Summer means hitting the road for vacations and other fun events, and we highlight a few of those in this week’s TVO Roundup.
It’s ultra season out in the Rockies and beyond, with big 50- and 100-milers in rugged terrain. Closer to home, the schedule is lighter. If you’re looking for something fun to do, be sure to check out the Spirit of America 5-miler on Saturday in Decatur. It’s at Point Mallard Park, on a flat course along the Tennessee River backwaters and perfect for a PR, and everyone has fun. Register here and hydrate well, because it’ll be toasty even at 7 a.m.
On to the roundup!
Highlands Sky 40
DAVIS, W. Va. — Pete Schreiner, Oly Orton and Colleen Wilson-Hodge, all of the Huntsville area, completed the Highlands Sky 40-Mile trail run on June 15.
This was the 20th anniversary of the event, held in the Cannan Valley Resort State Park and Dolly Sods Wilderness. It was hosted by the West Virginia Mountain Trail Runners.
Schreiner traded his Canon camera and lens for a jaunt on the trails, placing first in the Grand Master age group and 27th overall of 204 starters. He finished in 8:33:26.
Orton was 38th in 8:52:41, and Wilson-Hodge was 133rd in 11:17:44.
The event attracted runners from all along the East Coast. Dan Green of Huntington, W. Va., won in 5:55.
See all of the results here.
Optometry Cares 5K
NASHVILLE — Dr. Kristin Sullins of Huntsville finished third in her age group during the Optemetry Cares 5K on June 22.
Sullins finished in 25:24, third of 15 in the 40-49 age group.
The race was held as part of the American Optometric Association convention in Nashville. Sullins represented Alabama as its state association president.
See all of the results here.
Artsy Fartsy 5K
FLORENCE, Ala. — Zack Bell of Rogersville and Mabry Ford of Savannah, Tenn., won the Artsy Fartsy 5K on June 22.
Bell crossed the line with a time of 16:23:14 for the win. Ford claimed the women’s title, finishing 13th in 23:58.
The event is hosted by the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area to support the arts. It is part of the Heritage Area Hustle Race Series. The Artsy Fartsy 5K was held at the new River Heritage Park, which has scenic views of the Tennessee River, Wilson Dam and local flora.
The next event in the Heritage Area Hustle Race Series is the Shady Lady 5K, 10K and Half Marathon. They are scheduled for Oct. 26. The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area is a National Park Service-funded program at the University of North Alabama.
See all of the results here.
For Artsy Fartsy race photos, visit the We Run Race Photos site here.
Bighorn 100
DAYTON, Wyo. — Martin Schneekloth of Huntsville completed the Bighorn 100 on June 14.
Schneekloth finished in 34 hours, 48 minutes, 27 seconds, for 190th overall. He’s also completed the Cocodona 250-miler in Arizona, Southern States 200 in Georgia-Alabama and Mohican 100 in Ohio, all since mid-May. Check out his YouTube channel for race reports and other info.
Bighorn Mountain Trail 100 runners go through the Little Bighorn and Tongue River areas of the Bighorn National Forest. Participants have 34 hours to navigate the remote, technical out-and-back course (average 2.94 mph). It has more than 20,500 feet of ascent and 20,750 feet of descent, with 76 miles of technical single-track trail, 16 miles of 2-track jeep trail road, and eight miles of gravel road.
See all of the Bighorn 100 results here.
Registration: We Run This Beach
If you’re looking to get away for a weekend in February, check out the We Run This Beach lineup in Gulf Shores. Options include a marathon, half-marathon, 10K and 5K, along with combos.
The course starts and ends at Gulf State Park, routing along Lake Shelby and the Little and Middle Lakes on a plate-flat course. The course is certified and is a Boston Marathon qualifier.
——— FIND AN EVENT TO JUMP INTO HERE IN OUR TVO CALENDAR ———
MAIN PHOTO: Martin Schneekloth of Huntsville in the Bighorn 100 in Wyoming on June 14. (Photo: Bighorn 100)
