Craftsbury Marathon Photo Gallery

Race Reports

Feb 11

And they’re off!

Last weekend, I made the difficult decision to sit out of the 2013 Craftsbury Marathon, in hopes of preserving myself for the second half of our long racing season (something I failed to do last year). The silver lining of this choice was that I had the opportunity to try out the coaching side of race day: waxing skis, feeding thirsty racers, and running around to watch, cheer and take pictures.

In the race between John & Kyle in the 50k, John got off to an early lead, putting around 8 minutes on Kyle, but Kyle made an amazing move in the 4th lap, closing the gap to less than 1 minute! The two finished 46th and 47th out of 188 finishers.

One highlight of my day was helping our elite GRP rowers get ready for their first classic ski race. There are so many details to consider in preparing for a race, from what to eat the night before to how to warm up the morning of. Luckily, last Saturday was an extra-blue kind of day, so when I found all 13 rowers crowded in our wax trailer totally unsupervised 45 minutes before the start, with corks flying and wax being applied in unspeakable ways, it was not an un-salvageable disaster. Everyone finished the race in good time and more importantly, good spirits.

These boys did a great job giving out warm Heed to thirsty racers.

Another highlight was handing out (aka “feeding”) energy drinks and gels to the GRP skiers who raced. I am still working on my feeding technique, but I only missed one. “Missing the feed” is when you hold out the cup or bottle of drink to the oncoming skier and you botch the hand-off, usually resulting in someone getting wet. In this case, Alex got Pepa’s Pepsi Max + sugar mixture all over his bib instead of in his mouth. Sorry!

After 50k, Nils makes a come back to edge Bryan at the line

I loved watching all the finishers come in, especially those for whom this was a first. John Flis and Scott Inglis, who work in the kitchen here at the Outdoor Center, both finished the 25k, and Jon even made it into the top half. Jamie Chapman, one of our elite rowers, did the whole 50k and finished 10th overall for women. There are too many great accomplishments for me to list, but hopefully these pictures will give you an idea of the Marathon’s awesome atmosphere.

Jon Flis and Ben Dann have a rivalry which originated in the Tuesday night community races. Ben took this one, finishing 37th out of 112 men in the 25k.

After running around all morning in the very cold, sunny weather, I went home and fell right to sleep. Moral of the story: I’m not sure if my decision to sit out of the race actually resulted in enhanced rest, but I’m happy I made the choice I did!

(click photos to see larger image:)

And they’re off!

Craftsbury Green suits stand out easily in the crowd

John working his double pole

The GRP men off to a good start

These boys did a great job giving out warm Heed to thirsty racers.

Volunteers at the feed zone

John coming into the feed zone

Jamie

Hugh

Phil Henson

Jon Flis and Ben Dann have a rivalry which originated in the Tuesday night community races. Ben took this one, finishing 37th out of 112 men in the 25k.

Liz

Andrea did a great job with timing

Becca

Becca (L) and Liz (R) Donald finished 16th and 17th for women in the 25k.

Winner of the men’s 50k, US Ski Team member Kris Freeman.

13-year-old local star, Anica Koontz-Miller, was the 1st junior girl and 18th overall in the women’s field of the 25k!

We don’t call her Sonshine for nothin!

After 50k, Nils makes a come back to edge Bryan at the line

Nils and Bryan, still best frenemies

Dylan

Patrick

Alex

Alex gets a little help from Lucas in the finish pen

Gordon may have bonked on his last lap of the 50k, but he still managed to cross the line in front of these festively-clad 25k competitors.

the 4th lap bonk takes its nasty toll

Race crew

Ethan

Kyle

In the race between John & Kyle in the 50k, John got off to an early lead,, putting around 8 minutes on Kyle, but Kyle made an amazing move in the 4th lap, closing the gap to less than 1 minute! The two finished 46th and 47th out of 188 finishers.