Baxter Mountain Race (3.5M)

I love this race!
This year, I decided to run the shorter distance of the two that are offered. The short race is 3.5 miles. The longer distance is 11.5 miles. I did the long distance last year and it kicked my butt. Since the Tupper Lake Tinman is the following weekend, I decided to go the shorter route.
The weather was almost ideal as we arrived at the Mountaineer store. This is where the runners were to meet to take a yellow school bus to the start. There were two buses leaving at two different times. The first bus left at 9:40 and the second at 10:10. The short race started at 10am so, obviously, the second bus would carry the runners who didn't want to start up front.
The start of the race is at a trailhead for Baxter Mountain. There is a person with a watch and a clipboard starting people at 1 minute intervals. I chose to go on the first bus because I didn't want to have to pass too many people during the race. You'll see why in a moment.
We get off of the bus and get our race numbers "sharpied" on our arms. We then make our way to the trailhead for the start. It looked as though there were about 40 people on that first bus. When I reached the trailhead, the woman with the watch and board gave us quick instructions and let us know that the quicker people should go first since most of the trail is a single person trail which makes it difficult to pass.
I know this from first-hand experience. I've done this race twice before, and each time there were people who wouldn't let me pass. I would be right breathing on their backs and saying, "PASS!! ON YOUR LEFT," but they would not let me pass!
This time I said I would go first, and I did. Everyone else would have to pass me if they felt the need.
And off I went into the woods and up the mountain. Once I made it to the peak of the uphill portion, it started to go steadily down. THe fun part of this race is the downhill. I tend to be on the verge of out of control. One must keep there eyes and thoughts at least 5 steps ahead. There are roots and rocks that could end your race (and many future races) with one lazy step.
So upon crossing the finish line, I was happy with the fact that nobody passed me during the race and nobody seemed to cross the finish line immediately after me.
The frustrating part is that you have to wait until everyone is done running to see how you did in the rankings. Since the last person to go can cover the distance in a quicker time than you, it makes it very suspensful.
As it turns out, I ended up winning the race. I ran a 24:26. This is a good time seeing as how they changed the course from the last time I ran it. They give great prizes (two hiking poles, a great water bottle, and subscription to trail runner mag). I will include the link to the results of this years race and the previous years' results are viewable as well. I ran the 11.5 last year and the 3.5 in 06 and 05.
http://www.mountaineer.com/trail_run/08results.htm
Next up... Tupper Lake Tinman!! This is it!! It's here! The race I've been training for has arrived.
Until next time!