McCann and Mooney Run Away at Latest Georgia Race

Cool conditions, fast times at XTERRA Victoria Bryant Trail Run

Cool conditions and fast runners took the spotlight at the XTERRA Victoria Bryant Trail Run last weekend.

More than 200 runners participated in the event, which was completed on Saturday, December 3, at Victoria Bryant State Park in Royston, Georgia.

Ian McCann and Tara Mooney raced to convincing victories on the 10-kilometer course.

McCann, who is from Atlanta, was the overall winner, completing the course in 41 minutes, 5 seconds. He took the lead early and finished more than two minutes ahead of his closest competition.

(McCann pictured, courtesy Sports In Motion Photography / www.simphotos.com)

"I was very happy with it," said McCann, 28. "I'm just coming off an injury, so it kind of hurt a lot, but I didn't let it slow me down."

McCann's foot got sliced when he stepped on a broken glass bottle back in August, and this was his first race since then. "I wasn't sure how I was going to do because this was my first race in a couple of months," he said. "But I love running trails, so if anything, I wanted to go out and have fun."

Temperatures were in the 30s when the race started, and while most of the runners were in long-sleeved shirts and long pants, McCann opted for his tank top and running shorts. "I'm originally from Pennsylvania, so I'm a little more used to the cold," he said.

Nico Lavrijsen from Dunwoody, Georgia, was second in 43:07, and Ben Smith of Danielsville, Georgia, was third in 43:53.

Mooney, who is from Kennesaw, Georgia, was the top female with a time of 46:36. "It was around 35 degrees on race morning, which is pretty cold for Georgia," said Mooney, 28. "However, once the sun came out, it warmed up nicely. The course was doubletrack the whole way, with very little technical sections. However, the lack of technical terrain was made up for with hills."

Mooney ran with the top men throughout the course, and said she was not aware how far ahead she was of the other females. "I just ran my own race and tried to relax," she said.

Holly Wright of Marietta, Georgia, placed second in 49:29, and Kara Scroggs of Gainesville, Georgia, was third in 52:44.

For complete results, CLICK HERE.

To view more photos from the race, please visit www.simphotos.com.

Making the victory more impressive for Mooney, it was the first of two on the same day for her. After winning the XTERRA Victoria Bryant Trail Run in the morning, she won the Faith Cline Elf Trot 5K road race later in the afternoon. "Nothing better than two race wins in one day!" she said.

(Mooney pictured, courtesy Sports In Motion Photography / www.simphotos.com)

The Victoria Bryant Trail Run was the fourth of six races in the 2011-12 season for the XTERRA Georgia Trail Run Series. The next race in the series will the XTERRA Thrill in the Hills Trail Run, which is scheduled for Feb. 12, 2012, at Winder, Georgia.

All races in the XTERRA Georgia Trail Run Series are open to runners of all ages and skill levels. To register for an upcoming race or learn more about the series, please visit www.dirtyspokes.com or www.xterratrailrun.com.

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