By Steve Core
See also: Beast Web page | Beast Results [pdf]
The 2008 inaugural Beast Series has drawn to a close as David Horton and Clark Zealand handed out the awards following the completion of Hellgate.
VHTRC enjoyed a stellar performance from its members. Fifteen men finished the six race series as well as three women. VHRTC filled eight of the 18 spots as well as winning both the men's and women's titles outright.
Harland Peelle won the men's division by showing how smart it is to "go out conservative and have something left for the finish." The last three races of the series are when Clark and Horton throw everything except the kitchen sink at ya, buy scheduling three races (100 miler-50 miler and 100K) in the span of 10 weeks. This fact alone caused many to drop from the series, but Harland stepped up and finished first at Grindstone - fifth at MMTR and second at Hellgate, taking over and eventually winning the series.
The other VHTRC male finishers were Keith Knipling (3rd), Jack Kurisky (4th), Steve Core (5th), Michael Huff (7th), David Snipes (10th), and Jay Finkle (12th).
Kerry Owens also had a conservative spring followed by an aggressive fall to take over the lead and then win her division by more then 3 1/2 hours. When the series switched from shorter ultras to the 100s, - Ms "you never finish a 100 by sitting down" took over the series at Grindstone by finishing over 2 1/2 hours ahead of her competition and then cruised through MMTR and Hellgate for her win.
Both champions are probably not returning to defend their titles next year. Kerry is picking other new races to experience and Harland, who is a Major in the Air Force, is shipping out next month for six months in Iraq.
Congratulations and good luck to Kerry, Harland, and all the VHTRC runners who successfully completed another Horton/Zealand diabolical task, "The Beast"
Happy Trails.