VHTRC - The Club

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

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.

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 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.

The initial phase of the Hashawha Hills 50 km entry is over.  While there are vacancies on the entrants list, they will not be filled from the wait list until February 5.  Hashawha Hills home page

Martha Nelson and Matt Bugin were the overall winners of the Richmond Road Runner's 13th annual Willis River 35k. Many VHTRC members took part in this low key event, held on the trails of Bear Creek State Park, including Holly Bugin (2nd female, 35k) and Ryan Nebel (3rd overall, 50k). Results are on the RRRC website.

Darin Dunham, Michael Strzelecki, and Gary Lukacs each correctly picked 25 bowl games to share the win of the VHTRC College Bowl Contest.

Gary submits his report of the start of the year, the Redeye 50km.  There are results and descriptions as only Gary could make them!

A large crowd of happy runners celebrated the oldest VHTRC event -- the Magnus Gluteus Maximus 50km.  This is what the club is all about.  Thanks to Joe Clapper and those who helped him. Results are now available - click on Read more.   Pictures and a video

Keith Knipling captured his second Beast Series championship by finishing David Horton's Hellgate 100k++ in 12:48, just one minute ahead of women's champ Kristin Eddy (VHTRC members may remember Kristin as the 2003 VHTRC Women's Half Champion). Many other club members finished the race, held this year in perfect trail conditions but in record heat, with high temps in upper 60s. Kerry Owens finished her 8th Hellgate and Aaron Schwartzbard finished his 10th (see more of Kerry and Aaron on George Wortley's entertaining video of Hellgate 2012 on Youtube). Results