Furman University was the host location for the 35th Annual Land Rover Paris Mountain Road Race, held Jan. 14.
The event was originally scheduled for Dec. 17, but inclement weather caused race directors to postpone the event. The Greenville Track Club is the event coordinator.
The festivities consisted of a 20-kilometer (12.4 miles), 5-kilometer (3.1 miles), and kids event.
The first race of the morning was the 20-k state championship run. At 8:30 a.m, 208 runners started their adventure on the 12.4 course.
Claming to be the toughest course in South Carolina, the runners leave Furman, heading for a four-mile climb to the top of Paris Mountain. After reaching the top, with the hardest part over, runners settled in for three miles of downhill running. After the seven-mile mark began the rolling hills. Once the runners reached Poinsett Hwy., the rest of the course was downhill. Runners then exited Poinsett Hwy into Furman University and to the finish.
With perfect weather conditions for the 20-k run, the race seemed to be a promising one. Chad Newton, of Pisgah Forest, N.C., took first place in a time of 1:09:54. Finishing the top three were: Daniel Hughes (1:10:41), of Greenville, and Roger Fagala (1:17:31), of Blehheim.
Greenville native Gail Jervey was the first female finisher, running 1:21:30. Second and third were; Dian Ford (1:29:40), of Piedmont, and Melinda Carlson (1:33:36), of Travelers Rest.
Fifteen minutes after the 20-k start was the 5-k race. With the course running through Furman University\'s campus, runners were provided with beautiful scenery as they enjoyed a run.
173 runners started for a very exciting race. Holding a very fast pace, Brian Erb won the race in 15:38, breaking his old course record. Close behind were Jake Johnson (16:43) and Todd Hines (17:43). Top female finishers were Judy Walls (20:49), Rachel Gibbons (20:55), Charlie Coggins (21:54).
The awards ceremony concluded a great day of racing in Greenville with an exciting venue for next years run.
Site administrator note: Chuck King finished 79th overall in the 20-k event in 1:41:53.
The event was originally scheduled for Dec. 17, but inclement weather caused race directors to postpone the event. The Greenville Track Club is the event coordinator.
The festivities consisted of a 20-kilometer (12.4 miles), 5-kilometer (3.1 miles), and kids event.
The first race of the morning was the 20-k state championship run. At 8:30 a.m, 208 runners started their adventure on the 12.4 course.
Claming to be the toughest course in South Carolina, the runners leave Furman, heading for a four-mile climb to the top of Paris Mountain. After reaching the top, with the hardest part over, runners settled in for three miles of downhill running. After the seven-mile mark began the rolling hills. Once the runners reached Poinsett Hwy., the rest of the course was downhill. Runners then exited Poinsett Hwy into Furman University and to the finish.
With perfect weather conditions for the 20-k run, the race seemed to be a promising one. Chad Newton, of Pisgah Forest, N.C., took first place in a time of 1:09:54. Finishing the top three were: Daniel Hughes (1:10:41), of Greenville, and Roger Fagala (1:17:31), of Blehheim.
Greenville native Gail Jervey was the first female finisher, running 1:21:30. Second and third were; Dian Ford (1:29:40), of Piedmont, and Melinda Carlson (1:33:36), of Travelers Rest.
Fifteen minutes after the 20-k start was the 5-k race. With the course running through Furman University\'s campus, runners were provided with beautiful scenery as they enjoyed a run.
173 runners started for a very exciting race. Holding a very fast pace, Brian Erb won the race in 15:38, breaking his old course record. Close behind were Jake Johnson (16:43) and Todd Hines (17:43). Top female finishers were Judy Walls (20:49), Rachel Gibbons (20:55), Charlie Coggins (21:54).
The awards ceremony concluded a great day of racing in Greenville with an exciting venue for next years run.
Site administrator note: Chuck King finished 79th overall in the 20-k event in 1:41:53.