The forecast of thunderstorms resulted in minor sprinkles and a perfect running temperature for the 53 ultrarunners competing in the second stage of the Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race on Saturday.
Following a tough 22-mile run on Lookout Mountain yesterday, today's course gave the runners a rest by some standards in that is was relatively flat and certainly the weather made the run more manageable. The runners ran a single track trail with rolling hills and numerous zigzags.
Yesterday's winner, Michael Green, did not return today and the top male runner of the day was Stephen Taylor of Nashville (2:06). Jaclyn Greenhill (2:26) was once again first female and 9th overall.
The final stage of the three-day event kicks off at 8 a.m. Sunday at the soccer fields behind Nolan School at Shackleford Ridge Road on Signal Mountain. Sunday's race will be the most technically challenging yet. The final run will not only tax the runners with 20 miles, but it is likely that these are the toughest 20 miles of trails in the area. There are six difficult, rocky climbs, and numerous technical sections on the mostly single track and Jeep road course.
Sunday marks the final day of the event and the men's overall lead is open, Matt Sims, is the current leader with a 20-minute advantage over local young gun, John Wiygul. Jaclyn Greenhill is leading second-place female Lisa Purul by approximately 45 minutes and is 3rd overall.
For more information on the stage race, go to www.rockcreek.com/stagerace.
Saturday's Results:
Stephen Taylor 2:06:44
William Heath 2:07:53
Clay Warner 2:16:26
Tom Sell 2:17:07
Nils Pedersen 2:17:23
Matt Sims 2:19:15
John Wiygul 2:24:10
Sal Coll 2:25:16
Jaclyn Greenhill F1 2:26:59
Scott Griffith 2:28:38
Jadyn Stevens 2:29:14
Kelley Colenbaugh F2 2:29:47
Jonathan Warner 2:31:42
Robert Pless 2:37:11
Johnny Pryor 2:37:15
Robin Meagher 2:41:34
Chad Wamack 2:42:02
Kathleen Cusick F3 2:44:37
David Miller 2:47:30
Jimmy Turner 2:48:10
Matt Karzen 2:48:51
Paul Brannon 2:50:20
Lisa Pureul F4 2:51:21
Natalie Sims F5 2:53:08
Rustan Adcock 3:07:01
Rich Kepple 3:07:05
Dana Overton F6 3:17:30
Wayne Garrett 3:17:30
JoAnna Crooks F7 3:17:43
Brian Crooks 3:17:43
Eunika Rogers F8 3:17:50
Mike Hopton 3:19:14
Kelley Hill F9 3:20:08
Larry Lyda 3:29:52
John Morecraft 3:31:24
Jeff Rothman 3:31:24
Stephen Smith 3:34:07
Christopher Klapp 3:37:17
Michael O'Melia 3:37:34
Peter Greene 3:37:57
Lisa Arnold F10 3:37:59
Michael Montgomery 3:48:05
Larry Rigsby 3:49:48
Bobby Lockhart 3:55:15
Lisa Fisher F11 4:00:41
Joe Brown 4:00:46
Mike McCrary 4:08:15
Randal Whorton 4:08:22
Jay Remko 4:10:37
Edward Mercker 4:20:00
Diane Taylor F12 5:02:04
Rob Apple 5:02:04
Overall Standings
Matt Sims 5:06:09
Jonathan Warner 5:19:48
Jaclyn Greenhill F1 5:25:11
Clay Warner 5:26:05
John Wiygul 5:26:47
Sal Coll 5:30:34
Scott Griffith 5:31:19
Johnny Pryor 5:41:53
Chad Wamack 5:50:28
Jimmy Turner 5:57:55
Lisa Pureul 6:03:51
Paul Brannon 6:03:04
Kathleen Cusick 6:11:01
Matt Karzen 6:18:11
Natalie Sims 6:21:59
Dana Overton 6:35:00
Rustan Adcock 6:38:36
Rich Kepple 6:38:41
Stephen Smith 7:00:30
Mike Hopton 7:05:05
JoAnna Crooks 7:20:20
Brian Crooks 7:20:20
Lisa Arnold 7:41:06
Eunika Rogers 8:01:35
Michael O'Melia 8:02:20
Larry Rigsby 8:15:43
Jay Remko 8:23:01
Larry Lyda 8:31:51
Michael Montgomery 8:49:55
Randal Whorton 9:23:44
Lisa Fisher 9:25:39
Diane Taylor 10:27:02
Rob Apple 10:27:02