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The 10th annual Chessie Trail running and walking races welcomed 608 individuals and four relay teams on a pleasant fall morning on Saturday, Oct. 26, raising money for improvements to the Chessie Trail.
With sunny weather and temperatures in the 50s and 60s, runners and walkers from Rockbridge County and elsewhere made the trail a busy place. The day’s schedule, starting at 8 a.m., consisted of a marathon, a marathon relay, a half marathon, a 10-kilometer race and a 5K. Race director Eric Sheffield and his team of volunteers made sure the race participants were offered plenty of water, Gatorade, snacks and encouragement.
In the marathon, which had 101 participants, Sam Humphries, 18, won in 2 hours, 47 minutes and 24.3 seconds. Jonathan Annis, 43, placed second in 3:04:35.95, and Michael Stowe, 54, finished third in 3:10:47.44. The top female finisher was Sarah Mantia, 22, placing ninth overall in 3:34:28.46. Ashley Bykowski, 28, finished second among females and 20th overall in 3:55:44.98. Placing third among females and 31st overall was Kaitlyn DeForest, 35, in 4:16:42.1.
There were four teams in the marathon relay. Staunton Run Crew won in 2:59:26.34, March Madness Team placed second in 3:10.07.72 and won the mixed division, Kroger Lovers Team finished third in 3:59:02.82, and Carilion Rockbridge Team placed fourth and won the female division in 4:14:56.79.
The largest race of the day was the half marathon, which welcomed 270 participants. Gabriel Loader, 26, won in 1:10:46.92, George Austin III, 21, placed second in 1:11:04.1, and Cian Bell, 23, finished third in 1:12:55.02. The top female finisher was Maria Jose Perez Aguirre, 19, placing 27th overall in 1:42:33.5. Finishing second among females and 29th overall was Colette Lindley, 20, in 1:43:13.52. The third female finisher was Buffie Hill, 53, placing 30th overall in 1:43:19.32.
In the 10K, which welcomed 117 participants, David Angell, 48, won in 33:57.85. Charles Shepard, 44, placed second in 40:28.98, and Paul Mitsopoulos, 21, finished third in 47:51.32. The top female finisher was Ruth Butler, 13, placing sixth overall in 48:32.83. Placing second among females and eighth overall was Emily Clayton, 35, in 50:03.99. The third female finisher was Treasure Millhouse, 20, placing 10th overall in 52:18.19.
Winning the 5K, which welcomed 120 participants, was Shannon Lowry, 23, in 18:24.45. William Canter, 32, placed second in 18:45.73, and Ethan Fitzgerald, 17, finished third in 20:10.53. The top female finisher was Annie Persons, 31, placing ninth overall in 23:32.1. Placing second among females and 13th overall was Evelyn Butler, 13, in 24:37.14. The third female finisher was Lexi Tyree, 21, placing 14th overall in 24:37.79.
For full results and a gallery of photos visit www.runthechessie.org. The 11th annual Chessie Trail races are planned for next fall, with the date to be determined.
