Results are now at:
http://headfirstperformance.com/Results/19LLTH1.pdf
If you note any errors, send the corrections to Headfirst Performance. Results will be posted on Ultrasignup once they are finalized.
Recap
The 16th running of LLTH is now history!
The weather always seem to play a part & adds to the challenge every year -- it was no different this time:
Ice
I didn't notice water draining onto the course & freezing, other than a small section of sidewalk, but on one access road to the race, there was water draining from the hill & it formed sheets of ice. The hill had been salted, but was useless as a constant stream of water flowed down & across the road & took the salt with it.
As the start of the race approached, it was observed that more race packets than expected were unclaimed. Word came in that traffic had backed up on the hill coming from Fairdale when drivers could not get by the ice on the steep hill. Someone was dispatched to assist, but word that the start would be delayed 30 minutes came too late for some in line & they gave up. Everyone who was patient or just couldn't get out of the line made it in time for the start.
Photo by Headfirst Performance
Trail conditions
At one time the forecast called for low teens on race morning & it was expected to freeze the course. With a temp of 19 degrees though & sunny skies at the race start, the trails were partially wet in some areas, even on the 1st section. I believe that the ground was still retaining some heat from the unseasonably high temps (mid 60's) less than 2 days earlier. Temps would reach the mid 30's by late afternoon. Many trails were rough thruout the day as there were many footprints & ridges pushed up that were frozen into the trail from foot traffic earlier in the week. The most thawing I noticed in the afternoon was towards the west end of the course at Scott's Gap and where parts of the trails were exposed to the sun.
2019 winners:
50k: Nathan Holland 4:23:21* Sarka Petrickova 5:50:17
15m: Eric Smith 1:58:24 Amanda Leblanc 2:22:55
6m: Derek Montoya 49:57 Emma Kendall 54:39
*Nathan Holland picked up his 2nd straight win in the 50k by demolishing the competition (a record margin of victory) in the 3rd fastest time recorded at LLTH.
Photo by Headfirst Performance
shirt, buff, gloves & finisher medal:
An award is issued to runners when reaching 10 finishes at LLTH. 2 runners reached that milestone this year: Ben Mast and Patrick Schmidt -- Congratulations!
If anyone has photos (or drone video!) they wish to share with others, post your link or send it/them to edibo@insightbb.com. Thanks!
Photos by Headfirst Performance can be found here:
http://headfirstperformance.com/?bwg_gallery=19-louisville-lovin-the-hills
Congrats & Thanks to all! Thanks also to the Headfirst Performance crew & all the volunteers. Special Thanks to Cynthia Heady!
LLTH 2020:
There seems to be an increasing negative sentiment about LLTH with the management at the Jefferson Memorial Forest. This includes both the use of the trails and the Horine Center. Don't know if it's because of new hires, new policy or the public, but I'm hoping this issue is resolved as planning for 2020 will not be able to start.
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