Mount Jefferson Challenge, June 13, 2015
With this being just a 6.6 mile event, I do not have much to
reflect on. I so, however want to at
least document this experience and hopefully encourage others to line up at the
start next June. Also, I have neglected to post about last month’s New River
Marathon, so I’ll be including some thoughts and memories from that one too.
The two events are both organized by race director, Ken
Sevensky owner of Blue Ridge Endurance LLC. He is also the founder and director
of Blue Ridge Relay and several other endurance events. See his
website for
more information.
Mount Jefferson Challenge, nicknamed MoJe starts in the
parking lot at Ashe Civic Center. It goes 3.3 miles up the mountain to the end
of the top parking lot, and 3.3 miles back to the bottom. The finish line is a
seam in the concrete and it is the same as the starting line. On Friday, about
30 people participated.
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| Our little group readying for the ascent. |
I hope next year’s challenge will bring more competition. This
really is the perfect time of year for this run.
New River Marathon (Just a short blurb) May 2, 2015
 |
| Love these race shirts...the only ones I don't give away:) |
Last month I ran this exceptionally fine run. Race Director Ken
Sevensky, appropriately used the word “charming” to describe the new course.
The morning vibrated of The New River, yellow wild flowers, a suspension
bridge, dirt roads and a couple steep hills on an otherwise pretty mellow, fun
course.
 |
| Cool clouds near Todd, NC race morning |
Just weeks before the event, the start/finish venue had to
be changed and the new start/finish area is now right smack in the middle of
the tiny hamlet of Todd, NC. Runners were asked to plan ahead and allow plenty
of time to get to the race as some of the parking would be half mile away.
Despite this, our start time was postponed by around 25 minutes. This was the
only thing, in my opinion, that wasn’t perfect about the race course or the
execution of the event.
Aid stations and helpful volunteers were placed at good
intervals. Gel, and salty snacks appeared in all the right places. I carried a
tube of Clif Shot Blocks, yet forgot about them and didn’t use as the race
provided plenty of fuel.
 |
| Just a few miles left to go... |
Towards the end of the marathon route, the half marathon
course shared pavement with us and it was fun to cheer and be cheered on by the
other runners. I met runners from all over the southeast, 3 ladies from Texas,
and many local runners.
 |
| Winner Katherine Price and her son |
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| All the way from Texas to visit the New River! |
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| Remi Wingo. She's so cool-we go way back with Outward Bound |
 |
| Scott and Sarah from Charlottesville, VA |
I wound up finishing up in 3:23:34, 9
th overall
and 2
nd woman. I had a fun and smart run and took away a homemade
wooden bowl and a free 1-night stay to a local bed and breakfast:
MeadowsweetGardens Inn.
