Chilly fog provides Bear

runners with refreshing conditions

From Grandfather Mountain

More than 950 runners lined up for the 15th annual running of The Bear at Grandfather Mountain.

As Bear runners approached the mountain, they were met with heavy fog and cool temperatures.

The weather conditions seemed to be just the trick for Daniel Amick, from Weaverville, N.C. The 25-year-old completed the race in 31 minutes and 1.9 seconds. This is Amick’s fifth time running The Bear.

“I liked the fog because I couldn’t see the last hill,” Amick said.

“I also liked having someone to run with because of the camaraderie,” added Amick about second place winner, Stewart Moran.

Moran, 32, from Asheville, finished the race in 31 minutes and 46.2 seconds. He trained 90 miles a week in preparation for the Bear and has competed in several other road races.

This was the eleventh running of The Bear for Ryan Woods, 30, from Boone. Woods finished in third place with a time of 31 minutes and 53.8 seconds.

In past races, Woods has two first-place finishes and one second-place finish. Woods is a chiropractor in Boone.

“The best part of the race is finishing, it’s the best part every year,” Woods said.

The men’s record time still stands at 30 minutes, 34.35 seconds set by Ian Conner of Columbus, Ohio, in 2005.

Amber Moran, wife of second-place male, Stewart Moran, finished first place for the women. Moran, 30, finished the race in 37 minutes and 57.9 seconds.

“Circling the track in MacRae Meadows with all of the spectators and volunteers was truly a neat experience,” Amber Moran said.

Amanda Cook, 28, of Banner Elk finished second in the women’s division with a time of 38 minutes and 40.2 seconds. This was Cook’s eighth running of the Bear. She now has three second-place finishes and one third-place finish.

Finishing third place in the women’s division was Alison Bryant from Elkin. Bryant, 30, was the fastest woman in the 2007 running of the Bear.

“I just started training for this six weeks ago, because I have been injured all year,” said Bryant. “I have arthritis in both knees but luckily it doesn’t hurt when I run up hill.”

The women’s record remains at 35 minutes and 55 seconds set in 2002 by Beth Fonner.

The race begins in Linville and ends five miles later at the base of the Mile High Swinging Bridge atop Grandfather Mountain, an elevation gain of 1,568 feet.

Following the race, the opening ceremony for the 54th annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games announced the arrival of the clans with a torchlight ceremony. This year more than 90 clans are expected to participate.

The weather forecast for the weekend predicts pleasant temperatures with chances of late day showers. Crowds to this year’s Highland Games are sure to be entertained by Celtic music, traditional Scottish athletics, sheepherding demonstrations and much more.