Saturday, October 28, 2006 -- Oak Hill, WV
2006 Mountain State Trail Run Series (MSTR)
ACE New River Gorge-ous Trail Run and Walk

[Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]
Race Photos by Julie and Jason Black

Past Coverage: [2002] [2003] [2004] [2005]

Story by Julie Black

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"There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud." ~ Carl Sandburg

There are many names for mud. Call it muck, slip, slop, slush, if you're looking for some you'll find it at ACE after a steady fall rain. Plenty of it: oozing and dripping, making that sucking sound as soon as your shoe sinks into its deepest trough on the trail. It can make you feel young again. Smear it on your face for a beauty treatment, or better yet, go run through miles of it up to your knees.

The ACE New River Gorge-ous Trail Run and Walk provided racers with the ultimate muddy platform for an excellent trail excursion. Race folks enjoyed the fall colors of beautiful Southern West Virginia while running or walking on picturesque trails that hovered above the New River Gorge at ACE Adventure Center.

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Offering the option of a 13.2 or 7.5 mile run, or a 4.5-mile walk, all of the courses wandered through deep hard wood forests, featuring spectacular views of the river and the historic town of Thurmond 1,000 feet below.

Joel Wolpert won the long run in 1:19:39 and Katie Aerni finished 6th overall and 1st for the women with a time of 1:39:50.

The mild and misty autumn day proved to end sunny side up as racers crossed the finish line. Participants, family, and friends were treated to hot burritos and warm hospitality provided by ACE Adventure Center.

Sadly, this was the last event of the six-race Mountain State Trail Run Series. There are rumors of a larger series next year, and we'd love to see that. Congratulations to the overall series winners, you inspire us all!

Final Mountain State Trail Run Series Results

• 1st place overall male _____ Michael Bee
• 2nd place overall male_____ Joel Wolpert
• 1st place overall female____ Katie Aerni
• 2nd place overall female___ Emily Chaney

• 1st place male 20 - 29______ David Bee
• 2nd place male 20 - 29______ Mike Dolin
• 1st place female 20 - 29______ Sarah Sturgill
• 2nd place female 20 - 29_____ Ashley Dolin

• 1st place male 30 - 39______ Steve Smith
• 2nd place male 30 - 39_______ Bill Young
• 1st place female 30 - 39_____ Stacey Levendorf
• 2nd place female 30 - 39_____ Lisa Lucci

• 1st place male 40 - 49_______Joel Rodgers
• 2nd place male 40 - 49_______ Dominic Wyzomirski
• 1st place female 40 - 49______ Beth Hudspeth
• 2nd place female 40 - 49______ Jane Reynolds

• 1st place male 50 - 59________ Dan Lehmann
• 2nd place male 50 - 59________ Joe Hughes