Discussion: Highlander Event Summary
in: Hudson Highlander XVIII (Oct 18, 2015 - Kanawauke Picnic Area (41.234379, -74.116585))
Oct 20, 2015 2:54 AM
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Sunday's Highlander saw a healthy turn out of runners. Kseniya Popova, this year's course setter, led a pack of 61 brave souls to the start of the Highlander course, while Nadya Popova, mother of the course-setter, led 26 Lowlander souls to their start. Both groups started on time!
In classic Highlander style, the much discussed streamers that had been placed along the trail run on the Surebridge section of the course were discovered just before the start to have gone missing! Thankfully, there was time to remedy this before our first runner reached the trail. This year, we had the benefit of radio stations (thank you Bernie) across the more remote Surebridge map, and runners' bib numbers were called in to the finish area as they started on the trail run.
The leaves were on fire and the weather was mostly friendly (sunny and cold). The on and off snow flurries were the most popular cause of complaints, as reported by the volunteers at the map exchange area at Kanauwake Lake, as runners traded in their maps to start their last loop on the course, just north of Sebago lake.
Food was hot and plentiful. Liisa went all out this year, and not a one could have left this years' event without a full belly. At the same time, the missing personal snacks for the lowlander runners is sincerely regretted... they were unintentionally left at the registration area.
Several congratulations are in order:
Alex Jospe was this year's first place female finisher, coming in at 4:26. She was also crowned Queen of the Mountain, making the toughest climb on the course in 10:52.
Jordan Laughlin was this year's first place male finisher, coming in at 3:19. He was also crowned King of the Mountain, making the toughest climb on the course in 8:15.
Ethan Childs and Evalin Brautigam were top male and female finishers on the Lowlander.
Joe Brautigam won a prize for correctly guessing which maps the course would use this year.
The fabulous five: Joe, J-J, Bernie, Peggy and Charlie, all showed up and did not disappoint!
Congratulations to the team who came together to help make this event the success that it was, and to all the runners who inspired us to do so.
In alphabetical order, my most sincere gratitude to all the volunteers:
Alan Y., Anna & Anna B., Annette B., Asiya A., Bernie B., Betsy H., Bill B., Cathy C., Craig W., Daniel S., Declan H., Donna F., Eric S., Geof C., George H., Greg B., Guy O., Jeff O., Jeremy C., Jon O., Judy D., Katya D., Yevgeniy G., Liisa B., Max A., Nadya P., Pavlina, Valerie M., Valya
I'm surprised/disappointed there wasn't any comment about the typo on the maps. We were hoping it could become a new tradition...
In classic Highlander style, the much discussed streamers that had been placed along the trail run on the Surebridge section of the course were discovered just before the start to have gone missing! Thankfully, there was time to remedy this before our first runner reached the trail. This year, we had the benefit of radio stations (thank you Bernie) across the more remote Surebridge map, and runners' bib numbers were called in to the finish area as they started on the trail run.
The leaves were on fire and the weather was mostly friendly (sunny and cold). The on and off snow flurries were the most popular cause of complaints, as reported by the volunteers at the map exchange area at Kanauwake Lake, as runners traded in their maps to start their last loop on the course, just north of Sebago lake.
Food was hot and plentiful. Liisa went all out this year, and not a one could have left this years' event without a full belly. At the same time, the missing personal snacks for the lowlander runners is sincerely regretted... they were unintentionally left at the registration area.
Several congratulations are in order:
Alex Jospe was this year's first place female finisher, coming in at 4:26. She was also crowned Queen of the Mountain, making the toughest climb on the course in 10:52.
Jordan Laughlin was this year's first place male finisher, coming in at 3:19. He was also crowned King of the Mountain, making the toughest climb on the course in 8:15.
Ethan Childs and Evalin Brautigam were top male and female finishers on the Lowlander.
Joe Brautigam won a prize for correctly guessing which maps the course would use this year.
The fabulous five: Joe, J-J, Bernie, Peggy and Charlie, all showed up and did not disappoint!
Congratulations to the team who came together to help make this event the success that it was, and to all the runners who inspired us to do so.
In alphabetical order, my most sincere gratitude to all the volunteers:
Alan Y., Anna & Anna B., Annette B., Asiya A., Bernie B., Betsy H., Bill B., Cathy C., Craig W., Daniel S., Declan H., Donna F., Eric S., Geof C., George H., Greg B., Guy O., Jeff O., Jeremy C., Jon O., Judy D., Katya D., Yevgeniy G., Liisa B., Max A., Nadya P., Pavlina, Valerie M., Valya
I'm surprised/disappointed there wasn't any comment about the typo on the maps. We were hoping it could become a new tradition...
Oct 20, 2015 12:03 PM
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Super event by Chinghua and HVO. Kseniya set a wonderful course; that first map is magical. Great choice of trail for the trail run!
Thank you all!
Thank you all!
Oct 20, 2015 3:59 PM
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We noticed the typo, but figured it was no reason to complain, the event was one of the best ever. Great course, well marked trail (even if it took two tries), just a hint of some unusual weather, nice map printing (OK I will once again point out that the lines would be best if broken before the circles), and a master chef on the grille.
Oct 20, 2015 5:38 PM
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We also received feedback that the red trail lines on the map were hard to see... that perhaps highlighter yellow may have helped.
Oct 20, 2015 6:46 PM
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Superb organization and event all around. The course was varied and interesting, Surebridge is as sexy as ever, and the logistics, event crew, and food were all sublime. Thanks very much for putting this on (and to the results crew for helping me start)!
Oct 20, 2015 8:44 PM
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Every time I think I have run my last Highlander, another great one is put on and convinces me that I have one more in me. Thanks to all!
Oct 20, 2015 10:10 PM
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It's a tough but fair competition and a god tradition to keep going.
I especially appreciated that the Lowlander finishers were recognized (beyond first finishers) with an edible prize (not as lasting as a t-shirt or other item, but enjoyed nonetheless).
Thanks to all involved in making it a great day for us all!
I especially appreciated that the Lowlander finishers were recognized (beyond first finishers) with an edible prize (not as lasting as a t-shirt or other item, but enjoyed nonetheless).
Thanks to all involved in making it a great day for us all!
Oct 21, 2015 8:44 PM
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Sure thing... balter is working on the lower res files to post and kpop and I will get routegadget set up at some point. stay tuned!
Oct 22, 2015 2:33 AM
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And more gratuitous photos of the winner of the map guessing contest...
This discussion thread is closed.