Kutter, Linn Top Field at XTERRA's Thrill in the Hills

Following a day of rain, conditions were perfect for making the XTERRA Thrill in the Hills Xduro into an exciting mud-fest. Around 500 runners trudged and slipped their way through 21-kilometers of dirty fun over the rolling terrain inside Fort Yargo State Park this past Saturday.

Runners ranged in age from 12-68, but it was Tom Kutter, 29, who crossed the finish line first in a time of 1:19:18 with Nathan Haskins, 21, right on his heels just 7 seconds back. Rounding out the top three was Greg Mason, 28, in 1:20:04. For the women, 23-year old Elena Linn turned in the overall win finishing in 1:39:40. Tara Mooney, 26, and Katina Zuganelis, 22, took second and third places with their times of 1:46:58 and 1:47:56 respectively.

The impending weather kept a few of the 575 pre-registrants away, but with walk-up registration, race director Tim Schroer was thrilled with the size of the event. “We had a great turnout and the runners did great!”

Cindy Ralston was not able to compete in last year’s event, so she was glad to be able to get back on the trails this weekend. “Running through mud and sloshing through the water was so much fun. What a nice way to feel young again” she said.

The XTERRA Thrill in the Hills Xduro was the third race in the 2009 XTERRA Georgia Trail Run Series. The top 15 runners in each age group earned points and have just 4 more opportunities to add on to their series totals. Those finishing the series with the highest scores will be crowned an XTERRA Georgia Regional Champion and receive free entry to the XTERRA Trail Running National Championship on September 13 in Bend, Oregon. From there, runners can go up against the world’s best trail runners at the XTERRA Trail Running World Championship on the spectacular Hawaiian island of Oahu on December 6.

Georgia runners will be given another chance to race with XTERRA this coming weekend at the XTERRA Runnin’ the Rocks 10km Trail Run in Conyers. 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.

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