Long way to win: Strolling Jim 40 extended by road closure

It was the first time for 40-year-old Mark Lundblad of Asheville, NC to run the Strolling Jim 40, and he won the event with a time of 4:55:13 on Saturday. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Order this photo]

Pouring rains didn't stop 92 ultramarathon runners from participating in the Strolling Jim 40 Saturday, but it did add an extra mile to their route.

Flooding on Cannon Road, one of the last legs of the 41.2-mile course, caused county officials to close the road to traffic, so the participants had a bit further to travel -- a little over a mile further.

The Strolling Jim event, which kicked off at 7 a.m. Saturday, is a full 15 miles longer than a standard 26.2-mile marathon, with runners making their way from Wartrace to Normandy to Flat Creek, over Hilltop Hill, and down through Raus, before returning to the starting point.

A new challenge

Mark Lundblad of Asheville, N.C. has been running trail marathons since 2002, but it was his fist time for the Strolling Jim event, which he won with a time of 4 hours, 55 minutes and 13 seconds.

Humidity was "pretty rough," Lundblad said, and he stated he started out fast, "but paid for it in the end," as he struggled to catch his breath at the conclusion of the grueling course.

"That extra mile hurt, too," he said. "But I liked it. Good course."

Coming in second place was 38-year-old Brian Kister of Florance, S.C., who had a time of 5:13:27.

Rain has effect

Race director Amy Cantrell, daughter of one of the founders of the race, Gary Cantrell, said 97 had registered for the run and 93 showed. Also, one runner dropped out about an hour before the first finisher, reluctant to aggravate an knee injury by continuing.

The wet weather may have been one factor keeping some who registered from taking part, she said. Amy said she did not remember this much rain taking place before or during a Strolling Jim event.

Most runners complete the course in about six to 13 hours, she said.

"We've got people that run quickly, people that walk, people that jog -- we welcome them all!"

Familiar face

David Jones, 57, of Eagleville once again won the Masters classification, set aside for those who are 45 or older. It's the 12th time in a row he's taken that title and did it this year with a time of 5:18:14.

The Strolling Jim veteran has run the race 21 times and won it twice.

46 year-old Mike Youngblood, of Shelbyville, was the only Bedford County participant, but his results were not available by press time, nor was the winner of the women's competition.

Dip skipped

One tradition that did not take place this year was the end of the race dip in Wartrace's fountain, since it was not in operation this year and the standing water in it was dirty.

The race was first held in 1978, organized by runners Cantrell of Wartrace and John Anderson, of Bell Buckle, after the Atlanta Track Club's 50-mile ultra was shut down.