3^rd Annual Promise Land 50K

“Not Your Average 50K”

 April 26, 2003

 by David Horton

If there is a 50K or 50 Miler east of the Mississippi River that is more beautiful and spectacular than the Promise Land 50K, I wish someone would tell me about it so that I could go and run it. 

 The start and finish of the race lies at the base of the mountains with the course traversing the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Visible from the start are Sharp Top, Flat Top, Headforemost, Onion, Apple Orchard and Terrapin Mountains … most rising over 4,000 feet.  The start begins at 1,300 feet.

 On Friday evening, although rainy and damp, the runners checked-in and enjoyed a pizza feast provided for them.  The majority of runners camped at the Promise Land Youth Camp where rustic shower and restroom facilities were available.  The runners and crews made their on lodging by pitching tents on a large grassy field, and throwing sleeping bags in the sparse bunkhouse.  It was a time of great fun and fellowship, and a lot of “fish” stories being shared long into the night!  On Saturday, as the runners crossed the finish line, a hot dog/hamburger cookout with all the fixings was provided by my wife, Nancy, our daughter, Allison and good friend, Nancy Hesse … while Neal Bryant’s parents manned the grills.

 The first two years of the race had perfect weather.  But, not this year … although it could have been a lot worse (remember this year’s Holiday Lake 50K?).  Although an easy rain, it rained most of Friday throughout the evening until about noon on Saturday when the sun began making its appearance.  This did not make the course muddy because it is so mountainous and drains well.

 Last year, we had 208 starters, but it went down to 171 this year.  I attribute the growth last year as a result of the race being a part of the Montrail Ultra Cup … this year it was not.  It was, however, the second race in the Lynchburg Ultra Series.

 The men’s field was headed by will Harlan (Asheville, NC) who was the highest returning finisher from 2002.  Byron Backer (Greenville, SC) and Sean Andrish (Leesburg, VA) were expected to be near the front as well.  The ladies field had 33 females competing, but everyone knew that the probable (almost certain winner) would be Anne Riddle (Swannanoa, NC).  The only thing uncertain was if she could break the course record of 5:27 set by Krissy Moehl in 2002.

 As expected, Harlan took the lead from the start and kept the momentum going through every aid station before finishing 25 minutes before the second place runners with a time of 4:52.  The legendary Courtney Campbell (Berryville, VA) who had been battling foot problems for several months, was only four minutes behind Harlan at aid station 2, but had to withdraw at aid station 3, unable to continue the chase. 

 The chase pack was the running buddies, Derrick Carr (Alexandria, VA) and Tom Nielson (Annandale, VA).  Harlan proved to be too fast, but these two cruised in to tie for 2^nd place in a time of 5:17. 

 Riddle ran likewise in the women’s field and then later sticking it to the men as well.  Early on she was running in 11^th place overall.  However, she worked her way through the field taking over 4^th place on the tough climb up Apple Orchard Falls Trail.  From there, Riddle pushed it on in to finish in a new course record time of 5:23.  (I guess Moehl will have to come back next year and challenge Riddle.) 

 Jonathan Basham (Lynchburg, VA) went past Backer to take 5^th place in 5:29.

 Finishing 2^nd in the women’s field was Annette Bednosky (Boone, NC) in a time of 6:12.  Rebekah Trittipoe (Lynchburg, VA) took 3rd in 6:40, followed by Nancy Drach (Leesburg, NC) in 4^th place with a time of 6:43.

 Carr (41) and Nielson (43) shared the Masters award.  Scott Mills (51 – Alexandria, VA) took the Grand Masters with Frank Probst (60 – Burke, VA) taking the Super Masters.

 Local runner Trittipoe (46) took the female Masters title and Dru Sexton (50 – Roanoke, VA) took the Grand Masters.

 The coveted Best Blood award went to Todd Whitman (Charlottesville, VA) who had a nasty gash on his knee with great blood running down into his shoe.  He just barely edged out Amy Thompson (Willow, PA) who had a good-sized blister on her heel with a lot of blood seeping through both sock and shoe. 

 Sue Malone (Mercersburg, PA) called me a few weeks before the race and mentioned that she had a 17 year-old daughter, Jessica, who had been training for her first ultra.  They attempted to enter another 50K and were denied entry because they said Jessica was too young and that the minimum age was 18.  I suggested (the kind person that I am) that she and Jessica come to the Promise Land.  Jessica finished in 71^st place overall (8^th woman) in a time of 7:06, and her mother finishing over 16 minutes later.  Boy…was mom and daughter beaming after the race!

 The final (and coveted by many) award went to the Fat Boy division (200 lbs. or more and with no shoes or shirt).  Although there were 10 contenders, the division was hotly pursued by Kevin Budd (Budd Boy) and Neal “Rosie” Bryant, both from Lynchburg.  Taking the honor was Budd Boy who was presented with a $20 gift certificate to Golden Corral (buffet heaven) … got to keep that weight up!

 There were 11 present or former Liberty University students from my running class participating in the race this year.  All 11 finished with 6 of them finishing in the top 30.  Andy Earl (running his second ultra) edged out Greg Flannigan (running his first ultra) by 5 seconds.  Greg delighted the audience by having projectile vomiting as he crossed the finish line.  They finished 13^th and 14^th place respectively.   Another running student, Deb Duryea finished as the 7^th female.

 After the race, there were drawings for door prizes of Montrail, Patagonia and Cliff gear, and more “fish” stories as many commiserated over the tough climbs and descents.  There were also many descriptive comments made by the runners regarding the beauty of the course, how tough, how spectacular, how gut-retching, the gorgeous falls (even though it seemed like a never-ending climb up Apple Orchard Falls Trail from 23.9 to 26.7 miles) and Sunset Fields.

 If you are looking for the toughest 50K you will ever love, come to the 4^th Annual Promise Land 50K to be held on April 24, 2004.  Trust me … IT IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE 50K!!!