Challenge accepted as Bobby Guy completes his first race of 2016.

Three hundred and fifty runners gathered on Saturday, January 2 for the first race of 2016.

The Yankee Springs Winter Challenge was another fun event hosted by Switchback Endurance at Yankee Springs Recreation Area- just a few short miles from Gun Lake Casino. (I have previously competed in their Fall triathlon.)

Held annually on New Year's weekend, one is never certain what the temperatures or the circumstances will be. Many agreed trail conditions were ideal this year with just a dusting of snow providing a little grip and icy spots seemed to be limited.

There are 4 race distances: 10k, 25k, 50k and 50 miles.

Results

  • Kalamazoo's Nicholas Hanson was the 50 mile winner with a time of 7:47:39. Yes, he ran for almost 8 hours! Did you even drive 50 miles this weekend? Ashley Truan from New Hudson was the top female finisher at 10:42:03.
  • The 50k female winner, Erin Young of Hickory Corners, came in just over 5 hours at 5:03:32 and Grand Rapids' Scott Lafreniere was the #1 male finisher in the 50k at 3:49:31.
  • Another Hickory Corners resident, Kevin Rook won the 25k with a time of 1:47:02 and Kimberly Stoutenberg made the drive from Spring Lake to grab the female top-finisher award at 2:08:17.
  • The 10k field was by far the largest with 140 runners. Jennifer Sprague from Royal Oak was the top woman at 52:44 and Todd Meredith from Holland clocked in at 46:51 to get the award for top male in the 10k.
  • Yours truly finished 57th overall- not last place.

 

Next up on my race calendar: The Winter Edition of Michigan's Adventure Race while training for the Kal-Haven Trail Run on April 9.

Here's to you setting and reaching goals in 2016!

 

 

 

 

 

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