Map of Hinson Lake. Start/finish area at left (west) end of lake, Leath Footbridge at right (east) end.
The course follows the north and south Lake Loop Trails for 1.52 miles around the lake.
View of lake from the start/finish area on the dam near the Rotary Lodge
Runners emerge from the woods on the north side of the lake, cross the lodge parking area, and head for the start/finish area at the end of each loop.
Runners cross this bridge next to the lodge, pass the start/finish aid station, run past the crewing area on the dam, and continue CCW around the lake.
Nice design on the "technical" shirts for each entrant in the race
Early race morning, as volunteers set up the only aid station (foreground) and runners set up their personal crewing areas. Our green canopy is on the right.
Looking back at the aid station, bridge, and Rotary Lodge
Byron Backer, seated, and Brian Kistner in good spirits before the race
Part of the "crew village" on the dam. There were several tents and canopies this year.
L to R: Bill Keane (arms raised), Jay Finkle (reddish shirt), Jim O'Neil (under canopy with Jay), Steve Warshawer (white shirt, hands on hips, facing Jim)
Jay Finkle, one of our Roanoke friends, and Jim under our canopy.
Assembling for the start: Doyle Carpenter (blue shorts on left), Steve Warshawer (# 381), Tom Gabell, RD (gray shirt to right)
Tom Gabell, RD (gray shirt on left), conducting pre-race briefing. Joe Lugiano (blue shorts) to his left.
Jim (far right, foreground) listens to the pre-race briefing.
Pre-race, cont. Tom Gabell, RD, in gray shirt, Joe Lugiano in blue shorts, Doug Dawkins with beard in center, standing sideways.
Ninety-eight runners walk across the bridge to the start at 8:08 AM. Another two joined in later, including Tom the RD.
Jim and I began near the back, taking it easy the first loop.
This trail is smooth crushed stone with very little to trip over. It was dusty and a bit soft in some areas, but a great running surface.
Ray Krowlewicz and Byron Backer with a small group of runners early in the race. Byron stopped at 50 miles.
The only real "hill" rises about ten feet just before the lodge, bridge, and start/finish area. The rest of the course is even flatter than this.
Leath Footbridge, across the marsh area at the east end of the lake -- one of the few sunny places on the course
Looking west over the marsh and lake toward the lodge. Note the nearly-full moon.
Bill Keane and Barbara Mack crossing the footbridge. Bill ended up with 76 miles. Barbara finished 3rd female with 83.6 miles.
Anita Finkle, one of our Roanoke friends, drinks at the aid station before heading out on another loop. Anita was first female with 104 miles.
One of fourteen nice wooden boardwalks along the loop, plus two fine wooden bridges with railings
Jim (white shirt in center) in a group of runners mid-morning
Water lilies in the marsh near the Leath Footbridge. Some leaves are turning red.
Water lilies were open only a few hours during the morning and early afternoon, then closed up.
Runners are dwarfed by the tall, tall deciduous and pine trees along the very shady course.
Close up of runners ahead
Part of the "crew village" along the dam
Here comes Anita Finkle again
One of ultra running's "legends" from the 1980s, Doyle Carpenter. Doyle, now 68, ran 59 miles.
Another one of ultra running's "legends," Ray Krowlewicz on the right. Ray ended up with 76 miles.
Tom Adair on right, in blue shirt. Tom ran 33 miles.
Tom Gabell (standing), his wife (in orange shirt), and other dedicated volunteers at the timing table. Tom was able to run 33 miles between his race duties.
Runners round a bend before the Leath Footbridge.
Men's leader board after 7 hours. Positions would change!
The women's leader board at 7 hours. These positions changed throughout the race also.
Ray K. takes a mini-shower to cool off mid-afternoon. Temps were in the low to mid 80s in the sun but most of the course is well-shaded.
Beaver pond behind the aid station and "crew village." I didn't notice any mosquitoes during the race.
Our friend Joe Lugiano, who ran 72 miles
Another ultra running "legend" from the 1980s, Steve Warshawer. Steve's 24-hour PR is 145 miles. He ran just under 102 miles in this race.
Every loop runners have idyllic views of the lake from the trail.
Joe Lugiano and Ben Dillon get aid at their personal crewing point. Loyal wives/crew (Hannah and Linda) are seated for the moment.
Late afternoon as the sun gets lower in the sky.
Susan Dummar (L) and Lucinda Rigg. Lucinda ran 87 miles (2nd female overall) and Susan got just under 73 miles.
Fred Dummar AKA "Doom" ran 85.6 miles. Fred recently returned from a tour of military duty in Afghanistan. Good to have you back safely, Fred!
Jim's a happy camper after finding hot pizza at the aid station! (That's a paper towel in his left hand.)
Doyle was happy to find pizza, too!
Two guys enjoy fishing off the pier at sunset, ignoring the activity at the nearby aid station
The woods were lovely, dark and deep . . . with chem-lights to guide the runners.
It was still pretty light out on the footbridge, though.
Daylight ebbs over the beaver pond and a cool night settles in
Nearly-full moon reflects off the lake around 10 PM Saturday
Men's leader board after 16 hours (midnight)
Sunrise over Hinson Lake on Sunday morning
Early morning mist over the lake near the start/finish area
Men's leader board after 22 hours (6 AM Sunday). Brad ended up in first place with 115.5 miles and Richard was second with just under 111 miles.
Women's leader board after 22 hours. Anita retained her lead and won with 104 miles and Lucinda came in second with 87 miles.
Anita and Jay Finkle cross the bridge in their last full loop.
Anita and Jay got another two-thirds mile in their last lap, for a total of 108.5 miles for Jay and 104.1 for Anita. Good job, you two!!
Winners Brad Smythe and Anita Finkle, foreground, relax on the deck after finishing the race. Jim and I highly recommend this race!
