Department of Child Support Services Employee to Participate in Tenth 100-Mile Race

Data Processing Manager III, Charley Jones, began working for the state of California in 1991 and joined DCSS in 2003 as a Systems Software Specialist II.  Today, Charley manages the work of three supervisors who are responsible for system performance testing, developing and deploying custom applications and development and testing of computer hardware and software.

In addition, Charley has two major projects of his own.  First, he is working on migrating the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) system from OTech’s Managed Services (OMS) infrastructure platform to OTech’s cloud computing platform, named “CalCloud.”  When completed, the move to CalCloud will make CSE faster, most cost-effective and more secure.

Charley Jones trains for grueling 100-mile run

Despite his hectic work schedule and responsibilities, Charley Jones recently completed his ninth Western States 100-mile run that traverses from the base of Squaw Valley to Placer High School in Auburn. The race took place in June 2016 with Charley finishing 207 out of more than 360 runners.

He intends to run in the 2017 Western States 100-mile run which will give Charley an opportunity to reach the 1000-mile mark.

When asked how his passion for running began, Charley stated that in 2000, while backpacking through Europe, he decided to compete in the California International Marathon which runs from Folsom to the State Capitol in downtown Sacramento.  Charley finished that race in 4 hours and 58 minutes.

In 2005, Charley surpassed the traditional marathon course and moved on to ultra-marathons.  He ran in the “Way Too Cool” 31-mile event and the American River 50-mile Endurance Run.

To prepare for the grueling Western States event, in January 2006, Charley began running for six to 12 hours every Saturday. In May, Charley ran a 100K (62-mile) race. Over Memorial Day weekend, Charlie ran the final 70-mile section of the Western States route to familiarize himself with the terrain.

Charley Jones finishes the 100-mile endurance run

As the day of the Western States run grew closer, Charlie began heat training, running up to 12 miles wearing heavy clothes and following the run  with two hours in the steam room and sauna.

On the day of the run, the temperature in Auburn was 102 degrees. The course took the runners through canyons where temperatures reached more than 110 degrees.  Of 399 starters, 201 finished and Charley was one of them.

Charley has now completed the 100-mile event nine times, with his best time being 25 hours, 47 minutes. When the day of the 2017 race arrives, Charley’s wife and his two sons will be there to cheer him on, wearing their “Go Charley!” shirts.

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By: Randy Juster
Associate Governmental Program Analyst