FIRST-TIME PARTICIPANTS CONQUER THE BEAR
The
top male and female winners of the 2007 running of the Bear were both
first time participants to the harsh, uphill course.
A cool and breezy summer afternoon proved to be just the trick for runner Aaron Saft, 29, from Fletcher, NC. Saft finished first with a time of 32 minutes and 33.61 seconds, leading the field of 785 runners. This was the thirteenth running of the Bear.
This was Saft's first running of the Bear but he has competed in other events like the 2005 Richmond Marathon where he placed fifth and the Shamrock Half Marathon where he placed twelfth.
"The race was a pretty easy, a piece of cake," said Saft who added that he trains in the mountains and is use to a climb.
The men’s time record still stands at 30 minutes, 34.35 seconds set by Ian Conner of Columbus, OH in 2005.
The race begins in Linville and ends five miles later at the base of the Mile High Swinging Bridge atop Grandfather Mountain, an elevation gain of 1,568 feet.
Second place finisher Ryan Woods of Boone came in with a time of 32 minutes and 47.14 seconds. Woods, 28, has run the Bear eight times with a first place finish in 2006.
Devin Swann, 26, of Raleigh is becoming an old pro at the race to the summit of Grandfather Mountain. This was his sixth year and every finish for him has been in the top four. His time this year was 32 minutes and 57.58 seconds.
Alison Bryant, of Elkin, NC, took first place for the women with a time of 37 minutes and 24.11 seconds. Bryant, 28, had never run the Bear.
"The race was really hard," said Bryant who had to catch her breath after crossing the finish line, "I started out too fast."
The women’s record remains at 35 minutes and 55 seconds set in 2002 by Beth Fonner.
Second
place for the women went to Leigh Wallace of Boone, NC with a time of
38 minutes and 45 seconds. Wallace, who also placed second in 2006,
has run the Bear five times.
"It was a great run and the weather was perfect," said Wallace. "On that last hill I wanted to quit so bad, but you know you can’t and then you get to the top and you forget about how bad it was."
The third place win went to Molly Nunn of Winston Salem, NC with a time of 40 minutes and 23 seconds. Nunn, 23, has completed the Bear five times and took third place in 2006 as well.
Following the race, the opening ceremony for the 52nd Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games announced the arrival of the clans with a torchlight ceremony. This year 160 Scottish clans and societies are expected to participate in the games.
The weather forecast for the weekend looks great with very comfortable temperatures and clear skies. Crowds to this year's Highland Games are sure to be entertained by Celtic music, traditional Scottish athletics, sheepherding demonstrations and much more.
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