Riddle, Eidson Win XTERRA Monte Sano Trail Run

Inside the winding, wild Monte Sano State Park, Rachel Eidson and David Riddle finished first at the inaugural XTERRA Monte Sano Trail Run this past Sunday. The 15-kilometer event was race number two in the new 2010 XTERRA Alabama Trail Run Series and attracted runners ranging in age from 17-64 from five surrounding states.

In the men's race, Huntsville locals filled the podium with Riddle, 29, claiming the top spot in 1:01:11. Brandon Mader, 26, and Eric Charette, 35, secured the second and third places with their times of 1:02:17 and 1:07:02 respectively.

With only 17 seconds separating the winners of the women's race, it all came down to a strong finish for Birmingham's  Eidson, 25, breaking the tape in 1:27:48 just ahead of runner-up Barbara Saunders, 51, from Harvest, Alabama. Huntsville's own Rebecca Flournoy, 36, rounded out the top three in 1:35:50.

As the second race in the 2010 XTERRA Alabama Trail Run Series, runners were eager to earn points toward their season totals. Those ending the series with the highest totals will be crowned XTERRA Regional Champions and be awarded free entry to the XTERRA Trail Running National Championship next fall.

Up next is the XTERRA Oak Mountain 10-kilometer Trail Run recently announced for March 14, 2010. Shelby County's Oak Mountain State Park sets the stage for this beautiful and challenging race to kick off the New Year.

Also coming up is the December 6th XTERRA Trail Running World Championship, and all Alabama runners are invited to participate. No qualification is necessary, and with a venue like Oahu, Hawaii's Kualoa Ranch, where they filmed major productions such as Jurassic Park, Godzilla, and LOST, this is one race athletes will not want to miss. For more information about the XTERRA Trail Run Series, visit www.xterratrailrun.com.

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