23rd Annual Mountain Masochist 50-Mile Trail Run

By Ted Allen
Lynchburg News & Advance
October 15, 2005

Before he ran across America, the length of the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, David Horton helped pioneer ultramarathon running by staging day races such as the Mountain Masochist 50-mile Trail Run.

Today's 23rd annual MMTR starts from the James River Visitor's Center at 6:30am and ends in the small town of Montebello beyond Crab Tree Falls on Virginia 56.

"The course is in great shape," Horton said, noting that last week's rainfall helped. "Leaves are starting to change, finally, with signs of yellow and orange, and the streams have water in them. It looks much more vibrant."

A totall of 283 runners from 28 states and Canada pre-registered for the race, with the winner projected to finish before 2 p.m.

The MMTR serves as the last race in Lynchburg Ultra Series as well as the Montrail Ultra Cup, which has $12,000 in price money at stake.

The final event in the Horton Slam is the Hellgate 100 on November 10th.

Catherine Phillips of Lynchburg has won all three ultras she has run and will have strong competition from Annette Bednowsky of Boone, N.C., and Anne Lundblad, of Asheville, N.C., who placed second overall in the World 100K Championships.

"Cat (Phillips) is very, very good and could give the top ladies a run for their money," Horton said. "(Bednowsky and Lundblad) are two extremely competitive ladies. They're good friends, but very competitive with each other."

In the Men's Division:

Dave Mackey of Colorado, who set the course record of 6:48:31 in 2003, will try to win for the third straight year. He could be challenged by Tom DeWitt, the current points leader in the Montrail Ultra Cup Series, Todd Walker from Massachusetts, and Eric Grossman of Kentucky, who placed third in 2003.

Maryland's Tom Green will run in the MMTR for the 23rd consecutive year. Bernie Davis of Lynchburg will attempt to finish it for the 17th time and Rebekah Trittipoe, a previous winner and female masters favorite from Bedford, will try to become only the second 10-time women's finisher.

(Results will be posted when available).

Happy Feet to Head,

Connie :)