Ninety-one (91) runners endured the fog and wet conditions at the 2017 RockyFest Trail Race 5k/10k/20k following a night of heavy rain. There were 15 runners in the 20k (12.4 miles), 36 in the 10k (6.2 miles), and 40 in the 5k (3.1 miles). The races were a part of the RockyFest 2017 event, which had an estimated crowd of 2,500 people at Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area.
Overall winners in the 20k were: Andrew Peterson, age 47, 2:06:51; Jacob Beaver, age 33, 2:08:03; and Jack Brown, age 47, 2:15:24.
The top three females in the 20k were: Kathy Hurst, age 47, 2:23:38 (4th overall); Marissa Cooper Winstead, age 39, 2:23:56 (5th overall); and Crystal Hurt, age 32, 2:35:50 (6th overall).
The 20k Male Masters Award (age 40+) was earned by Eric Sprinkle, age 46, who finished 7th overall with a time of 2:42:35. The 20k Female Masters Award (40+) was earned by Julie McMakin, age 46, who finished 9th overall with a time of 3:14:11.
Overall winners in the 10k were: Alex Griggs, age 24, 49:32; Caleb Coatney, age 14, 56:28; and Chris Collins, age 34, 1:00:42.
Top three females in the 10k were: Missy Wright, age 47, 1:05:59 (5th overall); Cathy Moore, age 45, 1:10:54 (8th overall); and Allison Cox, age 30, 1:17:22 (13th overall).
The 10k Male Masters Award (40+) was earned by Joe Risner, age 40, who finished 6th overall with a time of 1:07:56.
The 10k Female Masters Award (40+) was earned by Connie Lewis, age 63, who finished 19th overall with a time of 1:22:15.
Overall winners in the 5k were: Andrew Jordan, age 16, 24:00; Luke Morris, age 17, 27:01; and Douglas Pennell, age 44, 27:41.
Top three females in the 5k were: Kelsie Stikeleather, age 13, 31:13 (6th overall); Jenny Leamon-Smith, age 37, 31:53 (7th overall); and Anna Hodges, age 10, 36:33 (12th overall). The 5k Male Masters Award (40+) was earned by Pat Hurst, age 49, who finished 4th overall with a time of 30:55. The 5k Female Masters Award (40+) was earned by Kristi Everley, age 40, who finished 14th overall with a time of 38:33.
North Carolina runners hailed from Taylorsville, Hiddenite, Stony Point, Statesville, Conover, Newton, Hickory, Granite Falls, Wilkesboro, Valdese, Mocksville, Mooresville, Asheville, Spruce Pine, Boone, Fleetwood, Terrell, Jacksonville, Morehead City, and Cleveland. Out-of-state participants came from Fredericksburg, Herndon, and Galax in Virginia, with one runner from Overland Park, Kansas.
Learn more about Alexander County running events and the 2017 Alexander County Points Challenge Race Series at www.alexandercountync.gov/events and www.visitalexandernc.com/calendar. Join the fun on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AlexanderCoRunning or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlexCoRunning.