Grandfather Mountain, Nature on a Whole Different Level

COWIE WINS THE 2009 GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN MARATHON

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, N.C. – Runners from 34 states and Canada, lined up for the 42nd annual Grandfather Mountain Marathon. The Marathon was the third leg of the extreme athletic challenges held as a part of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans. Runners began the race at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone N.C. and then ran 26.2 grueling miles to the finish line in MacRae Meadows.

Steve CowieSteve Cowie from Greensboro, N.C., completed the course and won the Grandfather Mountain Marathon in 2:46.31. Cowie, has raced in the marathon two times before and placed in the top five each time. He is a civil engineer by trade and trains about 100 miles a week in his spare time.

"Those last six miles or so were the hardest for me as well as the big hills on mile 23," said Cowie. "Coming onto the track at the Highland Games after running 26 miles was definitely the most exciting part."

Second overall was Tim Meigs, 42, from Raleigh. Meigs finished the race with a time of 2:46.39. This was his fourth marathon and his first time with the Grandfather Mountain Marathon.

"The best part for me was running through Julian Price Park. I used to camp there a lot as a kid with my grandparents, so there were lots of good memories," said Meigs. "The course was hard, but I had a really good day. I felt really good and did a lot better than I thought I would."

Third place went to Marcus Jones from Richmond, Va. Jones completed the race with a time of 2:47.48. This was his first Grandfather Mountain Marathon. He is a ninth grade world history teacher and cross-country coach at Trinity Episcopal School in Richmond, VA.

"I bring my students to Boone each summer for a cross-country camp and I have fallen in love with the area," said Jones. "I will now be able to tell my students when they come to camp that if I can do it, they can do it."

Anne WheatlyAnne Wheatley of Beaufort, NC won first place in women’s division. Wheatley, 24, completed the race in 3:09.38. She is an educator at the Pineknoll Shores Aquarium, and trains 70 miles a week when she is not at work.

"The hardest part of the race was the gravel road on mile 17," said Wheatley. "The weather was good, it was nice to be cool and dry, it helped me run better."

The second woman to finish was Kimberlie Fowler, 28 of Raleigh, NC. Fowler finished in 3:11.04. A veteran of seven marathons, including the Boston Marathon, this was her first time running at Grandfather Mountain.

"It was beautiful. I would do it again, but it is a brutal course. I wasn't prepared for the hills. I knew it was going to be hilly, but whew! That was tough," said Fowler. "This is great. For a small marathon, I was very impressed."

Katie Booker, 21, from Apex, NC, finished third with a time of 3:14.29. Booker is a rising senior at Appalachian State University. This was her first marathon and she trained 60 miles a week in preparation for the event.

The oldest participant in the marathon was Charlie Viers from Natchitoches, LA. Viers is 67 years old and this was his 167th marathon. He has completed a marathon in all 50 states as well as several marathons in other countries. This was his first time competing in the Grandfather Mountain Marathon and he finished with a time of 4:29.30.

"This was a marvelous experience," said Viers. "Being apart of the Highland Games and finishing on the track was wonderful."

The Grandfather Mountain Marathon was the third extreme athletic event of the weekend. A handful of athletes completed The Bear foot race and The Grizzly bike race as well. Those who completed all three events were vying for the coveted title of King or Queen of the Mountain.

Ray & Causebrook

The 2009 King of the Mountain was Christopher Causebrook, 27, from Charlotte, NC. Causebrook finished all three events in 462 minutes and 86 seconds.

"Everything was well put together," said Causebrook. "I met a lot of great people, and the volunteers were extraordinary! I will be back next year!"

Kristi Ray, 39, from Charlotte, NC, was crowned Queen of the Mountain. Ray is a stay-at-home mother of five children. She completed all three events in 491 minutes and 64 seconds.

"It was a long three days, but it was a lot of fun," said Ray.

The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games continue Sunday with a Scottish worship service, the Parade of Tartans and children's competition in track and field.

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