Smith, Curry Finish First at Forks of the River

(Knoxville, TN) - Overnight rain made for slippery conditions at the XTERRA Forks of the River Trail Run on March 14, but that did not stop local Fred Smith and Hope Curry, visiting from Asheville, NC, from claiming their rightful spot on top of the podium.

The course began from Knoxville’s Ijams Nature Center and wound its way through the challenging terrain of the Forks of the River Wildlife Center. Smith, 32, turned in the fastest finish of the day for the 10-kilometer event in just 36:04 with Gatlinburg’s David Worth, 23, trailing just a minute and a half behind. These two runners also took first and second place respectively at the XTERRA Seven Islands Trail Run just last month proving their domination over the 2009 XTERRA Tennessee Trail Run Series.

Curry, 31, ruled the women’s race with her time of 47:04, a commanding six minute lead over runner-up Michelle Owen, 35 from Maryville. Runners ranging in age from 12-59 navigated their way around the small ponds and ravines that had been created by the heavy downpour prior to the race, but according to race director Kevin Mahan, “The race was challenging, but everyone finished without a scratch!”

The next event in the XTERRA Tennessee Trail Run Series will be part of the XTERRA Panther Creek weekend featuring a 10-kilometer trail run on Saturday, August 1 and the off-road triathlon event the following day with free camping at Morristown’s Panther Creek State Park in between.

The XTERRA Panther Creek Trail Run will serve as the series’ finale giving area runners have just one more opportunity to earn series points. Runners ending the season with the highest totals have the chance to be crowned Regional Champion and win free entry to the XTERRA Trail Running National Championship in Bend, Oregon on September 13.

Complete race results and more information can be found online at www.xterratrailrun.com. Media interested in photos from this event should contact emily@xterraplanet.com.

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