by Jason Griffith
This year was our fourth running of the Cacapon 12 Hour Challenge. The challenging five mile loop features 800 feet of climbing and lots of gnarly, tough and technical trail! It was great to see a lot of friendly faces returning, as well as many new runners! This year’s entry list featured 43 combined previous finishes (25 individual athletes) and 43 new runners—nice symmetry!
Brothers Greg and Lynn Harding running their third straight Cacapon. Photo: Joe Nichols
On the men’s side, previous podium finisher and 50 Mile Club member Joe Cross was the early leader. Joe came through the first few loops on a torrid pace, but then took a hard fall which left him injured and limping. Unfortunately he had to call it a day at 25 miles and retire early.
At this point, there was a tight pack of runners within minutes of one another, including many of the eventual podium placers. Training partners Mary Beth Strickler and Robbie Jenkins had hatched an early strategy of running a strong, steady pace together for the full 12 hours, and this plan carried the day for them to victory! Robbie, an accomplished marathoner and road racer, was making his first foray into trail/ultra territory, and it was a smart move to stick with the veteran and learn about pacing and nutrition.
Winners Mary Beth Stickler and Robbie Jenkins. Photo: Joe Nichols
They were never more than meters apart, and finished in a virtual tie. However, the timing software doesn’t recognize ties, so as the first runner across the line, Mary Beth was our overall winner, with Robbie the male victor a step behind, a very impressive ultra debut. These two athletes exhibited the embodiment of teamwork, encouraging one another throughout the day, and both gained admission to the 50 Mile Club (the third time for Mary Beth).
Women’s award winners, from left: Mary Beth Strickler, 1st; Sophorn Choup, 2nd; Ashley Eute, 3rd. Photo: Jason Griffith
Men’s award winners, from left: Josh Wadlington, 2nd; Robbie Jenkins, 1st; Bryan Fluke, 3rd. Photo Jason Griffith
Two more earned their pint glasses and joined them in the 50 Mile Club this year. Josh Wadlington and Sophorn Choup (top 10 finisher last year and repeat 50 Miler) were third and fourth overall, followed by Ashley Etue with 45 miles in 11:17, placing three women in the top five. Bryan Fluke was third place male, also with 45 miles. Finishing with the same distance were Daniel Roberto, Jana Snider, Wayne Kline, and Jason Dunsavage. The relay event was hotly contested and saw a couple of our best performances. Team Spongebob Deucepants (Charles Bowles and Ryan Quinnelly) took turns blazing around the loop, logging 70 miles for the win and the team of Amy Evans and Mark Tinsley was not far behind!
An exuberant Amy Evans. Photo: Joe Nichols
Garth Wagoner gives a thumbs-up. Photo: Joe Nichols
Undoubtedly, one of our favorite things about this event is the family-friendly atmosphere. The five mile loop means that the faster runners will lap the slower ones multiple times, and all the runners will pass by their friends and family every one to two hours, which fosters a type of spectator accessibility and camaraderie that is not seen in most trail races. Family members, particularly children, are often recruited as pacers for the final loops, which creates some lifelong memories for our competitors!
Mikhail Petrovskikh and his son. Photo: Jason Griffith
Erica Breighner and pacer/daughter Claire. Jes Harding and pacer Jillian Griffith. Photo: Jason Griffith
All family and crew are invited to our post-race party, catered by fellow runner Jes Harding and The Baltimore Street Grill. Congratulations to all of our runners. Next summer will be our fifth running, and we have some big things planned for this milestone! Hope to see you there in 2017!