GREENSBORO – The 14th Annual Caspian Challenge Road race drew almost 100 runners and walkers to its 5K and 6.8 mile Lake Loop road races, Sunday, July 27.
The day began as racers lined up for an 8:30 a.m. mass start going both directions on West Shore Road near the Tolman Corner ballfield.
photo by Naomi Ranz-Schleiffer
Eric Hanson sent the racers off in a light drizzle that continued throughout the race, getting heavier after the first half of the field had finished.
Racers opting for the 5K course began heading to the north on a relatively flat course toward Aspenhurst, except for the bump before and after Cook Hill Road.
Lake loopers immediately turned the corner onto Breezy Avenue for a long downhill into town, then onto East Craftsbury Road toward an uphill water stop at Highland Lodge.
Runners and walkers taking the 5K course turned around just after Aspenhurst, with thoroughly drained Charlie Kehler returning to finish at the ballfield just seventeen minutes and eight seconds after the start. Kehler turned in roughly five and a half minute miles, taking the win for the 14-19 age group. Following him were Stewart Hickman (14-19) and Tim Briglin (50-59).
Holly McCormack turned in a time of 27:17.1 to finish for the 5K women in the 50-59 age group, besting Molly Fox-Epstein (30-39) and Julia Spero (14-19)
photo by Paul Fixx
Brian Lacasse (60-89) was the only male opting to walk the 5K course, finishing in 38.30.3.
More women chose the 5K walk, with Gillian Spero (40-49) returning in 34:50.4, followed by Carren Panico and Jody Day.
photo by Naomi Ranz-Schleiffer
After Highland Lodge, the Lake Loop course headed downhill and onto North Shore Road for a series of ups and downs leading back to the start. The top three finishers in the men’s division finished within a minute of each other with Jack Leger taking the win at 41:16 in the 20-29 age group as he ran a hair over 6 minute miles. Next was Maxfield English (40-49) at 41:54.9 followed by Colton Niemi (20-29) at 42:13.6.
The women’s race wasn’t near as close as Sydney Shaffer (30-39) returned in 46:47.3, Claire Wigglesworth (20-29) in 49:36.7 and Emma Palumbo (20-29) in 52:08.7.
Bananas and ice cream from Kingdom Creamery were available for all finishers and prizes were awarded to all age group winners, with the top male and female runners flipping a coin to choose a Highland Lodge stay going to Sydney Shaffer and a Jasper Hill Cheese gift certificate going to Jack Leger.
photo by Paul Fixx
The race, sponsored by the Greensboro Association, has been growing steadily, with 105 registered this year, 92 last year and just 79 in 2023, said Hanson. “There were no reports of any medical problems or emergencies.” $1,815 was raised for the Association this year.
Complete age group results are available at webscorer.com by searching for “Fourteenth Annual GA Caspian Challenge.”
An easrlier version of this story incorrectly named Eric Hanson.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
