This weekend, of course, was the 2012 Scenic City Trail Marathon! Of approximately 600 runners that toed the line on Saturday, an even 500 ultimately finished their respective races.
Johnny Clemons took home the overall win in impressive fashion, and his time of 3:43:27 2:43:27 missed out on besting Dane Mitchell’s course record by a mere five seconds. He’s on an incredible tear right now — winning the 2011 Upchuck 50k, 2011 Lookout Mountain 50-miler, 2012 Mt Cheaha 50k and 2012 Georgia Jewel 50k — and, at this point, has to be the favorite for every trail race that he enters.
Female winner Meghan Lederer, meanwhile, turned in the second-fastest women’s time in race history, and we look forward to seeing her again next month when she competes in our 3-day Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race.
Perhaps overlooked in Johnny’s hunt for the course record is how well-contested the women’s marathon was this year; in all, 9 female runners finished in under 4 hours, five more than last year. Meghan’s win came against fierce competition like top women’s StumpJump 50k finisher Lindsay Beckner and podium regular Natalie Sims.
In the half marathon, Daniel Mueller returned and claimed his second consecutive win, despite running a few minutes slower than his 2011 pace. Meanwhile, female winner Annie Kelly, from Alpharatta, GA — all of 17 years old — bested her mother, Sue Kelly (who took top Master’s Female). Did we mention that Sue was the top women’s finisher in 2011? They must grow ’em fast in Alpharetta.
Congratulations to all race finishers. We had runners from 21 states on hand, and one from Germany, many of whom were running in Tennessee for the first time.
Alright, we know most of you are here to view results and check out the race photos, and of course we’re happy to oblige.
Visit these links for final race results (we’re presenting these in both “overall” and “age group” formats):
2012 Scenic City Trail Marathon results (26.2)
or, view Trail Marathon results by age group
2012 Scenic City Half Marathon results (13.1)
or, view Half Marathon results by age group
Photos from the race are now available here:
Photos by Rock/Creek’s Mark McKnight
New: Photos by Jaimie Davis
Photos by Rock/Creek’s Jeff Bartlett
The story everyone is asking about, of course, is that of the runner who collapsed on the half marathon course and required evacuation to a waiting ambulance. While we’d prefer not to list her name here, we’ve heard that she is feeling much better after a night in the hospital.
Special thanks, though, are due to the runners who stayed with her, called 911, offered assistance and went for help! Aline Bernard, the physician who was second female in the marathon at the time, forfeited her likely podium finish in case her CPR training was needed. Carrie Couch Lasseter, who happened to have her cellphone, called 911. Michelle Gardner and Chuck Smith also waited with her while our medical team and paramedics were en route.
The response of other runners in this event, we think, speaks volumes about the trail running community here in the southeast.
Rock/Creek racers put in a strong performance, punctuated by the 1-2 finish for Clemons and Daniel Hamilton in the trail marathon. R/C team members in the marathon also included Lance Steele (11th), John Wiygul (13th), Brian Costilow (14th), Chad Wamack (17th), Kevin Boucher (28th), Natalie Sims (3rd F), and Dreama Campbell (8th F); racers Tom Sell (9th, 2nd Master’s) and Elizabeth Callaway (4th F) competed in the half marathon.
Chattanooga local & fan favorite Sergio Bianchini, who is 71 years old, finished the 1/2 marathon in 1:55:26, good for 61st overall.
Please support our race sponsors:Rock/Creek, Salomon, Capital Toyota & Toyota of Cleveland, Collier Construction, The North Face, Get Out Chattanooga, SmartWool, Patagonia, Hammer Nutrition, Greenlife Grocery, Suunto, Outdoor Research, Chattanooga YMCA, Blue Smoke Coffee, and John O’Brien. Thanks are also due to TVA and SORBA-Chattanooga for letting us use this excellent trail system.
Hooked? Follow this link to view the Salomon Rock/Creek Trail Series race calendar and sign up for the remaining 2012 events.
Dennis Remmers says
Why no completion medal like all the other 1/2 and full marathons out there? Is this typical for trail? It’s nice memorabelia. The race it self was great. Also thought I read that there would be a pair of smart wool socks for the finishers?
Thanks for a great race!
Jeff Bartlett says
We give finisher’s medals for the full marathon, but not the half. That’s definitely the standard for trail events. As for socks, you’re the second person to ask about Smartwool socks, and I don’t know where that is coming from. Perhaps that’s the impression given by last year’s race video?
Runner’s email specifies: “Our race t-shirt is a Patagonia Capilene 1 Silkweight Stretch Tech Tee ($30 value). Marathon (26.2-mile) finishers will receive a finisher’s medal and free post-race burgers and refreshments.” Race details document at http://www.rockcreek.com/trailmarathon.rco says the same. Sorry for any confusion!
wayne jacks says
I also thought there was a pair of socks waiting at the finish, (the video gave that impression) but really didnt care that there were’t any. The race was great, really loved the course and people were awesome.
It was my first race ever, and i will be doing this one every year!
Love the Patagonia Tee, do you sell the extras anywhere (i know they were selling last years at the race, should’ve got some more).
Any more pics to come? Not seen any of the people i know, and i have looked at all 3000 that have been uploaded!
Jeff Bartlett says
Wayne, great questions! First, we do sell the extra shirts at our Salomon Rock/Creek Trail Series races and some other Wild Trails events. Proceeds go straight to Wild Trails. If you’re looking for something specific, you can email randy (at) wildtrails.org with your requests.
As for more photos, I was just logging in to add another photo album! Our two race photographers ended up primarily with photos of the full marathoners, and mostly those who finished in under 4:30:00 or so, but it looks like this new album by Jaimie Davis has lots and lots of runners we missed. Check it out here:
http://jaimiedavis.zenfolio.com/p63528693
Mike O'Melia says
What is the actual distance of the full marathon? I could have sworn I heard Randy say something about certified, etc (though that surprises me). It definitely seemed shorter than 26.2. Great event!!
Jeff Bartlett says
Not sure — Randy would have to answer that for you! Obviously 26.2 is the goal, but measuring trail races can be a bit dodgy.