2008 results

The overall results have been posted on the HeadFirst Performance Services website.

comments

I’ve been told by people at the race today that they’ve been unable to post their comments to this blog. In the options, I have set the blog to receive comments from “anyone – including anonymous users”. If someone knows what is needed to correct this, or if anyone wishes to send comments about the blog, race or whatever, I can be reached directly at edibo@insightbb.com – Thanks!

last minute notes

The sun & warmer temps than expected melted a lot of snow today. About an inch or less of slushy snow remains, with more in shaded areas. How much it freezes back will depend on just how cold it gets tonight.

With all the runoff from the melting, it may be difficult to keep the feet dry crossing a couple streams unless the freeze helps brings them down tonight.

The rock face on the 2^nd loop (Yellow Trail) may be icy in the morning -- the alternate path above it is not a well worn one – although it may be flagged as the course by race time. Some very narrow sections of the Yellow Trail near the end of the loop are tricky when wet, more so when snowy or icy.

Some of the course flagging may be on the ground due to the icing earlier in the week.

Good Luck!

snowy trails

Weather/course conditions will be a factor in this year’s event once again. After snowing an inch/hour for several hours Monday evening, sleet & freezing rain followed, with an all day rain yesterday. This photo is on the Blue Trail about 11:00 Tuesday morning:
After the rain yesterday, the 4 or 5 inches of snow is down to a couple inches or so with a frozen crust. The picture of the trail hasn't changed much today except the icy coating on the trees is gone.

2008 course

There have been several changes made to the course from last year. The biggest change involves adding the Orange Trail and removing the section of gravel road around the Nature Center. Another change involves moving the course off the highway and onto a trail at the end of the Siltstone Trail for the 50K runners. The details of the changes can be found at this link: 2008 course changes

As this post is being entered, a heavy snow is falling here in Louisville.

the wind of change

One of reasons the Jefferson Memorial Forest is such a gem that it is, is because of the people that work to keep it that way. Many thanks go out to Forest Management, in particular Larry Hilton, whose dedication goes far beyond that required of his position. Thanks also to Matt & Eric, who have trekked the many miles of hilly trails with chainsaws to clear the downed trees from the last 2 wind storms. Hopefully the forecast tonight of sustained winds of 40 mph won’t be as destructive as the wind bursts from last week.

According to the RD, there will be several changes in the course from last year, most notably within the first 7 miles of both races. A new trail is being added & a traverse along a gravel road (added last year only) will be removed. This change & others will be noted in detail soon.

speed bumps

With the ground saturated & high winds during 2 storms this past week, numerous trees have come down blocking several trails. Hopefully Larry & Matt with Forest Management can keep up with the growing list.