The 2016 Highland Sky 40 Mile Trail Race was won by Tucker County native Lucas Warner in six hours, 25 minutes. The female winner was Robin Watkins with a blistering time of 7:07, Warner led the pack of 168 runners on a beautiful day with the mountain laurel just coming into bloom. Described as “the ultimate ultrarun in the Mountain State” the event is centered at Canaan Valley Resort State Park while most of the course is in the surrounding Monongahela National Forest. The course traverses Roaring Plains and Dolly Sods Wilderness through some of the most rugged and beautiful terrain in West Virginia. Trail terrain varies from woodland paths, rock and boulder, to upland bogs, through northern hardwoods at lower elevations, to Red Spruce and heath barrens above 4000 feet. For all its difficulties, the Highland Sky is one of the most popular trail runs in the state with this year selling out in 48 hours.
Said Warner “Growing up with the Highlands Sky 40 Mile Trail Run in my back yard, it has grown from a source of bewilderment when I first learned about it as a high school runner, to a source of home county pride and a personal aspiration.”
For those hoping to try their hand at a trail run, the Top of The Mountain Challenge takes place on July 9. This new race which is a more accessible four mile, eight mile and kids dash is hosted by www.appalachianaltitude.com/
