Bryant, Wheatley win XTERRA Tsali Trail Run

Jason Bryant of North Carolina and Anne Wheatley of Georgia ran away with top honors at the inaugural XTERRA Tsali Trail Run last Saturday at Robbinsville, N.C.

Bryant completed the 18-kilometer (11-mile) course in 1 hour, 12 minutes, 54.5 seconds, to win the overall men's title. The 38-year-old from Elkin, N.C., finished  54 seconds ahead of runner-up Sean Dunlap of Sugar Grove, N.C.

Wheatley, who is 25 and from Decatur, Ga., was first to finish in the women's division with a time of 1:28:19.7. Second-place Kristin Morgan of Atlanta finished in 1:29:57.4. Third-place Marissa Cooper of Taylorsville was the first North Carolina resident to finish in the women's division.

The XTERRA Tsali Trail Run featured a variety of single- and double-track trails as well as rolling hills and climbs. "A little bit of everything," according to race director Tim Schroer. "It was a little tacky because it rained the day before, but otherwise a great day for racing."

The XTERRA Tsali Trail Run was the second of four races in the North Carolina Series. Bryant has medaled in both North Carolina races so far this year. He placed second overall at the XTERRA Beech Mountain Trail Run on July 18.

More than 100 runners participated in the XTERRA Tsali Trail Run, ranging in age from 16 to 72.

The next event in the North Carolina Series is the XTERRA Colonel Francis Trail Run on Aug. 22 at Charlotte, N.C. For entry information visit www.xterratrailrun.com.

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