The XTERRA Oak Mountain Trail Marathon was fun and hot. Temperatures were expected to reach the 90s as the clock approached noon, so the less time spent on the course the better. The course covered some of the same trails as the Oak Mountain 50k, but as a whole was less hilly. It included the same tough 2 mile hill going from the North Trailhead to the ridge on the red trail, but this stretch began around mile 6 rather than mile 20 for the 50k. Much easier to handle the hill with fresh legs.
The race began at 7:30 and about 20 or so guys surged ahead at the start, which consisted of roughly a half mile on pavement before reaching the trails. John Cobbs, John Gregg and I ran together at the beginning and didn’t get caught up in the fast start. I felt pretty confident that the pecking order would sort itself out over the course of the race, especially once the hills began to roll. Cory Gerbrandt from Tallahassee joined up with the two Johns and me on this first stretch and we came to an aid station about mile 3 where we were told we were ranked between 13-16. Seemed about right at that early point in the race.
Remained at the same point until the 2 mile uphill climb on the red trail began around mile 6. I felt strong on the climb and ran the entire way, passing several runners during the climb. Cory, John Cobbs and I continued running together during this stretch and they both looked really strong on the climb as well. We continued to talk and chip away at the miles until Cory took a nasty fall near the halfway point in the race. He indicated he was fine and I continued on, but clearly the fall had an impact on him as he dropped back at this point. Unfortunate, as he was running strong. John Cobbs and I continued on together until he told me to run ahead at the portion of the trail called “Rattlesnake Ridge”. John ran the ridiculously tough Miwok 100k in the Marin Headlands in San Francisco just two weeks before, which I am convinced is the only reason I finished ahead of him Saturday.
Felt strong throughout with the exception of the last 4 miles. I started to really feel the heat and fatigue set in quickly. This, coupled with two stops where I thought I had taken a wrong turn, caused the last few miles to be somewhat frustrating, but was able to continue on without too much of a drop in pace and finish in 3:29:54, good for 6th overall and 1st in my age group.
Overall, was very pleased with the race and had a great time running and talking with some really strong runners. Holding a steady pace throughout also gives me added confidence heading into the Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race in a few weeks. Should be fun and challenging.
Special thanks to Terry and Michelle Little for coming out and supporting. Congratulations also to Andon Briggs for a solid marathon finish. You looked great floating to the finish in your Hokas. Special kudos as well to Bekah Ellis for finishing the half only 3 months after having a baby. Awesome job in your first trail run!!!
Special thanks to Terry and Michelle Little for coming out and supporting. Congratulations also to Andon Briggs for a solid marathon finish. You looked great floating to the finish in your Hokas. Special kudos as well to Bekah Ellis for finishing the half only 3 months after having a baby. Awesome job in your first trail run!!!
Verse: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” -Romans 1:16-17
