Sunday, May 17, 2009

2009 Bluestone River Wild 5k Results

We have had another successful race! Thanks to MountainPlex of Hinton, WV for their support with the T-shirts and the volunteers who got everybody registered and timed the race.

The main reason you are probably here is to view the results. Give this JPEG a click and it will open for you to get a better view. If it doesn't open, change the zoom on your browser page (should be a + magnifier in the bottom right corner of your screen) or check on the SWVRRC website. http://www.bluefieldstate.edu/swvrrc/index.html

The rain that was predicted all week didn't happen, which was very good because the lowest portion of the course had been flooded the week before. A layer of slick river bottom mud would have made the road unusable. I went down to check out the road condition on Friday afternoon and used a shovel to clean off some potential bad spots, but there was no need for concern after all. It was so dry even the locals were out for a morning stroll with the kids.
This is the second year for the race and we have increased from 25 5K runners and six 1 mile walkers to 39 5K runners and two 5K walkers. Here the group is ready to go! Last year the course was "Garmined" for me to be the exact 3.1 miles long, but when I got out to look at it I really didn't like the slope of the finish coming back into the campground, so I decided to make the finish in a nice flat zone on the main road. Unfortunately, I didn't adjust the start because that slope also seemed like a bad place to start and we ended up about 1/10 of a mile short. So this year to get the 3.1 miles straightened out we reversed the direction around the campground and included the portion of the road we had not used last year.
The finish line remained up on the main road where it allowed for some final stretch strategy and competition.
In the end everybody had a challenging run and we found a new men's champion. 15 year old Cameron Davis is a guy to watch in future races. Vonda Davis repeated as female champion for us this year.
The race would not have been so organized and we would not have most of these pictures without the help of some wonderful volunteers from MountainPlex.

Congratulations to all of the competitors! We are glad you all came out for a great morning run. Next year's race should be on the 15th of May, so put us on your calendar and check back here for updates.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Are You Ready?

We have one week before the 2009 Bluestone River Wild 5k! I hope you are all ready to race!

It turns out that because I didn't want to have you guys finish on what I think is a dangerous downhill slope, last year's race was about 1/10 of a mile short. Yesterday I went out to the course with a friend and his Garmin to make sure we had the full 3.1 miles included. So this year's course is slightly different and a bit more perfect. (I didn't want to say longer there). I still managed to avoid that slope so you can finish on a good strong flat run.

Our sponsor MountainPlex (the local office of PracticeLink) has been helping get the t-shirts in line for this year. We have a new design to share with you.

That is about all I have for now. Results will be posted here and at the SWVRRC website and anywhere else I can put them.
Keep training and come out to enjoy the beautiful run at Bluestone State Park.