Janet Osprey Christiansen Wins the Nancy Dankenbring
Award at the 2003 Furnace Creek 508!

Janet Osprey Christiansen, 42, of Poway, CA placed second in the women's division of the 2003 Furnace Creek 508 with a time of 37:51:07. She led the race through all the time stations, but then succumbed to fatigue with the finish line practically in sight. In the process, she was passed by Lisa Marie Deerhound Dougherty, 32, who went to place first with a time of 35:36:41. More about that battle.

As the first rookie woman to complete the race, Christiansen became the Nancy Dankenbring Award winner and thus received $300 in cash and a variety of 508 merchandise, thanks to the support of Rex Reese, Seana Hogan, and AdventureCORPS.

The Nancy Dankenbring Award was created by Rex Reese, and is supported by AdventureCORPS, to encourage and increase the participation of female athletes in Ultra Cycling race events in general and the Furnace Creek 508 in particular. In particular, this Award is to encourage increased participation of female athletes who have never previously competed in any Ultra race events. The award is named for Nancy Dankenbring, a 25 year old triathlete and 1998 Furnace Creek 508 rookie finisher who inspired many in her tragically short life.

Therefore, the Nancy Dankenbring Award is to be presented each year in recognition of the best female rookie solo rider, regardless of age, who enters and successfully finishes the Furnace Creek 508 in the lowest official time recorded.
 

	More information on the Nancy Dankenbring Award
	More information about Nancy Dankenbring, the person