Runners begin a 9.6-mile race Saturday at Coldwater Mountain Bike Trail. (Anniston Star photo by Bill Wilson)
Dirty Spokes Productions, a race-organizing entity out of Georgia, held a foot race on the cycling trail on a gray, cool December morning. The event included a kids’ race, a 2.4-mile race and a 9.6-mile race.
“I’m excited about it,” said Coldwater newcomer Kristie Northern before the race began. “It’s really hard to find trail runs.”
Northern drove from Trussville, near Birmingham, for the 8:30 a.m. event. An avid runner, she was not deterred by the light rain at the start of the run. Indeed, a long line of runners, including Northern, all wearing loose-fitting, brightly colored shirts, shorts, fitted running pants and light-weight shoes, formed a long line as they jogged into the wooded trail.
The parking lot at the start of the trail was filled with cars and a few promotional tents and for at least a quarter mile, vehicles marked with novelty stickers lined both sides of the road leading up to the trail head. Runners and trail enthusiasts from several Alabama counties and at least three states participated in the event.
Tim Schroer with Dirty Spokes Productions called and organized the race. He said he selected the Coldwater trail for its quality.
“I feel like it’s going to be one of the best trails in the southeast,” Schroer said.
Staff writer Laura Johnson: 256-235-3544. On Twitter @LJohnson_Star.
