Father and Son Set to Run Marathon at Oak Mountain

McPhees will be among hundreds at XTERRA race on Saturday

Runners of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in the XTERRA Oak Mountain Trail Runs this Saturday, May 21, at Pelham, Ala.

The McPhees from Anniston, Ala., are a good example. Michael McPhee, 49, and his son Dylan, 17, will both run in the 42-kilometer full-marathon course. And they are proof that expertise does not necessarily come with age.

Dylan McPhee is the youngest runner registered for the full-marathon course so far, but he is also expected to be one of the fastest in the field. In three previous XTERRA Alabama Series races this season, he placed in the top six overall at each race.

"I just like running out in the woods and going through all the obstacles on the course," Dylan said. "It's a whole different level of difficulty from road racing that I like."

He is especially looking forward to this weekend's race, as it will take place at Oak Mountain State Park, which was recently picked as one of the 25 best trails in America by Runner's World Magazine. The XTERRA Oak Mountain Trail Runs was also recognized by the magazine as one of the top 32 trail races "from sea to shining sea."

"It's one of the harder trails I've been on, but the scenery is beautiful," Dylan said. "It's a speedy course, so I think it will be a fast race."

Dylan is a junior at White Plains High School, and a member of the cross country team. He is only in his second year of running, but has already developed an affinity for long-distance events. Most notable, he has completed several 50-kilometer ultramarathon races in the past year.

"He's still young in the sport, so he's doing really well," his father said. "We don't know where his running is going to take him, but we're hoping it helps him for college in a few years."

For his part, Michael started training with Dylan a year ago as a method to lose weight. It worked, as he has dropped 30 pounds. However, Michael is quick to admit that he does not exactly run alongside his son. "Oh, it's not even close," Michael said with a laugh. "He does his race and I do mine."

At the last XTERRA Alabama Series race, Dylan placed third overall with a time of 1 hour, 33 minutes, 34 seconds, over a 21-kilometer course; Michael placed eighth in his age group with a time of 2:10:43.

"I'm retired army, so I got away from running for a while, but once Dylan started running cross country, I got interested again, and it's been good for both of us," Michael said.

Registration for the XTERRA Oak Mountain Trail Runs is still open at www.xterratrailrun.com. In addition to the 42K marathon course, there will also be separate courses at 21 kilometers, 10 kilometers and 5 kilometers to accommodate the various skill levels of runners.

Runners who compete in the 42K and 21K courses can also earn points toward the 2011 XTERRA Alabama Series. The top age-group runners at the end of the 2011 season will be invited to represent Alabama at the 2011 XTERRA Trail Run National Championship at Ogden, Utah, on Sept. 25.

XTERRA Oak Mountain Trail Runs

What: Open trail runs at Oak Mountain State Park
When: May 21, 7:30 a.m. start
Where: Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham, Ala.
Course distances: 42 kilometers, 21 kilometers, 10 kilometers or 5 kilometers
Who: Open to runners of all ages and skill levels
Entry fees: $25 for 5k; $30 for 10k; $40 for 21k; $50 for 42k; discounts available for students and military
Online registration: http://www.xterraplanet.com/xduro/oakmtn.html

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