Congrats to Clinton Lake 2018 Finishers

Runners on trail. Photo: Roger Smith

Yesterday was the 12th annual Clinton Lake 30-Mile trail ultra in DeWitt, IL. It was a day filled with cold rain, snow, and sleet with 20-30 mph winds. Temperatures were 32-34F all day. Not the best running conditions. Fortunately, I was just a volunteer. If running, I would have been a DNF. Of the 86 starters, only 48 finished the full 30 miles on the slushy trails. Congratulations to all 48 of them. They persevered when many others quit. Certainly the hardest running conditions the race has ever seen. Smallest percentage of finishers and no course records, but lots of good stories about the terrible conditions!

Volunteers warming up. Photo: R. Smith

Magdalena, the new race director, did a fine job in her first year as RD. Many thanks to her (and the many race volunteers). It's not an easy job. Lots of sleepless nights and way too many complaints. Too few thanks. That's the life of an RD. Nice to see the race I started back in 2007 continues with buffalo traditions preserved. Hopefully next year will bring sunny skies and cool (not cold) weather. Great for the runners, good for the volunteers, and really nice for the race director.