February 28^th, 2004 – Black Mountain, NC

            The 7 annual Mt. Mitchell Challenge and Black Mountain Marathon took place on a beautiful spring-like day that locals said was one of the best in recent memories…the Charlotte skyline was even visible from the summit of the highest peak in the East. Just 48 hours earlier, however, the race itself was in question - as North Carolina was hit with the season’s biggest snowstorm…dumping as much as 15 inches in the center of the state. Mount Mitchell State Park officials worked tirelessly to clear the drifts from access roads, allowing fire/rescue crews to provide the coverage necessary to monitor racers as they traversed the drifting snow on the trails near the 6,684 foot summit.

            The women’s Challenge (40 miles from Black Mountain to the summit and back) proved to be the most exciting contest of the day. Ooltewah, TN’s Brenda Simril set a torrid early pace to lead through the lower sections only to be overhauled by Annette Bednosky of Boone, NC near the summit. On the return trip, Lynchburg, VA’s Bethany Hunter made a hard late race charge to pull even with Bednosky in the closing miles. Not to be denied, Bednosky (6:07:54) put in one final surge that gave her a 39 second victory over Hunter (6:08:33) in the race’s closest finish to date. Simril held on strong to take 3rd in 6:45:58.

            The men’s Challenge was decided early but was no less impressive as Asheville’s Will Harlan punished a strong field to take his third straight Challenge title in 5:04:53. Cary, NC’s Cid Cardoso lowered his 2003 time by several minutes (as he has each year) but had to settle for a third consecutive runner-up spot in 5:20:06. Third place went to ultra running neophyte Drew Shelfer from Asheville, NC in 5:31:21

            Master’s titles in the Challenge went to Jon Flaherty of Apex. NC in 5:38:31 and Liz Walker of Plainville, GA in 7:28:55.

            In the Marathon “fun run” (26.2 miles to the Blue Ridge Parkway and back) – Columbia, SC’s Matt Stanek out dueled Etowah, NC’s Coates Kennerly to take the men’s title 3:24:33 to 3:24:59. Former winner Randy Wilson from Swannanoa, NC took the men’s master’s title in 3:45:30. In the women’s marathon, Winston-Salem’s Heather Hamilton won over 2003 champion Beth Nabers of Asheville 3:56:07 to 4:18:37 with Durham, NC’s Rachel Toor (also a former winner) taking the master’s title in 4:22:12.

            The 170 racers were treated to spectacular weather, scenery and support as many expressed their appreciation for the aid stations along the course…many of which, like the Black Dome Mountain Sports aid station at Bill’s Knob, had camped in the snow for 24 hours to be prepared for the racers - Illustrated by the large number of returning athletes, this event has come to be known for the community support that the racers find when they get to the small mountain town of Black Mountain.

                                                                                                                        - Jay Curwen