The old fashioned way at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. On Music Hall Road. Along the ‘ole timey vendor cabins’ pathways. Over the wagon wheel creek. Loop inside a loop. Volunteers next to the finish line handing out popsicle sticks with the place # on it. Score your top five on a sheet and hand it in. No official timer, just race against others…and always against self.
Yes, the old fashioned way, which is why it was so intriguing to watch ‘tweeners simply run for the joy of competition – and with each other – under a canopy of cool air and wispy skies, a drastic change from a week before.
Racing with adept strategy, Jenna Chesser won the 3k girls race, waiting till the last section before leaving the fair antique attractions to open a commanding lead over her nearest competitor. Josie Chesser also set a personal record on the fast course to place eighth, followed by Haygen James, Maggie Shelton, and Dani Prince (PR time) to round out the five scorers. Carsyn Griffis battled through adversity to toughen an already developed fortitude. Mallory Higgins ran her best race as well.
Blair Moore remained the TFS numero uno racer by setting a PR and placing 10th of the 61 boys among the six schools. He was followed by XianFeng William Xu (20th), then personal record times by Timothy Beck, Dalton Geltz, Henry Rickman, and Charlie Harris.
Next Meet: Tue Sept 24 @ Rabun Gap 4:30
Story and photos by Scott Neal
