Below a young runner flies down the final stretch to the finish line.

Racing in the Shenandoah Valley means some atypical running distances. The SVR club winter series has eight races. Four are 5Ks but the other four take on new distances of 2.7, 3.45, 3.8 and 4 miles. Indeed, the first race is called It's a Mystery with prizes going to the best guess as to the real distance.

For some, the last race of the series might have been destined to be an exciting battle for the series title. The race was over quickly as Mark Stickley (44) of Winchester, VA mowed down the field in a swift 21:22. Then as if marching on command the next nine runners finished this last race in the exact order of that they already were in the series standings to remain in their same 1-9 spots in the series. Stickley, also a race director in the series did not have enough races to qualify.

For the women, Brenda Schrank had her fifth overall victory, winning by a quarter mile in 24:32. Still, she had only five finishes so she will end up farther down the list. Runners count their best six of the eight races. Runner-up Laura Nelson (41) was the masters winner in 26:11. The next runner to have a chance is the series was fifth place Tracy Rice. She finished two places ahead of Brittany Pollard (12) of Falling Waters, WV. Pollard was three points ahead going into the race so she should become the youngest overall winner of the series. That had been Rachel Eisenfeld (16) in 2003.

For the women, Brenda Schrank had her fifth overall victory, winning by a quarter mile in 24:32. Still, she had only five finishes so she will end up farther down the list as some runners will have six race finishes for their scoring in the series. Runner-up Laura Nelson (41) was the masters winner in 26:11. The next runner to have a chance is the series was fifth place Tracy Rice. She finished two places ahead of Brittany Pollard (12) of Falling Waters, WV. Pollard was three points ahead going into the race so she should become the youngest overall winner of the series. That had been Rachel Eisenfeld (16) in 2003.

The race begins by the War Memorial Building in Jim Barnett Park. Nearly all the snow was gone and runners were treated to more than a mile of more than gradual down hill to start the race. Circling back into the park runners slowed first on the patches of ice and then a 250-meter stairway hill that brought them back to level ground. The course is two loops so runners could learn from their mistakes and really cruise down the hill the second time through. The temperature was delightfully cool with the normal buffeting of the winds of March. In the photo above, runners roll in to the finish.

After the race, director Rick Kerby led the runners through a spirited trivia of the 1980s to earn prizes. Below Glenn Luttrell (63) of Winchester, VA was voted most improved runner in 2006.

Top Ten Men

Pl Name			Age	Time
 1. Mark Stickley 	44	21:22
 2. Robbie Olson	23	21:55	
 3. Brad Rippey	        40	22:24
 4. Charles Bowles	24	22:30
 5. Karsten Brown	32	23:00
 6. Stephen Meier	29	23:42
 7. Ray Bullock	        41	24:13
 8. Mike Meadows	49	24:31
 9. Duane Williamson	43	25:04
10. John Rice	        41	26:19

Top Ten Women

Pl Name			Age	Time
 1. Brenda Schrank	34	24:32
 2. Laura Nelson	41	26:11
 3. Kim Milans	        24	26:43
 4. Presley Parkes	13	27:05
 5. Tracy Rice	        36	28:21
 6. Nancy Andrews	39	29:08
 7. Brittany Pollard	12	29:33
 8. Mary Naylor	        20	29:40
 9. Emily Durant	15	29:55
10. Vicky Krasman	37	30:47

Below runners fill out finish cards and get refreshments.

Shenandoah Valley Runners