BALLWIN, MO. – This is the type of weather we were dreaming about when we first started the spring trail runs . With temps in the upper 60s at race time, about the only thing we could complain about for the third race of the 2015 Spring Trail Run Series Presented by Columbia Sportswear was that the rain on the previous day left areas of the course a little muddy once again. Not many people were complaining.
With 203 runners coming out to enjoy the weather and the longer daylight as we move further into May, the third course of the series was the longest to date, topping out at approximately 3.9 miles. Featuring two separate climbs along with a traditional creek crossing, this was definitely the toughest course we’ve featured this month.
27-year-old Kwin Keuter won his second straight race in a time of 26:06. Jack Wilkinson, 32, took runner-up position once again just 31 seconds later. He was paced to the finish line by 18-year-old Josiah McElmurry just two seconds behind. In the men’s masters division, Eric Buckley, 52, took back the top spot this week with a final time of 28:12. He was followed to the line by Darryl Holman, 54, and Steven Worley, 54. Those three runners have flipped spots around the top three in each race this year.
Claire Beckmeyer, 31, will be bidding for a clean sweep of the Spring Series next week with her third straight win in a time of 29:53. 13-year-old Savannah Lesher was second (31:23.5) with Margo Steinlage (27) taking third at 32:08. In women’s masters, Laura Williams (54) followed up last week’s win with yet another in a time of 38:59. Cheryl Laux (50) took second once again (41:11) with Sharla Geear (5) taking third in 42:23.7.
The final race of the 2015 Spring Trail Run Series Presented by Columbia Sportswear will be next Thursday, May 28. Advance registration will be open until Monday, May 25 at midnight. On-site registration begins at 5 pm on the 28th.
Overall results can be found here. (Unofficial)
Age Group results can be found here. (Unofficial)
Race photo album can be found here.