Liberty mountain trail series comes to a close

The fourth and final race of this year’s Liberty Mountain Trail Series took place early Saturday morning as Liberty University students and Lynchburg residents ran the Bald Mountain 10K Trail Race.

Both seasoned and beginner runners registered for the 6.2 mile race that began at Camp Hydaway.

Runners raised money for the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that raises money for wounded soldiers and offers support to their families.

With supportive friends and family surrounding them along the trails, runners took off from the starting line at approximately 8 a.m. from Camp Hydaway on Liberty Mountain.

According to Josh Yeomen, the associate director of student activities, running helps to form a unique community.

“I love running because of the community aspect, people coming together and getting to know each other,” Yeoman said.

This was Bryan Evans second race, the first being a 5k previously this year.

“Nobody is bugging me while I’m doing it,” Evans said. “It’s just me running and it feels good to actually be in shape.”
Liberty sophomore Amanda Spence participated in the race after only a few weeks of training leading up to the event.

“It felt really good. I used to run competitively in high school and I haven’t gotten back into it, so it’s a better time than never,” Spence said.

The 126 runners ran both up and down hill over rugged terrain, including road, mud, water and rocks.

Yeoman said that this type of trail racing, more than road racing, is not as much about competition as it is about the experience.

“At the end of the day it is a tough course, a tough challenge,” Yeoman said.

Jordan Whitlock was the first of the runners to cross the finish line, finishing the 6.2 miles in approximately 40 minutes.

As runners finished, they were provided with food and water to replenish. While waiting for all runners to complete the course, $200 in door prizes, including gift cards to Starbucks and iTunes, were awarded.

Shortly after all runners came through, results were given during the awards ceremony. Awards were given for overall winners and by age range as well.

Whitlock took First Place Male and Amber Dewald took First Place Female. The Masters awards, given to runners in the age 40+ category, were given to Kurt Cornfield and Amy Galagher.

Liberty’s Director of Auxiliary Services, Lee Beaumont, has run two races in the Liberty Mountain Trail Race Series. He said that there are plenty of places and ways to get healthy on campus.

“Just come out; we have lots of logging roads like the Monogram Road, the outdoor track and there are great places to run on campus,” Beaumont said. “You guys have the ability to be as fit as you want with all this, with all we have to offer.”