MITCHELTREE WINS GRIZZLY AFTER RUNNING THE BEAR
GRANDFATHER
MOUNTAIN, NC – Andy Mitcheltree, 29, placed first in the Grizzly
bike race Friday morning. Mitcheltree, of Blowing Rock, placed 11th
in Thursday night’s five-mile Bear footrace to the top of Grandfather
Mountain and plans to compete in the 26-mile Mountain Marathon on Sunday.
"The Grizzly was brutal," said Mitcheltree, "The last 20 minutes of the race were so hard; hopefully I will have some energy left for tomorrow."
Mitcheltree’s time of 3:10.15 beat the other 59 competitors.
After Mitcheltree completes the Marathon on Saturday he will be given a special award for enduring all three events at the Highland Games.
This was the first-ever bike race at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. The race began and ended at MacRae Meadows with 65-miles of winding mountain roads in between. Cyclists went through the towns of Elk Park, Beech Mountain, Banner Elk and Newland while climbing a staggering 7,000 feet.
The new event is raising funds for the Western Youth Network, an organization that provides a number of services to youth and their families in Watuaga, Avery and Ashe Counties. High Country youth, ages 6-17 have opportunities through the organization to be mentored, attend after school and summer programs, and most importantly, to have a support network that encourages them to succeed.
Placing second in the Grizzly was Tom Donnell, 38, of Sugar Grove, NC. Donnell had a time of 3:14.55 and plans to ride in the race again next year.
"It was a good course, lots of climbing but lots of fun," said Donnell.
The third place award went to Jeff Welch, 44, of Lenoir with a time of 3:15.07.
The
first woman to arrive back at MacRae Meadows was Robin Farina of Blowing
Rock. Farina, 29, had a time of 3:19.30 and felt that living in the
area really gave her an edge.
"I think I did well because the race was in my backyard," said Farina, "but it was definitely brutal. The climb up the back of Beech Mountain was the hardest."
The second woman to arrive was Beth Frye, 38, of Boone with a time of 3:28.40 and third was Megan Cormondy, 33, who is also from Boone, with a time of 3:45.18.
The second woman to arrive was Beth Frye, 38, of Boone with a time of 3:28.40 and third was Megan Cormondy, 33, who is also from Boone, with a time of 3:45.18.
Saturday the racing action will continue at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games with the Mountain Marathon that boasts the reputation of "America's Toughest" marathon.
In addition to the Marathon, Saturday will also be filled with heavy Scottish athletics, mass bands, piping competitions, track and field events, food, fun and colorful personalities.
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