Daigeaun, Dempsey deliver at OSS/CIA 50

In the third edition of the OSS/CIA 50-Mile Night Run organized by Alex Papadopoulos, VHTRC runners Michael Daigeaun and Stephanie Dempsey claimed top honors in the June 14-15 event with wicked-fast finish times in cooler-than- expected nighttime temperatures.

Both Daigeaun and second-place finisher Brad Hinton made easy work of Olivier Leblond’s 2013 winning time of 8:28:30. Daigeaun clocked a blazing 7:56:45, while Hinton crossed the line at 8:19:50; Chris McIntosh claimed third with a time of 8:29:42.

In the women’s field, two Stephanies occupied No. 1 and No. 2 on the podium; Dempsey took top honors with an 11:07:37 finish, and Stephanie Wilson claimed second with an 11:35:53. Sara Davidson earned her first podium finish with a 12:20:02 that was good enough for third place.

Of the 70 runners who started the nighttime 50-miler, 39 continued on for the second loop of the two-loop course around the trails of Prince William Forest Park; the 37 official finishers represent the highest total yet for the young OSS/CIA 50-Mile race. Several runners ended up logging a few bonus miles after making wrong turns on the course; many went briefly off-course at the intersection of the South Valley and Sky Meadows trails, with a few realizing their error upon reaching Scenic Drive.

Along with several VHTRC members who turned out to race, there were a number who also joined the event as volunteers; both the start/finish area and Oak Ridge aid stations included many VHTRC’ers on the other side of the aid station tables.

Full results are listed here. (Click the “2014” link in the results area in the top right corner of the page to access this year’s results.)