Saturday, December 8, 2001 -- Kanawha State Forest, WV
Snowflake 50K Trail Run (iPO Event Id#: 2653)
Photos by Dan Lehmann, Ariana Kincaid and Don Parks.

[Details] [Coverage]
[Overall Results]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5]
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Slogging through the Kanawha SF with a smile

So the rain came, and it didn't let up for the entire day. You might have thought this would put a damper on the fourth edition of the Snowflake 50K Trail Run. Well, you would have thought wrong.

Each year the number of participants has grown. This year a record crowd of over 60 competitors came out to test their mettle over 31 miles of wet trails and forest roads. It seems that some people were in a bit of a hurry to get out of the rain. Both the men's and women's course records where shattered.

The 4th running of the Snowflake 50k was the best wet, muddy trail race in the east. As the waver stated, if it's raining, you'll get wet.

Will Harlan in record setting form

The race was dedicated to the Firefighters of New York City that gave the ultimate sacrafice. 232 Firefighters names were listed on the back of the runners' shirts. One shirt was set aside and runners and volunteers signed the shirt. The shirt will be sent to Rescue 2 in Brooklyn, New York along with a Finisher's glass ornament and a check for $1400. Thanks to all the runners for the support and a special thanks to all the Volunteers. The best supporter that the race has is my wife, Mary Anne. She puts up with a lot, jumps in and helps with registration and still goes home with me at the end of the day.

Our youngest finisher this year and perhaps the youngest of all four years was Jose Vasquez. His time was 5 hours 51 minutes 32 seconds. It was amazing. Both the male and female course records were broken. Will Harlan of Ashville, North Carolina, broke the old record of 3 hours 55 minutes with a time of 3 hours, 42 minutes. Francesca Conte ran 4 hours, 33 minutes besting a previous course record of 5 hours and change.

Dennis Hamrick congratulates another smiling finisher

Thanks to S&E Balzout for cutting me a good deal on the shirts. Remember, these folks are helping the FDNY as well. Also, a big thanks to John Sheets (6:28:48) for sponsorship of the finisher's awards. The Kanawha State Forest bunch again came through with fire wood and plenty of support.

Lastly, I want to give a thank you to the guy that started the Snowflake 50k, Mickey Jones. Four years ago we had the idea to help a runner complete his 50th state marathon by putting on the Snowflake. Mickey has moved to live in Oak, Florida, but his enthusiasm for helping others continues on with this race.

Keep an eye out for the 8th Annual Rattlesnake 50K to be held on July 13, 2002. This year I have decided to give everyone more for their money. The RTR 50k course has always been a just a little shy of 50k, so I am adding the name sake trail (Rattlesnake trail) to the early portion of the run. Far be it from me to short change anyone.