Sports (from the Laurel leader Call)
Local runners take on Texas

Competing in the Huntsville Ultra Trail Marathon
David Dill, Iva Lightsey, Rob Apple, and Smiley (Marvin Overstreet)

Some local runners traveled to Huntsville, Texas to participate in the 16th Annual Texas Trail 50 Endurance Run held Dec. 10 in Huntsville State Park.

David Dill, Iva Lightsey and Mobby Overstreet ran the 50K, and had their photo taken with Rob Apple of Tennessee, who is working on a goal of 500 Ultra Marathons. He completed his 438th Ultra with this run.

Randy Saxon also participated by running the 50 miler.

The first place 50K winner was Ulrich Steidl, who ran a time of 3 hours, 7 minutes, 37 seconds to establish a new course record.

The winner of the 50 miler was Phil Kochik with a time of 5 hours, 46 minutes and 57 seconds.

A total of 850 runners from 45 states and seven countries competed in the event.

The 11th Annual Carl Touchstone Mississippi Trail 50 Ultra Marathon will be held in the Laurel area the second weekend in March. This is the only Ultra Trail Marathon held in the state.