BALLWIN, MO – On a day where temperatures had touched 95 degrees earlier in the day, with heat indexes above 100, the folks behind the 2021 Alpine Shop Trail Run Series were actually praying for rain. Not for a rain out. Just to cool everything down for a bit. And race director Jarrid Snyder got his wish, just in time to let the Series run its fourth and final race.
It has been a tradition, going back to the very first Trail Run Series, to head up Castlewood State Park’s “Grand Staircase” for the last race of the series. Weather and conditions have played havoc with that tradition at times, but the attempt is always made to run the course. This year, runners were “treated” to the 15 story rise up the stairs, and still the top runners finished with close to a 6 minute per mile pace over the 3.9 mile race.
It was Adam Ethier (32), the TRS newcomer, standing atop the podium once more with his fourth straight win to sweep the series, winning in a time of 24:12.4. Andy Rains (28, 24:54.1) and Jon-Paul LaVenture (39, 25:03.0) finished in second and third, as they did every Thursday this August. Rains has now placed second in eight straight Trail Run Series races and LaVenture now has eight straight top three finishes, as well.
In the women’s open division, fellow newcomer Lindsay Hustedde (37) put her stamp on this year’s Series with a final time of 26:24.0 (eighth overall). Like Ethier, it was Hustedde’s fourth straight victory this year. Lory Cooper (34, 30:39.0) climbed back into second place after a fourth place finish last week. Women’s Masters winner Leslie Crais (50) completed the top three in a time of 31:10.8.
Mike Barro (53), after missing last week’s run, stormed back to the top spot in the Men’s Masters field with a final time of 26:06.8, good enough for sixth overall, as well. Chris Martel (55), after winning the past two weeks, took second place with a time of 27:51.8 and another familiar name, Jacob Varadian (51, 30:04.8), took third.
As reported earlier, Women’s Masters winner, Leslie Crais (50, 31:10.8) was not only third in the Open division, but first in the masters for the fourth straight race this year. Robin Putnam (50, 37:05.6) and Rachel Hartmann (54, 38:19.6) repeated in second and third place for the second straight week.
Alpine Shop would like to thank:
Altra Running for attending the race and providing demo shoes for participants to try out.
Optimal Performance Center for once again being on hand to help runners both before and after the race.
Schlafly Beer and Urban Chestnut Brewing Company for providing drinks for the post-race party.
Terrain Magazine for being a long time supporter of the Off-Road Racing League and Alpine Shop, as they continue to provide the area’s best coverage of getting outside in St. Louis and the Midwest.
Overall Results | Men’s | Women’s
Age Group Results
Point Series Totals
Photo Album