Tsali Frosty Foot 50k

"The trail called and I answered"  -Frosty Foot motto

The Frosty Foot 50k is part of the Tsali Frosty Foot Fest sponsored by Asheville Foot Rx and includes a 50k, 30k and 8k trail race.  The events are held at the beautiful Tsali National Forest Recreation Area, and this year will go down in history as the "Not So Frosty" Tsali Frosty Foot Fest, with it's unseasonably warm and humid weather. This kind of weather in January was the last thing we ever expected...


Foot Rx put on another incredible event!  We would recommend this race to anyone who is considering the 50k distance.  All race entries include a chili lunch, race package loaded with goodies, an awesome long sleeve running top by Mountain Hardware, and all finishers receive a commemorative hand crafted award.  The course was very well marked with blue arrows, the volunteers at all the aid stations were incredibly helpful and encouraging.  They filled our bottles for us, read our bib numbers as we approached the bag drop aid station at 15.5 miles and had our bags ready for us when we got there.  Not having to hunt for our bags was a huge time saver as well as alleviating the mental stress of having to search for them.  There were all kinds of snack/energy type food at the aid stations as well as plenty of water and Gatorade.

130 runners signed up for the 50k, and 118 runners completed it.  Race day weather was unseasonably warm and humid, and with rain the day before the race, the trails were pretty muddy.  These things combined made it more challenging for everyone.  All in all we were very happy with the way things turned out although we still have to work on being better on our hydration.

Results for all the Frosty Foot Fest races can be found at Lee Timing and Carolina Runner
Race photography can be found at Christopher Graphics

Race bag was loaded with all kinds of goodies from race 
sponsors. There was a Frosty Foot bumper sticker,  
Trail Runner magazine, water bottle, chap stick, pens, band aids, 

BioFreeze, and numerous coupons and discount cards... 

Also included in the race bag was an awesome race shirt from
Mountain Hardware (Beta Power 1/4 zip top, see below)
grey for the guys, purple for the gals!... 

Runners lining up for the start...

Awaiting the start of the 50k...
Scott Williams (far right, yellow shirt)  2nd place overall finisher

Dave Workman  (bib 139)  3rd place overall finisher

John Kelley (bib 72)  9th place overall finisher

view from Cliff Overlook (right loop)...

view from Cliff Overlook (right loop)...

single track trail on Mouse Branch Trail...

The Bartman working his way through the mud early 
on in the event...

Photo courtesy of Christopher Graphics

Occasional obstacles on the trail...

Eve having fun...
Photo courtesy of Christopher Graphics

Mouse Branch Loop Trail Overlook of Fontana Lake...

Finish area...

All done!

Awards ceremony, Nantahala Brewing Co. 

Nantahala Brewing Co.

Bart's winnings, 1st place Senior Grand Masters medal, 1 hr
massage gift card from Massage Envy Spa and Timex watch. 
...Sweet!

Finishers medals on left and Bart's Senior Grand Masters medal

Happy Running!
Bart & Eve