5-11-07 Lynn and Eric Rathbun, friends from Maine, relax with Jim at our camper at the Ruritan Park in Yellow Springs, WV the day before the race. Eric section-hiked/ran 194 miles of the Appalachian Trail in VA and NC in the two weeks preceding the race.
5-12-07 Volunteers and runners mingle inside race HQ the morning of the race
Runners gather near the start of the race
Another view of runners waiting patiently for the start
The day was partly sunny with rain holding off until later in the evening after everyone left but us
Eric looks mighty calm considering this is not only his first ultra but his first footrace of ANY distance!! He's a fast hiker and only recently began any running (Jim and I have been a bad influence!).
L-R, Joey Anderson, Laura MacLean, Lynn and Eric Rathbun, and Jim chat just before the signal to "GO!"
Jim and Laura MacLean at the start (photo by Joey Anderson). Both ran well today.
I waited until an early uphill road section to take photos of runners so I wouldn't get "run over" by the ones behind me
Runners in the back half of the race wisely walk up part of the first long hill about a mile into the course
Almost to the top. This hill was a lot more fun running DOWN a mile from the finish!
One of many creek crossings we had today -- about as many as on the Uwharrie course in NC. I LOVE going through creeks when they're this low.
Following another runner along a creek in the second mile
Up and over a field with a scenic view toward Lynn Goleman's farm (former race director). Most of this course goes through private property, which is somewhat unusual for an ultra.
Gravel road heading toward the first aid station (it also served as our last AS)
Volunteers welcome runners to the Goleman Farm and direct us through a field to the AS in the barn
Watch those cow pies!
Volunteers in the Goleman barn busy keeping supplies ready. This was a welcome respite at miles 3.4 and 27.6.
Looking back at more runners coming into the aid station
This is one of the best-marked courses I've ever run, with numerous bright pink streamers, arrows, and paper plates (with comments or instructions) all along the way (yes, Jim and I each got off-course once!)
Varied course surfaces included paved and gravel roads, old dirt jeep roads, grassy fields, smooth dirt forest trails, rocky trails along or through creeks . . .
. . . and occasional "cross-country" treks right through the woods following the flagging.
Trail along a creek in the 5th or 6th mile
Water stop at the river before a memorable, steep climb. Thank goodness this course wasn't very wet today!
Exposed, very hilly half mile of the course under the powerlines, my least favorite section
Ahh, this is much better!
Approaching AS 2 & 5 (10.5 and 24.4 miles) near Capon Springs Rd. The race photographer is on the right. He was in at least three places along the course taking our pictures.
I enjoyed getting my feet wet in the larger creeks. The cold water felt great and it's fun to be 10 years old again!
Several runners literally went out of their way to try (unsuccessfully) to keep their feet dry in all the creeks
More wonderful volunteers assist us at AS 3 (14.4 miles) at Back Creek
AS humor ("My kindom for a horse!"). I was needing a horse about then, after my legs started cramping in this section.
Following another runner through a field
Thanks to the landowner mowing his yard (not in sight here) who allowed us to pass through his property
Abandoned house along the course . . .
. . . and various abandoned vehicles rusting away in the woods.
I noticed wooden pens like these scattered in the woods at least a half dozen places. Are they used in hunting??
A welcome sight for this frustrated runner (going slowly because of the leg cramps) -- AS 4 (18.7 miles) at Capon Springs Grade
The next 5+ mile section along the Blue Trail was mostly smooth, runnable, and a net downhill through the quiet woods -- it doesn't get much better than that!
The Blue Trail was definitely my favorite part of the course
One of many pretty creeks on the course
This one came with a scenic waterfall. Jim was going so fast he didn't even see it off the side of the trail.
He DID notice this old bus and a couple old campers that are probably used by hunters
Nearly done as we cross back over the Cacapon River to Yellow Springs on the highway bridge (we never had to ford the river)
View of the Cacapon River from the Seldon Bridge
This is where Jim missed the flagging -- between the posts outside the Yellow Springs Post Office
We ran back through this field and along the river to Ruritan Park and the finish . . .
. . . which was another quarter mile from this welcome sign. Jim and I heartily recommend this gem of a race!
Laura MacLean got this photo of Jim as he finished in 6:33, about the same time he had three years ago when the course was two miles shorter!
Jim checking his watch at the finish (photo by Laura MacLean). He was 78th out of 132 finishers.
A smiling Eric Rathbun finishes his first ultra in a great time of 6:59, 103rd out of 132 finishers. (Photo by Lynn Rathbun)
I (Sue Norwood) almost brought up the rear in 7:33, finishing 113th out of the 132 finishers. Maybe I would have been faster if I hadn't taken 61 photos during the race!! (Photo by Lynn Rathbun)
