Arrived in Rogers, Arkansas late last night for the War Eagle Trail Runs, Tailtwister 50K, in Hobbs State Park.
The race was scheduled for a 6:30 am start, but a shuttle shortage (to the start line) caused a bit of a delay, and we got things kicked off a little after 7:00 am. I jumped out to an early lead on some beautiful, rolling singletrack trails winding through the State Park. Alone in the lead all day - a hot one with temps in the 80s and 100% humidity - I was fading a bit after the final aid station, with a couple of miles to go, but I continued to push as hard as possible with no idea whether anyone was in striking distance. She was.
Jenn Shelton passed me on the final climb less than a mile from the finish line. It was an incredible surge, as I could only watch while she crushed the hardest climb of the day. At this point of the race, I was simply trying to hold on and survive.
It really was a thing of beauty, and I learned shortly after the race that Jenn had passed the second place male (third overall), Justin Fanklin, on the final descent shortly before she locked in on me after discovering (from a photographer) that I was close. In fact, I was fortunate to hold off Justin, a good dude with whom I enjoyed visiting after the race.
This was a great day, and I want to commend my Dad for toughing out the rough conditions and completing his first 50K. His quads are thrashed from the descents, but Mark has a lot to be proud of after coming in just over 6 hours as the fourth 50+ finisher.
I ran 4:18:39, 9 minutes off the course record and exactly one minute behind the winner, Jenn Shelton.
Wesley
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