Ultra Fabulous

The Land Between the Lakes Spring Ultra Trail Runs were this past weekend and it was an ultra fabulous event. We had a record 360 runners!

What makes it an ultra is the fact that you can choose to run 50 miles. And keep in mind it is a trail run. The course starts at Lighthouse Landing Resort, with the first 1.7 miles run on paved roads to the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, where the trail begins. The LBL section is a 11 mile loop on single-track trail between Kentucky and Barkley Lakes; offering views of the lakes, and several challenging hills. Saturday morning’s rain turned the trail to mud and added to the challenge of the run (as if running 50 miles was not enough of a challenge).

What makes it fabulous is the West Kentucky Runners Club and all of the great Grand Rivers volunteers. I would like to recognize the individuals who make this successful event happen. They are Steve Durbin who is the director for the race, John Durbin who takes care of the finish line and awards; Mark Vance who organizes supplies; Kelly LeNeave who handles the brochure and the website; Scott Germain who is in charge of volunteers; and Mike Howard who does a little of everything.

On behalf of Grand Rivers, our part would not have been possible without the Pats who did the shopping, and food service set up at the Community Center; Martha Riddle, Sugar n Spice, Commonwealth Yacht Club, and Pat Terry who cooked soups and chili; The Grand Lakes Clinic who did all of the food for the aid stations; The Grand Lakes Fire Department who do the start of the race and help with traffic control, Mayor Moodie, Dianne and Bob Bingham, and Emory Pence who all came downtown at 6:00am on a rainy Saturday morning to direct parking, and all of the great traffic control volunteers and food service volunteers.

Thank you also to Channel 6 and Garrin Thomas and to the Paducah Sun’s John Wright for such great coverage of the event.

And congratulations to my husband for completing the challenge for the third year!

A Cold rainy 7:00AM Start for 360 Runners

Chamber Volunteers

My Husband Finishes the Race

Cool North Face Jacket the Runners Club had made for me. I love it.