Nantahala Outdoor Center's Endurance Race Series

Nothing like a brisk Smoky Mountain morning in January to test your New Year's Running Resolution.  At daylight (actual starting time was 07:38 by the race director's watch) 20 hearty souls shed all the clothing they dared and began their journey from the Nantahala River Put-In parking lot in Topton, NC to the top of Wayah Bald, 21 trail miles away, and over 5800' of climbing to overcome.  A lead pack of two, Bill Harlan and Scott Wolfe, made a quick jump to the front that they would hold within a few miles of the finish.  The trail was marked with yellow markings, yet all of the fire roads and hunters tracks proved to be challenging as many folks opted to add mileage to the original 21-mile minimum.  The last couple of miles the racers confronted shin-deep snow, but it was soon rewarded as the crystal clear blue sky at the finish made all the pains and heavy breathing soon forgotten.  A cup of hot cocoa and some dry clothes, and racers cheered on those who came in later.  A new course record of 3:35 was set, and we challenge any and all to come break it in 2002!    We would like to congratulate all who entered (noting that all competitors finished within the 8 our time allotment), and the series continues with a mountain bike on 20 January, and a flatwater paddle on the 27th.  The overall points winner for men and women wins an entry into NOC's 8-hour adventure race to take place 10 February 2001.