Mountain Glory Challenge 10K/5K/1M

Marion, NC, October 2, 1999

Race story

Race Summary - A very chilly start for the 4th running of the Mountain Glory Challenge. This race usually marks the beginning of the fall racing season where one must use sweats for a warm up. Lots of fun watching runners prepare for the cool weather run and a very festive atmosphere as the local radio station was remoting from the race site. Yet another great turnout and some exciting races as expected! The Male 5K had some extradordinary individual performances. A slightly separated pack of 7 runners led the start of the race through downtown Marion. Austrailian Triathlete, Trent Munson, and Spruce Pine native Jonathon Thacker broke away after the first 400 Meters and continued to widen the distance. Munson hit the first mile mark at 4:33 with Thacker right around 5:00. By the mile, runners had distanced themselves and places 3 - 12 were all within 10 seconds of each other. The 5K and 10K courses share the same route for the first 2.5 miles - After the 10K turns off around the 2.5 mark, it was clear to see who had done previous hill training as the runners ascended a hill measured at .4 of a mile. All crested the hill with a smile as they knew the last .3 was coasting downhill to the finish line. Munson crushed the previous 5K male record by over 3 minutes, crossing the line in 15:06. The first Masters finisher (40 over) was Marion local Thomas Heideman - improving his best on the course to 18:16. Other notable perfomances were in the 60 over category of Richard Watson of Boone, NC ran an incredible time of 20:53.

The Female 5K was equally as exciting as the male race. Jennifer Whitcomb of Old Fort, ran away with the race from the gun. Being followed closely by a few 10K participants pushed Whitcomb to a strong 2nd mile, lengthening the gap between her and the rest of the field. A tight pack of 6 ladies (2nd-7th place) crossed the mile mark around 7:45 and then began jockeying for positions. The hill humbled some of the participants but all were certainly delighted to look back at what they had just climbed upon reaching the top. Whitcomb crossed the final line first with an excellent time of 22 minutes flat. The battle for 2nd through 7th place was on from the top of the hill to the finish line. Ellen Logan of Hickory edged out several others within reach of 2nd place. Some tight finishes made this race one to watch! The Male 10K deals with the same hills as the 5K until the 2.5 mile mark where they branch off and the elevation flattens off somewhat. The fast start by 5K runners has typically helped the 10K athletes to make a pretty fast start. Through the 3 mile mark, a race was brewing between between the 2 front runners; Randell Wilson of Swannanoa and William Stewart of Shelby. They crossed the 3 mile mark at 18:16 and 18:30 respectively and both looking in good form. A pack of 3 followed the leaders all crossing the 3 mile mark within a span of 10 seconds.

Wilson managed to pull away in the second half of the race by utilizing a fairly even pace, finishing in 38 minutes flat. Stewart captured second running a time of 38:54. The 14-19 age division had some excellent performances, all 3 finishing within a span of 20 seconds. The Female 10K was one that developed in the late stages of the race. Tamara Gallen and Anna Young (both of Marion) paced for the first mile with 5K winner Jennifer Whitcomb. After Whitcomb pulled away, Gallen and Young slowed a little to a comfortable pace where they began to pull away from the rest of the field. Strategy was evident in the battle for positions 3 and 4 as Vicki Burton and Debra MacKinnon (both 4 time participants from Marion) changed positions back and forth. Gallen made her move around the four mile mark and cruised to a strong first place finish of 46:04 with Young also running an excellent time of 47:15. A finish line surge gave MacKinnon the 3rd place finish. A very exciting morning concluded with lots of door prizes, awards, and a mountain-bike give away. Congratulations to all who participated and a big applause for those of you who ran for the first time. Next years 5th annual race is already being planned and many new additions to the morning are being arranged. Plan to visit Marion on October 7, 2000 and be part of NC’s toughest 5K and 10K.

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