3-28-09 Montvale 5 & 10 Mile Trail Races

The 10 day forecast leading up to this race looked pretty bleak. It was calling for 4 days of rain leading up to race day and an 80% chance of showers on race day. And this time the meteorologists had it right.

Gina and I went out on Friday to finalized the course, verify the total distances and mileage at the water stops, and to paint and put up the flagging and caution tape. The weather for us was great until about 4pm. That's when the rain started up again and didn't stop until 4am race morning.

Fortunately, most of the course tends to hold up well to wet weather. That is if the rain could hold off. The race day forecast was right on. There was no rain for the entire race and it didn't begin to sprinkle until Gina and I were pulling away at 3pm. Perfect.

Race morning the temperature was 58 degrees and cloudy. We had 71 preregistered for this race and another 27 people signed up to battle the course on race morning. For a first year event it is very hard to predict how many people will come out. I always hope for a minimum or 100 people but it takes more than hope.

Congratulations to all that finished. It is a big accomplishment anytime you run 5 or 10 miles. Most of the world will never experience what that feels like. These races were set up to push you. To push you on to new distances and new challenges. If you can run a 5k(10k), why not a 5 miler(10 miler). If you survive, why not a 10k(half marathon). I for one know that it is mostly a mental game. Your body will take you where you want it to go.

There were some impressive times Saturday:
5 Mile
1st Male - Sam Allen - 35:20 (6:44 per mile. It was a 5.25 mile course)
2nd Overall and 1st Female - Sarah Krycinski - 40:40 (7:45 per mile).
10 Mile
1st Male - Ed Dickenson - 1:04:51 (6:45 per mile. It was a 9.6 mile course).
1st Female - Hollie Flynn - 1:27:06 (9:04 per mile)

Thank you for coming out. I hope you had a great time.

And remember to visit our sponsors and tell them you participated in the race.

Gilbert Chiropractic

Joel B. Gardner, D.D.S.

Super Shoes

Outdoor Trails

The next race is the Mill Mountain Mayhem on 4/18/09, visit www.mountainjunkies.net for complete race details. Early registration ends on Saturday 4/4/09. Guarantee a race t-shirt, and your preferred t-shirt size, by registering early.

3/7/09 Explore Your Limits V

Thank you to all our volunteers and sponsors for helping us make this event happen. We appreciate your support.

Gilbert Chiropractic

Dr. Joel Gardner DDS

Super Shoes

Outdoor Trails

One week prior to the race the Roanoke Valley saw it's first snow (4-6 inches) followed by single digit temperatures on Monday. I'm sure I wasn't the only one wondering what the coures would look like 6 days later.

Gina and I marked the course on Friday the 6th and there was still a couple of spots covered in snow. Surprisingly much of the course was in good shape and drying out by the minute. I decided to change the 10k course this year to clear up some course confusion around the 10k trail entrance and the finish line. In addition, the new section of trail tends to hold up better when wet and is a twistier (those of you that have participated in the 10k in the past can let me know which version you prefer)

The forecast for race day couldn't have been any better; 80 degrees with clear skies. The temperature at the start of the race was 65. We had 173 registered runners signed up. At least two runners were celebrating their birthdays; Kim Bennett and Elizabeth Skaggs (sorry I forgot to mention that during the awards).

Congratulations to all that participated and especially our youngest and oldest runners.
5k - 10 year old Lizzie Boone & 11 year old Jonathan Phillips
55 year old Jean Vengrin & 73 year old Maurice Earles
10k - 14 year old Jodee Martin & 13 year old Dana Thompson
56 year old Dru Sexton (2nd female) & 70 year old Ray Gilbarte

Results are posted on www.mountainjunkies.net/explore_your_limits.htm

Photos were taken by JJ Wimmer. He will have the photos posted after he gets them edited and uploaded to www.johnwimmer.fototime.com/welcome

The next races in the R NUTS (Roanoke Non Ultra Trail Series) will be:
3/28/09 - Montvale Park 5 & 10 milers
4/18/09 - Mill Mountain Mayhem 10k
6/06/09 - Trail Nut 10k and Half Marathon
See our website for more information www.mountainjunkies.net