Sunday, January 20, 2002 -- Pittsburgh - South Park, PA
Bushwacker's Nightmare Trail Run (iPO Event Id#: 4670)
Story and photos by Bruce McGlothlin and the GPRRC

[Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [2001 Event Coverage]

2002 Bushwhacker's Nightmare Trail Run
January 20, 2002
South Park
Weather: Sunny, Cold
Race Director: Bruce McGlothlin
Helpers: Judy McGlothlin, Kathleen Hickey,
Jane Donnelly, Phyllis Jester, Richard Hickey

Heading into the "bush"

The conditions for the 6th Annual Bushwhacker's Nightmare Trail Run were near perfect-----sunny, cold, and snow-covered.  Well, maybe there could have been more mud!

Attendance was at an all time high at 65 hard-core trail runners.  This was possibly due to Dave Helwig's article in "Runners World," coverage by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, coverage last year by iPlayOutside, and Rich/Kathleen Hickey's website.  It was great!

Mark Tessler was the first 5K runner to cross the finish line in a record time of 24 minutes and 45 seconds.  Not bad for a 15 year old Cross country/track runner at South Park High School.  Geo Toomey also set a course record for the 10K in 49 minutes 12 seconds.  This is pretty remarkable when you think of how tough this course really is.  Jon Antonelli was second in 52:06.

Surviving the "nightmare"
to tell about it

All runners who participated were a tough, hardy, and focused group who enjoyed the challenge of an extremely difficult course.   No one was hurt and only one runner became lost.  He was soon found and crossed the finish line.  There were quite a few first time runners.  One runner, Tadd Morris, specifically drove from Harrisburg to run the race.  He was awarded an "Official Bushwhacker T" for his travel and running efforts.

Thanks to all of the runners and helpers who made the Bushwhacker an outstanding successful trail run.

Same time, next year???

Bruce McGlothlin