Teresa Roberts of Masterpiece Fitness once again hosted the Fifth Annual Matthews State Forest Trail Run. It was perfect weather for the new course beginning and ending at the new entrance for Matthews State Forest off of highway 58. The parking is great, and we had bathrooms and a nice picnic shelter with tables and a nice fireplace. Seventeen runners from all levels came out to run the extended course of approximately ten very challenging miles.
Robert Tasselmyer was the first overall male with a time of 1:36:10, and Teresa Roberts was the first female to finish with a time of 2:04:15. We were all impressed by a ten year old, Noah Berg, who ran with his father, Brandon Berg, who placed 11th overall with a time of 2:21:44. His dad, Brandon placed 3rd overall with 1:49:06. Several was over the three hour mark, but were definitely considered winners by all.
Races cannot happen without trustworthy volunteers and we want to express appreciation to ours: Karen Porter and Tori Lindberg are faithful timers every year and were joined by Doug Hines, Patty and Don Smyth, Marie Smith, Day Lindberg, and Faith Hennis. Many of our runner’s families took photos and helped any way they could. We are grateful to all.
There was no charge for the race, so we had no trophies, or t-shirts. However I was able to present nice door prizes due to the generous local donors: Old Mill Golf Resort, Chapters Book Store, Hair Classics Salon, Galax Smoke House, Subway Lisa’s Carwash and Southwest Farm Supply. Brian Horton from Horton’s Super Market has always provided our races with bagels and bananas. Please support these great local businesses as they support our community.
I did request runners make donations to Galax Mountain Bikers, and Matthews State Forest. The trails are from the mountain bikers efforts, and we all are appreciative for their upkeep. We are thankful to Matthews State Forest who is always supportive, and allowed us to use their new facility at no cost.
Below are the results and photos. We are tentatively planning April 21, for 2018. Mark your calendars!
RESULTS
FIFTH ANNUAL MATTHEWS STATE FOREST TRAIL RUN
Name – Time – Age
1. Robert Tasselmyer 1:36.10 40 First Place Overall
2. Don Smyth 1:47:48 58 2nd Male Overall
3. Brandon Berg 1:49:06 40 3rd Male Overall
4. Jones Baker 1:49:46 27
5. Nick Jones 1:57:53 34
6. Teresa Roberts 2:04:15 60 1st Place Female
7. Ralph Pini 2:07:10 61
8. Darin Church 2:07:12 45
9. Josee Williams 2:15:07 44 2nd Place Female
10. Crystal Morphis 2:19:37 44 3rd Place Female
11. Noah Berg 2:21:44 10
12. Tony Truitt 2:27:35 55
13. Ima Johnson 3:02:32 62
14. Paula Doughtie 3:58:40 52
15. Shane Kinney 4:10:03 50
16. Julie Kinney 4:12:01 47
17. Trudi Jackson DNF 53
PHOTOS
- Robert Tasselmeyer finishes 1st overall!
- Teresa Roberts was first female finisher!
- Shane Kinney supporting wife Julie finishes just before his wife.
- Julie Kinney still smiling as she comes across the finish!
- Nick Jones finishes strong!
- Don Smyth, 2nd overall finisher!
- Tony Truitt coming in for his landing.
- The Fifth Annual Matthews State Trail Run is off on a perfect morning for running!
- Darin Church finishes doing 11.5 miles as he explains to Teresa Roberts and Don Smyth getting confused at a section where tape was torn down.
- Josee Williams places 2nd overall female
- Brandon Berg gives five to his precious daughters cheering him on for a third overall finish.
- Jones Baker finished 4th overall
- Baywood and Fries Rescue Squad was on hand to assist in any kind of medical emergency.
- Trudi Jackson always gives it her all
- Paula Doughtie who also went from a 5K to this grueling 10 miler finishes with the support of her daughter, Grace, and friend, Ron.
- Ima Johnson pressing ahead
- Ten year old Noah Berg had a great performance!
- Crystal Morphis out of Elkin placed 3rd overall female
- These two ladies went from a 5k to this ten mile trail run! Trudi Jackson and Julie Kinney, I am so proud of you!
- Ralph Pini is cheered on for a well deserved finish!
- Jones Baker trying to cool off after a hot finish!
- First and second overall finishers Robert and Don chill after their finish.