Iron Mountain Trail Run
Race Director’s 2009 Report
On Saturday, September 5, 41 runners toed the line for the start of the 2009 Iron Mountain Trail Run (IMTR) in Damascus, VA. With temperatures in the mid 50's and dry conditions, the weather was perfect for race day. At 7 AM, the race started.
With the addition of a 16 mile and 30 mile option, the starting line really saw the start of three separate races. As the runners took off, Adam Casseday took the lead. The first 5 miles of the course are on the Virginia Creeper Trail, a relatively flat, gravel road (a Rails to Trails project). Many runners took advantage of this early opportunity to stretch out their legs and put some quick miles in the bank.
After the quick and easy miles on the Creeper Trail, the runners hit their first aid station, and then the technical trails began. Many of the runners were new to trails, so the first big climb of the race, up Beech Grove Trail, was an eye opener. While the speedsters in the crowd pushed up the trail, most of the competitors settled down to a brisk walk up the mountain. After a slow, climbing mile, runners finally arrived on the Iron Mountain Trail, where most of the race would be run.
With the addition of the 16 mile and 30 mile options, runners had the opportunity to see the speedsters coming back from the turn around. Leading the field for the 16 mile course at the turn around was Jennifer Nichols. The local runner had spent many hours training around Damascus and she put her training to good use. She was able to hang on to her lead, and led the field down the technical single track through Mock Hollow and back into Damascus. She set the initial 16 mile IMTR course record (overall and female record) at 3:02:00. The 16 mile men were led into Damascus by Jared Bailey in a time of 3:06:37.
The 30 mile field had a newcomer throwing down the gauntlet. Charlie Wassum had never run a race that long and had initially planned on competing in the 16 mile distance. However, after thinking about it all week, on Saturday Charlie decided to step up to the 30 mile distance, and it paid off for him. By maintaining a good steady pace, he was able to win his first trail race, setting the 30 mile IMTR course record at 5:07:13. The 30 mile IMTR women’s course record was set by Sandra Melton in 7:26:48.
The 50 mile men’s race was never really in contention. 2007 IMTR winner and course record holder Adam Cassedy set the pace early and was able to maintain the lead through the finish. While Adam did not beat his 2007 course record, he did finish in a very respectable 8:09:17, the 4th fastest time on the course. For the 50 mile women competitors, Roxanne Zobava dominated the field, finishing in 9:21:20, finishing in the 4th fastest women’s time ever.
2009 also saw the addition of another award, the Iron Mountain Man/Women Award. This award went to the finisher of each distance who finished under the time limit and who did the most push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups (pull-ups counted for 3). While most runners chose not to enter the additional competition, we did have a few hearty souls step up to the challenge. The 16 mile Iron Mountain Man award went to Jared Bailey, who earned an impressive 215 points! The 30 mile Iron Mountain Man award went to Charlie Wassum with 155 points and the 30 mile Iron Mountain Woman award went to Sandra Melton with 27 points. The 50 mile Iron Mountain Woman award went to Roxanne Zobava who pumped out 123 push-ups and sit-ups.
Thanks to all the runners who came out and competed in the 4th Annual Iron Mountain Trail Run. Special thanks go out to our volunteers; without them, the race could not have been held! And our sponsors, Sundog Outfitter of Damascus, VA, Succeed! Sportsdrink, and C-Health of Lebanon, VA, need to be thanked for defraying the costs of holding the race. Thanks!!
The 2010 Iron Mountain Trail Run is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, September 4 (Labor Day weekend). The 2010 IMTR will maintain all three distances, 16, 30, & 50 miles, and we look forward to seeing you there!