More About the Dec. 10, 2011, LOViT Marathon
As in years past, 8:00am and 24 degrees in December along the shores of Lake Ouachita is downright frigid. But cold or not, December 10, 2011, was a beautiful, sunshiny day as 53 participants lined up near the Denby Bay trailhead for the annual Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) Marathon. Observers doubted that the lycra shorts would be that warm but the runners were dancing in anticipation.
At 26.2 miles, the LOViT Marathon’s path passes through the Tompkins Bend and Joplin trail heads heading for the top of Hickory Nut Mountain and then turns around for a return trip. The trail rises 900 feet in elevation along the way, with half the elevation being in the last mile to the summit. At the top, the runners were provided fluids and snacks by a group of Traildog volunteers who, between runners, clustered around a roaring fire and enjoyed a pot of hot chili cooked up by Bonnie Carr, wife of Marathon organizer Phillip Carr.
Runners came from far and near, with a runner from Idaho making the longest trip to participate. In 2008, the first male runner to complete the run finished in four hours and eleven minutes. But this year, Tom Brennan from Poteau, OK, finished in three hours and 35 minutes. The first female finisher in 2008 wrapped up the race in 5 hours and 52 minutes. Whitney Kerry from Fayetteville, AR, beat that time soundly this year with a time of 4 hours and 12 minutes. Of the 53 starters, 40 finished the full race, and 13 finished the half race.
As usual, the participants gave enthusiastic reviews to the race organization and the condition of the trail. Phillip and the Traildog volunteers are already looking forward to 2012.
The LOViT Marathon is administered by the Arkansas Ultra Running Association (AURA) and is one of the races in their annual Ultra Trail Series of races. Click here for full results from the 2011 LOViT Marathon.