Winter Solstice Half Marathon

Oh the weather outside was frightful, but the fire so delightful…

The Winter Solstice Half Marathon began at 9:00am as a light snow was falling at Bluff Creek Trails. Some 30 runners climbed out of their warm beds to toe the line. The course: Two twisting and winding loops through our home trail, including an excursion into the never before seen new extension.

Joel McCarthy, Dave Wood and Scott Miller, in an attempt to drive supplies out to the aid station found themselves stuck in the mud, hoofed it out to the opening to provide the runners with water and Gatorade.

Oh, how I wish I were out there running with you. But standing by the fire, with about 8 dozen cookies isn’t bad either

As I am not a competitive runner, I certainly couldn’t host a race that rewards speed. So, I hide Poinsettia branches out on the course. Bring me a Poinsettia, I give you a prize. Bring me a branch of Mistletoe, and you win a kiss from Dave or Peggy Wood. (No one brought me mistletoe). The Poinsettia prizes went to Anna Nason, Chisholm Deupree and for the second year in a row, one to Shay Beatty. The grand prize this year was donated by Thomas Hill – who experienced his first trail event at The Winter Solstice Half Marathon. Thomas donated an entry into the 2008 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Since no one found the White Poinsettia which I had designated the fro the Grand Prize, I gave it to Andy Bowman, who braved the weather driving in from Kansas AND printed his registration form on RECYCLED PAPER!

About half the participants ended their run after the first loop. Who could blame them, it was cold. Even the cookies at the Start/Finish Line froze. But to the brave souls that covered the full distance, I bow to you.

Thank you all for celebrating the Winter Solstice with me. I guarantee warmer weather for the Summer Solstice.

--Katharine Cranwell
--Your Winter Solstice Hostess