VHTRC - The Club

Matt Woods and Annette Bednosky were sixth man and woman, and Amy Sproston was 11th woman at the World 100km Championships in Winschoten, The Netherlands. We understand that the U.S. men's team was first and the women's team second.  Michael Wardian of Arlington, Virginia was second overall. Results

The VHTRC gathered in the Shenandoah National Park over the July 4 weekend for three days of mountain running and fellowship. Over 40 runners came out for the Summer Death March on 25+ miles of trails near Old Rag and White Oak Canyon, including new-to-the-VHTRC friends as well as the Old Guard (they know who they are!). On Sunday, another energetic group met at Q's Jeremy's Run for 20 sweet miles of single track and streams, and on the Fourth of July, Gary hosted a large contingent for the annual Browntown loop.

Mike Campbell ran 27:45 to win the 60 year-old age group at the Bighorn 100 Mile in Wyoming on June 17-18. We believe that Mike's time is an event age group record.  The course was adjusted to account for the snow that the Bighorn Mountains had received this year.  Results

Dan Rose led the VHTRC contingent at the Laurel Highlands Trail run on June 11-12 in PA. Dan was third overall. The event covers the 70 mile Laurel Highland Trail, but there were bonus miles to account for the lack of a bridge across the PA Turnpike. Laurel Highlands has a long history and, with Old Dominion, is one of the traditional early summer runs on the right coast. There is also a 50km and two relays. Results | LHT Web site

Eva Pastalkova broke the female record at the 2011 Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 held May 14-15 in Fort Valley, Virginia.  For the third time, Karl Meltzer (photo right) won the race.  There were 132 finishers out of 195 starters.  Despite the rain and mud, the new setting, with all activities in a very big tent, seemed to provide a great atmosphere.  Photos, reports, and results are available. Thanks to Bobby Gill for the photo at right. 2011 MMT Results

Matt Woods set a new event record and Annette Bednosky took the women's division at the 19th Bull Run Run 50 mile held on April 9 in Clifton, Virginia. It was a cool, overcast day. Almost perfect for running except that overnight rain led to very muddy, sloppy conditions. Despite the slow track, Matt lowered Leigh Schmitt's record of last year by almost two minutes.  A large field of 344 started the event, with 320 finishing officially by 13 hours. We now have results, photos, a report, and updated all time lists. Go to the BRR 2011 report page.

You can't understand how Bull Run Run got that way if you don't know Chris Scott. He is responsible for both the goofy and the serious parts of the run.  Chris has moved on, but he is still at it on the Left Coast.  Several VHTRC members have participated in his former Coyote Fourplay and current Coyote Two Moon.  This year's C2M was stopped mid-race by "epic" weather (in Southern California!).  There is a pretty good local newspaper article about it from the Ventura County Star.

Olivier Leblond and Gaby Gorman set new course records at the Hashawha Hills 50km held on February 26 in Westminster, Maryland.  The weather was good, but the course had its challenges.  There were icy parts on the first loop that turned to mud on the second. There were 97 starters and 75 finishers. Alan Gowen and his volunteers put on a great event. 

Reports:  Danny McDonnell | Neal Gorman | Kirstin Corris
Photos | Results (take Read more link)

It was a fun night to be out on some of the northern Massanutten trails around Signal Knob for the 2011 Moonlight Run.  22 runners (2 dogs and 20 others) showed Friday Feb 18 for what was likely the warmest winter running of this event.  A number of the vets seemed to miss having snow to reflect the moon, and to soften the trail.  Looked like everyone had a good time nonetheless.