Plasencia, Johnsen Dominate at XTERRA Doug Harris Run

(Clemson, SC) – It was a day of tribute and honor at today’s XTERRA Doug Harris Memorial Trail Run at Clemson’s Issaqueena Forest. South Carolina runners lined up at the start of the 10-kilometer race in order to pay respect to Jerry Douglas Harris III who died in a tragic accident in the fall of 2006. Crossing the finish line first, Alex Plasencia and Lizzy Johnsen took home the day’s top titles with their respective times of 40:47 and 57:04.

The men’s race came down to the finish as Plasencia, 23 of Central, SC, broke the tape just one second ahead of runner-up Patrick Morgan, 23, of Boone. Dayton, Ohio’s Chris Wolcott, 18, rounded out the podium in 46:03.

For the women, Duncan’s Johnsen, 20, was able to edge out Walhalla’s Michelle Deem, 49, while she claimed the second place position in 58:23 with Jessica Matheson, 28 of Seneca, taking third in 1:03:56.

According to race director Daniel Hermida, “Doug was an outstanding student and an exemplary Air Force ROTC cadet with the potential to become a great officer. In his honor, Detachment 770 has set up a memorial scholarship fund that helps benefit current and future AFROTC students with tuition assistance. All proceeds from today’s event will go directly to the Doug Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund.”

The XTERRA Doug Harris Memorial Trail Run was also the second of four races in the 2010 XTERRA South Carolina Trail Run Series. Top runners in each age group will be awarded points toward their series totals in hopes of earning the crown of XTERRA Regional Champion and earning free entry into the XTERRA Trail Running National Championship on September 18 in the trail running paradise of Bend, Oregon.

From there, runners of all levels are invited to race in the December 5th XTERRA Trail Running World Championship on the beautiful Hawaiian Island of Oahu. For more information about the XTERRA Trail Run Series, visit www.xterratrailrun.com.

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

Coming up in the 2010 XTERRA South Carolina Trail Run Series

5/29/10 – XTERRA Paris Mountain Trails 15km Trail Run – Greenville, SC
8/14/10 – XTERRA Paris Mountain Trails 7km Trail Run – Greenville, SC
11/6/10 – XTERRA Paris Mountain Trails 11km Trail Run – Greenville, SC (#1 for 2010)

For more information about the XTERRA South Carolina Trail Run Series, visit www.xterratrailrun.com.

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