The Big River Racing Team raced into December to finish off the year in mild but at times cold weather seeing temps as low as 25 or so degrees at start times. Despite this, the team dashed along with great performances and even heightened experience going into 2019.
Starting on the first day of December, was the annual Santa’s on the Loose run in Webster Grove’s MO of which many of its participants dress up in traditional Santa Suits, Boots and give a jolly HO, HO, HO to all as they run on the 5k course in the surrounding neighborhoods. Over 325 people came to run in the cold weather and the sole Big River Racing Team runner, Mark Spewak won the race.
The following morning was the Wildwood Trail Marathon in Wildwood, MO. Gryphon Kettering the sole Big River Racing Team Competitor won the race.
The following weekend saw lots of competition that the racing team was involved in. Starting on Saturday was the Pere Marquette Endurance Trail Run. Laura Hendrix took 3rd overall in the women’s division and winning her age group. Moving to the trails of Castlewood State Park in Wildwood, MO was the annual Skippo Trail Run sponsored by Big River Running and is part of their trail series of races. In the 20K, Frankie Biondo won the overall race while in the 30k Ben Hudson won the 30k. Congrats to all of our trail competitiors given the cold conditions and terrain.
The following day saw equally chilling temperatures in downtown St. Louis for the annual Hot Chocolate 15k/5k for the Make a Wish Foundation. In the cold weather many Big River Racing runners raced with their teammates across the downtown area with hot chocolate and other goodies waiting for them at the end. In the 15k Brice Pavey, Caleb Emberton, and Drew Mueller came in 2, 3 and 4 respectively with Julia Kohnen winning the overall women’s division and rounding out the top 10 in the overall race as well as Tony Hilken winning with overall Master’s title for the race and taking 16th overall. In the 5k race Julie Lefere won the Master’s division for the women as well as rounding out the top 15 in the women’s race.
To finish off the year several runners also participate in races involved in either the Frostbite or Snowball Series races. These races are ran as part of a circuit of 5 races that feature both a short and long course version of each circuit. Many runners on the team either compete in one of the circuits or race in a few races for workout purposes to get ready for key races further into the season. Some of the runners that have ran in these races for either competition or training purposes are Matt Rosene, Frankie Biondo, Marshall Phares, Chris Floyd, Mike Aitken, Tony Hilken, Cass Dedart, John Kelly, Julia Kohnen and Julie Lefere.
Throughout the year there were several accomplishments by the Big River Racing Team and its runners and affiliates from smashing PRs, to getting key wins, to gaining new members and friends along the way and many more things. As the team looks forward to many more races, training runs, and overall endeavors, the team wishes everyone a happy and joyous 2019 and to keep pressing towards your goals.
Stay Tuned for the next article near the end of January 2019!!!
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Big River Racing is about running in its purest form. We encompass racing and pushing one’s limits, accepting anyone who shares our passion for running. The team is a dedicated group of like-minded individuals who train, race and socialize with the goal of improving the St. Louis running community through advocacy, openness and volunteerism. The team exists to support runners from post-collegiate athletes to those relatively new to the sport and anyone in between.