Pine Hills 10K Race Report         Also see Results, 10K Pictures, and 5K Pictures

A small but enthusiastic crowd turned out for the Pine Hills 10K in Wiggins, part of the Pine Hills Festival. Clouds threatened the event early, but the rain never came. It was a humid April Fool’s Day, and the flier wasn’t foolin’ either when it advertised the course as hilly. This 10K course is a very challenging loop course, full of hills starting in the 3^rd mile and continuing to the finish. The 5K and 10K events were held simultaneously on separate courses, using the same call to start. Steve Ulery, Keith Barrett, Keith Hilpp, Brandy Windham, and Nadine Archuleta were on hand to represent the Pine Belt Pacers in this event. Hollie Ryder worked the race clock for this Gran Prix event.

As the race started, an unknown newcomer, 24 year old Chris Hall from the Americorp team that was well represented in this race, took a commanding early lead and held off PBP speed and distance veteran Keith Barrett for most of the race. At the half-way point water station, Hall still had a substantial lead over Barrett, followed distantly by Steve Ulery. However, Barrett had that "No panic, I’m just warming up look in his eyes" at the half-way point. All his recent preparation for the Boston Marathon paid off as he caught the newcomer between the fourth and fifth miles and took the lead to the finish line. Hall finished a very impressive second, followed by Ulery, Bob Clark, and Stephen Pater to round out the top five. Americorp runner Emily Celichowski was the top female.

The Pine Hills 10K race, the only PBP Gran Prix 10K race on this year’s schedule, was in complete contrast to last week’s 10K, the Azalea Trail Run. Most runners who competed in both added 2-4 minutes in their finishing time compared to last week due to the challenge of the hills and the day’s humid weather. This race had a more relaxed, local charm to it as well: charging dogs, car traffic, pecan groves, kids with squirt–guns, and country air (I’m not talking about the cow pies and road kill smell that occurred at certain points on this course!). Instead of 3000 runners, there were only about 15! I encourage all the Pine Belt Pacers to try this challenging race next year! © Brandy Windham and Keith Hilipp.

In the Pine Hills 5K event, Gary Filpi cruised to the win followed by Mike Boyd.  Katie Irwin was first place overall female.

Whew, thank goodness that is over. Special Ed picked up Nancy and I up for the journey to Wiggins Ms. We were greeted by the usual small crowd. Ok one guy was standing there stuffing race packs. For the entry fee we got a couple of coupons for some of Wiggins restaurants, a huggie, two ball point pens and a t-shirt. The weather was a little on the warm side but I always contend that in a race everyone goes the same distance under the same conditions. So therefore no excuses. The course is challenging to say the lest. Everyone agreed that the last two miles were a #$% ! To top it off the last part of the course the road was taped off and you had to swing wide then they put another obstacle in the way. A Goose necked trailer was parked sideways in the street. The goose neck itself was situated in just such a way as to knock some poor bleary-eyed oxygen depleted runner silly just before making the final turn to the uphill finish. Now let's talk about the t-shirts. Two things a race t-shirt should have on it above all else are the Date and the distance. Nope not on this one. However in the shirts favor it did have and artsy line drawing of some runners. The after race was slim pickens, cut up fruit and bottled water. That's ok at least they had something. They did a nice job of marking the course And the folks were very friendly. Personally I don't run races for the giveaways or the trophies. I run to test me. I like the thrill of the hunt. I would run the races if they didn't give t-shirts or awards. Of course I like to know how I placed and how I did against others my age. In this case I was 4th overall and second in my age group. Dang, Steve Ullery is running good. He was 3rd over all and 1st in the over 50. Nancy was 1st in her age group and Ed took 1st in his age group. He ran the 5K. Hat's off to the pacers for administering two races at there same time. They had a 5k going on another course. Both races finished at the same place. The races had about 16 folks in each one. Hopefully the pine belt pacers will have the results up shortly on their web page. © Bob Clark