Holiday Lake 50km at Lynchburg, Virginia
Also this Ultra started at a state park lake, like many others here in the States. People which arrived at Friday got the chance to sleep at the camp. The entry fee included without the Starter-Shirt and a Finisher-Shirt also the pasta party on Friday evening and the Breakfast on Saturday.
Saturday morning at 6am the race started at the dark. There was a 16 Miles (25km) one time forward, one time backward to run. Oncoming runners made the very technical course not easier. The course was all the time up and down. Around 60% of the course was on small trails or cross the woods. The rest of the course was on ways at the woods or on the street. Every loop there was moreover 3 small streams to cross. Cause of this you got all the time cold feet, although it was a warm February day with 45-50F (7-10C). Because of the rain the days before the race, it was also muddy. So you got easily heavy shoes and it was very slippery on the loamy soil.
Of 161 starters, Aaron Schwarztbard finished first with 4:14:34. Second was Tom Nielsen, 4:16:27, and I was third with 4:17:00. First woman was Cat Phillips, 4:34:39, second Kristin Eddy, 4:34:46, and third Anni Riddle, 4:38:41. All finishers sub 7:30 got a running sweat shirt. The leaders got the better version. More at the organizers hompage!
Report American Ultrarunning Magazin (ENG) Edition 04/04
