Springmaid Splash Extreme Challenge – 10k and 5k Races – August 22, 2009 – Spruce Pine, North Carolina

2009 Results

5k – http://carolinarunner.com/2009/08/24/springmaid-splash-extreme-challenge-5k-results-august-22-2009/

10k – http://carolinarunner.com/2009/08/24/springmaid-splash-extreme-challenge-10k-results-august-22-2009/

This event seems to be one of those “badge of honor” races.  It sounds tough, fun, scenic and … wet.  The races start at 8:30 on Saturday, August 22, 2009 at the Springmaid Mountain Resort in Spruce Pine, North Carolina about 30 miles east of Asheville.

To get you in the mood for this, this is what the event’s brochure says about the 10k …

This run is not for the faint-hearted. You will get wet. You will run along flat fields next to the river and through the river four times. Paths wind through mountain laurel, challenging HILLS, numerous switchbacks, single tracks, soft sand, alongside ponds, over roots and rocky spots. The entire loop is “run-able,” but is totally acceptable to walk parts of the course.

We’re not talking about the kind of wet you get when you run the Dupont Forest 12k and have to stick your toe in a few inches of water or make a long leap over the little stream.  We’re talking about wading.

For complete information, visit www.mitchellraces.com

I was planning on running this but decided instead to do another practice run of the Asheville Citizen-Times Half Marathon.  This race is near and dear to me.  It was my first half marathon in 2005.  I have completed 12 more half marathons since then.  But I have not done one since December 2007.  So this is my comeback.

For those of you running the Springmaid … May the forest be with you.