After a wet and slippery course set up on Friday afternoon we were expecting more of a mud run on Saturday morning than a trail run. Mother Nature had other ideas as cold temps overnight froze the course and left a crunchy and ice covered surface for Saturday.
39 Athletes braved sub freezing temps and cold winds without a single complaint to take on all the challenges that Ulrich Park had to offer. The runners took off shortly after 9:00 with Scott Gall leading the pack through the opening down hill section. Scott would never look back and take the overall win with a time of 18:23. After the opening down hill the runners took a left hand turn followed by a climb up to the railroad tracks. Crossing the tracks runners entered a twisting up and down 1.05 mile loop that tested the legs, lungs, and heart. As if one lap wasn’t enough a second lap in this section was required.
Back across the tracks athletes hit another quick up hill followed by a fast and steady down hill leading through the parking lot and across to the south section of the trails. More quick, up and down hills combined with twists and turns lead into the chilly stream crossing. Some chose the fast line trekking right through the stream while others took a slower and dryer route stepping on stones just above the water level. A quarter mile loop and back across the stream runners were at the home stretch. Back up the same down hill the runners started on lead them to the finish line.
Scott Gall was the men’s overall winner with a time of 18:23.
Dawn Keller ran an excellent race to take the women’s overall with a time of 25:57.
Tyson Keith took the male 18-29 age group by nearly a minute while Kari Beener ran a sub 30 minute race to take the women’s division in the same age group.
The men’s 30-39 race was hotly contested as just 15 seconds separated Rob Houlihan, Jeremy Bidwell, and Michael Lubbers for the top three spots.
In the women’s division Sherrie Kautman ran a solid 30:32 to take top honors.
Dan Foster ran a very solid race and posted a 24:30 to take the men’s 40-49 age group while Roger DeGroot put the hurt on the 50+ men with a 25:50 winning by nearly nine minutes.
Lots of tired smiling runners were seen crossing the finish line. Several of the athletes had never raced on trails and were glad to have the experience. A huge thanks goes out to everyone that participated.
Athletes were treated to Race Belts from Fuel Belt, socks from Fox River, Gel from Hammer Nutrition, free 1 week pass from Snap Fitness and bio freeze from Johnson Chiropractic.
Awards and prizes included Speed Laces and Body Glide from Bike Tech.
Water bottles, GU, and gloves from The Runner’s Flat.
Jugs of Hammer Gel and Heed sports drink from Hammer Nutrition.
Sun glasses from Serfas Optics.
Water bottle belts from Fuel Belt.
3 months free training from Gateway Endurance Training.
30 days free membership to Snap Fitness.
1 hour massage from Johnson Chiropractic.
A small expo also took place as athletes were able to meet and speak with two of the CVA title partners Johnson Chiropractic and Snap Fitness. Participants were treated to free chiropractic adjustments and evaluations from Doc. The Snap Fitness team lead by Adam Foster was also available to athletes that wanted to chat about improving their fitness through strength and cardio training at Snap’s convenient 24/7 facility.
A big thanks to all the Cedar Valley Adventure Partners and to all the volunteers that helped with trail work, course layout, and events the day of the race. Without these people and businesses great events like this would not be possible.
We hope to see everyone at our Duathlon on May 20th at Camp Ingawanis.
Jeff Slade
Director
Cedar Valley Adventure
posted by All3Sports @ 7:41 PM,
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