By Christopher Cudworth

While rumors of Bigfoot and Sasquatch sightings have fascinated a considerable segment of the general public over the years, it was not until recently that actual DNA evidence of Bigfoot surfaced through the pursuit of science.

The news broke fast and large across the Internet. A genetic researcher named Melba Ketchum claims to have found DNA evidence of Bigfoot in human history. The Huffington Post reported “Under Ketchum’s direction at DNA Diagnostics in Nacogdoches, Texas, a team of researchers has concluded that the creature may be a human relative that somehow developed around 15,000 years ago as a result of a hybrid cross between Homo sapiens with an unknown primate.”

The story continues: “While many people have claimed to have seen the creature, its existence has never been confirmed, despite a plethora of photos and footprints. The ongoing search is the subject of Animal Planet’s “Finding Bigfoot” television series.”

Bigfoot prints

My own documented Bigfoot Evidence is featured in this photo of Bigfoot imprints in a

Bigfoot imprints in local asphalt. Click to view larger image.

bit of local asphalt. But even greater is the evidence captured in this photo, in which Bigfoot, wearing bright red adidas shorts, appears just off camera as I was running down a forest preserve path near my hometown.

Direct encounter!

This close call with a Bigfoot on a local running path was documented by my photographer. Click for a larger view.

The photographer taking the photos was so focused on composition that he did not notice the giant creature whisking through his peripheral vision. But when the digital photos were downloaded, Bigfoot showed up clear and real.

Hard evidence

That seems to be how Bigfoot works. Consider the quote of Melba Ketchum in the Huffington Post story.  On finding evidence of Bigfoot in DNA, she had this to say: “Well, it came to me, I didn’t go after it, that’s for sure,” in her exclusive interview with the Huffington Post. “I did not believe in these creatures. But my lab did a lot of animal testing, and we did species identification. We didn’t have any hits on anything interesting until five years ago.”

The story goes on to note that Ketchum’s professional work includes nearly 30 years in genetics research and forensics. After her team attempted DNA sequencing of hair samples from an alleged Bigfoot encounter, they found some unusual things in the hair. But there wasn’t enough DNA to conclusively verify what they were seeing.

Smells like reality

As for my own encounter with Bigfoot, I noticed a rather pungent smell carried from behind me on the north wind. For a moment I thought it was my own flatulence, as that is a common occurrence on many a run. But the smell was not rooted in the burritos I’d had the day before, but smelled like more natural fare, most likely venison and smaller game such as rabbits and foxes.

So it appears our local Bigfoot is eating well and not relying on fast food like Taco Bell or Kentucky Fried Chicken. And yet you can see the grimace on Bigfoot’s face, as if he’s asking, “Who cut one?”

Well, Bigfoot, I say the one that smelt it, dealt it. So there.

Getting wilder in Illinois

Given the recent Cougar sightings in Illinois, it seems as if things are getting pretty wild around the Chicago area. First mountain lions, now Bigfoot. Although that might be plural if there is more than one Bigfoot around. Then we’re dealing with Bigfeet. And that’s a whole new level of problem for Illinois.

After all, if the Bigfoot population increases in our state, Bigfoot can lay claim to voting rights and even lobbying to redistrict rural areas to influence Illinois politics.

But the problem for us runners and riders will be if Bigfoot entrants start showing up at local races. Who wants to compete with a 9 foot runner that makes the ground shake when they tromp by you in the last 2K? Or who wants to go on a group ride with 15 Bigfoot cyclists elbowing for a spot in the echelon in a crosswind.

Not me, I’ll tell you. My first and hopefully last encounter with Bigfoot was close enough. From the looks of things he almost ran me down already. Or is that a she? Women’s running is on the increase, you know. There’s no reason why a female Bigfoot might not have been out doing some miles to shed some weight. After all, Bigfoot and human beings seem to have some pretty common roots and close relations. That DNA had to get there somehow, you know.

Best to keep on running, folks. That’s my advice.