The day began with a beautifully lit sunrise as runners began warming up for the start of the 18t annual Hinson Lake 24-Hour Ultra Classic.
Despite the recent destructive passing of Hurricane Helene, runners did not allow it to put a damper on their day. During the day, temperatures were mostly in the upper 80s and humid at times. Out of around 505 registrants for the event, 437 participated.
The event took place at Hinson Lake in Rockingham from 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 to 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 29. Runners from all over begin arriving early before the event to set up tents claiming their spots. Many had to overcome several obstacles due to the storm in order to make it to the event along with trudging through a 10-foot area on the trail where the lake had spilled over the day of the event; it receded later in the day. One runner arrived Thursday and weathered the storm during the night. Wildfire Pizza was set up Friday night to accommodate hungry participants.
Each runner had a goal to reach, and each has their own personal story. The fellowship in the running community is something to be sought after. They come from all over to attend the Hinson Lake event, connecting as one big family, as it is one of their favorite locations. Jerry and Connie Lindstrand work hard coordinating the event months beforehand to make sure everything will run smoothly. There were also numerous volunteers that helped make it possible.
“We were lucky to escape the wrath of Helena,” said Jerry Lindstrand.
First-place overall winner was 31-year-old Zac Godfrey from Garner, finishing with 111.2368 miles. Second-place overall winner was 55-year-old Michelle Gray from Johnson City, Tennessee with 102.2176 miles. Mangum Track Club’s first-place male was 45-year-old Christopher Scott from Greenville, with 100.7144 miles and first-place female was 48-year-old Kristy Ann Joyce from Mocksville, NC with 69.1472 miles.
There were numerous runners who received medals for reaching 100k. First lap gift cards were also given to the first male, Oliver Karnatz, and first female, Jackie Demchock. Brad Smyth arrived faithfully again this year to time each participant. For more race results, log onto my.raceresult.com.
Ray Krolewicz from Columbia, South Carolina finished in 25th place with 69.1472 miles and dedicated his 100k to an old friend and mentor.
“I am dedicating this effort to Bob Reynolds whom I met in April 1972. He has remained a mentor, coach, and friend for over 50 years," said Krolewicz. "Bob passed away a few weeks ago at age 90; he was one of the first people to encourage me in being a distance runner. Bob’s first words to me were, ‘If you’re running, you’re ok with me.’ I would like to run 100k, donate my medal to Claftin University in his name, and make a monetary donation to the Robert (Bob) Reynolds Jr. scholarship fund.”
Krolewicz continues to hold first place in Hinson Lake’s overall distance.
Runner Jen Shetler from Raleigh, founded the TUFF Run Club about 1 ½ years ago. She was motivated to start the club due to medical issues. Shetler was in the middle of a run in 2023 when hives began breaking out all over her body.
“When the hives got to my neck, the medics pulled me from the race because no one was sure at that point what was happening," Shetler recalled. "I found out I had exercise-induced anaphylaxis (a serious and potentially fatal allergic reaction). If my body stresses itself too much, I start breaking out in hives. So now before races I pre-medicate; I am a nurse so that helps me to be able to take care of myself.
"After that incident I decided I wanted to figure out a way to be able to finish the race the next year, so in April 2023 I gathered a bunch of my ultra runner friends and created a Facebook group for us to be able to post our runs," Shetler continued. "That way we could see if anyone else was running in the same area to be able to join together in the run. The group exploded because there are a lot of ultra runners in central N.C.
"A year ago, the group was just under 200 people; that’s when we named the group TUFF which stands for Trail and Ultra Fun Fam; a lot of us like to run trails, we run ultras, we have fun, and we are like a family. We are now at 915 people. Not everybody runs. I started it because I failed and didn’t want to fail again; I found friends who were nice enough to make sure I didn’t.”
This past April, Shetler completed the 100 miles successfully in the race which she originally developed the hives and could not complete. This was her fourth year participating at Hinson Lake, and she finished with 36.1340 miles.
Edmund Loy from Honolulu, Hawaii, traveled the furthest this year to participate in the Ultra. He is traveling all 50 states for the second time, with this being the second time in N.C. The first time he visited was in 2012 when he participated in the Outer Banks Marathon.
“It’s nice to be here as I’m excited for the race," Loy said. "A lot of races have a time limit, and this race is the perfect race to take the time I need to meet my goal.”
Loy mentioned Hinson Lake was on his bucket list; he now has one less item to check off his list.
This year held several iconic moments for the Keane family (family of late runner Bill Keane who held overall second place). Sixteen-month-old Henry Keane completed his very first lap (son of Nigel (Bill’s son) and Elizabeth Keane), 11-year old Abigail Dalton (Bill’s granddaughter) completed her first 50k, and 7-year-old Owen Dalton (Bill’s grandson) accumulated 19.5 miles.
Nigel Keane completed the race with 39.1192 miles, also accomplishing his 50k. Nea Dalton (Bill’s daughter) had 40.6224 miles and her husband Brian had 38.7205 miles, both reaching 50k. Bill Keane's wife Susan also attended the event, as the family will continue each year memorializing him and his favorite Ultra. With four out of the five registrants reaching 50k, it seems as if the baton has multiplied as it passes to the next generations of Keanes.
There were also a couple of first-time participants this year that have overcome recent strokes. Steven Yost from Mount Pleasant finished with 46.7254 miles. He considers himself a walking miracle.
“The doctors said I was a lucky man," said Yost. "God has been exceptionally good to me.”
Sylvana Smith from Mebane was another overcomer; she finished with 15.0320 miles.
Nothing is impossible for those who are determined.
The outpouring of donations for Richmond County Operation Fix were in abundance. The dry food totaled 1573.55 lbs., not to mention the monetary and numerous other donations for the animals.
“The Forsyth Animal Shelter in Winston-Salem will be taking 36 animals from Asheville Humane Society, so we are sharing our blessings with them," said Operation Fix founder Allison Story. "This event has donated to us since 2013, and we are forever grateful. Thank you for the outpouring of love.”
Considering hurricane Helena, this year’s event was another accomplishment in the books for Richmond County’s Hinson Lake 24-Ultra Classic.
See more photos from Betty Gallo McIntyre on the RO's Facebook page. Additional photos from Terry Clark and Robbie Singletary are available at visitrichmondcounty.com.
CORRECTION: This story has been edited to correct the name of the female with the fastest lap. 12:22 p.m. 10-8-24
