Freedom Park New Year's Ultra Run 2009-2010

Early favorite Dave James built a commanding lead over the first half of the race, piling up 85+ miles in the first 12 hours and passing the 100 mile mark at 14:31. The fast early pace and sub-optimal conditions took their toll, and in the end it was Garth Peterson of Allenhurst, GA who came away with the overall 24 hour win. His 133.10 miles outpaced an equally steady Keith Straw (Malvern, PA) whose 126.2 miles earned him second place overall. Scott Brockmeier (Rome, GA), the second Georgian among the top five finishers, rounded out the top three with 120.53 miles.

First female Liz Bauer (Plainville, GA) achieved multiple personal bests en route to her win, with a PR 118.55 miles. Shannon McGinn (Rahway, NJ) overcame her struggle with the cold, damp conditions long enough to return to the course and reclaim second overall with a PR 110.67 miles. Vikena Yutz (Dallas, GA) was solid and steady for the full 24 hours, finishing third with 109.44 miles.

In the 12 hour division, Anthony Culpepper of Prescott, AZ led from beginning to end, turning in 82.39 miles. Chris Mead (Salisbury, NC) and Chris Bolick (Lenoir, NC) took second and third with 61.13 and 59.19 miles, respectively.

Cheryl Lager (Newport News, VA) posted 50.28 miles in 9:47:59 and went off to get some sleep. Despite the early finish, she held on to win over Sharon Horner (Naples, NC, 37.47 miles) and Kimberly Amerson (Fayetteville, NC, 36.48), who battled all night before the second and third place positions were settled.

In the 6 hour division, David Mickelson (Johnston, SC) turned in 35.73 miles to claim first overall. Marit Janse of Fenton, MI finished less than a quarter mile behind (35.50 miles) to claim top female and second place overall. Rounding out the top three males were James Dowdy of Val-D'or, Quebec (33.68 miles) and Mike McDaniel of Marion, NC (26.62 miles). Mary Mickelson (Johnston, SC) was second female in the 6 hour division with a solid 26.67 mile performance.

The great state of North Carolina benefited from rules designed to prevent awards double dipping and retained its crown as Interstate Challenge champion. The trio of Richard Lilly (103.09 miles), David Horner (102.54) and Don Lister (90.71) combined for 296.34 miles to claim the win. New Jersey (Shannon McGinn, Mike Skara, and Casey Snyder) took second place with 282.96 miles, edging out Georgia (Scott Brockmeier, Vikena Yutz, Perry Sebastian) who combined for 280.25 and third place.

The top three local (Unifour) finishers were Scot Hayward of Hudson with 67.04 miles; Chris Bolick of Lenior (59.19 miles); and Michael Wagner of Hickory (53.24 miles). The top home-course (Morganton) finisher was Dennis Kuhn, who logged 47.33 miles in 12 hours, 21 minutes.