Even with weather predictions calling for snow and freezing rain the eleven people that braved the border were in for a great surprise. Over night the clouds had moved on and the sun had come out to join us for the day. Amazingly everyone made it on time even with a few border problems and a miscommunication with the five minute rule. In fact most were early and made for a good chance to chat in the sun before the start. We were running right on time for the start and after getting the starter photo we were off.
Thankfully two of the local runners Ron and Chuck showed up to help guide us up down and through the mountain. We all tried to stay together as we made our way over down fall of the first half of the course. It was still cold in the woods and each time I caught up with the group I would see Dom standing around shivering good thing it wasn’t raining too. At the top we were greeted with the view I had hoped for and some sun to keep the could at bay. It was here that we decided that we would brake up into groups permanently for the second half of the run. Ron lead the first group Chuck lead the second and I followed up in the rear to catch and one who may have fallen behind.
We then all made our way down the twisty single track which at times meant that you could see runners from more than a half a mile away. This made for some good photo opportunities. The rout took us past a little log cabin and through the clump of trees named Arsenio after the 90’s talk show host with the spiked hair. The whole time I was wandering if the groups in front of us were staying on course. But that was laid to rest when at about three quarter mark some mountain bikers stopped us and asked if there was and ultra going on. This was good news as it meant the other groups were right on course. Not knowing where we were I heard a few “are we there yet“. But once we came out onto the main road we all knew that it was just a few miles back through the park and to the finish. The day had been long but the weather was perfect and when the last of us crossed the finish the other groups where there to cheer us in.
After the run a bunch of us headed down to stuff our face with some Mexican food and recap the day. I think at this point everyone saw that is was a good Idea that we had all stayed together in groups as the blow down and the numerous hidden turns would have surly made for a long lost day on the mountain for the solo runner.
Thank you all for showing up for the first running of the Galbraith Mountain Tour. I had a great time showing off the amazing trail system out my back door.
Daniel Probst
PS.: If you were in the first or second group and know who you were running with would you please email me the names and your time. Thank you