VHTRC - The Club

It was a fun night to be out on some of the northern Massanutten trails around Signal Knob for the 2011 Moonlight Run.  22 runners (2 dogs and 20 others) showed Friday Feb 18 for what was likely the warmest winter running of this event.  A number of the vets seemed to miss having snow to reflect the moon, and to soften the trail.  Looked like everyone had a good time nonetheless. 

What's it like to be young, fast, and live in the trail running equivalent of a sorority house? Glimpse at the younger generation as it makes a road trip to Uwharrie. Team WUS has submitted its report that includes pictures, a glossary, and two blogs. Take the Read More link to see what you are missing!

Eva Pastalkova and David Frazier finished The Wild Oak Trail 100 mile (TWOT) in 31:50 on February 12. Eva became the second female to finish the run, bettering Sue Johnston's time of 34:02:57.  Keith Knipling still has the overall TWOT record of 27:11:10.  Results and updated all time lists are now available. Photo by Quatro at right is of finishers Eva and David (left and right) with Dennis (center). Results (including all time lists) Photos: Quatro | Stephanie Wilson

Matt Woods set a course record in 3:28 on his way to winning the Holiday Lake 50K+ near Appomattox on Saturday. Aaron Schwartzbard and Brian Greeley battled for ninth and tenth, respectively, and Sabrina Moran was the second overall female in 4:52. Many VHTRC runners finished, including Martha Wright, Sophie Speidel, and Jack Broaddus who scored PRs and age group wins as well as Bill Turrentine, who was second in the mens 60+ age group in 5:54. The "new and improved" Holiday Lake course lived up to its hype: dry, fast, runnable trails and old dirt roads. It was a perfect day for a late winter ultra. Results

Rob Colenso reports that VHTRC member Brian Greeley won the Uwharrie 40 mile in North Carolina in a time of 6:10. Martha Nelson was the female winner of the 20 mile.  Event Web site

We here at VHTRC.org don't know much about this Twitter stuff, but younger club members have moved us into the 21st Century. Brittany Zale set it up a VHTRC Twitter account. She explains it to us:

A few points for those going to the Massanuttens to run:

• Crisman Hollow Road and the Road to Powells Fort are closed February 4 to April 2. More closure info
• There is a chainsaw class on March 5-6 in Edinburg.  (You need to take a class like this to use a chainsaw for trail maintenance.)

If you are interested in the chainsaw class, contact the Forest Service office in Edinburg.

Over 100 people celebrated the last Eagle Run on January 23.  Gary Knipling again welcomed us to Mason Neck where the weather was cold. Each participant received a fleece cap that commemorated "20 years running with baldy."  There were few eagles in Pohick Bay, the usual prime viewing location, but the Barnwharf Trail produced several close eagle sightings including the one at right. There was the usual pizza at Gunston Hall, and the party around the fire at the end.  A heartfelt thanks to Gary for 20 years of fun and memories! Photos by: Bobby Gill | Quatro | Anstr

We have updated the membership roster to list only those who have paid dues for 2011. There are now 461 members of the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club -- 300 renewing members and 161 new members. One hundred of the renewing members did so without payment of dues as volunteers. The membership process is off line. We hope to have a new process ready in March.