BALLWIN, Mo. – Summer finally arrived in St. Louis, just in time for the second race of Alpine Shop’s Summer Trail Run Series. With heat indices climbing over the 100 degree mark, the 4.1 mile course was shortened from its original 4.4 mile distance to help competitors deal with the heat and humidity. A falling tree on the course added a little more excitement than was probably necessary.
Andy Koziatek won his second straight race of the series by more than half a minute at 27:25.8. Chad Silker finished in second place at 28:01.4 followed by Caleb Brackett at 28:13.6. Sunny Gilbert finished in fifth overall (29:26.3), but first once again on the women’s side for her second straight win as well. Aimee DeGuire (32:39.8) and Lotta Eklund (34:30.5) finished out the ladies competition.
The men’s masters division featured our third repeat victor with Eric Buckley (30:52.6) capturing his second straight victory during the Summer Trail Series. He was followed by Darryl Holman (31:21.9) and Steven Worley (33:44.4). The women’s masters saw Jean Goldsberry move from a third place finish last week to the top spot in a time of 47:12.7. Following her to the line were PJ Walsh (48:25.1) and Lori Solomon (50:48.0).
On the flat section of the course near the river bluffs, a large tree fell across the trail. Fortunately, no one was injured. A small contingent of runners had already passed the area when course officials heard the crash. In the end, the tree provided even more of an obstacle course feel than we had meant for the course when we gave runners the option of a short cut creek crossing near the beginning of the race.
Overall results can be found here.
Age Group results can be found here.
The complete race photo album can be found on our Facebook page here.
Two races remain over the next two Thursdays. Remember, the original first race of the series was rescheduled to Thursday, September 4.