River Bound Race Series 5k and Half Marathon Trail Races – September 14, 2013 – NC Outward Bound School – Asheville, NC

I’m thrilled to see that the 2013 River Bound Races Series, produced by the North Carolina Outward Bound School, will take place on the Warren Wilson College trails.  I’ve run on these trails about a half a dozen times in the past year and thoroughly enjoyed them. You’ll experience beautiful scenery and a lot of single-track trail. Come on runners, how can you resist running a trail race that includes something called ‘Suicide Ridge?’ There are three different race dates and four distance options (5k, 10k, 15k and half marathon). The races start and finish at the Outward Bound School on Riceville Road.

• April 6, 2013 – 5k/10k
• June 8, 2013 – 5k/15k
• September 14, 2013 – 5k/Half Marathon

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Asheville River Bound Race Series has kicked it up a notch for 2013: this year all Asheville races will take place on the Warren Wilson College trails and start and finish at the North Carolina Outward Bound School Headquarters.

These trails crisscross over the 1,200 acres of Warren Wilson College containing diverse terrain, from flat trails parallel to the Swannanoa River to technical single track accents up Jones Mountain and Suicide Ridge. We promise you will be physically challenged and amazed by the beauty and variety you will experience.

All proceeds from the races go to scholarships that support local youth teachers and veterans attending North Carolina Outward Bound School’s wilderness and urban courses.

North Carolina Outward Bound is a non-profit (501(c)(3)) educational organization established in 1967 and is chartered by Outward Bound National – an organization that includes a wide network of wilderness programs, urban centers and Outward Bound Schools that use experiential learning.

COURSE

Asheville River Bound Series 5k and Half Marathon Course Maps

PACKET PICK-UP

Race packets can be picked up the morning of the race starting at 6:45 am. You will see a line for pre-registered racers and it should be very quick.

THE VENUE

The race will start and finish at North Carolina Outward Bound School Headquarters.
NCOBS Headquarters
2582 Riceville Road
Asheville, NC 28805

View Larger Map

PARKING

Although we will be using multiple lots, there will still be limited parking at this venue. We encourage all runners to try to car pool to the races to help combat this problem.

Questions? Contact the race director, Luiz Leonetti, 828.239.2140, lleonetti@ncobs.org.

All races start at 8:00 AM, rain or shine.

Online registration is available at Races Online. For more information, visit the race website.

New River Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k – May 4, 2013 – Todd, NC

Todd, North Carolina is just a few miles north of Boone for those of you in Western North Carolina who may not be familiar with the area. This looks like a great trio of races in a terrific and scenic location. The marathon is an official Boston Marathon qualifying event. Here’s a video that was created in 2012 for the event:

RACE DETAILS

The New River Marathon courses primarily along the banks of the South Fork New River, one of only 14 American Heritage Rivers in the United States. Of the 17 miles with pastoral vistas of the New River, 13 miles are along Railroad Grade Road, a North Carolina Scenic Byway. For the 9 miles that wind away from the flat and fast New River Valley, the course offers several short, aggressive climbs, rolling country roads, and a challenging 2-mile section between 15.5 and 17.5 miles (the near 180 degree view at mile 17.5 is breathtaking).

The New River Half-Marathon also courses primarily along the banks of the South Fork New River. The course offers approximately 9 miles of running along the New River. For the 4 miles that wind away from the flat and fast New River Valley, the course offers 2 primary climbs, rolling country roads, and a tour through historic Todd.

The New River 5K may be shorter in distance, but the course is no less spectacular. The first and last miles are along the New River on Railroad Grade Rd. The middle mile is a serene tree covered dirt lane, with a country creek babbling down one side.

The Start/Finish Line is graciously hosted by the family-owned and operated Riverside Restaurant, which sits on the banks of the New River. This National Register of Historic Places building is the former herb and root warehouse for Brownwood and surrounding communities of Todd and Fleetwood.

INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION

Online registration is available at Active.com. For more information, visit the race website.

Valley of the Lilies Half Marathon and 5k – April 6, 2013 – Western Carolina University – Cullowhee, NC

I’ve heard good reports about this race at Western Carolina University. Here is a description from the race organizers:

The Valley of the Lilies Half Marathon & 5K has a scenic course, featuring rolling hills, on the campus of WCU and along the Tuckaseigee River in Cullowhee, NC.

The Western Carolina University School of Health Sciences and the Department of Campus Recreation & Wellness bring you the third annual Valley of the Lilies event. We added the 5K Run/Walk last year and had a great turnout so we will have both races again this year! We’ve also moved the event to a Saturday this year in the hopes that more can come to participate!

Proceeds: The proceeds of the race will go to students at WCU to assist in professional presentations, travel to conferences, and other professional development opportunities. We have a strong tradition of undergraduate research and professional engagement, which often leads to student travel and presentations at conferences in his or her field of study. Race proceeds will assist students with the expense associated with these outstanding opportunities. Many students are not able to engage in professional development without financial assistance.

Online registration is available at IMAthlete. For more information, visit the race website.

Morris Broadband Half Marathon – April 20, 2013 – DuPont Forest – Brevard, NC

This race is part of the Asheville Track Club Grand Prix series for 2013. I’ve done this two of the three times it’s been held (2010 and 2012). It’s an interesting course that includes about a mile of running on an old abandoned black top runway nestled way back in DuPont Forest. Much of the race has featured forest service roads and some double-track trails in the past. I wouldn’t describe the race as technical, but it has its share of hills. The race director has said there will be some new trail sections in 2013 but I don’t have any details on that yet. What I do know: race starts at 8:30 and each runner will get a Brooks tech shirt and a pair of Diamond brand socks.

DIRECTIONS TO DUPONT HALF MARATHON

Take I-26 to Exit 40 (the airport), and take Highway 280 to Pisgah Forest. Turn left on US 64 in Pisgah Forest. Travel east on US 64 for 3.7 miles to a stoplight. Turn right on Crab Creek Road and continue 4.3 miles and turn right on Dupont Road. Go approximately 1/2 mile, then left on Sky Valley Road. Go approximately 2 miles to parking lot on right hand side.

Online registration is available at Active.com.  Fore more information, visit the race website.

GHS Half Marathon and 5k – March 9, 2013 – Travelers Rest and Greenville, SC

2013 – Overall Half Marathon Results

A point to point, net elevation loss half marathon in early spring. Woo-hoo!

The Half Marathon is a point-to-point race starting in Travelers Rest, SC and finishing downtown Greenville, SC. Flat and Fast Course for the 5k and Half Marathon – ran mostly on the Swamp Rabbit Trail (great for a Personal Record). The course offers a net LOSS in elevation – making for the opportunity to run a very fast race.

Online registration is available at Book-Events.com. For more information, visit the race website.

Results of the Resolution Half Marathon – January 12, 2013 – YMCA – Travelers Rest, SC

182 participants came out to complete the Resolution Half Marathon in Travelers Rest. Congratulations to Matt Henderson as first overall and first male. Congratulations to Kristi Arledge as first female. Following are results, courtesy of Go Green Events.

Place	Bib #	Name	Total Time	Pace	Age	Gender	City	State
1	68	MATT HENDERSON	01:21:41.8	6:14	24	M	BOILING SPRINGS	SC
2	195	MATT VERLEY	01:23:57.4	6:25	27	M	GREENVILLE	SC
3	178	KRISTI ARLEDGE	01:24:25.5	6:27	43	F
4	143	TIM STEWART	01:25:17.2	6:31	51	M	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
5	484	DAN MATZ	01:27:52.4	6:42	28	M	GREER	SC
6	156	TODD WALTER	01:29:10.6	6:48	47	M	LANDRUM	SC
7	53	SHANE GILMORE	01:31:51.0	7:01	16	M	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
8	102	PAT MCCALLION	01:31:52.6	7:01	44	M	G	SC
9	179	GINNIE FREEMAN	01:31:56.6	7:01	37	F
10	88	RACHEL KITSON	01:32:09.5	7:02	29	F	CHAPEL HILL	NC
11	54	JOHN GILPIN	01:36:10.2	7:20	53	M	GREENVILLE	SC
12	99	JOE MAZUR	01:36:32.4	7:22	41	M	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
13	158	ANDREW WETZEL	01:36:46.2	7:23	14	M	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
14	231	NEIL WALDROP	01:37:00.8	7:24	39	M	GREER	SC
15	123	JENNIFER PRYOR	01:37:10.0	7:25	38	F	GREER	SC
16	228	GIMMA REID	01:37:58.0	7:29	34	F	ASHEVILLE	NC
17	73	HOWIE HOUSTON	01:38:37.4	7:32	31	M	GREENWOOD	SC
18	27	SAMMY COX	01:39:01.1	7:34	55	M	ASHEVILLE	NC
19	64	LAURA HAUPFEAR	01:39:05.8	7:34	47	F	CLINTON	SC
20	249	SEAN MCELVEEN	01:40:08.5	7:39	34	M	GREER	SC
21	115	LISA MULVEY	01:40:19.7	7:39	26	F	CHARLOTTE	NC
22	182	KIMMY KOPP	01:41:29.8	7:45	23	F	GREENVILLE	SC
23	79	MARTIN JACARUSO	01:41:38.1	7:45	25	M	HAW RIVER	NC
24	47	JENNIFER FISHER	01:41:52.7	7:47	32	F	COLUMBUS	NC
25	163	NICOLE WOOD	01:41:55.4	7:47	39	F	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
26	37	DESI DUNCKER	01:42:15.5	7:48	35	M	GREENVILLE	SC
27	43	TOM FARTHING	01:42:38.2	7:50	55	M	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
28	184	BILL BONEY	01:43:13.8	7:53	43	M	GREENVILLE	SC
29	199	BENJAMIN ZACHARY	01:43:24.6	7:54	56	M	TAYLORSVILLE	NC
30	105	JOSH MCROBERTS	01:43:59.3	7:56	32	M	GLENDALE	SC
31	48	FORREST FOWLER	01:44:46.5	7:59	56	M	TRAVELERS REST	SC
32	97	JOHN MATTHEWS	01:44:59.2	8:01	44	M	GREER	SC
33	246	PETE MURRY	01:45:22.9	8:03	36	M	GREENVILLE	SC
34	82	PATRICK JEFFREYS	01:45:43.8	8:04	32	M	FRANKFORT	KY
35	116	VIMAL PATEL	01:46:03.1	8:06	35	M	GREENVILLE	SC
36	170	GARY DAVIS	01:46:19.8	8:07	55	M	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
37	30	MARTY DAIGLE	01:46:26.9	8:07	48	M	GREENVILLE	SC
38	164	DAVID WRIGHT	01:46:27.0	8:08	53	M	GREENVILLE	SC
39	71	FRANZ HONER	01:46:53.8	8:10	38	M	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
40	29	RICHARD DACEY	01:47:02.7	8:10	53	M	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
41	15	BRIAN CAMPBELL	01:47:06.1	8:11	41	M	GREENWOOD	SC
42	96	DREW MATHEWS	01:47:30.1	8:12	16	M	GREER	SC
43	122	JEFF POOLE	01:48:03.6	8:15	37	M	GREER	SC
44	20	GREGG COLEMAN	01:48:18.1	8:16	54	M
45	42	JAMES FARNHAM	01:48:18.2	8:16	25	M	GREER	SC
46	50	BRAD FRAEDRICH	01:48:34.2	8:17	40	M	LANDRUM	SC
47	124	BRADLEY PUFFER	01:48:51.6	8:19	43	M	FLETCHER	NC
48	152	KEVIN TUTEN	01:49:05.2	8:20	20	M	CLEMSON	SC
49	94	RICHARD LYONS	01:49:20.7	8:21	42	M	GREENVILLE	SC
50	66	ERIC HAYLER	01:49:22.9	8:21	49	M	BOILING SPRINGS	SC
51	81	SHANNON JAQUESS	01:49:34.2	8:22	27	F	GREENVILLE	SC
52	95	THOMAS MANNING	01:50:13.6	8:25	13	M	BOILING SRINGS	NC
53	106	TAMARA MCROBERTS	01:50:24.5	8:26	30	F	GLENDALE	SC
54	227	JESSE WARREN	01:50:24.8	8:26	55	M	ASHEVILLE	NC
55	84	SARAH K JOHNSON	01:50:38.3	8:27	37	F	ARDEN	NC
56	162	MOLLIE WITHERS	01:50:48.8	8:27	27	F	GREENVILLE	SC
57	16	LAUREN CASON	01:50:58.2	8:28	27	F	GREER	SC
58	145	ELIZABETH TALLY	01:51:01.8	8:28	42	F	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
59	41	MIKE FANNING	01:51:54.6	8:33	39	M	GREENVILLE	SC
60	244	JOY HOWARD	01:51:57.0	8:33	46	F	TOWNVILLE	SC
61	138	WILLIAM SNIPES	01:52:00.5	8:33	43	M	TRAVELERS REST	SC
62	118	CLINTON PEARCE	01:52:23.3	8:35	35	M	GREER	SC
63	144	SHIFANG SUN	01:52:32.5	8:35	48	M	ALPHARETTA	GA
64	237	TODD DAVIS	01:52:39.5	8:36	44	M	ELGIN	SC
65	169	DREW WALKER	01:53:12.9	8:38	53	M	GREENWOOD	SC
66	177	MEREDITH GRADY	01:54:34.7	8:45	26	F
67	89	JENNIFER KLOS	01:54:35.5	8:45	38	F	CHARLESTON	SC
68	86	RUSTY KING	01:54:43.2	8:45	47	M	TRAVELERS REST	SC
69	39	SUSAN DUPONT	01:55:00.9	8:47	38	F	GREENVILLE	SC
70	22	THOMAS COMBS	01:55:15.5	8:48	46	M	PIEDMONT	SC
71	141	JUDITH SPIVEY	01:55:21.4	8:48	52	F	GREENVILLE	SC
72	44	BESS FIELD	01:55:56.0	8:51	34	F
73	180	AUDREY SMITH	01:56:23.2	8:53	37	F	GREENVILLE	SC
74	147	SUZANNE TERRY	01:57:29.9	8:58	38	F	GREENVILLE	SC
75	110	JULIE MITCHELL	01:57:30.1	8:58	34	F	TAYLOR’S	SC
76	160	DALE WIIK	01:57:30.4	8:58	43	M	GREENVILLE	SC
77	46	CHAD FISHER	01:57:39.5	8:59	35	M	COLUMBUS	NC
78	111	STEVE MORAN	01:58:03.5	9:01	29	M	TAYLORS	SC
79	98	KRISTA MAYBERRY	01:58:16.8	9:02	41	F	GREENVILLE	SC
80	13	NANCY BUBANICH	01:58:43.2	9:04	46	F	GREER	SC
81	171	KELLY HOLMES	01:58:59.1	9:05	35	F	GREENVILLE	SC
82	10	LESLIE BHOOPATHY	01:59:17.6	9:06	35	F	ATLANTA	GA
83	245	JODY MCROBERTS	01:59:40.8	9:08	52	M	INMAN	SC
84	114	MATTHEW MOULTON	02:00:21.0	9:11	23	M	SPARTANBURG	SC
85	136	KATHIE SMITH	02:00:25.2	9:12	48	F	GREER	SC
86	23	MIKE COMPTON	02:00:26.3	9:12	59	M	COLUMBIA	SC
87	17	GAGE CAULDER	02:00:39.1	9:13	53	F	TRAVELERS REST	SC
88	7	LISA BARELLA	02:01:57.2	9:19	38	F	MYRTLE BEACH	SC
89	2	RYAN ALONSO	02:02:06.4	9:19	25	M	GREER	SC
90	51	BILAL GHANDOUR	02:02:07.1	9:19	46	M	CHARLOTTE	NC
91	150	CAMERON TOMMEY	02:02:31.8	9:21	25	M	LEXINGTON	VA
92	6	ROBERT BARBOUR	02:02:34.4	9:21	61	M	BARNARDSVILLE	NC
93	9	DOUG BENDER	02:03:01.1	9:23	56	M	NINETY SIX	SC
94	59	STEPHEN GWALTNEY	02:03:57.8	9:28	31	M	HENDERSONVILLE	NC
95	87	TOM KINGSBURY	02:04:36.0	9:31	55	M	CANDLER	NC
96	33	JULIE DENNISON	02:04:36.8	9:31	39	F	CLEVELAND	SC
97	128	EMILY ROSS	02:04:47.4	9:32	22	F	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
98	120	LISA PIRWITZ	02:04:50.4	9:32	42	F	GREER	SC
99	291	JOSH CLINGERMAN	02:04:56.9	9:32	19	M
100	140	KAREN SPEEDLING	02:05:15.5	9:34	36	F	TRAVELERS REST	SC
101	161	CLAUDIA WISE	02:05:26.4	9:35	43	F	GREENVILLE	SC
102	151	REBECCA TRIMBLE	02:05:36.1	9:35	37	F	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
103	166	CAROL ZUCCA	02:05:41.4	9:36	54	F	ASHEVILLE	NC
104	167	MARCUS FRANZEN	02:06:29.7	9:39	36	M	FAYETTEVILLE	NC
105	67	DELAINE HEIDT	02:06:44.4	9:40	48	F	GREER	SC
106	104	DAVIN MCROBERTS	02:06:59.2	9:42	24	M	SPARTANBURG	SC
107	8	CHRISTINA BARKLEY	02:08:00.3	9:46	36	F	CANDLER	NC
108	49	REGINA FOWLER	02:08:17.4	9:48	52	F	TRAVELERS REST SC	SC
109	58	FELICIA GOODGION	02:08:30.9	9:49	43	F	ARDEN	NC
110	210	JOY PONDER	02:08:54.9	9:50	40	F	MARS HILL	NC
111	31	SCOTT DAY	02:09:18.7	9:52	41	M	GREENVILLE	SC
112	28	HAMPTON CULLER	02:09:32.7	9:53	44	M	GREENVILLE	SC
113	11	DANA BONEY	02:09:37.6	9:54	58	F	MAUDLIN	SC
114	157	ROB WEBER	02:09:41.7	9:54	36	M	GREENVILLE	SC
115	193	TOBY WOODARD	02:09:48.0	9:55	44	M	GREENVILLE	SC
116	201	PAMELA TIDWELL	02:09:53.3	9:55	32	F	SENECA
117	85	TINA KINARD	02:10:41.4	9:59	37	F	GREENVILLE	SC
118	34	JOY DICKERSON	02:10:46.5	9:59	42	F	GREENVILLE	SC
119	32	DENNIS DEFRANCESCO	02:11:08.7	10:01	63	M	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
120	5	BILL BANNEN	02:12:00.4	10:05	59	M	GREENVILLE	SC
121	200	SUSAN CLARKE	02:12:29.7	10:07	53	F	LYMAN	SC
122	103	EDWARD MCGINNISS	02:12:52.4	10:09	39	M	LAURENS	SC
123	208	SUZANNE BROWN	02:12:57.6	10:09	47	F	MT PLEASANT	SC
124	61	KAREN HALL	02:13:18.3	10:11	31	F	GREER	SC
125	60	CHRISTOPHER HALL	02:13:18.5	10:11	35	M	GREER	SC
126	148	ROBYN THOMAS	02:13:29.7	10:11	40	F	EASLEY	SC
127	486	MAHADEVAN APPADURA	02:13:44.1	10:13	43	M	GREER	SC
128	187	CAMERON FREEMAN	02:14:11.8	10:15	24	M	GREENVILLE	SC
129	12	DIANE BOYD	02:14:14.4	10:15	41	F	GREENVILLE	SC
130	14	JOE BURNER	02:14:19.6	10:15	33	M	COLUMBUS	OH
131	135	HEIDI SIMPSON	02:14:29.5	10:16	32	F	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
132	25	AMY COUCH	02:14:29.6	10:16	33	F	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
133	45	GEORGE FISHBACK	02:15:09.6	10:19	55	M	CANTON	NC
134	188	BRANDI GRAVLEY	02:15:20.0	10:20	28	F	GREENVILLE	SC
135	168	STACEY VANADORE	02:15:25.6	10:20	32	F	FOUNTAIN INN	SC
136	100	MARISA MAZUR	02:16:12.5	10:24	39	F	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
137	117	LISA PAYNE	02:16:30.5	10:25	51	F	EASLEY	SC
138	21	SALLY COLEMAN	02:17:17.8	10:29	52	F
139	78	ELISABETH INGRAM	02:17:18.0	10:29	44	F	GREENVILLE	SC
140	92	RHONDA LUEVANO	02:17:52.7	10:31	45	F	SIMPSONVILLE	SC
141	248	SARAH KAUK	02:18:29.9	10:34	26	F	DURHAM	NC
142	101	KELLY MCCALL	02:18:31.1	10:34	37	F	PINEHURST	NC
143	121	KLAUS PLESS	02:18:51.6	10:36	45	M	CHARLESTON	SC
144	77	AKIHIKO IKEGAWA	02:18:54.6	10:36	55	M	GREENWOOD	SC
145	40	BROOK EVANS	02:19:18.9	10:38	15	F	CENTRAL	SC
146	26	LINDA COX	02:19:49.9	10:40	59	F	HENDERSONVILLE	NC
147	35	MATTHEW DOBSON	02:20:10.1	10:42	36	M	PICKENS	SC
148	181	KATHLEEN RIGENBURG	02:20:30.9	10:44	37	F	GREENVILLE	SC
149	76	ANDREA HUNT	02:20:39.7	10:44	17	F	GREER	SC
150	107	MADDI MEGLIC	02:20:40.0	10:44	18	F	GREENVILLE	SC
151	18	BRYAN CHRISTIE	02:21:05.8	10:46	37	M	GREENVILLE	SC
152	204	JOHN MORRIS	02:21:27.5	10:48	35	M	GREER	SC
153	69	ERIN HILLER	02:21:40.7	10:49	36	F	EASLEY	SC
154	191	MARTY POLLOCK	02:22:48.3	10:54	55	M	GREENVILLE	SC
155	125	STEVEN RAU	02:23:15.4	10:56	39	M	GREENVILLE	SC
156	190	KERI MILLS	02:23:48.5	10:59	37	F	GREENVILLE	SC
157	52	KRISTIN GILLESPIE	02:23:48.5	10:59	37	F	TRAVELERS REST	SC
158	119	ALLISON PHILLIPS	02:24:13.0	11:01	32	F	MAULDIN	SC
159	165	SARAH ZEINSTRA	02:24:13.1	11:01	28	F	GREENVILLE	SC
160	91	THERESA LORDEMANN	02:24:50.6	11:03	35	F	GREER	SC
161	233	JEANNIE SANDAHL	02:25:52.9	11:08	46	F	LANDRUM	SC
162	133	JACK SIMMONS	02:25:57.8	11:08	68	M	TAYLORS	SC
163	155	MARY ANNE WALL	02:26:45.3	11:12	48	F	GREENVILLE	SC
164	142	TODD STAFFORD	02:28:40.4	11:21	29	M	TRAVELERS REST	SC
165	62	STEPHANIE HANCE	02:28:51.1	11:22	24	F	GREENVILLE	SC
166	149	HUGH THOMPSON	02:35:25.7	11:52	64	M	GREENVILLE	SC
167	113	JANET MORNINGSTAR	02:37:29.7	12:01	39	F	GREENVILLE	SC
168	153	YVONNE VANCE	02:38:17.1	12:05	67	F	GREENVILLE	SC
169	126	DAVID RAYFIELD	02:46:38.0	12:43	61	M	TAYLORS	SC
170	146	SOFIA TEMPLE	02:46:39.3	12:43	56	F	GREENVILLE	SC
171	129	PEGGY RUSSELL	02:49:19.8	12:55	38	F	GREER	SC
172	65	MARTY HAWKINS	02:50:18.5	13:00	38	M	MAULDIN	SC
173	80	JENNIFER JAMES	02:59:34.0	13:42	43	F	GREENVILLE	SC
174	36	PHIL DORTCH	03:03:38.0	14:01	52	M	KNOXVILLE	TN
175	38	JASON DUNTON	03:03:38.0	14:01	35	M	GREENWOOD	SC
176	134	SUZANNE SIMONS	03:03:38.8	14:01	39	F	GREENWOOD	SC
177	132	LINDA SHARROTTE	03:58:46.1	18:14	57	F	BREVARD	NC
178	139	TRACY SPAIN	03:58:50.7	18:14	30	F	ONEIDA	TN
179	109	JO ETTA MILLER	04:00:27.4	18:21	56	F	DOUGLASVILLE	GA
180	4	RICHARD BANKER	22:13:06.9	101:46:00	57	M	GREENVILLE	SC
181	3	JOE ALTIERI	22:13:07.3	101:46:00	16	M	EASLEY	SC
182	24	HARRISS COTTINGHAM	22:13:07.6	101:46:00	38	M	GREENVILLE	SC

South Mountains Trail Half Marathon – February 23, 2013 – South Mountains State Park – Connelly Spring, NC

This looks like an awesome race at South Mountains State Park. A great winter challenge and what’s really intriguing to me is that it’s limited to 100 runners. It’s unlikely you’ll be jockeying for trail position too much when there’s only 100 runners in a half marathon. Here’s more information from the race organizers:

Make plans to attend South Mountains Half marathon. Part of the 2013 “Search for the Mountain Goat” trail race series. Nestled deep in the woods, South Mountains State Park is the perfect place to enjoy nature. Here you can see a majestic mountain range peeking out from the gently rolling landscape of the Piedmont. This course will challenge you from the start as you make your way up the mountain. You will rise up and up and up until you will think you will penetrate the earth’s atmosphere. When you reach the top its down – down – down with a thrilling insane downhill and fast race to the finish. Fun for all on this extra wide double track course.

The park’s other areas include elevations up to 3,000 feet, a waterfall dropping 80 feet and more than 40 miles of trails. From equestrian camping to trout fishing, mountain biking to picnicking, a number of activities are available at South Mountains State Park. Visit one of the state’s most rugged parks. Hike the trail to High Shoals Falls to witness the roar of the waterfall as it pours into a large pool. Backpack through the woodlands for primitive camping. Fish for trout in miles of mountain streams, or bicycle along the 17-mile mountain-bike loop.

Don’t forget to Register early. The race is limited to the first 100 entrants.

Online registration is available at Active.com. For more information, visit the race website.

XTERRA Power to the Tower 50k | Half Marathon | 5 Mile Trail Races – April 6, 2013 – Bays Mountain Park – Kingsport, TN

A trio of great trail races in Kingsport and part of the popular XTERRA Tennessee Points Series. Options for just about everyone from 5 miler Half Marathon to 50k at Bays Mountain Park.

Fleet Feet Sports Kingsport is proud to present the XTERRA “Power to the Tower” trail half marathon on April 7th, 2012 at Bays Mountain Park. This is an official XTERRA TRAILRUN national trail race and part of the Tennessee XTERRA series as well as the Trailrunner Magazine Trophy Series.

Utilizing the newly developed single track trails of Bays Mountain, runners will wind their way around the lake for the first 5 miles before hitting Aid Station 1, which will literally be music to your ears. The highlight of this section will be Cherry Knobs trail. Steep enough to fall down, Cherry Knobs is blisteringly fast, so keep your wits about you and you might hit a new PR.

Leaving AS1, runners will begin “Powering” to the tower, climbing to the ridge of the mountain. Don’t rest on your laurels, as this section is made to trash your quads with its rolling climbs. AS2 will be located directly beneath the Fire Tower, giving runners a brief respite before bombing back down the mountain. Survive this, and it’s back to the bottom of the valley, traversing a few more miles of single track before reaching the finish, located directly in front of the Farmstead Museum.

Not feeling up to 13 miles of trail? The 3rd annual Run for TC 5 miler, honoring legendary local coach Tom Coughenour, will be run right before the start of the half, finishing at Aid Station 1. This is a great race to get a feel for what the trail racing scene is all about and provides the perfect excuse to ditch the pavement!

Fun, challenging, and exciting are all words that can describe an XTERRA race, and the Power to the Tower will certainly live up to that. Hope to see you in April!

Questions? Contact Fleet Feet Sports – Kingsport, TN – (423) 230-0002

Registration isn’t open yet, but mark your calendars and contact Fleet Feet Sports in Kingsport, TN at (423) 230-0002 for more information, or check out the race website.

Results of the Freedom Park Ultra, Marathon, Half Marathon – December 31, 2012 – January 1, 2013 – Morganton, NC

I decided to run the Morganton Freedom Park Half Marathon (part of the Ultra/Marathon/Half-Marathon event) as a beginning of the year motivator. I often get a little lazy from mid-December through mid-January and having a half-marathon on New Year’s Eve would force me to get some distance in during the holidays and get my running off to a good start in January. All of the races in this event are run on an approximately one-mile long asphalt path that winds through Freedom Park (so I’d be doing 13 laps and change).

When I arrived at Freedom Park, the Ultra Runners were already off and running, having started earlier in the morning. The Half Marathon and Marathon started simultaneously, promptly at 10 AM. I thought the lap format might become a little tedious for me, but the atmosphere helped make it more enjoyable than I imagined. With each lap, we cross the timing mat (to count our laps and ensure that we’ve run the appropriate distance). That area of the park is set up like a small base camp, with tents pitched by Ultra Runners and plenty of Ultra support team members (and dogs, always good for putting a mile on my face). Combined with a great variety of refreshments (water, Gatorade, soft drinks, gels, granola bars, crackers, pretzels, cookies, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hamburgers, veggie burgers and more) it was very pleasant.

I felt good and had a fairly consistent pace for the first six laps. But I wasn’t in tip-top shape and some yoga work that I had done the day before put a little too much emphasis on my adductors, making them sore for the second half of the race, forcing me to shorten my stride a bit. I hoped to finish in less than two hours, but didn’t quite make it, finishing in 2:02:35. Click here to see race details from my Garmin GPS device.

Something I anticipated with the lap format was being “lapped.” I saw that Josh Baker of Valdese, NC was running the half marathon and tried to do the math in me head while driving to Morganton from Asheville. How many times would Josh pass me? The answer is five (I think) and when I was approaching the timing mat at the end of my eighth lap I could hear people cheering for Josh as he was coming up toward the timing mat for his half marathon finish (about 1:13). I was also lapped twice by my friend Richard Hefner who came by to say hello (briefly) during my 5th and 10th laps.

All in all this was a great event from my perspective and my hat is off to David Lee of Lee Timing along with his family and volunteers for putting on such an enjoyable event. They spend about 36 hours or more onsite from start to finish. That’s what it takes to manage such a time-consuming and complex event. Well done.

Check out all the results at Lee Timing.

New Year’s Ultra 24 Hour | 12 Hour | 6 Hour | Marathon | Half Marathon – December 31, 2012 – January 1, 2013 – Freedom Park, Morganton, NC

This is a meticulously planned and organized event that provides every option imaginable to get in some serious distance while closing out 2012 and dashing your way into 2013. There are 24, 12 and 6 hour ultra options as well as a Marathon and Half Marathon. Everything starts on New Year’s Eve (Monday, December 31, 2012), with the 24 hour race beginning at 8:00 AM and the Marathon/Half Marathon beginning at 10:00 AM. The 6 and 12 hour races begin at 8:00 PM.

All of the racing takes place in Freedom Park in Morganton, NC on a smooth asphalt path that is just shy of a mile in length. Last year the 24 hour ultra was ‘owned’ by Anne Riddle-Lundblad of Swanannoa, NC who ran 142+ laps around the course for a total of more than 140 miles. Word is, Anne is returning for the 2012/2013 race. Happy New Year!

This unique race attracted runners from beyond North Carolina last year, with participants coming from Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Washington DC, Maryland and New Jersey as well.  What’s even more impressive is that a Staff Sergeant in the US Army who could not make it back for the race, ran it simultaneously on a 3.5 mile track on a base in Afghanistan.  Here’s a terrific report from the 2011/2012 event.

I haven’t done this before but I’m thinking about doing the half marathon as a nice way to close off the year and provide some momentum moving into January.

Check out the race website for plenty of details and registration options.