
Two weeks from now I’ll be cheering on my son Andrew and his friend Emma, both 10 years old, as they team up to run a 10K relay during a new weekend trail running fest here in Traverse City. The next morning I’ll take on the 25K event, a perfect way to inject a different kind of long run into week 12 of my marathon training, and can I tell you how excited I am to run on trails? On dirt? Maybe some mud, too–bring it, I say! After this year’s looong winter, I’m ready for it. (Note to Mother Nature: please don’t go thinking you should give us any April snowfall.)

I was so happy to have the chance to give away two free entries to this inaugural event–the Traverse City Trail Running Festival, put on by Michigan-based Endurance Evolution–and 12 readers offered thoughts on why they’d like to win. I loved reading the responses–thank you to all who entered. (I used Random.org to select the winners. For complete drawing details, go here »)
Without further ado, the winners are …
Holly: “I would love to run this! I don’t know why I haven’t signed up yet?! Hoping for muddy trails to start the race season!”
Flo: “I love running Northern Michigan trails but have never raced on trails. And I love Short’s!!!”

Holly and Flo, please email me at heatherdurocher [at] yahoo [dot] com to redeem your winning entry. You can choose the event you wish to run — the 10K Relay (Friday, April 12), 11K, 25K or 50K, all held Saturday, April 13. I look forward to seeing you both at the race (and perhaps sharing a pint of Short’s brew together!)
To everyone else, I hope you’ll consider still signing on for the race–entry costs go up tomorrow, April 1, so sign on today if you’d like to save some cash. And please say hello to me if you do come. I’d love to meet you!
Think spring, think spring …