VHTRC - The Club

RD Alan and AS Capt Lenny

Both the men's and women's course records were broken at the Hashawha Hills 50 km held on February 23 in Westminster, Maryland.

Results, a report, and photos are at the Read more link.

The VHTRC announces the appointment of a new club treasurer. Take the Read more link to read more about it.

It was the worst of times and then the best of times on The Wild Oak Trail (TWOT) over the weekend of February 8-9.  Keith Knipling, adapting to recent tradition, started the race on Friday morning and with Jack Kurisky pacing him through an epic night (with temperatures around 20, and winds blowing in the 50-70 mph range) survived to finish the race on Saturday afternoon in 32:09.  Jack finished 46 miles, almost all in the dark and in the wind storm.  Fastest runners to complete one loop on a beautiful & sunny winter's day on Saturday were Neal Gorman (for the men), Courtney Nester (for the women), and Scooby (for the Canine-Americans).  Dennis Herr once again put on a great show! (Keith with throwback jersey above. Picture: Dave Frazier.)  Results

Holly Bugin was the first female at Holiday Lake 50k yesterday near Appomattox, VA. Her time of 4:23:04 broke Leah Daughetry's previous record by 50 seconds. Keith Levasseur was the first VHTRC finisher and fifth overall in 4:02:14. Holly's husband Matt finished in seventh place in 4:09, making the Bugins the fastest married couple (there were ten married couples in the race, including newlyweds Alisa Springman and Jim Daniels). Stephanie Wilson was the first female Masters winner, and many other club members finished the two-loop course in perfect weather and dry trail conditions, which allowed for very fast times and numerous PRs. Results

Amy Sproston was the first woman and 10th overall at the Ray Miller 50 mile held (mostly) in Point Magu State Park in Ventura County, California.  While Amy no longer lives here, she remains a VHTRC member.  This event's course appears to be mostly the same as that used by Chris Scott's old Coyote Four Play and, before that, the Mugu 50/50, which was a two day race, not a 50 mile with a short option.  We think we probably had much more fun at Chris's events than we would have had at this one, but that is another story.  Results | Event Web site

Gary reports on another adventure.  This is a story that only Gary could experience and tell.  Like all Gary stories, it involves adventure, exotic animals, a run, and confused sexuality.  You were warned!

Ayano Murase was the first VHTRC finisher at the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile in Texas on February 2-3.  Ayano was the sixth female finisher in her first 100 mile.  Judy Holden and Bill Sublett also finished the 100.  Tammy Massie and Ed Demoney finished the 50 mile.  Ed is 79 years old.  Results

A number of VHTRC runners made the trek down to the Uwharrie National Forest in central North Carolina to run the 40 and 20 mile races on Saturday February 2nd.  Reporters on the VHTRC Facebook Group indicated that Sean Andrish finished second overall in the 40 miler, with Sophie Speidel finishing second in the women's race and Keith Knipling coming in fourth overall.  Of the other Blue Train finishers, of note would be a 40 mile finish by President Alan Gowen and a 20 mile finish by First Lady Pam Gowen.  Women's Half Marathon RD Tracy Dahl also finished her first 40 miler.

Results.

The ICY 8, an 8 hour run on dirt path loops of 8 or 4.7 miles in the Lake Anna area of central Virginia, has become known in recent years as the "muddy 8" due to the more common trail conditions.  This year the temp at the start was in the teens, and the wind and cold persisted throughout the event, so it truly was icy at the ICY 8 for the runners on Groundhogs Day.  Top VHTRC finishers were Joanne Fenninger, who won a very close womens' race, and Patrick McGlade, who was second overall.

A slew of other club members came out to run - results are now posted.

The 2012 VHTRC award recipients were announced at the award party on January 27.  Michele Harmon and Joe Clapper organized a great party and Bob Fabia cooked great food.  For results, take the Read more link.