BALLWIN, MO â Last week’s thunderstorms were nowhere to be found (thankfully) this week for Race 3 of the 2021 Alpine Shop Trail Run Series. Instead of dodging rain drops, more than 200 runners were cruising The Rollercoaster – one of Castlewood State Park’s most entertaining trails.
One of the best things about this series – especially with everything that has happened in our community over the past year 16 months – is just getting to experience a great outdoor event with old friends and new ones, each and every week.
This week, we were pleased to welcome Series Sponsor Axle Boy Off-Road, and their gorgeous orange Jeep, Series sponsor Optimal Performance Center who were helping work out some stiff legs after a long climb in the day’s race, and vendor sponsor Hoka One One, who brought along some trail shoes for participants to try out on the course, if they wanted.
Once we actually got the race started with everything else going on, series newbie Adam Ethier (32) won his third straight series race, crossing the line in 25:35.9, (almost he exact same time he ran last week in the pouring rain). Andy Rains (28, 25:56.1) closed the gap to to just over 20 seconds as he took second place once again, as he has done in each series race this year. And Jon-Paul LaVenture (39) rounded out the same top three as the first two weeks, just 20 seconds back of Rains. Rains has now placed second in seven straight Trail Run Series races and LaVenture now has seven straight top three finishes, as well.
For the ladies, fellow newcomer Lindsay Hustedde (37) put away the women’s field with a final time of 27:52.9 (seventh overall). Courtney Sweetin (36), who finished second in week one, returned to that spot once again this week with a time of 30:35.9, after taking last week off. Lisa Kennedy (38), after sixth place and fourth place finishes over the first two weeks, respectively, grabbed her first third place finish in 32:06.2.
Chris Martel (55) returned once again to the top spot in the Men’s Masters divisions 28:36.2. Jacob Varadian (51) took second for the second straight week in a time of 30:26.8, and Michael Montgomery (54, 33:56.3) moved up from fifth during the first week’s race, fourth in last week’s rain-soaked affair, and up to third this time. On the women’s side, Leslie Crais (50, 33:43.6) repeated at the top of the standings with another familiar face in second place â Robin Putnam (50, 40:07.0) and Rachel Hartmann (54, 40:13.1) returns to third place after slipping to fourth last week.
The fourth and final race of the 2021 Alpine Shop Trail Run Series will take place next Thursday night, August 26 at 6:15 pm. These races are sold out. Limited on-site registrations may be available due to no-shows, but will be extremely limited.
A gorgeous night at Castlewood. 
Jason Lievanos celebrates his top 20 finish as he cruises down Grotpeter Trail. 
Adam Ethier takes first place once again during Race 3 of the 2021 Alpine Shop Trail Run Series
Overall Results
Age Group Results
Point Series Totals
Photo Album