Assault on Pine Mountain 5K trail race

Second race of the year however this was the first race of the Mountain Goat Adventure Trail race series.  There are four in total.  The race was out of Cooper's Furnace Day Use Area which is below the Allatoona dam on the Etowah river.

You could not have asked for better weather for the 5K trail run.  The race started  at 8:36 am after the 9 mile races had started.

The first 3/4 of a mile was on the road which after a hair pin turn we hopped on some single track winding out way back towards the landmark furnace.   From the furnace it was up the forest service road back on to the trail starting the 500 feet of climb we would do for the day.  Aid station was at the 1.5 mile mark about 1/4 the way up the climb.  Continue to climb making the way through the narrow single track, boulders, and stairs.  At mile 2.5 we began the decent with the trail popping out on the forest service road.  All down hill from there until we cross the finish line beside the furnace.

Finished 2nd in my age group.  Most of the participants were there to do the 9 mile race however there was still some good competition in the 5K.  The only confusing part which has never happened before but the garmin time was longer than the timing chip by 1:09.  I expect the distance to be off since the trails twist and turn however not the time.  I will go with the race time however I do not think I was that fast on the trail.

Thanks to the volunteers and Mountain Goat Adventures.  Looking forward to race #2 in the MGA Trail Race Series.