2008 Mount Mitchell Challenge and Black Mountain Marathon
Monday, February 25th, 2008
The 11th running of the BMM&MMC was again favored with some amazing weather!
The 7am start saw 40 degree clear skies…with the finish line sunny and warming into the high 50’s by mid-day! The Summit, however, was not as kind. Mitchell, the 6684 foot highest point in the East, is an unpredictable mountain and black clouds could be seen rolling in over the ridge line of the Black Mountain Range all day. The summit was socked in with howling winds and temperatures in the high 30s…Epic for sure!
The pre-race story revolved around a number of no-shows…both from the flu that has hit so many this season…as well as some runners trapped by snow in northeastern airports…In a sold-out race with 300 registrants…Race morning only saw 267 starters.
The men’s marathon was all Jared Crave…An Asheville resident, Jared comes from a serious road running background and took command early to win the marathon comfortably in 3:16:42. Former Challenge winner Annette Bednosky, recovering from a slight injury, stepped down to the shorter distance this year to win the marathon in 3:54:58. Master’s winners for the marathon were 11-time competitor Mike Beamon (3:41:51) and Caroline Veronee (4:12:46)
In the 40-mile Challenge, new faces dominated the men’s race. Jason Bryant from Elkin, NC, Kevin Lane from Swannanoa, NC and Frankie Adkins from Asheville all looked strong entering the single track on Mitchell after passing the marathon turnaround. Bryant topped out first after running a slightly longer route to the summit, but was caught by Adkins, an ultra rookie, on the descent. The lead was changed again when Adkins faltered slightly at the 4 hour mark, but the gap was only 2 minutes with 4 miles to go. In the end, experience beat raw foot speed as Jason Bryant was able to pad his lead in the closing miles for the win in 5:16:49…Adkins held on for a strong 5:22:12 in his first ultra. Kevin Lane and Matt Kirk came in arm and arm for 3rd and 4th(5:29:07), while perennial top finisher Drew Shelfer battled bronchitis to hang on to 5th in 5:33:00.
The women’s Challenge had no such drama. Asheville’s own multiple national champion and USATF ultra-runner of the year, Anne Lundblad, took control of the race from the gun and absolutely blistered the course, ripping close to 12 minutes from the course record. Her 5:38:55 was 30 minutes in front of second place Cynthia Arnold (6:08:16). Liz Bauer-Walker (7:14:35), Zsuzanna Carlson (7:39:51) and Erinna Wever (7:55:04) rounded out the top five open women. Master’s crowns this year went to Byron Backer (5:45:24) and Susan Donnelly (8:15:21)
Full results, newspaper article links and race photographs can be found at www.blackmountainmarathon.com.
On behalf of the sponsors – Black Dome Mountain Sports, Black Mountain Savings, the Town of Black Mountain, Mt. Mitchell State Park – Thank you! We are always pleased to host this event and are proud of the challenges and victories it presents.
The BMM&MMC is proud to say that among other charities, a portion of proceeds always goes to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy – Protecting the lands we love to play in…
Congratulations again…And we hope to see you for 2009!
Fox Mountain Guides reports some ice coming in around the area…Hwy 215, Whitesides and Linville Gorge…all are seeing some extended cold…
The long anticipated Rumbling Bald Guide is here!
