VHTRC - The Club

The First Battle of Manassass occurred on July 21, 1861 -- 150 years ago.  Why did they have the battle in the summer's heat?  That wasn't smart.  We decided to have the Bull Run Run in April.

Picture at right is of Blackburn's Ford where the first skirmish occurred on July 18.  Presently, this is where route 28, Centreville Road, crosses the Bull Run. It is also the site of the first aid station at the Bull Run Run 50 Mile. More information

Western States results are now available on the Webcast. See Ed's comment to this post for full VHTRC results. Bryon Powell was the first VHTRC finisher, Amy Sproston eighth woman, and Scott Mills finished his 16th Western States (all under 24 hours we think).

Neither overall winner is an American. Pretty interesting given that for so many years, all male winners had been Californians (until Mike Morton fixed that).  Western States Web site

There were several VHTRC runners at the San Diego 100 mile on the weekend of June 11-12.  VHTRC member Scott Mills is the RD of the event and has made it one of the best 100 milers on the left coast.  Results are available on the event Web site.

CAT-100 continued to live up to it's legend this weekend as one of the toughest 100's around. RD Jim Treece had  16 starters and 8 finishers. No one came close to Eva Pastalkova's 24:47 course record set in 2010. Three finishers are also scheduled to run MMT in less than 2 weeks: John Godinet, Leah Perry and [of course] David Snipes. This year the weather was cooperative but the trail conditions were very uneven and often wet. A record number of volunteers came out and assisted Jim this year. Results and more here

President Gowen explains the vast VHTRC property empire in Stuff It!

The weather was great for the Hinte Anderson Trail Run on March 19.  Several VHTRC members were stars including age group winners, multiple finishers, party animals, etc.  The course was dry (for HAT, anyway).  As usual, Jeff, Phil, Tim, and Mike put on a great event. A couple of good pictures on the HAT site are the 20-time finishers James Moore and Margie Schlundt (with Phil) and two VHTRC members enjoying the post run.  Results | Photos | Kirstin Corris's Photos | Q's Photos | HAT Web site

Edward Cacciapaglia and Darin Dunham led the 26 players in the VHTRC March Madness Basketball Contest. Mark Prescott was third. It was a wild contest this year and, finally, several players beat the Selection Committee. Congratulations to Ed and Darin! Final standings | First week results (Mark Prescott won the first week)

Informed sources are telling VHTRC.org news that Joe Clapper and Michele Harmon have gotten married.  We had heard rumors of the couple's planned nuptials, but frankly we thought it was another Clapper prank.  The small ceremony was closed to the media and everyone else. (At least, that better be the case!) We did pay a member of the paparazzi, whose identity we are protecting, for the photo at right.    From all of us here at VHTRC.org to the happy couple we say, "Holy s...!"

Martha Wright was the first female finisher at the Swinging Bridge 50K near Cumberland, VA on Jan 15. John Cassilly was fourth overall. Mike Bailey was third in the 35K. The race was held on the Willis River Trail in Bear Creek Lake State Park and Cumberland State Forest. Results on RRRC website (scroll down 2011).

Charlie Todd, Barb Isom's husband and crew, has submitted his take from "On the Outside Looking In." It is a view of ultrarunning by a sane person.  Certainly a different aspect we should all consider!