Saturday, January 20, 2001 -- Deep Creek, MD
UNO's Snowflake Chase
Story and photos by Julie Black
[2000 Coverage]
[Details]
[Coverage]
[Overall Results]
[Results by Class]
Pictures:
[Set 1]
[Set 2]
[Set 3]
[Set 4]
[Set 5]
|
The snowy scenery of Deep Creek Lake State Park
When the word "snowflake" is in the title of the race, and the
location is Deep Creek, Maryland, one can certainly assume that there
will be plenty of snow on the race course. Receiving 2 to 3 inches
the night before the newly dubbed
UNO's Snowflake Chase, there
were some concerns that the race may be canceled. "It would take some
really terrible weather to make us call off THIS race!" exclaimed
dedicated race director, Dave Ritchie.
The temperature was nearly 28 degrees warmer than the previous year's
Snowflake Chase, and with over 100 more new race faces signed up than
in 2000, this year's Chase was already on it's way to becoming... one
of the best yet.
|
Croyle and Williams
Kicking up some snow
Eighty four runners, and forty seven walkers shuffled around at the
start, and after the starting gun was fired, a bright line of rainbow
colored fleece descended down the state park road resembling a New
Year's Day Parade.
At the end of the long and chilly 5 mile trek, there were two runners
who emerged, running shoulder to shoulder around the last straight
stretch of pines. Terry Croyle and Kevin Williams (as seen in the
photo on the right), were literally battling to the finish while
crossing the line in full stride with identical times of 27:33.
It was Kevin Williams who was declared the Overall Winner by
fractions of a second, setting a new course record!
|
Cruising to the finish
"I can beat the old record." said
Saucony sponsored runner,
Heather Bury a few days before the race. Bury did just that and then
some. Bury lived up to her statement by finishing 1st for the women with
a time of
31:48, which earned her a new course record, and the
10th Overall spot.
Last year's female champ Maureen Hall (36:48), stayed strong for 2nd,
while Inga Olsen snagged 3rd in 37 minutes flat.
It was a stellar day for fast times, but the record setting didn't
stop at the Overall Winners Category.
|
Hey, who's ready for some awesome UNO's pizza?
The excitement continued in the Masters Category. Coming back
stronger than ever from his injuries,
Ed Fronapfel set the new Men's Masters course
record with a time of
29:19, finishing 5th Overall!
"Running on the snow made it difficult to get good traction." stated
Fronapfel, "I started to kind of slouch, and I had to keep reminding
myself to pick up the pace."
A determined, Mary Siemann(37:32), set the new Women's Masters course record, finishing 24th Overall.
|
Handing over the check to the Big Brothers & Big Sisters
At post-race time, participants and their family & friends flocked to
UNO's Restaurant in Deep Creek. UNO's provided free beverages,
as well as an endless array of fantastic tasting pizza, and a banquet
room overlooking beautiful Deep Creek Lake. Racers could be seen
warming up their toes by the fireplace with full bellies and big smiles.
Dave Ritchie presented the Garrett County Chapter of Big Brothers &
Big Sisters with a check from all of the event's proceeds.
Look for more of these great races on the...
Queen City
Striders Web Site and our schedules of course!