IMTR, September 3, 2011, Damascus, VA
Race Director's Report
2011 promised to be a hectic year for the Iron Mountain Trail Run (IMTR). For the first time since I started directing the event, the race was full (largely due to a growth of the shorter distances, 16 & 30 miles). By the time runners toed the starting line, the numbers were slightly below the 150 limit due to the inevitable no-shows. In addition to being a hectic year, 2011 promised to be a hot year. Temperatures at the start were in the upper 60s (F) but climbed into the 90s during the race. Brief rain showers in the afternoon knocked down the temperature a bit but kept the humidity levels high. As in the past two years, the race was actually 3 different races: a 16, 30, and 50 mile trail run, starting at the same time and sharing the course.
At 7 AM, all 3 races started. With the initial 5 miles on the Virginia Creeper Trail (a rails to trails success story), the runners had plenty of time to jockey for position and to warm up before hitting the rough stuff. Also, with the three different races occurring simultaneously, the runners never really knew if that runner ahead was a competitor to track down or in one of the other events.
Leading into the first aid station (Straight Branch), Michael Smelser, a 16 mile entrant, was leading the entire field. He maintained his lead into the FS 90 aid station and back to the finish with a time of 2:06:09. Sheri Nemeth led the field for the ladies in the 16 mile event, finishing in 3:00:25.
The 30 mile race was initially led by Rob French; however, by the FS 90 aid station Brian Pickett had taken the lead and opened a 4 minute gap. Brian continued to open the gap, finishing the 30 mile course in 4:09:44. Coming in second overall was Holly Baker in 4:56:35, winning the ladies’ 30 mile event and setting a new women’s 30 mile course record in the process.
The 50 mile event looked to be an exciting race. The 2010 IMTR 50 record setter, Shuan Pope, returned, to be challenged by the race creator and course designer, Eric Grossman. Both men had recently had disappointing race results and would appreciate a confidence inspiring win. Pope started off with a strong pace, with Matthew Bugin & Grossman right with him. However, by the FS 90 aid station Grossman had taken the lead for the 50 milers. Soon after the FS 90 aid station Pope started feeling lightheaded, and decided it was wiser to drop than continue racing in high temperatures. From that point on, Grossman maintained a solid lead over the other 50 mile competitors, eventually setting a new IMTR 50 record of 7:16:36. The women’s race was much closer with Kjerstein Brashers winning in 10:20:09 with just 7 minutes over her nearest competitor.
Like previous years, the IMTR 50 took its toll on the entrants. Of the 39 runners who started the 50 miler, only 25 made it across the finish line under the 12 hour limit.
Also, as in the previous years, the Iron Mountain Man/Woman award was offered. This award goes to the competitor who completes his or her distance under the time limit and then does the most push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups (which count for 3) within 5 minutes of crossing the finishing line. Possibly the most entertaining aspect of the race was seeing how many of the runners responded to the offer to compete for the Iron Mountain Man/Woman award. With the exhaustingly high temperatures, it is not surprising that most runners declined the invitation! Still, there were several hardy souls who undertook this challenge. Chris Owens took home the 16 Mile Iron Mountain Man award with a score of 141 while Margaret Williams and Shannon Blevins both knocked out 123 sit-ups after finishing the 16 miles side by side to win the 16 Mile Iron Mountain Woman award. Jonathan Frink took home the 30 Mile Iron Mountain Man award with a score of 190 and Sheryl Leonard-Schneck earned the 30 Mile Iron Mountain Woman award with a score of 188. The 50 Mile Iron Mountain Award was captured by Brian Lewis with his score of 212 and Lisa Arnold scored 106 to take home the 50 Mile Iron Mountain Woman award.
All in all it was a successful race weekend. No one was lost or seriously injured, although several runners looked like they tried rolling down the mountain! The volunteers made my job much easier, and I definitely want to thank them for that! I look forward to seeing you at the 2012 Iron Mountain Trail Run in Damascus, VA, on Saturday, September 1.
Kevin Townsend