Riddle Makes History at The Mist
By Eric J. Charette
January 23, 2010 3:40 p.m. CDT
Runners and volunteers at the 16th annual Mountain Mist 50km on Saturday in Huntsville witnessed a little bit of history that may never happen again. Finishing in 3:58:30, David Riddle won going away in his first Mountain Mist over his nearest competitor over 10 minutes. David achieved the impossible by winning every event in the Fleet Feet Grand Slam, including a 3:21 at Dizzy Fifties 50km, took overall honors at Rocket City Marathon and won the Recovery from the Holidays 50km on New Years Eve.
"I went out with thoughts of taking a shot at the course record and felt really good through the first two aid stations, but then I realized I was faster than I needed to be and backed off a little," said Riddle after the race.
"In the second half the mud was tough, the rocks were tough and the hills almost got me. I stayed focused and kept moving forward and ultimately I was able to hit my sub four hour goal."
David becomes just the 4th runner ever to break the four-hour mark on the Mountain Mist Course.
David is a local runner, having been born and raised in Huntsville. His time at Dizzy Fifties 50km on Monte Sano in November was the 10th fastest for the distance in the entire United States in 2009.
“You just don’t see a runner with the ability to run fast at road marathons and also on trails,” said race director Dink Taylor.
Forty five year old DeWayne Satterfield was the first male masters and 2nd overall in a time of 4:09:09. He as won this race overall nine previous times. Rounding out the top three was last years champion, David Rindt of Roswell, Georgia in a time of 4:16:57.
The women's battle was closely contested with Dana Overton of Albertville, Alabama, winning by three minutes in a time of 5:21:09. Kellie Smirnoff of Jacksonville, Florida finished in second place with a time of 5:24:27 and local ultra running legend Kathy Youngren was 3rd female, running 5:29:53.
"I broke a shoelace at mile 20 and had to run that way for another 4 miles to the next aid station," said Overton. "Luckily my boyfriend was crewing for me and gave me his right shoe to finish the race." This was the first time that Dana has won Mountain Mist 50km and brings her career total of ultra marathon wins to 5.
The Mountain Mist 50k is one of the top ten largest 50k ultra marathons in the country. Today there were 273 official starters and 250 finishers.
Top 10 Overall Finishers
1 David Riddle 3:58:30
2 DeWayne Satterfield 4:09:09
3 David Rindt 4:16:57
4 Tim Vinson 4:20:04
5 Zachary Koch 4:31:35
6 Eric Charette 4:35:06
7 Eric Gilbertson 4:39:40
8 Robert Youngren 4:47:32
9 Kevin Boucher 4:49:06
10 David Purinton 4:49:24
Top 5 Overall Female Finishers
1 Dana Overton 5:21:09
2 Kellie Smirnoff 5:24:27
3 Kathy Youngren 5:29:53
4 Sally Brooking 5:36:05
5 Emily Ansick 5:41:38