Trail Running Royalty Rave About New Trails at IC King

by Michael deLisle, Race Director

A gorgeous early September morning awaited an enthusiastic crowd of trail runners as KTC’s Treadin’ Trodden Trails crew staged a triple treat of trail races at the new and much improved face of IC King Park.  As we almost always do, we led off the day’s festivities with a rollicking Kids Trail Mile, and when the kiddos were done romping through the woods, the bigger kids (sometimes referred to as adults) hit the trails for their choice of 4 miles or 10k. Those who ran this race in 2022 but haven’t returned since were treated to several new trails, thanks to the energetic and creative work of our partners at the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club.  The new trails allowed us to lead runners on a whirlwind tour of previously unexplored sections of the park, as the 4-milers twisted, turned, and frolicked through the verdant woods.  More ambitious 10k runners toured every inch of trail that the 4-milers did, plus a challenging jaunt up and down two of the big hills that lurk there across the inlet.

Top Finishers include:

Kid’s Run: Cirabella McLennan, Charley and Murphy Cannon, and Josianah Addington.

10k – Overall Male: 1- Jeremy Donahue (44:39), 2- Chris Stayman (47:04), 3- David McLennan (52:08)

10k – Overall Female: 1- Morgann King (55:17), 2- Allison Granata (56:19), 3- Elizabeth Box (1:02.41)

4 Mile – Overall Male: 1- Jamie Mccart (28:56), 2- Joey Weston (35:30), 3- Jesse Garren (38:04)

4 Mile – Overall Female: 1- Michelle Hillard (42:23), 2- Kenda Hurt (44:38), 3- Adriana Styles (44:46)

I had an all-star crew of volunteers and I want to thank each of them heartily.  Assistant RD, Pete Crowley, served in multiple ways, hauling a myriad of equipment to and from the race site (this after storing much of it in his garage since our last race) and manning the water stop by the bridge.  Tim Hill took part in the Rabbit Relay (this may become a theme as our TTT crew ages and becomes less and less mobile!), then skillfully directed runners through the five-way intersection encountered first and last in the race course.  Bobby Glenn helped with parking then went to the Kids Mile turnaround.  Once done there, he hiked out to the six-way intersection and cheerfully guided all the runners twice through that mesmerizing array of trailheads.  Doug Holder hauled a heavy load of liquid refreshments with his Big Blue Chevy, then trekked out to the four-way to ensure runners made their way around a sharp, partially obscured turn onto Upper Lake trail. 10k runners were privileged to encounter veteran trail runners Brian Williams and Kathy Smith during the adventurous loop around the big hills of Middle and Kimble.  Finish line timing was handled expertly by Rebecca Holder, with able assistance from Tony Owens and Danielle Quintanar.  Speaking of Tony (another who wore multiple hats), he also timed the kids race after spending an enjoyable several hours in the woods Saturday with Kathy Smith and the RD marking the great course.  Alexander Walker was crew chief of our most excellent parking crew, aided ably by Adam Kolatorowicz. Their skillful work was essential to the success of the event, somehow situating vehicles that transported more than 100 runners and their families into a parking area designed for 38 cars.  A veritable act of magic!  None of the successes of this (or any) race could have been accomplished without the terrific work of our veteran registration crew, Christina Adkins, Kathy Nash, and David McLennan.  An additional salute to Alondra Moody, who in the wake of running (and winning!) an ultra the day before, cheerfully took part in the Rabbit Relay and then swept the four-mile course.  Kudos, too, to Kathy Smith, who swept the hilly chunk of the 10k course after all those runners had finished their travails on the trail.  Thanks also to non-TTT volunteers Elizabeth Cathey and Mael Milardet, whose assistance with numerous last-minute tasks was invaluable.

Looking back at this overlong missive, I notice that the paragraph thanking volunteers dwarfs my mention of the runners themselves.  While I recognize that without the runners, we’d have no reason to assemble and hang out at the park early on a holiday weekend, it does not go without saying that without the large group of volunteers, mostly TTT committee members, these events simply could not exist.  So my great thanks to my fellow trail dawgs.  Y’all are the greatest.

Thanks also to our sponsors, specifically Cool Beans, SoKno Taco, Flats’n’Taps, Runners Market, Knoxville Spine and Sports, Pilot, Blackhorse Brewery, Baker Marketing Lab, and John H Hildreth.  Thanks, too, to our partner affiliates AMBC, CVTA, CHKM, and Knox County.  Folks at the county were especially helpful with several last minute tasks on the Friday before the race.