BALLWIN, MO. – With the threat of yet another rainout hanging over the series, the skies cleared in just enough time for Race 3 of Alpine Shop’s Summer Trail Run Series Presented by Columbia Sportswear. The 4.0 mile planned course needed to be adjusted down to about a 3.8 mile run after Kiefer Creek rose a little too much for us to feel safe running across it. Yes, it’s been that kind of series for us this August – one rain out, one fallen tree, one threatening-to-flood creek.
The men’s and women’s races continue to be dominated by Andy Koziatek (25:13.0) and Sunny Gilbert (26:34.8), as they both tallied their third consecutive wins of the series. Koziatek held off Jack Wilkinson (25:53.4) and Chad Silker (26:04.6) for the win. Gilbert cruised to nearly a four-minute cushion over Jennifer Doyle (30:19.5) and Lotta Eklund (30:47.0) for her third win of the summer series, as well. As we’ve said before, Gilbert has yet to finish out of the top women’s spot in any Alpine Shop Trail Run Series Race she has competed in over the past four years.
The course, wet from heavy rains the day before and another downpour about 2 hours prior to race time, required one major change as Kiefer Creek rose to a level considered unsafe at the time of the race. In effect, the course became a complete loop of the Grotpeter Trail from beginning to finish.
Revised (09.03.14) Overall results can be found here.
Revised (09.03.14) Age group results can be found here.
The complete race photo album can be found on our Facebook page here.
The final race of the series, the rescheduled first race will occur next Thursday, September 4 at 6:15 pm. Registrations are still open. Simply click on the “Register to Run” image to the right.
With only one race remaining, Koziatek needs to only finish in the top seven to assure himself the Men’s Open Series win with a current total of 90 points. Jack Wilkinson, in second with 68 points following two second-place finishes and one fourth place, would need to win next Thursday, paired with Koziatek finishing out of the top eight to take the series title. Third-place Chad Silker is third with 61 points, still within striking distance.
Gilbert has the Women’s Open Series title fairly well in hand with 90 points, needing simply a top 14 position to ensure her title. Although Gilbert has never failed to win a Trail Run Series race she has entered, she did not win the 2013 Series Title after missing one of the races. 13-year-old Sloane Montgomery took home the title last year with three second-place finishes and one third place finish. Lotto Ecklund, currently in second with 61 points would need a win paired with Gilbert falling out of the top 15 to take the series. In third place, Jennifer Doyle is out of the running for first place with 41 points after missing the August 14 race.
In the Masters Divisions (50+), Eric Buckley (45 points) and Jean Goldsberry (40 points) hold the lead. Darryl Holman (36) and Ron Haglof (24) round out the top three for the men. PJ Walsh (32) and Laura Pini (16) are the second and third place point holders, respectively, for the women.
Complete REVISED (09.03.14)point totals can be seen here. Open division points are tabulated according to place of finish for the top 15 competitors in each division (30, 25, 21, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1). Masters division points are handed out to each of the top 10 finishers in each race. (15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1).