New running events, especially on trails, often give runners a wait and see hesitation. Will the trails be good, bad or ugly? Terribly difficult or challenging? Perhaps too easy? Some will get feedback before jumping in next year. A handful, though, can’t overcome the FOMO excitement and dive in feet first. That was the case Saturday morning for about 150 runners in the first Dueling Banjos 10K-5K trail combo in McMullen Cove.
The pair offered a unique twist: runners were required to register for both events to get a bib, and winners of each race were recorded. The difficult uphill 5K was offset by the net-negative downhill 10K. The field took off at 7 a.m. from the McMullen Cove clubhouse, getting a half-mile road jiggle before heading up up up up up about 1,500 feet to the finish line. Stunning views awaited: Monte Sano to the northwest, Hampton Cove to the south, Keel Mountain looming to the east.
At 8:30, the field took off through the woods on the 10K toodle down down down to the finish at the clubhouse. The route took them around around Potts Hollow, below the topmost ridgeline, toward Sublett Point. Trails were rolling but runnable, pockmarked with a few slick spots, creeks, limestone formations and gorgeous hardwoods. Rain a few days earlier had thankfully eliminated problems with pollen. Leafed-out trees provided shade. The last mile-ish was on the roads in McMullen Cove. Wobbly legs had a chance to settle for the almost-there burst to the finish.
New to the area’s myriad trail run calendar, these Cove trails should fit in nicely for runners and bikers as they develop. Land Trust and Monte Sano State Park trails get the brunt of year-round shoe- and tire-pounding. This dual-race event should fit nicely into the spring offerings. The site played host to the Run Fest 50K and 25K earlier in spring, as well.
And yes, runners were treated to the Flatt & Scruggs classic “Dueling Banjos” heading up on the 5K. More nifty bluegrass tunes were playing at the finish. Fitting, of course, right?
The Winners
Michael Loutzenheiser and Emili Crispi, both of Huntsville, swept the top awards with super times for the 5K and 10K races.
Loutzenheiser topped the 5K field in 27:25, with Alexander Tucker of Huntsville playing second fiddle in 31:13. Matt Fletcher of Madison was third in 31:53.
Crispi captured the women’s crown and was eighth overall, in 35:35. Mary Helen Saunders of Owens Cross Roads was second (14th) in 36:49. Katie Venckus of Gurley was third (16th) in 37:13.
In the 10K race, Loutzenheiser dashed to the win in 40:21. Jonathan Culwell of Signal Mountain, Tenn., was second in 46:16, and Fletcher was third in 46:48.
Crispi was sixth in 48:15 to nab the women’s title. Saunders was second (13th) in 51:33, and Venckus was third (21st) in 53:28.
See all of the Dueling Banjos 10K and 5K results here. Photos from the start, trails and finish lines by We Run Race Photos are available here.
Donations will be made to benefit childhood cancer research and the McMullen Cove Trail Committee. Sponsors included Fleet Feet Huntsville and Madison, Swift Recovery, Return 2 Sport PT & Performance, Edge Fitness and Performance, McMullen Cove, Nike Trail and Widflour Macarons.
