Florida Series Champion: Ricky Howe

Ricky Howe has competed in 600 races in his running career, which started in the 1970s. Every single one of those races has taken place in the state of Florida.

That will change on September 23, when Howe enters the XTERRA Trail Run National Championship at the Snowbasin Resort near Ogden, Utah. Howe, who resides in Tampa, Florida, won the men's 55-59 age group for the 2012 XTERRA Florida Trail Run Series, and will make use of the prize that came with it - a free entry to represent Florida at the XTERRA Trail Run National Championship.

"I have never run trails outside of Florida, so I am surely in for an elevation and altitude shock of my life," said Howe, 58. "Looking forward to the challenge, but I'm quite sure this course will kick my butt."

Howe may not be the fastest runner on the course, but he is one of the most experienced. In addition to competing in races, he has also served as a race director in Tampa, Florida. "I always loved running as a kid, and used it to get in shape for racquet sports," he said. "When road racing began in the 70s, I was bitten."

More recently, he has taken a liking to trail running. "I race a lot and run trails every week. I will be adding a lot of hill work in the coming months to get ready for the kind of elevation changes we will face in the Nationals.

Howe is a two-time age group champion in the XTERRA Florida Trail Run Series. He also won the 55-59 division in 2011, but declined the invitation to race in Utah due to scheduling conflicts. This year, he made sure his calendar was clear for September 23.

"This is my second win in a row, and you never know if you will get another chance," he said. "I didn't want to miss out on this kind of experience."

Howe has a family catering business in Tampa, and said he stays motivated with the help of his family. His son, Triston, and nephew, Anthony Richards, also compete in the XTERRA Florida Series.

"My son Triston has been racing with me for several years and loves the trails," Howe said. "Like me, he loves to race but not so much into the training. My nephew, Anthony Richards, will be traveling with me and also racing at Nationals."

More than 500 runners from across the country will gather at the picturesque Snowbasin Resort for the 2012 XTERRA Trail Run National Championship.

The event is open to runners of all ages and skill levels, and there will be three courses to accommodate the various levels - a 21-kilometer championship course, a 10K and a 5K. Every age-group winner from the 21K course will earn the title of XTERRA National Champion for 2012.

CLICK HERE to register online or to learn more about the event.

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