Notes
XTERRA AT BIG POCONO STATE PARK DRAWS INTERSTATE STANDOUTS
The Wendy’s Xterra Trail Racing Series kicked off with a bang Saturday at Big Pocono State Park in
Tannersville where a field of 32 runners from as far away as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New Brunswick
NJ tackled over 3.2 miles of rugged dirt and stone trails that traversed 200-foot cliffs, climbed over
boulder-fields and past massive rocks outcrops, and ended with a spectacular view of three states from the
top of Camelback Mountain.
The race was won by 42-year old George Fair from Scottsrun who easily beat Kenyan-native Bornfase
Omurwa. “The course was relentless” said Fair. “Excellent challenges that required constant effort with
no chance for a break. And the views were absolutely wonderful”. This was the first-ever trail run for
Bornfase an elite road racer sponsored by the National Running Center. “Wow, this was a new
experience” said Bornfase while still breathless at the finish. “This is much harder than road running. The
trails cause you to use different muscles…and I felt them strain as the race went on”. Third place finisher
Rich Burgunder from Pittsburgh said “this is a great course, but much harder than expected. And the
scramble up the boulders was crazy!”. The first place female was Nadalie Solomon from Nuangola, who
was followed by Jaclyn Shokey from Bangor PA, and Jess Dymun from Elizabethtown, PA.
“This is an awesome series to bring to Northeastern Pennsylvania” said Reg Thomas, Race Director for
Wilkes Barre Racing, the promoter of the series. “Xterra is the international leader in off-road and ecoracing
events. It is wonderful they recognize the NEPA’s potential to attract the best athletes from the
across the northeast United States”. The Pocono Series is the only Xterra Trail Run series in the New
York, northern New Jersey and Northeast Pennsylvania area.
Xterra racing is not like running on the road. Athletes have to bring their own water and food. They may
have to stop and walk, climb or even crawl up steep hillsides. They generally wear rugged “trail running
shoes” with stiff soles. Runners must be trained in good running techniques. They must lift their feet
higher and place them much more carefully then road runners. Every course is different and weather is a
large factor in making how fast an athlete can negotiate natural terrain. Just finishing is the goal of every
competitor.
The next race in the series is at the Seven Tubs Nature Area in Bear Creek, Luzerne County. The race
starts at 10:00am, Saturday May 21, 2011. Registration is $20 on-line or $25 at the event.
Visit www.wilkesbarreracing.com for details and registration forms.
Wilkes Barre Racing is a 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to raising money and awareness for foster care
and adoption through athletics.