Trail runners flocked to Moravia’s gorgeous gorge on August 11th to tackle Fillmore Glen State Park’s trails, stairs, and footbridges at FLRC’s only Thursday evening race. A reroute on the North Rim Trail made for two new race distances, with the short course half a mile shorter than before at 3 miles and the long course expanding by a mile to 8 miles, guaranteeing personal bests and course records at this year’s race. Longtime FLRC volunteer and runner Alan Lockett came out of race director retirement to organize the race. Overall and age group winners took home fresh baked cookies made by Alan’s daughter Emily, and everyone enjoyed the post-race pizza party.
Full results are available on our Web site, with age group breakdowns on Webscorer. The dynamic Trail Circuit leaderboard also now reflects the race results. Official race photographer Steve Gallow’s fabulous photos can be found in our Yogile library—download yours for free today!
3 Mile
In the men’s race, 16-year-old Banyan Love fended off FLRC Trail Circuit veteran Eric Sambolec and 36 other runners to win by 10 seconds in 21:50. Only days later Love would put in a big-mileage weekend to complete the FLRC Challenge, likely fueled by the box of artisan cookies he earned for his win. The win bumped Love into the top spot for the Trail Circuit Pebblehead standings. Sambolec, an FLRC mainstay with dozens of podium finishes, returned from a long-term injury for his first FLRC race in more than a year.
In the women’s 3-mile, 59-year-old Sandy Gregorich took the top spot in 28:35 and was awarded a box of cookies as well—she sits firmly atop the Trail Circuit Stonehead rankings at the moment. Our youngest finisher, and third female, was 9-year-old Ada McKinzey.
8 Mile
57 runners forged the gorge’s 8-mile route, with Benjamin Grodner and Amelia Kaufman taking the men’s and women’s wins in 1:06:37 and 1:08:17, respectively. The long course’s youngest runner was 9-year-old Liam Scanlon, who finished the race with his father. At 73-years young, the indefatigable Jim Miner was the oldest finisher.
Thank you to all of the runners and volunteers who came out for a “gorgeous” evening! With two FLRC trail races remaining, there’s still time for things to shift on the Trail Circuit’s leaderboard. We hope to see you at the Monster Marathon and Half on August 27th and the Danby Down & Dirty on September 24th!
