North Carolina Series is Off to a Fast Start

Thompson, Hefner win at Whitewater in record fashion

The XTERRA North Carolina Trail Run Series got off to a fast start last weekend, with Kip Thompson and Kimberley Hefner leading the way.

Thompson was the overall winner and Hefner was the top female at the XTERRA Whitewater Trail Run, which was completed on Saturday, July 14, at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C. More than 300 runners ranging in age from 8 to 63 participated in the event. It was the opening race of the 2012 XTERRA North Carolina Trail Run Series.

Thompson was a somewhat surprising winner, as this was the first trail run race of his career. He is former collegiate wrestler and a successful road racer. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia, and is a member of the Atlanta Track Club. He entered the XTERRA Whitewater Trail Run because he happened to be in Charlotte visiting his girlfriend.

"I was looking for races I could do while I was in town," said Thompson, 24. "Not only was this my first XTERRA race, it was my first trail race ever. I am only a year out of college, so really starting to ramp up the training for my runs.

"I have won probably 15 or so road races in my life. Again, this being the first trail race and me getting the W in it, has already changed my thinking about training."

Thompson completed the 13-kilometer course in a record time of 52 minutes, 15 seconds. George Linney III from Durham, N.C., placed a close second in 52:22, and Matt Longworth of Charlotte was third in 53:24.

Thompson said he ran the final three miles of the course with an untied shoelace, and passed Linney during that stretch. He said he didn't want to stop and tie his shoe out of concern that it would cost him too much time.

Hefner placed 13th overall and set a women's course record of 1:02:24. She placed second at last year's XTERRA Whitewater Trail Run - which was the first trail run of her running career.

"Well the start was quite crowded, so I knew I had to get out ahead before we got to the trail, and it was a fast start downhill, which made it easier to grab a front spot," said Hefner, 38. "Digging hard on the uphills and allowing momentum to carry me down the hills, I was able to hold that spot throughout the race. The other women that run the race are amazing ladies, and I love getting the opportunity to know them better before and after each race."

Hefner, who resides in Rock Hill, S.C., is a former high school cross country state champion in South Carolina. She returned to competitive running three years ago, and said her discovery of the XTERRA North Carolina Series last year got her "excited and pumped up." She said she plans to compete in all three races in the 2012 North Carolina Series because "to be honest, I haven't felt this strong since high school."

To see full results from the XTERRA Whitewater Trail Run Series, please visit www.dirtyspokes.com.

The XTERRA North Carolina Trail Run Series is one of 12 XTERRA regional series across the nation. The others are Alabama, Arizona, Southern California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Pacific Northwest, Pocono, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Texas. At the conclusion of the North Carolina series, all age-group winners will receive a free entry to represent North Carolina at the 2012 XTERRA Trail Run National Championship in Utah on Sept. 23.

The next race in the XTERRA North Carolina Series will be the XTERRA Beech Mountain Trail Run on July 28 at Beech Mountain, N.C. To register for the race or learn more about it, please visit www.dirtyspokes.com or www.xterratrailrun.com.

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