The Flying Yank
Dr. J. J. Sieler stayed at Bella Vista Ranch in 1935 training for a 100-mile ultra-running race. Known as the “Flying Yank,” Sieler held many distance running race records and was training for his run from Lovelock to Reno. Around this time there were a number of ultrarunners, including Sieler, who tried to claim world records by running the “fastest known time” between two cities.
By 1946, Mr. and Mrs. Flick owned the Bella Vista Ranch. Mr. Flick was a prominent resident of Reno from his arrival in 1940 until his death in 1956. At that time, the ranch consisted of 1,500-acres and was improved for use as a cattle ranch. There are some references to the property being called Rancho del Tierra Feliz, or “Happy Land Ranch”, around this time. Besides cattle, thoroughbred horses also were raised on the ranch.
Image:
The Flying Yank. Source: ultrarunninghistory.com/flying-yank.