Note: This post originally appeared on the Off-Road Racing League site, home to Alpine Shop's competitive but beginner-friendly race series, at www.offroadracingleague.com. BALLWIN, MO - Alpine Shop's Trail Run Series kicked off it's ninth year of races on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at Castlewood State Park with a record 237 finishers on the course. The approximately 4 mile race featured one main climb up Castlewood's Grotpeter Trail and a crossing of Kieffer Creek as the racers headed into the final three-quarters of a mile to the finish line. [caption id="attachment_2134" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Overall winner Benjamin Hudson crosses Kieffer Creek in the first run of the 2018 Alpine Shop Trail Run Series at Castlewood State Park[/caption] Benjamin Hudson (St. Louis, 32) blazed to his first victory in his first appearance at an Off-Road Racing League event with a time of 24:32.9 over the 4.1 mile course. Another newcomer, Daniel Welch (Clayton, Mo., 27), took second just under 30 seconds behind Hudson (24:52.0) with last year's overall third-place points finisher Jon-Paul LaVenture (Ballwin, Mo., 37). taking third in this race as well with a time of 25:02.2. [caption id="attachment_2136" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Women's division winner Hannah Floyd (at right, #59) closely pursued by second-place finisher Jaime Maher (#146), along with Dennis Martin (#156) at the creek crossing on the 4.1 mile course.[/caption] On the women's side, Hannah Floyd (St. Louis, 32) took home the top spot for her best finish since taking second in last year's opening race. Her time of 30:48.7 beat out second place finisher Jaime Maher (31:07.3, St. Louis, 35) and third place runner Katherine O'Brien (31:16.1, St. Louis, 28) by just under 30 seconds. [caption id="attachment_2135" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Masters winner Chris Martel salutes the camera on his way to a first place finish in the over 50 division.[/caption] For the masters competition (which for Off-Road Racing League purposes is 50 years old +), Chris Martel (Webster Groves, Mo., 52) continued his domination of the age group with his fifth straight victory (sixth place overall) in the Series after placing first in the masters category in every single race last August. Long-time participant Eric Buckley (St. Louis, 55) earned a top 10 finish overall while also finishing second in the age group at 28:20.6. Rounding out the top three was Keith Lyston (Chesterfield, Mo., 52) just under three minutes behind him. [caption id="attachment_2137" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Women's Masters winner Susan Richmond on her way to her fifth straight Trail Run Series victory in the 50+ division[/caption] Women's masters was a similar affair to the men's race with Susan Richmond (Eureka, Mo., 57) winning her fifth straight race after sweeping the series in 2017. Her time of 37:06.9 was more than three minutes faster than second-place Rachel Hartmann's (St. Louis, 52) who finished the trails in 40:52.4. Sophia Lin, (Chesterfield, Mo., 59) a constant herself in the top five in 2017, rounds out the top three in 42:09.5. After the race, participants were treated to a selection of Urban Chestnut Beer Company's fine beer, along with tastings of WellBeing Brewery's non-alcoholic beer. Two lucky winners also took home pairs of certificates for a free pair of Hoka One One trail runners, courtesy of the brand which was on-site providing demo shoes for participants during the run. Other vendors at the race included Off-Road Racing League sponsors The North Face and Terrain Magazine. Giveaways continue all series long throughout August! Race 2 of the 2018 Alpine Shop Trail Run Series will take place right back at Castlewood State Park on Thursday, August 16 at 6:15 pm (weather permitting)! Overall Results (Preliminary v2) Age Group Results (Preliminary v2) Point Series Totals (After Race 1) Photos (Facebook)