UPPER LAKE — Twelve hay bale hurdles, three mud pits and 2.86 miles later and it was David Parker and Meghan Beare claiming the overall championships Saturday during the inaugural Walnut Steeplechase Mudder at Upper Lake High School.
The event, which drew 52 participants in its first year, is a fundraiser for the Upper Lake High School track and cross country teams. Money raised will be put toward the purchase of hurdles for the track team and an electronic timing device to be used by both sports.
“I was real happy with the turnout for the first year,” Upper Lake track and cross country coach John Woods said. “We”re already planning for next year”s event and hopefully we can double the number of runners.”
Competing on the Upper Lake cross country course, participants had the option of running either one lap (1.43 miles) or two laps on the 2.86-mile course, which included obstacles high school cross country runners normally wouldn”t face such as a dozen hay bale hurdles and three mud pits that proved to be more water hazards than mud hazards.
Parker won by almost a minute on the 2.86-mile course, completing it in 19 minutes, 19 seconds, nearly a full minute ahead of runner-up Cory Rodriguez (20:17). Dan Link came in third at 20:30.
Meghan Beare was the first woman to cross the finish line at 2.86 miles, winning in 23:23. Tanya Harris was next at 24:27 and Sheri Madrzyk at 25:18 came in third.
In the 1.43-mile race, the winners were Jose Fernandez (12:31) on the men”s side and Lyndsey Wade (13:30) on the women”s side. Runner-up honors went to Donavan Fernandez (13:31) and Christal Coatney (16.37).
The top three finishers in each age division received awards, overall winners received plaques, and all participants received race T-shirts as part of their $20 entry fee.
Upper Lake High School”s cross country course will be busy again Sept. 7 during the annual Cougar Classic, a meet hosted by the Cougars, albeit minus the hay bale hurdles and mud pits.
Call Woods at 972-2142 for more information.
