Charlottesville Track Club: Greenbrier Mile

Friday, May 18th was greeted with beautiful weather and more than 100 runners of all ages for the inaugural Greenbrier Mile. The scenic and challenging course took runners through the Greenbrier Elementary Nature Trail and a portion of the Rivanna Trail. After nearly a mile runners emerged from the woods and were helped to the finish by a speedy descent and cheers from the Greenbrier crowd.

4th grader Jack Dreesen-Higgenbotham led the way in an impressive 6:44. The talented 3rd grader duo of Thomas Vik (2nd) and Will Trent (3rd) were right on heels of Dreesen-Higgenbotham. 4th graders Quentin Phister (4th) and Logan Zeis (5th) completed the top five finishers with a strong 4th grade showing.

Hannah Laufer, a 2nd grader, was the first girl to the finish in a blistering 7:25, nearly a minute ahead of 3rd grader Maya Kelly (2nd) and 4th grader Edie Aten (3rd). 2nd grader Brittany Sanchez and 4th grader Eve Gehle rounded out the top five girls.

The 2nd graders made it clear that the future of Greenbrier running is alive and well. 2nd grader Graham Lenert crossed the line in 8th with Laufer (9th) and Eli Cook (10th) close behind.

Determined 1st graders Jalen Holliday (6th) and Abran Sanchez (18th) managed amazing top 20 performances.

Not to be left out were the Kindergarteners, with Max Timmons (55th) and Kathryn Lenert (76th) leading the charge for the boys and girls respectively.

Perhaps the best part of the Greenbrier Mile was watching children, parents, and grandparents enjoy a shady mile in the woods together. Many thanks to the Charlottesville Track Club, Charlottesville City Schools, Greenbrier Elementary, and the many volunteers who helped make this inaugural run a success!

Submitted and written by Race co-directors Geoff McDonald and Tom Connaughton