Sacramento Running News

Ashley Carroll powers to the win at the Willow Hills XC Open (SRN photo)

Did you run cross country in high school and now miss the sport? Or did you never run cross country but wonder what it would be like?

Even if the rosy glow of youth is long behind you, you can still get in on the fun at some fast, local races. Prices are low, so don’t expect bands or swag bags, just good times and fierce competition.

Folsom was the place for the 5th Annual Willow Hill Cross Country Open, this past Saturday. This race is ably hosted by the Buffalo Chips Running Club and is part of the PAUSATF Cross Country Grand Prix, so top runners throughout Northern California were out in force and winning times on the hilly 5 Km were fast.

The women’s race was first to run, and the Impalas’ Ashley Carroll, 32, ran away from SRA’s Lea Wallace, 26, in the last mile to win in a time of 18:09. Wallace finished second in 18:19. Ibet Allan, 38, running for West Valley Track Club, was third with an 18:40 finish.

Running in the same race, the Impalas’ Nancy Thomas, 46, was the first Masters Women finisher in a time of 19:54. Kristen Soloway, 41, running for GVH was second master with 20:05. Rounding out the top three was Talmapa’s Nancy Simmons, 56, who ran a 20:57.

Next up was the Masters Men, where Neville Davey, 40, running for West Valley Track Club, slayed the field with a blistering time of 16:03. Next in was the River City Rebels’ Ed Brooks, 44, with a time of 17:24. Coming in third, and also running for the Rebels, was Marcelo Lerda, 44, who ran the distance in 17:35.

SRA’s Lea Wallace kicks down the home stretch. (SRN photo)

Finally, in the mounting and unseasonable October heat, the Open Men got their chance to run.

Jonathan Sees, 27, running unattached, was the overall winner with a smoking hot time of 15:44. Coming in a close second, was SRA Elite’s Anthony Mallory, 25, with a 15:48 finish.

Rounding out the top three was Strawberry Canyon’s Ryan Smith, 20, with a brisk time of 15:52.

It should be pointed out that Neville Davey, after winning the Masters Men’s race rested for 29 minutes and then ran 16:01 for a 7th place finish in the Open Men’s race. It was a pretty amazing performance.

Complete results are here.

If you want to run a local cross country race, your next opportunity to dust off those spikes is November 15th, when the River City Rebels will be hosting the Ancil Hoffman Challenge and Rebel Rebellion (6 Km). I hope to see you there!