Race Results from ATL Timing can be found here, at http://atltiming.com/results/2012/wild-moose.html
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Photo courtesy of Jeff Ferguson |
On the last Saturday of September, Mother Nature graced
Spokane with clear, blue skies, sunshine, and mild temperatures that hovered in
the low 70s. Hopefully, the people of Spokane wandered out of their houses,
escaped the movie theaters and instead, spent time outside soaking up the
sunshine. A handful of people did just that, though perhaps one might claim
they accomplished much more. That’s because on this day, the last Saturday of
September, over 250 people ran through Mt. Spokane State Park in search of the
Wild Moose.
While Steve Christensen (the head honcho they call the Park
Manager of Mt. Spokane State Park) would normally not advise visitors chase
wild animals, he allowed Eastern Washington University’s Doctor of Physical
Therapy Program to host an event whose name suggested people do just that.
Spokane area runners, as well as others from Idaho, Oregon, and California,
joined in on a fun event deemed The Wild Moose Chase Trail Run. Despite not
having any reports from racers who spotted a moose while running the course, it
was reported (via email) from one participant that a bull moose stood in the
road as she made her way down from the mountain after Saturday’s race.
“Thankfully I saw him in plenty of time to slow
[down],” explained Liv Larson Andrews. “He was massive. He just lazily walked
across the road and up into the trees. So, your race is aptly named!”
The 25-kilometer course escorted runners on
trails that meandered down the mountain, up the mountain, and then further up
the mountain. Runners scaled some of the same hills on foot that downhill
skiers and snowboarders rely on chairlifts for during the winter months.
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Photo courtesy of Jeff Ferguson. Owen and Brook Swanson heading out on the 5k course. |
Many
described the experience as challenging. John Kercher, a local triathlete and
runner who trains with Tri-Fusion Triathlon Club and the Spokane Distance
Project, explained it wasn’t until after you’d run up one hill and started
coasting down the other side, that another hill awaited you up ahead.
Matt Beard, another Tri-Fusion member and
legitimate ultra-marathoner who regularly races trail runs of remarkable
distances, described the course like this: “I was impressed, [it
is] pretty tough. I don't have a lot of experience with 25k [courses] but it's
the harder of the two I've done.” When he says he doesn’t have a lot of experience
with 25k courses, it means he runs courses of the 50- and 100-mile variety more
frequently. To hear this guy say it’s tough means, in all honesty, it’s brutal.
John Smith Smith, a 20-year-old powerhouse from
Spokane, finished first in a time of 1:52:10. Rachel Toor, the top female also
from Spokane, came in at 2:35:09.
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Photo courtesy of Jeff Ferguson. Emma Garza finishing up a challenging 5k course with a smile on her face! |
Those who ran the 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer
courses enjoyed scenery along the Nordic trails. Due to trail-widening
construction that has taken place throughout the summer, race directors altered
the courses slightly to keep participants from running through mountain dust
that in some places was 6 inches deep. People had no trouble navigating their
way through the woods, hill over endless hill. Participants who ran last year
were quite certain this year’s courses took them over far more hills, and
therefore, posed a much greater challenge.
Despite the “endless” hills participants claimed
they had to climb, Erik Fagan of Spokane crossed the finish line in a time of
39:24 to claim the top male finisher title. Tami Hicks of Cocolalla, ID claimed
the top female title with a time of 51:10.
For those looking for a challenging race,
perhaps the biggest surprise came in the form of a short 5k course. The biggest
lesson here? Just because it’s short doesn’t mean it’s flat! This year’s 5k
course took runners on the Eagle Crest trail, which is noted by a sign that
deems it “Most Difficult.” In response to participants’ suggestions, race
directors will probably opt to utilize an easier trail for next year, as long
as construction hasn’t torn up the flatter trails.
Despite the hills and a 5k course that might
have been a tad long, Kevin Oberholser captured the top male title with a time
of 22:11, while Christina Meyer led the women with a time of 27:19.
Race directors and the DPT Class of 2014 would
like to thank everyone who came out and used their last Saturday of September
to run the Wild Moose. We hope Across the Line Timing brought you your official
race results in a far more acceptable time than the race directors were able to
do last year by hand. The photos taken by Jeff Ferguson not only captured the
enjoyment of our finishers, but the amazing scenery as well. We look forward to
using the suggestions and recommendations participants provided this year to
make next year a better event. Stay tuned! The running of the Wild Moose will
be back for 2013.
To see more photos by Jeff Ferguson, visit his website at www.jfergusonphotos.com.
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Photo by Jeff Ferguson. A job well done to all moose chasers! |
Thank you, GU Energy, for supplying our participants with gels and GU Brew both on course and afterward! |
Some of the DPT-ers cheering runners through the finish line. |
A couple dedicated cheerleaders! |
The Class of 2014, as well as the Race Directors, would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to our Sponsors:
RehabCare
Therapeutic Associates
Ensign Therapy
B&B Physical Therapy
Elements Therapeutic Massage
OutThere Monthly
Fitness Fanatics
GU Energy
RehabCare
Therapeutic Associates
Ensign Therapy
B&B Physical Therapy
Elements Therapeutic Massage
OutThere Monthly
Fitness Fanatics
GU Energy
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