WINTER CHALLENGE XIV - COMING 02.19.17! LEARN MORE.
Hold Tight. We'll be with you shortly.
Race Management is still reeling from the face-melting awesomeness of the 2016 Winter Challenge, but as soon as we can pull ourselves together, we'll have what is shaping up to be a ridiculous amount of video and photography from Saturday. A full accounting of the weekend's activities is in the works, as well as race reports from this year's champs, Natalie Miller and Dwight Shuler.
But to hold you over...
Get started tagging and sharing pics over at the WC FB page. (we'll be updating these as more come in)
For race results and split times, head this way.
And if you've got some killer video or sweet pics we might throw in the mix, send as attachments to [email protected] or feel free to invite us to your DropBox, Google Drive or what have you. Thanks!
Stay tuned for much, much more.
But to hold you over...
Get started tagging and sharing pics over at the WC FB page. (we'll be updating these as more come in)
For race results and split times, head this way.
And if you've got some killer video or sweet pics we might throw in the mix, send as attachments to [email protected] or feel free to invite us to your DropBox, Google Drive or what have you. Thanks!
Stay tuned for much, much more.
Winter Challenge 2015 - Another epic event!
Hate to be immodest, but that was one killer Winter Challenge we just laid down! If you were there, you know what I'm talking about. There was racing, there was camping, there was partying... there were pigs, for goodness sake. Tell me you've ever seen a post-race meal the likes of that one?
Seriously, this was a fantastic weekend, not only for those who raced, but for the Williams Family as well. Truly, we get as much out of the Winter Challenge as our guests, not only because it brings us together, but because it brings so many of our good friends back to us each year.
But there's no small amount of work that goes into putting on an event like this, including family, friends, volunteers, local constabulary, sponsors and more. And we sincerely hope that each of you who falls into one of those categories understands that it would not nearly as cool without you, and that we appreciate your contribution tremendously. In short, thanks.
Check out pics from the 2015 Winter Challenge here.
Complete race results can be found here.
A Long List of Shout-Outs
Seriously, this was a fantastic weekend, not only for those who raced, but for the Williams Family as well. Truly, we get as much out of the Winter Challenge as our guests, not only because it brings us together, but because it brings so many of our good friends back to us each year.
But there's no small amount of work that goes into putting on an event like this, including family, friends, volunteers, local constabulary, sponsors and more. And we sincerely hope that each of you who falls into one of those categories understands that it would not nearly as cool without you, and that we appreciate your contribution tremendously. In short, thanks.
Check out pics from the 2015 Winter Challenge here.
Complete race results can be found here.
A Long List of Shout-Outs
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There's plenty of appreciation to go around this year, as in every other. Joe and Kirstin of Toth Media for driving all the way down from Bloomington, Indiana to record the weekend in picture and video. John Faust for hooking up all those sweet drone shots.
Thanks to Amanda Walsh for her expert help pulling together our posters and flyers. Bekah Hollingsworth for doing such a great job managing race HQ. DJ Jawbone (Will Rhame) for rocking the mic into the late night. Aunt Sylvia for her excellent FB posts and for putting up the Chapel Hill / Notre Dame crowd. Daisy for spearheading the babysitting efforts and picking up the shirts. |
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Marvin and Calvin Garner stayed up all night cooking one seriously delicious pig. Ron Protts and Aimee Sharpe then laid out the best looking post-race meal this man has ever seen. Uncle Jerry piled on with one solid chicken bog.
Edisto Irrigation and Landscaping for bringing out Pepe, their little mule. Pete and Leslie Chaplin for their tireless work clearing trails and keeping Broham #1 in line. Campion Usry for taking charge of volunteer efforts. Charles Crook and Bradley Holeman for lugging their boats out for some on-the-water safety. Ben and Matt from Nature Adventure's Outfitters for helping with kayak launch. Henry Cooper, who made sure our Dear Lord was onhand. And the Barnwell County Sheriff's Department (the Sheriff himself, in fact!) for keeping us safe. |
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We want to thank the Rast Family and Carolina Heart Pine for all their help. In addition to so many other things they do for the Winter Challenge, Carolina Heart Pine provided all that wonderful heat that so many of you enjoyed on Saturday by way of that huge stack of wood and that fantastic fire pit. Not to forget, they even provided our raceday transportation, in the form of ATV's and golf carts, including the 4-wheeler that Broham #2 couldn't get out of reverse at the starting line!
I'd be remiss if I didn't thank every one of you who put up a poster, handed out a flyer, shared a post on FB, or otherwise helped us spread the good word: Katie Malone, Lisa Smarr, Billy McCracken, Robert Osborne, Jon Viklinetz, John Davidson, Laura Haupfear, Jan Garrett, Dave Novak, Katie Williams, and not least,Tom Wiltberger! (among so many others!) Oh, and Jenni Novak, thank you for providing us with the best FB pic yet! Let it be known... we need more like that. Last, and without question the most important... The Winter Challenge simply would not happen were it not for the tireless efforts and tremendous generosity of our Old Man and our brother Joel. Thanks for everything. |
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Lots of props to Jefferson, Kristen and Waylon from Adventure Geek Productions for managing the melee. And a very special thanks, to all those volunteers who stood in the middle of the woods at an aid station, launched boats, kept an eye on the road, or just generally proved extremely useful when we needed it!
In addition to so many other sponsors, new and old, who really stepped it up to make this year's Winter Challenge an all-around success, we want to offer a special shout-out to Chris Roland, of Palmetto Engineering & Consulting. Chris is not only one of the best and most consistent supporters of the WC, but a fierce Winter Challenger as well, having competed in a full 11 out of the 12 installments of our fine race. And he keeps getting better, year after year! |
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Winter Challenge Recap from Suzanne Mika, 2015 Women's Champion!
A Winter Challenge Race Report
By Suzanne Mika
The Winter Challenge has become one of my favorite races of the year. I would like to extend a big thank you to Chris and Michael and the rest of the Williams family for their hard work putting on this event. After my first Winter Challenge in 2011, I challenged myself to maintain a fitness level that would enable me to do this race every year for as many years as possible. It is the perfect endurance test for me. It is the only race in which I feel like I am smiling the entire time, except for maybe on the third lap in the kayak!
Race Day
By Suzanne Mika
The Winter Challenge has become one of my favorite races of the year. I would like to extend a big thank you to Chris and Michael and the rest of the Williams family for their hard work putting on this event. After my first Winter Challenge in 2011, I challenged myself to maintain a fitness level that would enable me to do this race every year for as many years as possible. It is the perfect endurance test for me. It is the only race in which I feel like I am smiling the entire time, except for maybe on the third lap in the kayak!
Race Day
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The weather for Winter Challenge 2015 was perfect. I had been anxiously watching the weather forecast, hoping for calm winds, no rain and cold temperatures. I was not disappointed. It was great to see so many familiar faces and to meet a few people who were there for the first time. I love the run course, especially coming back over the dam with a great view of the water. I even love the mud! I usually run straight through it, figuring that my shoes are going to get wet and dirty at some point during the race anyway. After I sunk to my knees and almost lost a shoe, I decided to be more careful. After the last mud pit, my shoes were caked with sticky mud and felt 5 pounds heavier. I wondered if I would be carrying that extra weight for the remainder of the race. The mud either fell off or I got used to it, because I soon forgot about it. With some great timing from the Black Keys and Santana, I made it through the long open uphill stretches with a smile on my face. I felt energetic and had no pain as I turned onto that dirt road back toward transition.
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As I started off in the kayak, I was optimistic that it would be easier than in previous years due to calmer winds and my improved technique. I always feel more like a spectator than a competitor during this part of the race as I marvel at how fast everyone is passing me! It gives me the opportunity to study their paddling technique and wonder how the heck they are going so fast. When Leslie passed me, I shouted, “You are passing me ALREADY?” We both laughed. Despite the difficulty, I love being on the water and appreciate the incredible natural beauty here. I remember my first Winter Challenge where the logs and trees lurking just below the surface of the water made me so nervous. Now I know that most of them move when you hit them! When I got back to shore, I had a flashback to last year’s race where I struggled in the brutal wind and was totally wiped out. I remembered the volunteer who pulled my boat up on the bank said to me, “Why did you do that third lap? You know you only had to do two.” I totally believed him until he started laughing. As I ran to transition, I laughed and looked back at him and yelled, “I’m going to find you after this race and kill you!” After the race, I couldn’t quite remember what he looked like, so he lived.
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The only good thing about the third lap in the kayak is the anticipation of getting to ride my bike. I love this bike course, and I’m pretty sure I had a big grin on my face the entire time. The trail was in perfect condition this year and had some nice changes. I love riding through that big mud puddle every year. This year, the splash of the cold wet mud all over my back was invigorating. When I passed Leslie on the bike, she shouted, “You are passing me ALREADY?” We both laughed (I think). This year, surprisingly, I did not feel like I was pedaling through quicksand during the first couple of miles. It seems that all the time I spent in my favorite places - Paris Mountain, DuPont, and Paynes Creek - last year made me stronger on the climbs and a little more confident on the downhills and corners. But I still haven’t learned how to ride in the sand.
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As I rode, I realized how much progress I have made since my first Winter Challenge in 2011 when I had my first crash on a mountain bike. I had gotten my first mountain bike a few months earlier and had just started clipping in. As I was in the middle of a short, steep ascent, I found myself in the wrong gear with too little momentum. I started falling to the left and couldn’t unclip fast enough. I lunged for a tree and grabbed it just as my bike pulled me down the steep ravine. I felt a sharp pain in my calf and screamed. I laid there for 5 or 10 seconds, the pain disappeared, I got up, dragged my bike up to the trail, got on and started riding again. With that surge of adrenaline, I probably rode faster than I ever have. Since then, every time I pass that place on the trail, I smile and remember my first crash where I learned that crashes on a mountain bike can be fun and exhilarating!
I also love the clever trail signs on the course - weren’t there more of them this year? My favorite one was “Homestretch.” I love that fast flat finish especially without the anxiety of having to jump the hay bales at the finish line. When I crossed the finish line this year, I had no idea that I was the first female in the triathlon to finish. It was a pleasant surprise when Chris gave me the news.
Would I change anything about the Winter Challenge? Well, maybe two things: make the kayak one lap and make the bike 20 miles. Not really. The race is perfect the way it is. I just need to learn how to paddle!
See you next year!
Suzanne Mika
Winter Challenge Recap from Chuck Hiers, 2015 Champion!
A Winter Challenge Race Report
By Chuck Hiers
A day after Christmas I decided I should do the race. This rekindled thoughts of training since I had only been running about once a week for the past 6-8 months. A couple of weeks out I started having doubts, not sure about racing so soon, and unsure that I could handle two and a half to three hours of constant pushing without hitting the wall. Ultimately, I committed to make it happen, and proceeded to check all my race equipment. Everything checked out except my kayak, which my son Landon and I proceeded to take care of with the help of a few nuts and bolts and a generous amount of duct tape
Race Day
By Chuck Hiers
A day after Christmas I decided I should do the race. This rekindled thoughts of training since I had only been running about once a week for the past 6-8 months. A couple of weeks out I started having doubts, not sure about racing so soon, and unsure that I could handle two and a half to three hours of constant pushing without hitting the wall. Ultimately, I committed to make it happen, and proceeded to check all my race equipment. Everything checked out except my kayak, which my son Landon and I proceeded to take care of with the help of a few nuts and bolts and a generous amount of duct tape
Race Day
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I got up along with my two boys Landon and Garrison (both begged the night before to be woken up), loaded up and headed to Dome Farms. As we crossed the river my boys reminded me that in the past we have listened to Guns N Roses for a little motivation… so we loaded up a little Welcome to the Jungle and that took us right to the cabin.
As I told a handful of fellow racers I was a little scared and very nervous, not knowing what to expect from the race. So all of a sudden it's that time, and we're at the starting line and it's time to release the butterflies. We start, and aside from a swamp rabbit named Sean, who is way too fast and out of site within minutes, I go out too fast only to be caught by John Wellens and two other guys within a mile. I just start thinking to myself that this is what I expected. So I settled in at a pace that was as much as I could handle without blowing up and hitting that thing called the WALL. |
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The Run I almost threw in the towel once I got passed but I could see as we kept racing, that the several guys in front were only 25-30 seconds out (aside from Sean who had already run a mile out of the way and still managed to pass us again). At this point I’m thinking of my son Landon who I’m constantly reminding, you don't have to be the best but you do have to give it your best - always! So I started pushing into the pain cave to keep it close. |
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The Kayak
Coming down the dirt road to the cabin all I could think was get me in my boat so I can get off my feet. Once in the boat I found myself in fourth place, which was honestly a surprise at this point. Within a couple more minutes I'm shocked that I’ve captured second place and can actually see the leader. All of a sudden I'm behind the leader and make the pass. I think to myself at this point that if there’s any chance to hold on, then I have to push as hard as I can to build a lead because once on the bike I will certainly lose time to whoever’s on my heels.
Now my arms are cramping each time I paddle and my mouth is as dry as if I had eaten 3 persimmons. If you have not eaten a persimmon, I can tell you that it's the equivalent of taking all moisture out of your mouth with a vacuum. But I just dug a little deeper and kept going. I passed Brian Curran (of Outspokin’ Bikes and a good friend) and told him I was cramping bad and he said to spin for the first two miles on the bike to help recover a little.
Just out of the water, my friend Walter asked me how I felt and I recall saying that I had no legs left. I started biking, taking Brian's advice with a high cadence for the loop around the pond. Once across the highway I did what you should never in a race situation, and I did it very often... I kept looking back. If someone caught up, I was done for, since each time my pedal came up a cramp in that left or right calf came with it.
Taking it on Home
Coming down the dirt road to the cabin all I could think was get me in my boat so I can get off my feet. Once in the boat I found myself in fourth place, which was honestly a surprise at this point. Within a couple more minutes I'm shocked that I’ve captured second place and can actually see the leader. All of a sudden I'm behind the leader and make the pass. I think to myself at this point that if there’s any chance to hold on, then I have to push as hard as I can to build a lead because once on the bike I will certainly lose time to whoever’s on my heels.
Now my arms are cramping each time I paddle and my mouth is as dry as if I had eaten 3 persimmons. If you have not eaten a persimmon, I can tell you that it's the equivalent of taking all moisture out of your mouth with a vacuum. But I just dug a little deeper and kept going. I passed Brian Curran (of Outspokin’ Bikes and a good friend) and told him I was cramping bad and he said to spin for the first two miles on the bike to help recover a little.
Just out of the water, my friend Walter asked me how I felt and I recall saying that I had no legs left. I started biking, taking Brian's advice with a high cadence for the loop around the pond. Once across the highway I did what you should never in a race situation, and I did it very often... I kept looking back. If someone caught up, I was done for, since each time my pedal came up a cramp in that left or right calf came with it.
Taking it on Home
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As I got closer to the finish I realized I may actually have a shot at this. With about a mile to go I started pushing as hard as possible. If anyone was hiding in the woods they’d be witnesses to my yelling out load at this point. Once I crossed the paved road, Ozzie Osborne came to mind... Mama I'm Coming Home! Crossing the finish line was an awesome feeling because although it took way more than I thought I had, I dug deep, pushed through and made it happen.
The course this year was in great shape, and the run and bike trails were awesome. Still, the best thing about the Winter Challenge is seeing all your old friends and fellow racers year after year. |
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Winter Challenge Race Report
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By Nicole Ramsbey, Malone Coaching Athlete
#WINTERCHALLENGE OFF ROAD RACE 7 MILE TRAIL RUN, 6 MILE KAYAK, 10 MILE MOUNTAIN BIKE Hmmmm, I will start this off as it was an epic event. I was talked into it by a friend….got a mountain bike in December, already had a kayak, and LOVE trail running on the off season so why not, right?! Uhm, maybe b/c it was the 3rd week in a row I was racing and it was certainly going to take me 3-4 hours but again it’s off season. I’ve taken this off season with a totally different approach this year, do a race if it tickles my fancy, and do it for FUN!!!! Don’t care about the times, care about the journey... Read the rest of Nicole's excellent report at her blog. |
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Winter Challenge 2015 Race Report
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By John Davidson, Malone Coaching Athlete
Last weekend, for the 5th time, I lined up at the start for the XII Winter Challenge. This is truly my favorite race. I absolutely love the multi-sport events, and this one is very special. Why is it special? Perhaps many reasons, but one reason is because of the Williams Family and their own love of the race. I'm not going to say I know each and every one of the Williams family, but I do feel like I know Chris and his wife Lisa as well as his brother Michael. Along with other Williams brothers and their Father, they open their property to over 100 crazy people each February for 23 miles of racing bliss. Some may look at the race format and question whether this is really bliss or not.... Get the rest of John's story over at his blog. |
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