
John Hamblin-Donner (7)
Katie Hamblin-Donner (7)
Ryan Johnston-Donner (5)
Eric Desitival-Donner (5)
Curtis Caldwell-Donner (3)
Bryan Rogers-Donner (2)
Kyle Bressler-Donner (1)
Jeff McKnight

The Donner Party is in!!! We completed last year's relay within the predicted range and by one minute we managed to guarantee a spot for this year. Our departure time is 8:15 am, which is the earliest we've left the mountain. Van 1 is filled by the same occupants as 2012, perhaps in slightly better shape... or not.. Van 2, captained by Rick Schaefer will include mostly usual suspects from the Schaefer family clan. Jeff McKnight is a DP rookie this year.

Donner Party Van 1
L1: Curtis Caldwell-Donner
L2: Bryan Rogers-Donner
L3: Aaron Currier-Donner
L4: Eric Destival-Donner
L5: Capt. Mark Rogers-Donner
L6: David Schweitzer-Donner

Donner Party Van 2
D: Co-Capt. Rick Schaefer-Donner
L7: Peter Schaefer-Donner
L8: Ryan Johnston-Donner
L9: John Hamblin-Donner
L10: Katie Hamblin-Donner
L11: Kyle Bressler-Donner
L12: Jeff McKnight

Donner Party Van 1
Capt. Mark Rogers-Donner (17)
David Schweitzer-Donner (17)
Aaron Currier-Donner (13)
Eric Desitival (4)
Curtis Caldwell-Donner (2)
Bryan Rogers-Donner (1)

Donner Party Van 2
Driver: Rick Schaefer-Donner (9*)
Peter Schaefer-Donner (8)
John Hamblin-Donner (6)
Molly Johnston-Donner (6)
Al Gohlsdorf
Ali Malstrom
Nicole Hamblin

Picture Page
Time Results Page

Video of Finish Line

The Donner Party went back to a single team this year. Van 1 is led by Capt. Mark with veterans David, Aaron, Eric, Curtis, and Bryan. Our long-time original Donner Partarian Steve Flexer bowed out. He ran the Hood to Coast over 20 times, 15 in the Donner Party. We missed him profoundly... like an amputated leg. The second van is captained by Rick with veterans Peter, John, and, Molly, and first year DPers Ali Malstrom, Nicole Hamblin, and Al Gohlsdorf.

Here is the order:
L1: Bryan Rogers-Donner
L2: Aaron Currier-Donner
L3: Eric Destival-Donner
L4: Curtis Caldwell-Donner
L5: Mark Rogers-Donner
L6: David Schweitzer-Donner
L7: Al Gohlsdorf
L8: Ali Malstrom
L9: Peter Schaefer-Donner
L10: John Hamblin-Donner
L11: Molly Johnston-Donner
L12: Nicole Hamblin

We departed at 9:30am. It was the earliest we've left the top of the mountain, and that was great. We were team #593. Our estimated finish time was 30 hours and 28 minutes. The actual finish time was 30:57:59. That's about 29 minutes slow, but within the 30 minute prediction to guarantee a spot in next year's relay. We were the 724th fastest... an improvement of 3 places over last year. I guess that makes us still slow. 1068 teams completed the relay. Our pace was 9:25 min/mile... but that includes an unexpected 2-mile detour for a fire at the Les Schwab store in St. Helens.

After having been beaten in 2010 by the Kult, and despite slowing down, we out-relayed them for the second year in a row. They clocked in at 31:09:34. That's 11 minutes and 35 seconds faster for the Donner Party. That's one of the closest finishes in history. Check out the stats: DP vx KK .

It was nice finishing in the early afternoon and having more time to spend in the circus at the end. The traditional beer and pizza at the Harbor was enjoyed by all. The award for outstanding achievement (the coveted wrist band) was presented to...

The 2011 Donner Party 1
Capt. Mark Rogers-Donner (16)
David Schweitzer-Donner (16)
Steve Flexer-Donner (16)
Aaron Currier-Donner (12)
Curtis Caldwell-Donner (1)
Elyse Johansen-Donner (1)
Bryan Rogers
Drew Miller
Michael Miller
Ashley Wiens
Nicole Marsaglia
Chris Marsaglia

Team 1 Picture Page
Time Results Page

The 2011 Donner Party 2
Capt. Rick Schaefer-Donner (8*)
Peter Schaefer-Donner (7)
Katie Hamblin-Donner (6)
John Hamblin-Donner (5)
Molly Johnston-Donner (5)
Ryan Johnston-Donner (4*)
Becca Schaefer-Donner (1)
Laura Bressler-Donner (1)
Jason Bressler
Jana Seaman
Allie Marshall
Rob Roach

Donner Party 1
Video of Finish Line

The Donner Party had a twist for this year's Hood to Coast Relay. There were TWO teams! The first was led by Capt. Mark with veterans David, Steve, Aaron, Curtis, and Elyse; and rookies Bryan (although he's run Portland to Coast), Ashley, Nicole, Michael, Chris, and Drew.

The second van was captained by Rick, and veterans from last year -- Laura, Ryan, Becca, and Molly, and veterans from two years ago -- Peter, Molly, Katie, John (glad to have the four of you back), and new family members Jana, Jason, Rob & Alli.

There were 14 total Donner Party veterans running this year, with 10 new family members.
Donner Party 2 departed at 10:00am.
Donner Party 1 departed at 4:00pm.

Donner Party 1 finished 451st out of 1267 teams this year. Time: 28:59:58
Donner Party 2 finished 579th in a time of 29:44:03

Both teams beat perennial nemesis Kult Kevorkian who finished 786th in 30:51:59

Team 1 embraced a very late start and as the relay ran on, we found ourselves further and further at the end of the party. By the time we arrived at the final van exchange, there were only two teams behind us. Van 2 had already left and we added our times at the end. Apparently "leap frogging" is allowed when you're the tail. Earlier teams had a nightmare at the final van exchange with all the teams bunched up and so many more teams added this year. By the time we came through the parking area was empty... literally, we were the only van there. Thanks to Van 2 and much faster (younger) runners, we ran a bit faster than our past years' average. Too bad we had to wait a few months for our medals. Despite the setbacks, we had a great time, everyone performed in magnificent Donner-style, and the traditional pizza-beer-beach celebration was as rewarding as ever.

Here's a closer look into who made up team two....

Van 1
1. Laura "See ya at the beach" Bressler-Donner*
2. Ryan "There's no runnin' in baseball" Johnston-Donner
3. Jana "Who are these people?" Seaman-Donner *
4. Peter "It's good to be back" Schaefer-Donner
5. Jason " Leg 5.....humbug!" Bressler-Donner *
6. Molly "18 miles aint nothin!'" Johnston-Donner
Van 2
7. Katie "It's like havin' a baby" Hamblin-Donner
8. Becca "I can't believe I'm doing it again" Schaefer-Donner
9. Rick "Eatin' dust" Schaefer-Donner
10. Rob " Dang- it sounds like fun" Roach-Donner *
11. John " Leg 35 is 8.09 miles? Piece of cake" Hamblin-Donner
12. Alli "Bringin' it home" Marshall-Donner *

The 2010 Donner Party
Capt. Mark Rogers-Donner (15)
David Schweitzer-Donner (15)
Steve Flexer-Donner (15)
Aaron Currier-Donner (11)
Rick Schaefer-Donner (7)
Mark Lyman-Donner (4)
Molly Johnston-Donner (4)
Ryan Johnston (3*)
Becca Schaefer
Laura Bressler
Curtis Caldwell
Elyse Johansen

Picture Page
Time Results Page

The Donner Party completed it's 14th year! This years team indoctrinated a number of new family members. Ryan Johnston has been the driver for Van 1 for the past three times, and this year he ran. Becca is the next in line of the Schaefer clan, following in the footsteps of her siblings. Laura Bressler, and rookies Curtis Caldwell and Elyse Johansen filled out the rest of the roster. Peter (7), Ryan (6), Katie (6), John (5), and Eric (4) were dearly missed.

We departed at 2:00pm. We are team #536. Our estimated finish time was 29 hours and 46 minutes. The actual finish time, amazingly was 29:47:37... that's pretty close! We were the 727th fastest... I guess that makes us slow. 1007 teams completed the relay. Our pace was 9:04 min/mile... a team of snails beat us... and so did the Kult.

As a side note, Aaron finished the cycle... all 12 legs in a row.
Here is the video link... Right Now!

2009

The Donner Party unfortunately was not accepted as one of the thousand teams for the 2009 relay. Although we had the registration in on time, we were one of over 500 teams turned down.

Results:
The Donner Party, Salem, Oregon, Team #374, 197 miles.
Time: 30:06:59, Pace: 9:10, Overall Place: 746/988

The 2007 Donner Party
Van 1: Driver: Ryan
1. John Hamblin-Donner
2. Katie Hamblin-Donner
3. Molly Schaefer-Donner
4. Rick Schaefer-Donner
5. Peter Schaefer-Donner
6. Ryan Faucett-Donner
Van 2:
7. Eric Destival-Donner
8. Steve Flexer-Donner
9. Mark Lyman-Donner
10. Aaron Currier-Donner
11. Mark Rogers-Donner
12. David Schweitzer-Donner

Picture Page
Time Results Page

Team picture is missing :(

Results:
The Donner Party, Salem, Oregon, Team #374, 197 miles.
Time: 28:34:20, Pace: 8:42, Overall Place: 603/1037

The 2006 Donner Party dba Silent Assasins
Van 1: Driver: Ryan
1. Katie Hamblin-Donner
2. Rick Schaefer-Donner
3. Ryan Faucett-Donner
4. Molly Schaefer-Donner
5. John Hamblin-Donner
6. Peter Schaefer-Donner
Van 2:
7. Steve Flexer-Donner
8. Mark Lyman-Donner
9. Aaron Currier-Donner
10. Eric Destival-Donner
11. David Schweitzer-Donner
12. Mark Rogers-Donner

Picture Page
Time Results Page

Results:
Silent Assasins, Salem, Oregon, Team #496, 197 miles.
Time: 28:14:15, Pace: 8:36, Overall Place: 503/1040

The 2005 Donner Party
Van 1:
1. Molly Schaefer
2. Peter Schaefer-Donner
3. Ryan Faucett-Donner
4. Katie Hamblin-Donner
5. John Hamblin-Donner
6. Rick Schaefer-Donner
Van 2:
7. Mark Lyman
8. Aaron Currier-Donner
9. Steve Flexer-Donner
10. David Schweitzer-Donner
11. Mark Rogers-Donner
12. Eric Destival

Picture Page
Time Results Page

Results:
The Donner Party, Salem, Oregon, Team #118, 197 miles.
Time: 28:41:53, Pace: 8:45, Overall Place: 647/1062

The 2004 Donner Party
Van 1: Driver: Rick Schaefer-Donner
1. Peter Schaefer-Donner
2. Katie Schaefer-Donner
3. Jessica Milnes
4. Ryan Faucett
5. Kyle Bressler
6. John Hamblin
Van 2:
7. Aaron Currier-Donner
8. Nina Ceja
9. David Schweitzer-Donner
10. Mark Rogers-Donner
11. Liz Perkin-Donner
12. Steve Flexer-Donner

Picture Page
Time Results Page

Results:
The Donner Party, Salem, Oregon, Team #124, 197 miles.
Time: 28:01:42, Pace: 8:33, Overall Place: 577/1046

The 2003 Donner Party
Van 1:
1. Stephanie Snyder
2. Debra Fingerut-Donner
3. Howard Perkin
4. Rob Perkin
5. Liz Perkin-Donner
6. Aaron Currier-Donner
Van 2:
7. Steve Flexer-Donner
8. David Schweitzer-Donner
9. Mark Rogers-Donner
10. Rick Schaefer-Donner
11. Peter Schaefer-Donner
12. Katie Schaefer

Picture Page
Time Results Page

Results:
The Donner Party, Salem, Oregon, Team #807, 197 miles.
Time: 27:27:43, Pace: 8:20, Overall Place: 489/987

Results:
The Donner Party, Salem, Oregon, Team #857, 197 miles.
Time: 28:09:42, Pace: 8:31, Overall Place: 554/986

Results:
The Donner Party, Salem, Oregon, Team #385, 197 miles.
Time: 25:42:00, Pace: 7:55, Overall Place: 276/981

The 2000 Donner Party
Van 1:
1. John McCulley
2. Steve Flexer-Donner
3. Aaron Currier-Donner
4. Lis Ann Saxe
5. David Schweitzer-Donner
6. Mark Rogers-Donner
Van 2:
7. David Thorsett-Donner
8. Blake Nonweiler-Donner
9. Jonathan Durning -Donner
10. Sarah Thorsett
11. Becky Nonweiler-Donner
12. Judy Steelhammer

Results:
The Donner Party, Salem, Oregon, Team #449, 197 miles.
Time: 25:57:44, Pace: 8:00, Overall Place: 334/986