West Virginia Mountain Trail Runners
A Mountain State of Running
Sasquatchy Race Report
Sasquatchy report 1-8-2011, by Mike Dolin, RD
The 2nd edition of the Frozen Sasquatch Trail run started out a lot like the first one. The annual sasquatch training run (held in November, the last weekend before rifle hunting season starts) was sunny, and pushing 70 degrees, just like last year. The Saturday before the race was sunny and in the 50’s, just like last year. And, after having nearly zero snow the day the before the race, I woke up to 4 inches of fresh snow!!! Once again, the road between the park gate and the pool parking lot was free of vehicle tracks before I arrived.
But it wasn’t long before the cars started rolling in. After getting reports from the runners that there were 2 different cars that slid into the guardrail, I started to get a little nervous. But I later found out that nobody got hurt, and neither car got a dent. At a little after 8:00, over 130 tough (and slightly crazy) runners took off up the road, enjoying a nice ¼ mile of flat surface before hitting Overlook Rock Trail (which I believe is now officially considered a curse word in many of the runner’s vocabulary).
The 25k race was led by Dennis Billings with a time of 2:27:31. 2nd overall male runner Phil Combs (2:34:49), was followed closely by Clay Warner (2:36:00).
Sami Harris (2nd place finisher at the 2010 WV High School state cross country championship), was the first female to cross the 25k line for the second year in a row in a time of 2:29:09. Last years 50k female winner Megan Hevener opted for the 25k this year, and ran an impressive time of 2:46:00 to claim the 2nd place trophy. Allison Wendt captured 3rd place female in a time of 3:00:15.
Last years 25k champ, Michael Owen, decided to run the 50k this year. He won, in a time of 4:37:37. Gancho Slavov (winner of last years West Virginia Trilogy race) came in second with a time of 4:46:08. The 3rd place trophy went to fellow race director (CMMM50) Adam Casseday in 5:12:44.
The 1st female to cross the 50k line was Mary Jane Baniak, in 6:28:24. Last year, the Sasquatch was the first ultra Jen Nichols attempted. She came back this year to claim the 2nd place female spot in 6:41:46, bettering her last years time by nearly an hour. Susan Hall represented the CRR crew finishing 3rd in 7:19:20.
Congratulations to all runners who ran, and thank you for coming out to chase the Sasquatch. Also, a HUGE thanks to the Aid Station workers for going out in the cold to deliver chicken noodle soup, chips, peanut butter filled pretzels, HEED, water, other food, a warm fire, and a smile to the runners. Thanks to the other volunteers who helped me mark the course, cut wood for awards, set up packet pickup, and setup the start/finish line. Hope everybody had a good time, and hope to see ya’ll next year.
