The 5 Miler
The race begins at the corner of Hughes and
A view
from the start line.
We
go under the overpass as you get a good view of the World’s Highest Hill that
you are about to climb.
No
we begin a very gradual and steady climb for the first mile.
The climb is gentle at first so you can get your legs warmed up.
At the ½
mile mark it continues the gentle climb.
Around ¾ of a mile there is a nice waterfall known as
Our
first good climb is only temporary and comes during the one mile mark.
It gives you a good taste of what’s ahead.
Leveling off at the top of this first climb.
Wow!
A short downhill, enjoy it while it lasts.
Look
for the duck pound to your left just before . . .
Our
first really big climb that comes at about the 1.5 mile mark.
The first aid station is just ahead.
This is a double switch back around the two mile mark during a hard climb.
Another
switch back as we make our way up. The
switch backs are especially steep.
The
fourth switchback just before the 2.5 mile mark.
Finally we come to a ridge and you can see the top of the hill again.
We
will follow this ridge to mile 3 and the second aid station which has. . .
. .
.spectacular views in all directions. Take
some water or Gatorade and enjoy the sites.
This is the view south.
Looking north.
This
is a look at where we came.
Moving on, we have a nice down hill of almost a quarter mile.
Relax and catch your breath because the most serious climbing is yet to
come.
At
the bottom of the downhill is one of the two toughest climbs and it goes on for
quite some time.
The
switch back at mile 3.5.
A
little further and you can get a great view if you look back, though you may be
working to hard at this point to remember.
Another steep switchback and mile 4.
The
other of the two toughest hills comes right toward the end.
Make it up this one and you are there.
There was ice up here on this cold February day but it should be a little
windier and cooler in May and you will be glad to be up higher.
Almost there at mile 4.5. You can
see the towers and just one last small hill.
The
last quarter mile is flat. If you
have anything left no is the time to run to the finish.
Your
view of the finish line.
You
made it!
Another view of the stone.
View
South East.
View
South.
A
look at Poteau.