Sourwood 5K and Cheshire Pump & Run
Presented by The Merry Wine Market
Black Mountain, NC
August 14, 2010
(Pump & Run Results will be posted shortly.)
Place Place Name Age S City ST Time Pace
1 Frankie Adkins 36 M Asheville NC 16:56 5:27
2 Victor McHenry 25 M Asheville NC 17:12 5:32
3 Ernest Shephard 40 M Marion NC 17:29 5:38
4 Joey Murphy 19 M Black Mountain NC 17:49 5:44
5 Emily Chaney 28 F Brevard NC 17:54 5:46
6 Josh Thornburg 15 M Asheville NC 18:29 5:57
7 David Ariola 47 M Fairview NC 18:41 6:01
8 Shawn Bagley 32 M Arden NC 18:51 6:04
9 Brad Dellinger 43 M Spruce Pine NC 19:13 6:12
10 Keelin Schneider 32 F Black Mountain NC 19:26 6:16
11 Bart Smith 65 M Asheville NC 19:31 6:17
12 Michael Spath 35 M Old Fort NC 19:37 6:19
13 Travis Morgan 31 M Marion NC 19:41 6:21
14 Matthew Hollifield 41 M Spruce Pine NC 19:49 6:23
15 Bill Branson 52 M Biltmore Lake NC 19:52 6:24
16 Joe Watson 44 M Asheville NC 19:54 6:25
17 Whitney Thornburg 17 F Asheville NC 19:59 6:26
18 Brandon King 14 M Burnsville NC 20:09 6:30
19 Grant Sparks 34 M Spruce Pine NC 20:22 6:34
20 Glen Letterly 27 M Fairview NC 20:27 6:35
21 Gene Thornburg 53 M Asheville NC 20:28 6:36
22 Greg Schieve 34 M Charlotte NC 20:29 6:36
23 Cynthia Griffin 16 F Mars Hill NC 20:35 6:38
24 Lincoln Crosse 51 M Asheville NC 20:40 6:40
25 Salem Fadel 39 M Swannanoa NC 20:41 6:40
26 John Murphy 52 M Black Mountain NC 20:42 6:40
27 Taylor Forbes 16 M Spruce Pine NC 20:58 6:45
28 Joshua Yeatman 34 M Black Mountain NC 21:03 6:47
29 Sterling Vaden 55 M Black Mountain NC 21:16 6:51
30 Jay Hustead 27 M Black Mountain NC 21:18 6:52
31 Mark Ryan 46 M Hendersonville NC 21:18 6:52
32 Schuyler Krug 14 M Asheville NC 21:19 6:52
33 Chad Hamby 39 M Hendersonville NC 21:20 6:52
34 Dan Guerrero 48 M Stafford VA 21:21 6:53
35 Jim Frith 53 M Black Mountain NC 21:28 6:55
36 Daniel Roberts 27 M Charlotte NC 21:32 6:56
37 Allie Hustead 26 F Black Mountain NC 21:35 6:57
38 Marybeth Selzler 29 F Black Mountain NC 21:40 6:59
39 Mary Frith 15 F Black Mountain NC 21:43 7:00
40 Andrew Tyson 16 M Black Mountain NC 21:46 7:01
41 Dan Hubler 57 M Sidney OH 21:48 7:01
42 Florindo Forero 59 M Asheville NC 21:58 7:05
43 Kevin Childers 24 M Candler NC 22:00 7:05
44 Jerry Krug 41 M Asheville NC 22:01 7:06
45 Lisa Wolfe 50 F Asheville NC 22:06 7:07
46 Nathan Lance 36 M Candler NC 22:08 7:08
47 Danielle Cobb 14 F Baldwyn MS 22:10 7:08
48 Lonnie LePore 58 M Asheville NC 22:13 7:09
49 Rick Taylor 63 M Fletcher NC 22:14 7:10
50 Douglas Erber 33 M Asheville NC 22:27 7:14
51 Max Pearce 14 M Asheville NC 22:28 7:14
52 Greg Bunck 42 M Black Mountain NC 22:33 7:16
53 Mark Batey 43 M Knightdale NC 22:35 7:16
54 Chip Walters 30 M Woodstock GA 22:44 7:20
55 Greg Pearce 48 M Asheville NC 22:47 7:20
56 Catherine Wides 60 F Durham NC 22:48 7:21
57 Kendall Toineeta 13 F Cherokee NC 22:53 7:22
58 Robert Barker 55 M Montreat NC 23:03 7:25
59 Allison Duncan 24 F Arden NC 23:08 7:27
60 Dan Gilbert 44 M Fletcher NC 23:15 7:29
61 Tyler Cobb 8 M Baldwyn MS 23:16 7:30
62 Ron Wyant 50 M Burnsville NC 23:20 7:31
63 Robert D Barker 19 M Montreat NC 23:27 7:33
64 Sheri Cobb 37 F Baldwyn MS 23:31 7:35
65 Trent Moore 17 M Black Mountain NC 23:37 7:36
66 Alan Cameron 66 M Flat Rock NC 23:38 7:37
67 Brian Norris 29 M Lakewood OH 23:41 7:38
68 Torey Loewen 16 F Ashboro NC 23:45 7:39
69 Kira Buttrey 10 F Herndon VA 23:47 7:40
70 Michael Buttrey 44 M Herndon VA 23:47 7:40
71 Andy Bindewald 32 M Greer SC 23:49 7:40
72 Noelle Cobb 10 F Baldwyn MS 23:53 7:42
73 Jamie Cameron 38 M Black Mountain NC 23:54 7:42
74 David Taylor 43 M Sevierville TN 24:06:00 7:46
75 Karl Hinterkopf 34 M Weaverville NC 24:09:00 7:47
76 Amanda Bowman 24 F Canton NC 24:10:00 7:47
77 Rick Martin 34 M Black Mountain NC 24:16:00 7:49
78 Dennis Duffy 51 M Asheville NC 24:22:00 7:51
79 Denise Southerland 35 F Black Mountain NC 24:25:00 7:52
80 Scott Mitchell 47 M Atlanta NC 24:27:00 7:52
81 Kenneth Sedberry 62 M Bakersville NC 24:31:00 7:54
82 Kenny Capps 38 M Black Mountain NC 24:43:00 7:58
83 John Heath 48 M Candler NC 24:52:00 8:01
84 Francis Burriss 60 M Chapin SC 24:58:00 8:03
85 Jonathan Douglas 35 M Black Mountain NC 25:03:00 8:04
86 Melissa Wardwell 27 F Black Mountain NC 25:09:00 8:06
87 Daniel George 30 M Asheville NC 25:13:00 8:07
88 Eve Marie Smith 45 F Asheville NC 25:15:00 8:08
89 Robert Hinchliffe 12 M Fletcher NC 25:17:00 8:09
90 Steve Wheeler 37 M Swannanoa NC 25:18:00 8:09
91 Brandon Buckner 30 M Mars Hill NC 25:19:00 8:09
92 Mercy Cobb 7 F Baldwyn MS 25:20:00 8:10
93 Kyla Boyles 29 F Asheville NC 25:25:00 8:11
94 Gary Butts 63 M Statesville NC 25:30:00 8:13
95 Bill Finley 67 M Asheville NC 25:30:00 8:13
96 Larry Boyer 59 M Mills River NC 25:47:00 8:18
97 Kathy Stahly 60 F Asheville NC 25:54:00 8:21
98 Aimee Riley 28 F Black Mountain NC 25:56:00 8:21
99 Steve Dunkerly 57 M Black Mountain NC 25:57:00 8:21
100 Greg Jackson 48 M Alexander NC 25:58:00 8:22
101 Misty Self 25 F Spruce Pine NC 25:59:00 8:22
102 Bruce Toineeta 34 M Cherokee NC 26:07:00 8:25
103 Bobby Frith 13 M Black Mountain NC 26:09:00 8:25
104 Norman Riddle 49 M Weaverville NC 26:12:00 8:26
105 Christina Gajewski 26 F Arden NC 26:13:00 8:27
106 Paula Hollifield 39 F Spruce Pine NC 26:14:00 8:27
107 Brian Hall 43 M Black Mountain NC 26:15:00 8:27
108 Donna Canipe 51 F Spruce Pine NC 26:21:00 8:29
109 Amy Slaughter 29 F Asheville NC 26:22:00 8:29
110 David Thorneloe 33 M Weaverville NC 26:23:00 8:30
111 Tricia Holden 40 F Salt Lake City UT 26:29:00 8:32
112 Hannah Thornburg 13 F Asheville NC 26:30:00 8:32
113 Breena Schermerhorn 28 F Black Mountain NC 26:42:00 8:36
114 Glenda Hyer 40 F Candler NC 26:49:00 8:38
115 Charles Jolley 61 M Montreat NC 26:59:00 8:41
116 Cindy Conkis 51 F Alexander NC 27:00:00 8:42
117 Sloan Poe 32 M Black Mountain NC 27:02:00 8:42
118 Isaac King 10 M Swannanoa NC 27:05:00 8:43
119 Raylene Morrow 47 F Burnsville NC 27:07:00 8:44
120 Laura Wild 50 F Black Mountain NC 27:09:00 8:45
121 Henry Caplan 60 M Old Fort NC 27:10:00 8:45
122 Caleb Cobb 6 M Baldwyn NC 27:11:00 8:45
123 Corinne Kelley 40 F Asheville NC 27:12:00 8:46
124 Leah Mathews 41 F Candler NC 27:14:00 8:46
125 Shalene Wyrick 31 F Asheville NC 27:18:00 8:47
126 Tim Warner 60 M Asheville NC 27:20:00 8:48
127 Travis Childs 58 M Black Mountain NC 27:27:00 8:51
128 Carol Byrd 52 F Bakersville NC 27:32:00 8:52
129 Will Hinchliffe 13 M Fletcher NC 27:36:00 8:53
130 Howe LaGarde 73 M Arden NC 27:44:00 8:56
131 Michelle Powers 39 F Lexington NC 27:45:00 8:56
132 Talia Ogle 26 F Asheville NC 27:47:00 8:57
133 Nancy Burleson 61 F Spruce Pine NC 28:08:00 9:04
134 Michael Duckworth 54 M Black Mountain NC 28:10:00 9:04
135 Sarah James 23 F Candler NC 28:14:00 9:06
136 Lindsey Fox 19 F Mars Hill NC 28:24:00 9:09
137 Megan Ahrens 33 F Tucker GA 28:26:00 9:09
138 Tom Newnam 65 M Wake Forest NC 28:35:00 9:12
139 William Newcomb 38 M Newport News VA 28:48:00 9:17
140 Donna Cope 53 F Canton NC 28:53:00 9:18
141 Noble Roberts 56 M Weaverville NC 28:59:00 9:20
142 Joe Seiter 29 M Raleigh NC 29:03:00 9:21
143 Laura Lynch 32 F Swannanoa NC 29:04:00 9:22
144 Valerie Lowe 24 F Fairview NC 29:05:00 9:22
145 Bret Clemens 43 M Lenoir NC 29:07:00 9:23
146 Dabney King 27 F Swannanoa FL 29:10:00 9:24
147 Cathy Whitlock 43 F Arden NC 29:13:00 9:25
148 David Slobodin 71 M Asheville NC 29:18:00 9:26
149 Kaitlyn Duckworth 18 F Black Mountain NC 29:19:00 9:27
150 Beth Padgett 50 F Black Mountain NC 29:29:00 9:30
151 Sherry Roane 51 F Asheville NC 29:30:00 9:30
152 Deanna Buchanan 46 F Black Mountain NC 29:33:00 9:31
153 Andy White 57 M Black Mountain NC 29:39:00 9:33
154 Sonya Tipton 32 F Spruce Pine NC 29:41:00 9:34
155 Tracy Faucette 43 F Rutherfordton NC 29:55:00 9:38
156 Vance Stiles 11 M Black Mountain NC 29:56:00 9:38
157 Greg Stiles 44 M Black Mountain NC 29:58:00 9:39
158 Rick Donohoe 63 M Black Mountain NC 30:00:00 9:40
159 Karen Neal 31 F Black Mountain NC 30:03:00 9:41
160 Christy Bare 46 F Rutherfordton NC 30:05:00 9:41
161 Alice Langrall 18 F Asheville NC 30:07:00 9:42
162 David Langrall 55 M Swannanoa NC 30:08:00 9:42
163 Richard Dunkerly 32 M Black Mountain NC 30:17:00 9:45
164 Rondell Lance 51 M Asheville NC 30:19:00 9:46
165 Catherine Smith 29 F Black Mountain NC 30:23:00 9:47
166 Carson Bock 13 M Asheville NC 30:31:00 9:50
167 Kristen Zerressen 22 F Asheville NC 30:38:00 9:52
168 Alexandra Nielsen 25 F Asheville NC 30:40:00 9:53
169 Roberta Altman 48 F Dallas NC 30:49:00 9:55
170 Heather O'Kelley 27 F Enka NC 30:56:00 9:58
171 Sarah Riddle 20 F Weaverville NC 31:28:00 10:08
172 Elnora Thompson 62 F Cherokee NC 31:39:00 10:12
173 George Leroy 65 M Black Mountain NC 31:58:00 10:18
174 Kendall Soule 14 F Arden NC 31:59:00 10:18
175 Sheryl Soule 46 F Arden NC 32:00:00 10:18
176 Meredith Mitchell 28 F Black Mountain NC 32:01:00 10:19
177 Charles Dotson 87 M Lake Junalaska NC 32:02:00 10:19
178 Jennica Trader 26 F Asheville NC 32:03:00 10:19
179 Ann Hubler 49 F Sidney OH 32:17:00 10:24
180 Julia Moore 47 F Black Mountain NC 32:19:00 10:24
181 Shay Parker 35 F Black Mountain NC 32:20:00 10:25
182 Courtney Disposti 32 F Hendersonville NC 32:24:00 10:26
183 Jim Young 71 M Asheville NC 32:35:00 10:29
184 Amy Francis 39 F Black Mountain NC 32:41:00 10:31
185 Tiffany Douglas 37 F Black Mountain NC 32:52:00 10:35
186 Stan Turner 53 M Fletcher NC 32:57:00 10:37
187 Holly Childs 55 F Black Mountain NC 33:13:00 10:42
188 Spencer Bock 11 M Asheville NC 33:35:00 10:49
189 Joseph Frith 10 M Black Mountain NC 33:45:00 10:52
190 Amber Snow 31 F Morganton NC 33:47:00 10:53
191 Abigail Rockwell 31 F Swannanoa NC 33:54:00 10:55
192 Jennifer James 43 F Swannanoa NC 33:55:00 10:55
193 Lori Pinkerton 40 F Asheville NC 34:26:00 11:05
194 Tobey Bechle 35 F Black Mountain NC 34:41:00 11:10
195 Keith Byerly 53 M Winston Salem NC 34:42:00 11:10
196 Jessica Hatton 30 F Black Mountain NC 34:43:00 11:11
197 Rose Caplan 58 F Old Fort NC 34:44:00 11:11
198 Dianna Bryant 52 F Black Mountain NC 34:45:00 11:11
199 Blair Larcen 29 F Black Mountain NC 35:04:00 11:17
200 Bonita Mercurio 30 F Black Mountain NC 35:05:00 11:18
201 Barbara LaGuardia 52 F Asheville NC 35:14:00 11:21
202 John Godwin 57 M Moultrie GA 35:21:00 11:23
203 Martha Marshall 65 F Asheville NC 35:31:00 11:26
204 Jenny Scruggs 39 F Candler NC 35:46:00 11:31
205 Olson Huff 74 M Black Mountain NC 35:58:00 11:35
206 Kim Lynch 33 F Candler NC 36:36:00 11:47
207 Julia Stout 61 F Black Mountain NC 36:40:00 11:48
208 Jill Cody 43 F Hendersonville NC 37:01:00 11:55
209 Michael Roberts 30 M Asheville NC 37:04:00 11:56
210 Jami Bumgarner 48 F Shelby NC 37:12:00 11:59
211 Tiffany James 12 F Swannanoa NC 38:08:00 12:17
212 Wendy Moore 41 F Black Mountain NC 38:10:00 12:17
213 Robbie Morgan 45 F Zirconia NC 38:30:00 12:24
214 Amy Lynn 27 F Clyde NC 38:36:00 12:26
215 Susan Dellinger 48 F Spruce Pine NC 38:38:00 12:26
216 Elise Windmiller 26 F Asheville NC 38:47:00 12:29
217 Kent Byrd 49 M Fletcher NC 38:49:00 12:30
218 Cindy Shaw 43 F Flat Rock NC 38:50:00 12:30
219 Kelly Warren 46 M Austin TX 39:02:00 12:34
220 Dave Moore 44 M Austin TX 39:03:00 12:34
221 Kelsey Buchanan 13 F Black Mountain NC 39:22:00 12:41
222 Katy Ingle 39 F Candler NC 40:32:00 13:03
223 Jennifer Bock 48 F Asheville NC 40:36:00 13:04
224 Tammy Roberts 30 F Asheville NC 40:55:00 13:11
225 Lynn Rapp 44 F Fairview NC 42:06:00 13:33
226 Dinorah Kranker 72 F Hendersonville NC 42:07:00 13:34
227 Allison Andrews 31 F Black Mountain NC 42:22:00 13:39
228 Rebecca Austin 32 F Black Mountain NC 42:39:00 13:44
229 Laura Larocque 41 F Black Mountain NC 42:42:00 13:45
230 Richard Kranker 79 M Hendersonville NC 43:29:00 14:00
231 Patricia Ross 53 F Merritt Island FL 45:11:00 14:33
232 Jo Strong 70 M Raleigh NC 49:37:00 15:58
233 Nancy Nehls Nelson 62 F Weaverville NC 56:22:00 18:09
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
AC-T Adventure of the week: Sourwood 5K and Cheshire Pump & Run
Adventure of the Week: Sourwood 5K and Cheshire Pump & Run
By Karen Chávez • August 12, 2010
What: The 22nd running of the Sourwood 5K and Cheshire Pump & Run, presented by the Merry Wine Market.
When: Pump & Run starts at 6:45 a.m. Saturday, and Sourwood 5K, a run/walk, starts at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Both events start and finish at the Cheshire Fitness Club, 25 Jane Jacob Road, Black Mountain.
Entry fees: 5K is $25, and the Pump & Run is $30. Register through noon Friday at http://www.imathlete.com/ or at packet pickup, 5-7 p.m. Friday at the Fitness Club.
Details: The Sourwood 5K marks its 22nd running Saturday in conjunction with the 33rd annual Sourwood Festival, which runs Saturday and Sunday in downtown Black Mountain. For the past few years, the event has also featured the Cheshire Pump & Run, where runners earn a 20-second deduction off
their 5K time by doing bench presses.
“It's a new wrinkle,” in 5K running, said race director Andrew Marsh of Event Mercenaries. “It's an overall fitness event. It's good for folks to have both strength and cardiovascular fitness.”
Participants can walk or run the 5K without weight lifting. Those in the Pump and Run must be at least 18 years old.
Marsh describes the 5K race as “challenging, but not over the top, hilly, but well-shaded.” In addition, the double out-and-back course “couldn't be friendlier,” he said, because it gives runners a chance to encourage and high-five each other along the course.
This year, the race will benefit Girls on the Run of Western North Carolina (www.gotrwnc.org), which is expanding its programming into Black Mountain
Primary School this fall. The nonprofit organization serves girls in 3rd-8th grade via a curriculum-based, running program to prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Members of SoleMates, the adult charity running leg of GOTR, will be managing the Pump competition Saturday.
Entry fees: $25 for the 5K only; $30 for the Pump & Run.
Directions: From Asheville, take Interstate 40 east to Exit 64/Black Mountain. Turn right and follow N.C. 9 to the club on the right.
Information: Visit www.Sourwood5k.com or call Event Mercenaries at 669-1902.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
22nd Sourwood 5K and Cheshire Pump & Run to benefit Girls on the Run of WNC
22nd Sourwood 5K and Cheshire Pump & Run to benefit Girls on the Run of WNC
Black Mountain, NC, 8-10-2010: The Sourwood 5K and Cheshire Pump & Run is pleased to name Girls on the Run of WNC as its official charity with proceeds from the event supporting their programs in twelve WNC counties. "Educating and preparing girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living” is the GOTR mission. The non-profit organization, based in Asheville, serves girls in the 3rd through 8th grade via a curriculum-based, life-enhancing, prevention program.
“Girls on the Run of WNC is expanding our programming in the Black Mountain area with the addition of Black Mountain Primary this fall. We are thrilled to have our SoleMates Team invited to partner with the Sourwood 5K and the Cheshire Pump & Run. We live for these sporty-spice events, and always love an opportunity to promote Girls on the Run and running in general.” – says GOTR Special Events Coordinator Rachelle Sorensen-Cox.
Participants can support GOTR directly by registering on-line for the Sourwood 5K or the Cheshire Pump & Run Tuesday through Thursday this week. When asked “What is your charity code?” type “GOTR”. A donation of $5 will be made to Girls on the Run of WNC for each on-line registration using this code.
Members of SoleMates – the adult charity running leg of Girls on the Run – will be managing the “Pump” competition and welcome all inquires about their work and support for their cause. Additional information is available at http://www.gotrwnc.org/
The Sourwood 5K and Cheshire Pump & Run kicks off the Black Mountain Sourwood Festival festivities Saturday morning at 8:30 from the Cheshire Fitness Club. On-line registration will be open until Friday at noon. Packet Pick Up and On-site registration will be held at Cheshire from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Friday and begin at 6:45am on Saturday morning. Details are available at http://www.sourwood5k.com/ or by calling 828-669-1902.
Black Mountain, NC, 8-10-2010: The Sourwood 5K and Cheshire Pump & Run is pleased to name Girls on the Run of WNC as its official charity with proceeds from the event supporting their programs in twelve WNC counties. "Educating and preparing girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living” is the GOTR mission. The non-profit organization, based in Asheville, serves girls in the 3rd through 8th grade via a curriculum-based, life-enhancing, prevention program.
“Girls on the Run of WNC is expanding our programming in the Black Mountain area with the addition of Black Mountain Primary this fall. We are thrilled to have our SoleMates Team invited to partner with the Sourwood 5K and the Cheshire Pump & Run. We live for these sporty-spice events, and always love an opportunity to promote Girls on the Run and running in general.” – says GOTR Special Events Coordinator Rachelle Sorensen-Cox.
Participants can support GOTR directly by registering on-line for the Sourwood 5K or the Cheshire Pump & Run Tuesday through Thursday this week. When asked “What is your charity code?” type “GOTR”. A donation of $5 will be made to Girls on the Run of WNC for each on-line registration using this code.
Members of SoleMates – the adult charity running leg of Girls on the Run – will be managing the “Pump” competition and welcome all inquires about their work and support for their cause. Additional information is available at http://www.gotrwnc.org/
The Sourwood 5K and Cheshire Pump & Run kicks off the Black Mountain Sourwood Festival festivities Saturday morning at 8:30 from the Cheshire Fitness Club. On-line registration will be open until Friday at noon. Packet Pick Up and On-site registration will be held at Cheshire from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Friday and begin at 6:45am on Saturday morning. Details are available at http://www.sourwood5k.com/ or by calling 828-669-1902.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Evans Makes It Eight In A Row at XTERRA Lock 4 Blast
Monday, July 19, 2010
By Andrew Marsh: XTERRA Point Series Co-Manager
XTERRA returned to Gallatin, TN for the twelfth consecutive year this past Saturday anchoring a three part weekend of off-road fun at Lock 4 Park. The XTERRA Lock 4 Blast off-road triathlon kicked off the festivities Saturday morning. A 2.2 mile MTB Time Trial ripped through the woods that evening – while the annual Lock 4 Challenge XC MTB race capped the action Sunday morning.
The triathlon began with an 880 yard swim in Old Lake Hickory. Exiting the water first was XTERRA Pro Craig Evans in 0:10:34. Consistency is key for Craig – his time has wavered only two to nine seconds over the last four years! Next out was Billy Pirtle (32, Brentwood, TN) in 11:57. Third to exit was Eric Ford (33, Hendersonville) of Bikers Choice Team#2 a full two minutes down on Evans.
The solo ladies competition was much tighter with Lori Goldweber (Birmingham, AL) marking 0:14:34 followed by 2009 defending champion Julia Radmann (Smyrna, GA) 0:15:19, and Alexandra Akemann (Northville, MI) 30 seconds back in 0:15:49. The spectators cheered as the top three ladies departed T1 within sight of each other.
As they did last year the Bikers Choice teams represented the biggest threat to Evans’ Lock 4 dynasty. Biker Tanner Hurst rode BC Team #1 from 11th after the swim into second place. His 1:01:25 bike split was the day’s second quickest but couldn’t fill the 5 minute lead Evans had as he left T2. Evans’ 1:00:48 was his slowest split over the past six years, yet still out paced all others.
Blake Voges (26, Santa Claus, IN) moved past Pirtle on the second lap of the bike to take over the solo amateur lead. Dustin Greer (24, Chapmansboro, TN) followed Pirtle into T2 having passed 25 other athletes during the bike.
The XTERRA Lock 4 Blast is one of the most spectator friendly races on the XTERRA circuit. Unlike most triathlons – you can watch the race unfold from the comfort of a chair in the shade as both Bike and Run course are two loop affairs with athletes returning to the start/finish/party area after the first lap. The ladies bike was a great example – at the midway point the women’s front runner spot was still up for grabs as Goldweber, Radmann, and Akemann, raced past the crowd still within striking distance of one another. Somewhere on the second 6 mile loop Akemann literally put the pedal down posting the best ladies split of the day (1:20:38) and departed T2 a full two minutes up on Radmann and Goldweber who were literally seconds apart as they headed out onto the run.
Evans was on autopilot as he cruised past to start his second run lap. Little did he know that Charlie Jordan (18, Gallatin) BC Team#1 runner and Station Camp HS track and XC stand out was gunning for him. Jordan smoked the 4.5 mile single track in 28:40 outpacing Evans’ 30:18 but couldn’t close the gap. Craig Evans won the XTERRA Lock 4 Blast for the eighth consecutive time in 1:41:40. Bikers Choice Team #1 crossed in 1:45:17.
Blake Voges held his lead to take the solo amateur title – his second of the XTERRA season – in 1:52:01. Mark Rudder (46, Dunwoody, GA) ran a 31:11 to pass both Pirtle and Greer to take the runner up solo spot in 1:54:36. Billy Pirtle held on for 3rd (1:56:47).
Having been the bridesmaid at XTERRA Last Stand and Torn Shirt this year Alexandra Akemann was thrilled to take the women’s XTERRA Lock 4 Blast title in 2:12:25. Lori Goldweber couldn’t catch Akemann (2:14:32) but did out run Julia Radmann (2:18:44) to take second place.
Charlotte Mahan (Lenoir City, TN) remains unbeaten this season moving into a tie for first place with Libby Harrow (Vero Beach, FL) in the SE Women’s 60+ AG.
Athletes representing nine states enjoyed post race festivities that included ice cold watermelon, lunch from Subway, a Gatorade chugging contest, rock-paper-scissors championship, and other tomfoolery.
In addition to sponsoring all the weekend festivities the Bikers Choice bike shop was well represented on the medals podium. Both BC teams won their division – Mens and CoEd - in the XTERRA relay competition. Tanner Hurst had the legs to dominate the Time Trail on Saturday. He scorched the 2.2 mile single track in 08:40. BC rider Matt Schupp took second. On Sunday Hurst was looking to avenge his teams’ second place to Craig Evans XTERRA win when he took XC Cat1 top honors out pacing Evans – also riding for BC – by over a minute and a half.
Race Director David Hardin, the Gallatin Parks Department and crew continue to offer top shelf XTERRA and MTB fun at Lock 4 Park. Thanks for a great action packed weekend.
Monday, July 19, 2010
By Andrew Marsh: XTERRA Point Series Co-Manager
XTERRA returned to Gallatin, TN for the twelfth consecutive year this past Saturday anchoring a three part weekend of off-road fun at Lock 4 Park. The XTERRA Lock 4 Blast off-road triathlon kicked off the festivities Saturday morning. A 2.2 mile MTB Time Trial ripped through the woods that evening – while the annual Lock 4 Challenge XC MTB race capped the action Sunday morning.
The triathlon began with an 880 yard swim in Old Lake Hickory. Exiting the water first was XTERRA Pro Craig Evans in 0:10:34. Consistency is key for Craig – his time has wavered only two to nine seconds over the last four years! Next out was Billy Pirtle (32, Brentwood, TN) in 11:57. Third to exit was Eric Ford (33, Hendersonville) of Bikers Choice Team#2 a full two minutes down on Evans.
The solo ladies competition was much tighter with Lori Goldweber (Birmingham, AL) marking 0:14:34 followed by 2009 defending champion Julia Radmann (Smyrna, GA) 0:15:19, and Alexandra Akemann (Northville, MI) 30 seconds back in 0:15:49. The spectators cheered as the top three ladies departed T1 within sight of each other.
As they did last year the Bikers Choice teams represented the biggest threat to Evans’ Lock 4 dynasty. Biker Tanner Hurst rode BC Team #1 from 11th after the swim into second place. His 1:01:25 bike split was the day’s second quickest but couldn’t fill the 5 minute lead Evans had as he left T2. Evans’ 1:00:48 was his slowest split over the past six years, yet still out paced all others.
Blake Voges (26, Santa Claus, IN) moved past Pirtle on the second lap of the bike to take over the solo amateur lead. Dustin Greer (24, Chapmansboro, TN) followed Pirtle into T2 having passed 25 other athletes during the bike.
The XTERRA Lock 4 Blast is one of the most spectator friendly races on the XTERRA circuit. Unlike most triathlons – you can watch the race unfold from the comfort of a chair in the shade as both Bike and Run course are two loop affairs with athletes returning to the start/finish/party area after the first lap. The ladies bike was a great example – at the midway point the women’s front runner spot was still up for grabs as Goldweber, Radmann, and Akemann, raced past the crowd still within striking distance of one another. Somewhere on the second 6 mile loop Akemann literally put the pedal down posting the best ladies split of the day (1:20:38) and departed T2 a full two minutes up on Radmann and Goldweber who were literally seconds apart as they headed out onto the run.
Evans was on autopilot as he cruised past to start his second run lap. Little did he know that Charlie Jordan (18, Gallatin) BC Team#1 runner and Station Camp HS track and XC stand out was gunning for him. Jordan smoked the 4.5 mile single track in 28:40 outpacing Evans’ 30:18 but couldn’t close the gap. Craig Evans won the XTERRA Lock 4 Blast for the eighth consecutive time in 1:41:40. Bikers Choice Team #1 crossed in 1:45:17.
Blake Voges held his lead to take the solo amateur title – his second of the XTERRA season – in 1:52:01. Mark Rudder (46, Dunwoody, GA) ran a 31:11 to pass both Pirtle and Greer to take the runner up solo spot in 1:54:36. Billy Pirtle held on for 3rd (1:56:47).
Having been the bridesmaid at XTERRA Last Stand and Torn Shirt this year Alexandra Akemann was thrilled to take the women’s XTERRA Lock 4 Blast title in 2:12:25. Lori Goldweber couldn’t catch Akemann (2:14:32) but did out run Julia Radmann (2:18:44) to take second place.
Charlotte Mahan (Lenoir City, TN) remains unbeaten this season moving into a tie for first place with Libby Harrow (Vero Beach, FL) in the SE Women’s 60+ AG.
Athletes representing nine states enjoyed post race festivities that included ice cold watermelon, lunch from Subway, a Gatorade chugging contest, rock-paper-scissors championship, and other tomfoolery.
In addition to sponsoring all the weekend festivities the Bikers Choice bike shop was well represented on the medals podium. Both BC teams won their division – Mens and CoEd - in the XTERRA relay competition. Tanner Hurst had the legs to dominate the Time Trail on Saturday. He scorched the 2.2 mile single track in 08:40. BC rider Matt Schupp took second. On Sunday Hurst was looking to avenge his teams’ second place to Craig Evans XTERRA win when he took XC Cat1 top honors out pacing Evans – also riding for BC – by over a minute and a half.
Race Director David Hardin, the Gallatin Parks Department and crew continue to offer top shelf XTERRA and MTB fun at Lock 4 Park. Thanks for a great action packed weekend.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sourwood 5K Practice Runs Set for Wednesday Nights
Planning to run in the 22nd running of the Sourwood 5K in Black Mountain?
Race organizers are hosting a practice run each Wednesday night - starting July 7th until the Wednesday prior to the race August 11th.
The practices start at 5:30 p.m. and follow the exact course of the Sourwood 5K, which takes place August 14th. Athletes of any pace or experience are welcome to join this free 5K practice run starting at the Cheshire Fitness Club.
No registration is required but reservations are requested by calling 669-1092 or e-mailing Sourwood5K@eventmercenaries.com. For more information, visit http://www.sourwood5k.com/.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Max King, Fiona Docherty win XTERRA Trail Run Worlds 2009
Max King, Fiona Docherty win XTERRA Trail Run Worlds 2009
[XTERRA/TEAM Unlimited: 12/06/09] Ka’a'awa, Oahu-Hawaii - Max King, 29, from Bend, Oregon and Fiona Docherty, 34, from New Zealand won the XTERRA Trail Running World Championship at Kualoa Ranch this morning and each won $2,000, airfare from Hawaiian Airlines, and a host of other prizes for their efforts.
More than 1,000 runners from 35 states and nine countries participated in the day’s 3.1-mile, 6.2-mile, and 12-mile races, which were a benefit for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Hawaii.
King won the men’s 12-mile championship race in 1:14:26, nearly three-minutes ahead of runner-up Joe Gray, the reigning USA Track and Field Mountain Runner of the Year. It’s the second straight year King has won the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship and just a month ago he won the USA Track and Field National Trail Marathon (six days after finishing 18th at the New York City Marathon).
“This course was a lot harder than last year, it felt like 20 miles, not 12” smiled King.
Epic conditions greeted runners for the 9am start – sunny and clear with cool island breezes coming in off the ocean. The undulating course featured 3,000 feet of elevation gain while weaving up-and-down the verdant cliff faces in Ka’a'awa Valley and into the dense rainforest of Hakipu`u Valley at Kualoa Ranch.
King (#1) went out hard from the start followed in step by Gray (#6) and Ben Bruce (#2) though the early stages, but before the midway point it turned into a two-man race.
“Joe (Gray) was with me for quite a while and I was afraid of him on the hills because he’s so good in the mountains. Both he and Ben are great runners and I knew I had my work cut out for me,” said King.
It wasn’t until about the 7-mile mark when King pulled away, and solidified his position as the “King of XTERRA Trail Running”.
“This valley is really a grand stage for an event like this, the scenery is just amazing with the cliffs and the ocean and the ridgeline single track trails. Plus, I’m really happy to be in Hawaii right now, its 15-degrees in Bend.”
DOCHERTY – ANDERSON – FUHR … 1, 2, 3 IN THE WOMEN’S RACE
In the women’s race Docherty (a Kiwi living in Boulder, Colorado) sprinted to the lead in the first mile and never looked back, crossing the finish line in 1:30:05, more than two-minutes ahead of last year’s winner Cindy Anderson from Kailua, Hawaii.
“This was an amazing, tough and awesome course,” said Docherty (pictured), the 2003 Duathlon World Champion and sister of two-time Olympic triathlon medalist Bevan Docherty. “This was my first XTERRA, but I’ve always loved trail running. Thankfully I am strong on the hills, so I was able to push it and hold on.”
In the race for second Heather Fuhr, a 15-time Ironman Champ and the 1997 Ironman World Champ, was in front of Anderson until about the halfway point.
“I started out hard, but Fiona passed me within about a mile, and I wasn’t able to catch up to Heather until about mile six,” said Anderson. “”I’m not usually good on the downhills so that was tough for me along with the heat, but this year’s race was fun and I ran six minutes faster than last year, so really psyched to take 2nd.”
Fuhr held on for third, followed by Kiwi standout Ady Ngawati and long-time XTERRA pro Jenny Tobin.
Complete Results . Photo gallery at xterraphotos.com
2009 XTERRA TRAIL RUN WORLD CHAMP MONEY WINNERS
MALE
PLACE FIRST NAME LAST NAME AGE HOMETOWN TIME PURSE
1st Max King 29 Bend, OR 1:14:26 $2,000
2nd Joseph Gray 25 Lakewood, WA 1:17:21 $1,000
3rd Ben Bruce 27 Eugene, OR 1:20:43 $750
4th John Tribbia 27 Boulder, CO 1:25:47 $500
5th Fujio Miyachi 31 Tokyo, Japan 1:26:12 $300
6th Jeff Campbell 38 Atlanta, GA 1:26:45 $250
7th Andy Ames 46 Boulder, CO 1:28:53 $200
FEMALE
PLACE FIRST NAME LAST NAME HOMETOWN TIME PURSE
1st Fiona Docherty 34 Boulder, CO/New Zealand 1:30:05 $2,000
2nd Cynthia Anderson 26 Kailua, HI 1:33:01 $1,000
3rd Heather Fuhr 41 Encinitas, CA 1:38:01 $750
4th Ady Ngawati 32 Whangarei, New Zealand 1:38:53 $500
5th Jenny Tobin 41 Boise, ID 1:40:29 $300
6th Jessica Tranchina 32 Honolulu, HI 1:41:36 $250
7th Rachel Cieslewicz 29 Salt Lake City, UT 1:42:13 $200
[XTERRA/TEAM Unlimited: 12/06/09] Ka’a'awa, Oahu-Hawaii - Max King, 29, from Bend, Oregon and Fiona Docherty, 34, from New Zealand won the XTERRA Trail Running World Championship at Kualoa Ranch this morning and each won $2,000, airfare from Hawaiian Airlines, and a host of other prizes for their efforts.
More than 1,000 runners from 35 states and nine countries participated in the day’s 3.1-mile, 6.2-mile, and 12-mile races, which were a benefit for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Hawaii.
King won the men’s 12-mile championship race in 1:14:26, nearly three-minutes ahead of runner-up Joe Gray, the reigning USA Track and Field Mountain Runner of the Year. It’s the second straight year King has won the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship and just a month ago he won the USA Track and Field National Trail Marathon (six days after finishing 18th at the New York City Marathon).
“This course was a lot harder than last year, it felt like 20 miles, not 12” smiled King.
Epic conditions greeted runners for the 9am start – sunny and clear with cool island breezes coming in off the ocean. The undulating course featured 3,000 feet of elevation gain while weaving up-and-down the verdant cliff faces in Ka’a'awa Valley and into the dense rainforest of Hakipu`u Valley at Kualoa Ranch.
King (#1) went out hard from the start followed in step by Gray (#6) and Ben Bruce (#2) though the early stages, but before the midway point it turned into a two-man race.
“Joe (Gray) was with me for quite a while and I was afraid of him on the hills because he’s so good in the mountains. Both he and Ben are great runners and I knew I had my work cut out for me,” said King.
It wasn’t until about the 7-mile mark when King pulled away, and solidified his position as the “King of XTERRA Trail Running”.
“This valley is really a grand stage for an event like this, the scenery is just amazing with the cliffs and the ocean and the ridgeline single track trails. Plus, I’m really happy to be in Hawaii right now, its 15-degrees in Bend.”
DOCHERTY – ANDERSON – FUHR … 1, 2, 3 IN THE WOMEN’S RACE
In the women’s race Docherty (a Kiwi living in Boulder, Colorado) sprinted to the lead in the first mile and never looked back, crossing the finish line in 1:30:05, more than two-minutes ahead of last year’s winner Cindy Anderson from Kailua, Hawaii.
“This was an amazing, tough and awesome course,” said Docherty (pictured), the 2003 Duathlon World Champion and sister of two-time Olympic triathlon medalist Bevan Docherty. “This was my first XTERRA, but I’ve always loved trail running. Thankfully I am strong on the hills, so I was able to push it and hold on.”
In the race for second Heather Fuhr, a 15-time Ironman Champ and the 1997 Ironman World Champ, was in front of Anderson until about the halfway point.
“I started out hard, but Fiona passed me within about a mile, and I wasn’t able to catch up to Heather until about mile six,” said Anderson. “”I’m not usually good on the downhills so that was tough for me along with the heat, but this year’s race was fun and I ran six minutes faster than last year, so really psyched to take 2nd.”
Fuhr held on for third, followed by Kiwi standout Ady Ngawati and long-time XTERRA pro Jenny Tobin.
Complete Results . Photo gallery at xterraphotos.com
2009 XTERRA TRAIL RUN WORLD CHAMP MONEY WINNERS
MALE
PLACE FIRST NAME LAST NAME AGE HOMETOWN TIME PURSE
1st Max King 29 Bend, OR 1:14:26 $2,000
2nd Joseph Gray 25 Lakewood, WA 1:17:21 $1,000
3rd Ben Bruce 27 Eugene, OR 1:20:43 $750
4th John Tribbia 27 Boulder, CO 1:25:47 $500
5th Fujio Miyachi 31 Tokyo, Japan 1:26:12 $300
6th Jeff Campbell 38 Atlanta, GA 1:26:45 $250
7th Andy Ames 46 Boulder, CO 1:28:53 $200
FEMALE
PLACE FIRST NAME LAST NAME HOMETOWN TIME PURSE
1st Fiona Docherty 34 Boulder, CO/New Zealand 1:30:05 $2,000
2nd Cynthia Anderson 26 Kailua, HI 1:33:01 $1,000
3rd Heather Fuhr 41 Encinitas, CA 1:38:01 $750
4th Ady Ngawati 32 Whangarei, New Zealand 1:38:53 $500
5th Jenny Tobin 41 Boise, ID 1:40:29 $300
6th Jessica Tranchina 32 Honolulu, HI 1:41:36 $250
7th Rachel Cieslewicz 29 Salt Lake City, UT 1:42:13 $200
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Astronomer believes in reaching for stars
Astronomer believes in reaching for stars
By Trey Garman: Special to The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, November 27, 2009
By Trey Garman: Special to The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, November 27, 2009
Nick Kaiser, a 55-year-old astronomer at the University of Hawai'i, has perhaps the most ambitious professional and personal to-do list on the planet.
At work, he is tasked with saving the world by "finding killer asteroids before they find us." As the head of the Pan-STARRS project, "Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System", Kaiser and his team at the UH Institute for Astronomy use innovative technology to discover asteroids and comets that might collide with Earth.
At play, he's raced in every major swim, run, and triathlon held in Hawai'i this year, including the HURT 100K, Maui Marathon, Lavaman Triathlon, Honolulu Triathlon, Honu 70.3, Tinman, MountainMan, Kauai Marathon, Ironman and XTERRA World Championships.
He was one of five from Hawai'i to complete the "double" of finishing the Ironman and XTERRA in successive weeks.
Now Kaiser plans to accomplish another double — the XTERRA Trail Running World Championship half-marathon on Dec. 6, followed a week later by the Honolulu Marathon.
Making this all the more fascinating is that he just started racing five years ago.
"I'm an obsessive type," said Kaiser, a Brit who earned his PhD from Cambridge in 1982. "I realized I was quite good at distance and just wanted to see how far I could take it."
So far he has "taken it" to everyone in his age group, winning numerous awards for being the fastest in some of the toughest races. Kaiser also has a sub 3-hour marathon, posting a 2:58:08 at the London Marathon in 2007.
"We like to tease him that he's still running on fresh legs, and that's how he can do all these things," joked one of his ultra-running friends, Bob McAllaster, from HURT (Hawaiian Ultra Running Team). "Seriously though, he's a pretty incredible guy and it seems like he just doesn't stop."
The adventurous XTERRA trail run at Kualoa Ranch will be Kaiser's 20th race this year, and he's done more than 100 endurance races since he started competing in 2004.
How does he do it?
"I get up really early to run most weekdays. I have a pool right by my office I can jump into at lunch time and I bike (and sleep) on the weekends," Kaiser said. "I'm lucky to have a very supportive family that thinks I'm nuts, and a job that involves a lot of thinking. Long training runs are a good time to concentrate."
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Shoppers, take your mark, RUN!
November 20, 2009
Shoppers, take your mark, RUN!
Shoppers, take your mark, RUN!
By Lindsay Nash I take5 Correspondent
What's speedy, squeaky, covered in spandex and pushed all over?
The racers Sunday in Asheville's first Idiotarod, a 5K shopping cart race aimed to raise money for a local charity.
The event, something akin to an Alaskan dog sled race, will require costumed teams of five to push or pull a shopping cart through about three miles of obstacles, challenges and community service tasks.
“The most appealing thing is not the costumes — not the spandexed Batmans and Supermans or pilots with their costumed ‘airplane' carts — or all the silliness in general. It's the community involvement,” said race director Richard Handy.
Handy, who moved to the area from New York City, where he first participated in an idiotarod, is using the money garnered from the race to benefit his own charity — the 12 Day Project.
The charity focuses on organizing volunteers to assist with projects across Western North Carolina one weekend a month.
The Idiotarod's instructions are simple enough. Dress in costume. Bring a shovel, a shopping cart, a hammer and $10 in singles. And, oh yeah, don't be afraid to lose a little dignity.
The race will start at 11 a.m. Sunday at 900 Riverside Drive in the tractor-trailer parking area of the Silver-Line Plastics Corp.
The participants will be required to buy groceries — which will later be donated to MANNA FoodBank — help on a construction site, do a little work in a community garden and more.
“My intention is to use the race as community development,” said Handy, 34, of Black Mountain. “It's amazing. You're having the most ridiculous, absurd, hysterical time dressed like complete idiots all while helping the community.”
It was those elements of charity, fun and silliness that attracted Rosman runner and high school teacher Sara Cathey, 50, to the event.
“We were looking for a fun event,” said Cathey, who is running with four other members from her local running group. “We're dressing up in a wrestling theme — masks, capes and things like that.”
The race has created a lot of buzz around town and in other small running groups like Cathey's.
Another team has formed from the Black Mountain Runners, a group that gets together and runs a couple of times a week.
“We're just going to have a lot of fun,” said Jen Marsh, of the Black Mountain group who named the team Super Turbolicious Divas, or “STDS,” and plan on wearing lots of spandex, capes and knee-high socks.
Lindsay Nash writes about entertainment for take5. E-mail lindsaynash@yahoo.com.
Additional Facts
IF YOU GO
What: The Idiotarod, a 5K shopping cart race.
When: 11 a.m. Sunday.
Where: Riverside Drive, Asheville.
How much: $20 per person, or $100 per team of five.
The after-party: Wedge Brewing Co., featuring Zach Blew and Levi Douglas performing live. Feel free to shake your spandex, dress, fish costume, toga or whatever the heck else you might be wearing.
Information: ashevilleidiotarod@gmail.com.
On the Net: http://www.ashevilleidiotarod.com/.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Chariots of wire
Asheville Idiotarod pits shopping carts, costumes and trickery, all in the name of fun
by Alli Marshall in Vol. 16 / Iss. 17 on 11/18/2009
There are athelete-punishing marathons, feats of spandexed agility and moments of community-bolstering brilliance. And then there's the Idiotarod, which is kindof none of the above and, then again, kindof all of the above.
Serious runners booty: Costumed racers know that the Idiotarod is more about the fun than the run. Photo by Nicholas Noyes.
"It's basically organized chaos and you're laughing for an entire hour and a half," says Richard Handy, who is putting together the Asheville Idiotarod, the first local version of the 5K shopping-cart race.
Handy, who lived in New York City for seven years prior to moving to Asheville last year, has competed in the N.Y.Idiotarod. "It's a staple thing up there," he says. Based vaguely on the extreme sport Iditarod — the annual 1,150 mile sled dog race across Alaska — the Idiotarod trades sleds for grocery carts and physical fitness for goofy costumes and sabatoguing pranks. Says Web site http://www.ashevilleidiotarod.com: "The Idiotarod is essentially the same thing [as the Iditarod], except we'll cover like a 5K and instead of dogs we use people (idiots) and instead of sleds, we use shopping carts (super pods of wonder), which are extremely efficient, by the way. So essentially it's the same, but according to my mom it's way cooler — and my mom knows."
And now Asheville take its place among a dozen or so other Idiotarod locales. "2007 was the last one I was in in New York.," Handy says. "The cops were always trying to figure out what was going on, so the organizers would switch the location at the last minute. There was an unorganized start; you had to find your own route so people were on every street just trying to get to the finish line."
In costumes. In teams of five. Pushing a shopping cart decorated to look like anything from a trailer to a cow. And then there were the saboteurs: "Everyone was shooting everything from shaving cream to water balloons to super-soakers," Handy remembers.
Unlike the N.Y. race, the Asheville Idiotarod has the City's stamp of approval. That's not meant to detract from the event's unorthodox leanings. "Acceptable trickery," according to the rules list, includes "Sending over a team of supermodels, male or female, to distract [competitors] from their allowable start time." Another example? "The team in D.C. one year set up a fake road block claiming to be officials, and would not let teams go until they had sung a Britney Spears song on the street." Being on the up-and-up is intended to further the good works resulting from all the hijinx. The Asheville Idiotarod was envisioned by Handy as a means to help his other passion: Nonprofit advancement.
Proceeds from the race benefit the newly-forming 12 Day Project (also masterminded by Handy), which structures and promotes community and nonprofit volunteerism. The volunteer projects take place one weekend each month. Volunteers donate six hours of their time for which they receive a discount benefit card that can be used at local businesses.
"Of all the places in the country, this seems like a place that could benefit from something like that," Handy says of the program. "A lot of people here like to support local businesses. This encourages ownership in community." Along with the volunteerism and buying local aspects, the 12 Day Project will also include a barter and freecycle (a network where people can get rid of or acquire cast off items for free) programs.
Though Handy could have aligned himself with a preexisting charitable organization, he chose to create the 12 Day Project because he "felt like there was a simpler way to do [all of this] while benefitting local businesses at the same time."
What isn't simple is racing a decorated grocery cart along Asheville's Riverside Drive. To make sure the race is no easy feat, challenges have been added which team members must complete before crossing the finish line. These tasks include acquiring items for a MANNA Food Bank grocery list en route and assisting with the mulching of a community garden (hint: be prepared with a team shovel). Awards include The Hoff (to the team that displays the most awesomeness), The Chuck Norris (to the team that kicks ass) and The Zoolander (to the really, really, really ridiculously good-looking cart). But the race finishing, challenge completing and prize winning aren't all: There's an after-party at The Wedge Brewery with live music by Levi Douglas and Zach Blew. As the Asheville Idiotarod Web site puts it, "Feel free to shake your spandex, dress, fish costume, toga or whatever the heck else you might be wearing."
who: The Asheville Idiotarod
what: 5K shopping cart race to benefit The 12 Day Project
where: Riverside Drive; After-party at The Wedge Brewery
when: Sunday, Nov. 22 (11 a.m., $100 per team entry fee. http://www.ashevilleidiotarod.com)
by Alli Marshall in Vol. 16 / Iss. 17 on 11/18/2009
There are athelete-punishing marathons, feats of spandexed agility and moments of community-bolstering brilliance. And then there's the Idiotarod, which is kindof none of the above and, then again, kindof all of the above.
Serious runners booty: Costumed racers know that the Idiotarod is more about the fun than the run. Photo by Nicholas Noyes.
"It's basically organized chaos and you're laughing for an entire hour and a half," says Richard Handy, who is putting together the Asheville Idiotarod, the first local version of the 5K shopping-cart race.
Handy, who lived in New York City for seven years prior to moving to Asheville last year, has competed in the N.Y.Idiotarod. "It's a staple thing up there," he says. Based vaguely on the extreme sport Iditarod — the annual 1,150 mile sled dog race across Alaska — the Idiotarod trades sleds for grocery carts and physical fitness for goofy costumes and sabatoguing pranks. Says Web site http://www.ashevilleidiotarod.com: "The Idiotarod is essentially the same thing [as the Iditarod], except we'll cover like a 5K and instead of dogs we use people (idiots) and instead of sleds, we use shopping carts (super pods of wonder), which are extremely efficient, by the way. So essentially it's the same, but according to my mom it's way cooler — and my mom knows."
And now Asheville take its place among a dozen or so other Idiotarod locales. "2007 was the last one I was in in New York.," Handy says. "The cops were always trying to figure out what was going on, so the organizers would switch the location at the last minute. There was an unorganized start; you had to find your own route so people were on every street just trying to get to the finish line."
In costumes. In teams of five. Pushing a shopping cart decorated to look like anything from a trailer to a cow. And then there were the saboteurs: "Everyone was shooting everything from shaving cream to water balloons to super-soakers," Handy remembers.
Unlike the N.Y. race, the Asheville Idiotarod has the City's stamp of approval. That's not meant to detract from the event's unorthodox leanings. "Acceptable trickery," according to the rules list, includes "Sending over a team of supermodels, male or female, to distract [competitors] from their allowable start time." Another example? "The team in D.C. one year set up a fake road block claiming to be officials, and would not let teams go until they had sung a Britney Spears song on the street." Being on the up-and-up is intended to further the good works resulting from all the hijinx. The Asheville Idiotarod was envisioned by Handy as a means to help his other passion: Nonprofit advancement.
Proceeds from the race benefit the newly-forming 12 Day Project (also masterminded by Handy), which structures and promotes community and nonprofit volunteerism. The volunteer projects take place one weekend each month. Volunteers donate six hours of their time for which they receive a discount benefit card that can be used at local businesses.
"Of all the places in the country, this seems like a place that could benefit from something like that," Handy says of the program. "A lot of people here like to support local businesses. This encourages ownership in community." Along with the volunteerism and buying local aspects, the 12 Day Project will also include a barter and freecycle (a network where people can get rid of or acquire cast off items for free) programs.
Though Handy could have aligned himself with a preexisting charitable organization, he chose to create the 12 Day Project because he "felt like there was a simpler way to do [all of this] while benefitting local businesses at the same time."
What isn't simple is racing a decorated grocery cart along Asheville's Riverside Drive. To make sure the race is no easy feat, challenges have been added which team members must complete before crossing the finish line. These tasks include acquiring items for a MANNA Food Bank grocery list en route and assisting with the mulching of a community garden (hint: be prepared with a team shovel). Awards include The Hoff (to the team that displays the most awesomeness), The Chuck Norris (to the team that kicks ass) and The Zoolander (to the really, really, really ridiculously good-looking cart). But the race finishing, challenge completing and prize winning aren't all: There's an after-party at The Wedge Brewery with live music by Levi Douglas and Zach Blew. As the Asheville Idiotarod Web site puts it, "Feel free to shake your spandex, dress, fish costume, toga or whatever the heck else you might be wearing."
who: The Asheville Idiotarod
what: 5K shopping cart race to benefit The 12 Day Project
where: Riverside Drive; After-party at The Wedge Brewery
when: Sunday, Nov. 22 (11 a.m., $100 per team entry fee. http://www.ashevilleidiotarod.com)
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