It was as if the weather ushered in a perfect fall day for runners on Saturday, Sept. 30.
With temperatures in the low 70s most of the day, cloud covering blocking the heat from the sun, and a slight breeze blowing, it was an absolute choice environment for the 17th annual Hinson Lake 24 Hour Ultra Classic to take place on the 1.5032-mile loop trail at Hinson Lake in Rockingham.
The event began at 8 a.m. Saturday and ended at 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 1.
Not only is Hinson Lake the preferred location for runners but also one of the largest Ultras in the world in terms of participants with more than 500 registered entries. The first 24 Hour Ultra at Hinson Lake took place in 2006 with 62 participants — this year there were 418.
Registration opens each year on Jan. 1 and, because of the event’s popularity, it usually fills up the same day — then the wait list begins.
The event is made affordable with a registration fee of only $35 per person, and the running community absolutely loves Jerry Lindstrand and his wife Connie as they put their heart and soul into the event each year.
Tents begin to pop up around the lake on the Thursday before the event; it’s first come, first serve as early arrivals get the prime spots.
Brad Smythe is Hinson Lake’s race timer as well as part of the running community; he toughs out the entire 24 hours. He also ran Hinson for the first five years and won the second year. He has been the event’s race timer for 10 years.
People come from all over the United States to attend the event — and some have traveled from different countries.
Runner Ondrej Prokop traveled the farthest this year, coming all the way from the Czech Republic. He has been running in the United States for 10 years, and this was his fourth time participating in the Hinson Lake event.
“It’s an exceptional run and very well supported and organized,” Prokop said. I love the layout, and it’s my favorite run in the United States.”
He went on to mention the support from his partner, Hannah, who also attended the event.
“The most important thing is my love for Hannah and her motivation to keep me running.”
This year’s first-place winner — as well as overall male — was Ken Bell from Cary with 106.7272 miles; with Michelle Gray from Johnson City Tennessee, as the overall top female and overall second place with 103.7208 miles.
Runners up include:
- Second place, male – Mark Craig of Shelby – 103.7208 miles
- Second place, female – Regina Sooey of Jacksonville, Florida – 85.6824 miles
- Third place, male – Zac Godfrey of Garner – 102.2176 miles
- Third place, female – Susan Ardrey of Hesston, Pennsylvania – 80.1728 miles
Top runners for the Mangum Track Club were Jay Todd of laurinburg with 90.192 miles and Jennifer Ralson from Raleigh with 75.16 miles.
First-lap finishers Bryce Meek (10 minutes, 8 seconds) and Rhea Deroian (11 minutes, 37 seconds) received a backpack cooler.
Winners received medals as well as some receiving pottery made by 77-year-old runner Irene Russell — better known as “Hurricane Irene.” Russell has participated in the run since the beginning.
“This whole thing is just fun,” Russell said. “I get to see all my friends, it’s like home to me.”
Lindstrand opened the event as he welcomed everyone. He briefly spoke about the picture on this year’s T-shirt, which included four runners’ silhouettes. The runners were in front of the lake with a full moon in the background representing the full moon during this year’s run. He spoke of the lead runner on the shirt, Lee Watson, who unexpectedly passed away less than two weeks before the event.
With Watson’s passing, this year’s event was missing another iconic runner — otherwise known as “Iceman” — who had signed up for the run.
Watson, a Marine Corps veteran, had participated in all the Hinson Lake 24-Hr Ultras since 2013 with the exception of the last two due to sickness. He developed a rare form of cancer and had to have a leg amputated. He had recently gotten a running blade for his artificial leg and was excited about trying it out. His silhouette featured on this year’s event t-shirt shows him with his running blade.
At sunset, Watson’s wife Ginger and numerous others — including Rockingham Mayor John Hutchinson — joined in a special memorial service to honor Watson. The service took place at the MTC tent in which Watson was a legendary member. Taps — traditionally played at sunset — was performed by Marine Ben Benjamin, who volunteers for Bugles Across America. The Marine Corp Hymn was played next as attendees sang along.
Watson was a talented musician who had written and played many songs. Ginger Watson played one of his songs at the end of the service, then the running community expressed their sorrow by consoling her.
“Lee loved this run; he ran it the first 15 years,” said Ginger Watson.
There was a T-shirt at the tent in memory of Watson for runners to sign as well as a photo collage featuring some of his special moments.
Just last year, the running community lost Bill Keane.
Keane, another iconic runner, held second place in the overall Hinson Lake event and he had also participated in every run before his death.
Click here to read more about Keane.
Keane and Ray Krolewicz had a friendly “running” neck-and-neck relationship with first and second place, as Keane trailed closely behind Krolewicz who holds first with 1336.7 miles.
Keane’s family became familiar with the close-knit running community that he so dearly loved and has now become part of the community. This year, they entered the event for the first time as well as setting up a tent in the same spot Keane used for years.
“I see this as an event to remember my dad and his legacy in the running community,” said Keane’s son Nigel. “I still remember my dad’s first 24 Hour Ultra marathon. Our family goal is to get 62 collective miles. We will continue to come back each year from now on. I feel it memorializes my dad through his relationships with the running community.”
Also attending was Keane’s wife Susan; Nigel’s wife Elizabeth and their 4 ½ month old son, Henry William (who was named after Bill Keane); Keane’s daughter Nea and her husband Brian as well as their two young children, Abigail and Owen.
Henry made his first lap at Hinson during the event as he literally “strolled” around the trail. Everyone got their laps in: Abigail ran 19.5 miles and Owen logged 13.5288. The family exceeded their expectations as they accomplished 145.8104 collective miles.
Keane’s family had special wooden ornaments made of a Hinson Lake cut out which included the trail, the bridge, a gnome carrying a banner, and on the back was his quote, “1 Mo Run.” They showed such kindness as they lovingly gave them out to Keane’s friends.
Lindstrand and Krolewicz enjoyed a relaxing moment as they reminisced on Friday night before the event.
“It is a phenomenal place; the ultimate people’s place,” said Krolewicz. “Tom Gabell had the great concept to have the race and when he moved away, he asked Jerry to take over. He said he couldn’t think of anyone better to do it.”
This is the 13th year Lindstrand has been in charge of the event.
Walking along the trail with so many runners, this writer could not help but hear numerous people telling stories of how their running journey began.
One runner was Edward Jones, a retired veteran from Fayetteville,. This was his first time participating at Hinson Lake as a few of his friends talked him into it.
“It is an amazing course; if you’ve never ran it, you should definitely sign up for it in January,” said Jones. “I wasn’t prepared for 24 hours even though I’ve been training all year, but it has been fun. It’s been an amazing day and the weather is perfect; it’s been a great experience. I will come back next year.”
Runner Peter Asciutto, who has been participating in the event since 2010, hit the 500-mile mark this year.
“I’m excited to hit 500 miles,” Asciutto said. “I didn’t realize until the night before the run that I was so close.”
Asciutto started the gnome tradition back in 2012 when he went for a random trip to Walmart for supplies. Runners now bring gnomes and other figures to place along the trail; this keeps them occupied during the long run.
His brother and professional musician, Harry Havery, traveled from Florida to play live music during the event for runners to enjoy for the first time. Havery played a variety of music for 10 hours with very little breaks; this was a record for him.
Harvery said he has been playing for 46 years and started getting paid when he was 10.
“Hinson Lake is incredibly beautiful; too good to be true,” Havery said. “I walked a lap with my brother Peter, and it is stunning. I can see why everyone loves it; you can tell the people really love each other.”
Another Hinson Lake tradition is the banana drop. About 20 minutes before the race is over, runners receive a banana with their number on it. The horn blows at hour 24 and the bananas are dropped. The distance to the banana is measured and included in their mileage.
73-year-old Claude Sinclair from Lancaster, South Carolina, has been putting on races since 1978. This weekend he ran 50K, but not without pain and suffering. Around mile 12, he fell and cracked a rib, but kept on going to accumulate about 20 more miles.
“Five runners rushed to my aid and helped me; it reminded me of how unselfish ultra runners are,” said Sinclair. “Jerry and the family did a great job, and the volunteers were fantastic. I don’t think that I have ever had so much fun at a race before. I will be back.”
Massage therapist Denise Martin had her table and massage chair set up at the event for the 12th year, donating her services to runners in need. Numerous people within the community helped at the event, and among some of the volunteers were students from Richmond Early College helping serve food and drinks to passing runners.
Each year at the event, the running community donates pet food and items as well as monetary donations to Richmond County Operation Fix. This year’s donation totaled 1860.7 pounds of dry dog/cat food; the second-largest donation since the event began receiving donations back in 2013 and exceeding last year’s by 358 pounds.
In order to accommodate those camping out Friday night before the event, Wildfire Pizza’s food truck, owned by Ouida Newell, was available for attendees to purchase pizzas. The Hamlet Fire Department was also on site during the event to provide emergency services if needed.
To most, it is like a family reunion. The running community is a very close-knit group of people. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first time; one tends to feel the love and encouragement that saturates the environment.
Visit the facebook page, Hinson Lake 24 Ultra Classic, for more information and log onto raceresult.com for full results from the race.
See more photos below.
NOTE: This story was edited to correct the years Watson participated. 3 p.m. 10-8-23
