By Jessica Keller

The Courier-Herald

Every year, Dean Steinmetz of Wilkeson says he won't compete in Wilkeson's National Handcar Races - and, every year, Steinmetz finds himself competing.

Steinmetz, after all, is a familiar face at the races, which begin at 12:30 Saturday afternoon . He has competed in the annual event since 1976, the year of its inception, when he was in his early 20s.

"Last year was going to be my last year doing it, but I decided to do it one more year," Steinmetz, who is now 51, said ruefully.

Steinmetz says after he makes the decision to give up the handcar races, somebody always asks him to be his partner, and he finds himself promising he will.

Not only has he competed in the event so much, but he has also won a number of trophies over the years, with a number of partners, and Steinmetz estimates having between 70 and 75 trophies.

"I've won a trophy in every bracket there is five, six, seven times, I don't keep track anymore," he said, adding he thinks he takes home five to eight trophies every year.

Although Steinmetz has earned a number of trophies - the top three times in each event earn trophies - winning doesn't come easy.

"It's pretty hard to do," he said.

Two racers on a team stand on a handcar, one on each side, and push and pull the lever, propelling the handcar 468 feet, the length of the track, uphill. Steinmetz said you can't really tell it's uphill until coming back to the starting point, and the handcar picks up speed coming down the hill.

"But it feels like it's all uphill when you're racing it," he said with a laugh.

Physically, competing can be pretty draining.

"It takes a lot of strength - a lot of upper body strength," Steinmetz said.

In addition to upper body strength, a team's success depends on the partners and the timing they have worked out together. Steinmetz said if one partner pushes or pulls too fast, it can throw off the timing, and the only thing a team is racing against is the clock.

"You have to have a partner who knows what he's doing, too," he said.

But Steinmetz said the handcar races are not all about winning, and lots of people who compete only do it for fun.

For him, the fun and the exertion involved keep him returning to the track year after year, and he compares it to a "Tough Man" competition.

"It's all about the challenge," Steinmetz said. "A lot of people climb mountains to see what's on top.

"It's all about the roar of the crowd," he added, saying a lot of people come every year just to watch and cheer the competitors on.

The event remains popular, although the number of people competing has dropped, while the number of people watching has increased. The Wilkeson Booster Club, which Steinmetz is a member of, has decreased the number of categories as the numbers have dropped.

This year features only seven categories: the men's, women's and mixed events of three-person and five-person teams, as well as the business class.

Steinmetz expects to compete in five events, and figures he'll be pretty tired by the end of the day. He also expects to take home a few trophies, just like other years.

"It's just kind of addicting," he said. "It gives you bragging rights for a year if you win."

The Wilkeson Handcar Races are more than just competing for Steinmetz and his family, it's about tradition, just as handcars have a history in the town.

Every year he goes to the Pick and Shovel for a hearty breakfast. Then he and his family watch the parade, which Steinmetz said is a lot of fun for the kids. The handcar races come next, and he said he usually gets goaded into competing in the tug-of-war sometime during the day, although he has managed to avoid the lawnmower races so far. After the day's activities, he returns to the Pick and Shovel for a big steak dinner.

And no, Steinmetz doesn't really think this will be the last time he competes in the handcar races.

"I'll probably die on that handcar," he said.

Jessica Keller can be reached at jkeller@courierherald.com