Dozens defy bad weather for inaugural Trail of Tears 50k

Despite the gloomy weather and early hour, runners who turned out for the first Trail of Tears 50k were in good spirits Sunday.

Jason Stephens was part of a relay team called "Three Men and a Lady," after the '80s movies of a similar name -- "Three Men and a Baby" and "Three Men and a Little Lady." Trying to look like Tom Selleck, an actor in the films, Stephens came complete with a fake mustache, which he expected to fall off sometime during the 31-mile trek.

Stephens, like many of the 50 participants, tackled the run as a challenge. An ultra run is anything more than a marathon, which is 26.2 miles. He expected to finish the trail, which used park trails and roads, sometime before dark.

"We just enjoy running together. It was an opportunity to challenge ourselves and do something different," Stephens said, noting they do mostly road running. "We have not done a lot of trail running."

Dwayne Hadler said this was his first ultra and he was apprehensive about the trail conditions with the rain that had fallen. Hadler has run five marathons and jogs mostly on roads.

Matt Pfau takes first place for men in the first Trail of Tears 50k event Sunday at Trail of Tears State Park. (Fred Lynch)

"Today is just survival. It [the conditions] just makes it more challenging," Hadler said.

In the previous 12 weeks, Hadler, who lives in Perryville, Missouri, ran 50 to 60 miles a week. He's already planning to take on another ultra run.

Kris Sherrill of Carterville, Illinois, was with a group of friends ready to hit the trail. They were supporting a friend who wants to do a 100-mile run.

"This is the first 50k trail race I've ever done. A couple of us have the goal of doing a marathon in all 50 states," Sherrill said. She added she didn't know how long it would take her to complete the course.

"I'm just going to finish and enjoy the scenery," she said.

Filip Boelen approaches the trail head after running through Sheppard Point Trail during the first Trail of Tears 50k event Sunday at Trail of Tears State Park. (Fred Lynch)

Tori Winter, a senior at Southeast Missouri State University, said she ran a marathon to train for this event. Winter added she didn't follow a strict regimen to prepare for Sunday's run, but kept her miles up.

"I just wanted to try ultra running," Winter said.

The family of ultra participant Roger Moore said he's done various types of races, including ultras, before. The Moores live in St. Louis, and Moore's mother, Elizabeth Farmer, lives in Cape Girardeau.

"When he first started out, I would have been more nervous, but he's an amazing athlete. I'm sure I would be a big ball of nerves if this was the first time," said his wife, Aimee.

The event was organized by the Missouri Running Co., owned by Kim and Bryan Kelpe. Both were on hand for the run Sunday, directing traffic and offering instructions for the athletes.

Kim Kelpe said Bryan Kelpe and Chris Crossett, a Missouri Running Co. employee, had been thinking about the route "forever."

Bryan Kelpe said planning began in January, and Kim added the park was great to work with.

"There aren't a whole lot of trail runs in the area. We've actually got a pretty big ultra community in Cape. This is the first 50k event in Cape and the second ultra event," Kim Kelpe said.

Although the run had just started, Bryan Kelpe said he thought it was good for the first year. However, there are probably details they'll work on for next year.

"We have a lot of people from St. Louis," Kim Kelpe said. "We have someone from Colorado. A lot of times when you do events like this, you get people from all over."

The men's champion was Matt Pfau, who finished the course in 4:47:06.

The women's champ was Laura Sheridan, who made it in 5:24:56.

Kelpe said one person had dropped out as of about 5:20 p.m. Sunday.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

Trail of Tears State Park, 429 Moccasin Springs, Jackson, Mo.