Bimbler's Bash: Another Successful Year!!

This year's 7th Annual Bilmbler's Bash was another success with 306 registrations, of which 270 started the race and 266 that finished. Jerry Turk, who organized the events, anticipates that the event will contribute just under $4,000 this year to the Guilford Land Conservation Trust, the organization the race benefits. 

Turk also gave us all the winners details in a recent email:

Winners included Bill Goodman, who was the overall winner closely followed by Todd Bennett and Phil Shea, who was the winner of the Bimbler's Bluff 50K last October. Amy Steffen from Madison won the ladies race for the second consecutive year, with Rachael Whitbeck and Alicia Echevarria finishing 2nd and 3rd. The first Guilford finishers were Mandy Bonz and Gil Schaper.

"It is always an impressive sight to see the sea of faces assembled on the back as you make the pre-race announcements," Turk shared about the event. "Since it started in 2007 the race has not only grown and attracted a regular following, a small number of participants are experiencing trail running for the first time. The course is a bit of a 'baptism by fire' for these people but the smiles on their faces at the finish is evidence that they haven't been put off. To see their expressions and hear their stories is one of the best things about putting on this race!"

The Best Blood award this year went to Mark Cicero, who ran into a branch and cut the side of his head. His award included a year's subscription to Trail Running magazine. 

Supporters for this year's race included C and D Studios for logo design, KC's Pub and Food Works, and the Westwoods Trails Committee volunteers, without whom, Turk says, the race could not have taken place.

"The Westwoods Trails Committee volunteers who spent many hours since the storms through the past Fall and Winter clearing downed trees," Turk said. "The group lead by Paul Proulx even organized a work party the day before just to make sure there was nothing to get in the way of the runners."