I've been wanting to run the Joe Davis Run for Recovery for a few years now and somehow have always had a conflict, but this year, the stars aligned and I was able. The race is a fund raiser for Keystone Substance Abuse Services in honor of a local man named Joe Davis who died from accidental overdose in 2009. His sister is an active member of the local running community and the family organized this race yearly in his memory.

I was particularly nervous for this race as I needed to hit a specific time in order to qualify for a local race team - 58:13. My previous 10K PR was 59:17 back in Sept. and I had been doing near constant speed work since. Nerves turned to dread as the race was scheduled for Jan. 7th, the same day that a snow storm was set to hit the area (and this is SC, so people were losing their minds). The race management kept everyone very well informed of the weather and on the Thursday before the race, made the decision to postpone it until the next week. Crisis averted. It was the best call, and the management went well out of their way to accommodate everyone as best as possible with ample communication, and free bib transfers if necessary for those who could not run the new date.

On Jan. 14th, the weather could not have been better for racing - low 50s and cloudy. I was unable to pick up my packet early (there were 2 packet pick up times and locations) and picked up race day. There was lots of free and easy parking around the race site (start and finish lines at a local park) and on-site pick up was well organized and went quickly. There were several local companies with tents set up and music and warm ups pre-race.

There was a 5K and 10K option and both started and finished at the same time/place. The 10K was the 5K route twice. It was a pretty challenging course with lots of loop back in the beginning of the route and between miles 2-3 (also 5-6) it was very hilly. There was a lot of race support - volunteers on every corner, a water stop that was positioned so you ran past it 2x on the course (4x for the 10K runners) and there were lots of folks spectating/cheering for the parts that were through the park. Since I ran the same route 2x, I was able to know when to save energy and when to speed up.

It was a tough course, but I was able to pull a 10K PR and make my qualification time, so to say the least, I was overjoyed! 10K races received medals. Unfortunately, they had the incorrect date on them, but that was unavoidable.

My only complaint would be the shirts/swag. In previous years, the shirts give out were long-sleeve tech shirts and beautiful (esp. last year's), but this year, the shirts were plain white cotton long sleeve with the logo screen printed on the front). We were also give a plastic bag with a few flyers inside.

Overall, great race, great cause and I would recommend and run again.

I started the 2017 the same way as I did 2016, by running through the muddy woods with 249 other crazies and consuming yummy "good luck" food afterwards.

This was my second year doing the Baxter Trail Club New Year's Day Run and it will not be my last. This year's race was particularly fun as the swag had a cute Gnome theme, so now I have not only an awesome and adorable tech shirt, but also, all participants that hung around for the door prizes were given a Gnome pint glass.

All week I was anxious about the race as rain was in the forecast off and on both before and during the race. Last year it had rained for almost a full month prior to race day, so I know what this trail is like when it is full on muddy. Luckily, the rain held off until the early morning hours and even then, it was more of a light drizzle than rain. Plus, it pretty much fully stopped during the race. While it was still pretty muddy, conditions were pretty good with only one section really treacherous. With the much improved conditions, I was able to shave about 10 minutes off my time over last year and finished 13th female overall and 4th in my Age Group. By far a PR for trails for me. While I had really really hoped to place, I cannot be upset about my time.

The 5K course is a tough one with pretty challenging elevation in a few places, but the course is very well marked with roving volunteers. I never felt unsafe, even with the slippery conditions. The Baxter Trail Club does an amazing job of keeping the trails well maintained and place signage markers at most intersections.

After the race, the main sponsor, Legal Remedy Brewery, treated us to craft beers on tap and a huge spread of New Year's Southern classics - Pork BBQ, Collards, Black Eye Peas and Cornbread, all to bring such and wealth in the upcoming year. It was crazy yummy and worth the entry just for the food.

I will for sure start of 2018 with this race, and since I will be advancing to the next age group in July, I will for sure place next year. Who knows, I may even brave the 18K.