Overnight thunderstorms left Monte Sano State Park’s trails muddy and slushy, but nothing the McKay Hollow Madness field didn’t anticipate or enjoy Saturday morning.
The annual event attracts some of the top runners seeking to tame the park’s challenging trails. Storms left those on the Sinks, Warpath Ridge, Mountain Mist, Arrowhead, Natural Well, McKay Hollow and others with slick and sloppy spots in some areas. Other trails were fine and easily runnable. All part of the fun of the Madness. And, the final climb up Death Trail merely adds to the festivities.
Thomas Joslin, 43, of Yorkville, N.Y., won the 25K in 2:30. Josh Cornett, 29, of Madison, was second in 2:33, and John Waggoner, 34, of Sheffield, was third in 2:34.
Shelby Benton, 31, of Huntsville, won the women’s title in 2:53. She was sixth overall. Katie Maehlmann, 45, of Madison, was second (12th) in 3:05, and Meredith Parks, 24, of Madison, was third (17th) in 3:14. Maehlmann won the 2022 women’s title.
Sixty-seven runners finished the 25K.
McKay Hollow Madness 12K
Will Chaplow of Gurley claimed the 12K title in 1:23.
Chaplow, 31, took the win over 12-year-old Charlie Lehr, who was right behind in 1:25:19. Lehr nipped J.D. Shattuck, 14, who crossed in 1:25:21. The two were the youngest in the field along with Anaiah Pohl, 13, who finished 36th in 2:21.
The top 15 were within 20 minutes of each other, strong times given the final climb up Death Trail to the finish line.
Amanda Salazar, 41, of Meridianville, claimed the women’s title, finishing 20th in 2:03. Hallie Nix, 29, of Huntsville, was second (21st) in 2:04, and Amy Lambrecht, 54, of Brownsboro, was third (23rd) in 2:05.
See all the results of the 12K here.
