Lots of trees to climb over/under in sections of the trail

Later in the race, for some unfathomable reason, this guy kept taking down all the
 markers right behind the hard charging duo! And he could not seem to get it
 through his head that we already were stepping it up!

Looking down on Peavine creek

Approaching Peavine Falls

Posing triumphantly next to the falls

 
Note R. B.'s new arm tattoo, matching the one on his leg

DeWayne Satterfield was first overall, about a minute ahead of Dink Taylor. They
are key players in the famed Alabama Gang, which usually wins the MS50.

Ragan Petrie from Georgia  was first female

R.B. and F.B. cruising to the finish line on leg 5, just behind Ragan, in a very respectable time for a 50K. Tragically, they were later disqualified on a technicality when the South Aid Station Manager reported them as having skipped the 3rd (6 miles) and 4th(6 miles) legs, thus missing the second check-in at the North Aid station (manned by Ann and Marty). They appealed, stating that they didn't need any more aid, and that Ann was supposed to have logged them through (so no one would think they were missing).  But the Rules Committee, apparently swayed by complaints from the sweeper, sustained the DQ. It also appears that there was some unwritten rule about exactly how much aid you were allowed to get at an aid station, even if you pass each aid station only once, as opposed to everyone else's twice. 

Proof that we were there, no matter what the results may show.

Anyway, the weather was perfect, (30's warming to the 50's later in the race),
the course was mostly dry, the after-race food was superlative as usual, and the
Oak Mountain 34K  50K was enjoyed by all. Many thanks to the Race Directors,
Jackie and Scott Parker, and their crew for putting on a great race.

Scott  Parker

Holland (left) worked at the North aid station
and later helped Jackie Parker with the cooking