Sticks and Stones 5K Trail Race at the USNWC 3/27/2010 - Recap

I didn't  think I would be waking up and scraping frost off my car windshield when I woke up for this race as earlier in the week temperatures were hitting highs in the 70s but unpredictable weather struck again and by the 8am race start the mercury was was only hitting the high 30s to low 40s.  The good news was that there was no rain in sight and the sun was shining at the start.

Although the race was billed as a 5K, the race director, Marcus Barton, said it was more likely 3.3 miles than 3.1 miles.  As with the Charlotte Running Company Trail Race back on January 23rd also at the US National Whitewater Center, the start to the race was from the parking lot, down through the back of the rapids and into the woods and on to the rather challenging single-track trails. 

By the time we hit the woods, the top six runners got well out in front.  Fifteen year old Andrew Bradley led the pack and shortly after Kelly Hoce established himself right behind him.  I followed as my distance behind the front runners widened. I was then passed by Todd Daczkowski and then by my running partner Terry Summerfield.  I kept pace with Terry, as  I am used to doing, and heard one more runner pacing behind us.  It turned out to be Dan Morgan.  The same person who passed me in the last race. 

Things got interesting in the final mile or so.  Apparently, Andrew Bradley ended up slowing down and got a bit nauseus allowing Hoce and Daczkowski  to pass him.  They ended up finishing first and second respectively with Bradley taking the 3rd place spot.  As for Terry, Dan, and myself, we battled for 4th, 5th and 6th.  I was keeping pace with Terry with Dan just behind me when Terry tripped on a root and took a tumble.  He got back up to his feet immediately and continued but it allowed us to pass him.  Dan paced with me for awhile before overtaking me.  I made one attack on a long uphill  toward the end of the race that got me even with him but did not have enough gas in my tank to regain my lead.  I slowly dropped back keeping Dan within striking distance and made an attempt on the final hill climb to the parking lot but Dan seemed to pick up his pace and I was unable to get close enough to even think about overtaking him.  Meanwhile, Terry fell back considerably following his tumble but managed to finish 6th behind me.

Overall, it was another enjoyable race, the trails were well marked - and in some places with a bit of humor.  Shortly after the second mile marker was another marker that read "Mile 8 - Just Kidding!"  Kudos to Marcus Barton and the race volunteers for another great Saturday morning on the USNWC trails!

For full race results click here.