Riverton Dash After Dark 5 Miler & Oktoberfest 10K

Five mile races that take place in the evening don't come up very often, so I took the opportunity to race what is essentially an 8K. Riverton puts on very organized, professional races. I highly recommend them. The 2011 Riverton Dash After Dark followed the Jordan River Trail, with the course lit up from candles in paper bags.

This race attracted a lot of fast 35-39 year olds for some reason. 6 of the top 10 finishers were in my age group. That NEVER happens! Since the 1st and 2nd overall winners were 35-39, I ended up placing 1st in my age group--thus the medal pictured below. I finished in 38:29, 7th overall.

I wasn't so lucky in the Oktoberfest 10K the next morning, where I finished 4th in my age group. Since they only awarded top male and female overall winners, the 35-39 year old guy who took second place overall, was lumped into the age group winners, knocking me off the podium. My time was 44:14. 16th overall.

Battle at Big Springs 8K 2009

I ran in the Battle at Big Springs 8K this weekend, the third trail race in the Cascadia Series. Big Springs is up South Fork Canyon, which is a branch of Provo Canyon. We were up there a few weeks ago for our family reunion.

These are some pictures I stole from their website. I couldn't find any of myself.

Heading up through a meadow

Switchbacks through the brush

Singletrack on the way to the Big Springs trail

Another meadow. Unfortunately, the photographer didn't take any photos of the actual Big Springs Trail, which is really pretty, twisted, and rocky. That's the trail we took down the mountain for the last 2 miles.

He did get this shot of us coming OUT of the Big Springs trail. Many were caught off guard, me included, at having to jump over this rail.

This guy won the award for most bloody. There was a lot of competition for that prize this time around. His busted nose sealed his victory though. (click on photos)