Haskins, Vall dominate at Xterra Deep South

June 8, 2009 (Jackson, GA) – The XTERRA Georgia Trail Run Series continued on strong as almost 200 runners from six states raced over 15 rugged kilometers through the Dauset Trails yesterday. As the fastest growing season in the 2009 XTERRA Trail Run Series, Georgia has developed a faithful following of extreme, off-road runners, and competition remains fierce. 
Coming through with the wins were Nathan Haskins and Emily Anne Vall taking the men’s and women’s races in 54:33 and 1:08:34 respectively. Kennesaw State cross country team standout Haskins is currently the XTERRA series leader for his Male 20-24 age group, and this win allows him to enjoy an even larger cushion in the point standings. He was able to defeat Charleston, SC local Ryan Thompson, 28, by just over a minute and Tyrone resident Jason Veclotch, 21, who clocked in at 59:58. In terms of points, Veclotch is now just 20 points behind Haskins, so it will all come down to the final few races to decide who will be crowned as Regional Champion for their division and receive free entry to the XTERRA Trail Running National Championship on September 13 in Bend, Oregon. 

For the women, it was series newcomer Vall , 32 from Atlanta, who crossed the finish line more than 3 minutes ahead of Charlotte, NC resident Jenny Everett, 30. Carrying on her third place streak was 24-year old Tara Mooney from Jasper, GA turning in a time of 1:11:54. 

As mentioned before, with just three races left in the series, area runners will need to finish the 2009 season strong in order to edge out the competition for the title of XTERRA Georgia Regional Champion. Not only is the XTERRA Trail Running National Championship at stake, but from there, runners will have the opportunity to race against an international gathering of trail enthusiasts at the XTERRA Trail Running World Championship December 6 on the spectacular Hawaiian island of Oahu. 

Complete race results are attached and more information can be found online at www.xterratrailrun.com. Media interested in photos from this event should contact emily@xterraplanet.com.

COMING UP IN THE XTERRA GEORGIA TRAIL RUN SERIES…
XTERRA Silver Comet 10KM Trail Run – Hiram, GA – 6/28/2009
XTERRA Pig Trail Run 10KM – Macon, GA – 7/26/2009
XTERRA Rock Hawk 5/21KM Trail Run – Eatonton, GA – 8/23/2009
XTERRA Bull Mountain 21KM Trail Run – Dahlonega, GA – 9/27/2009 (#1 for 2010)
XTERRA Fall Fitness 5KM Trail Run – Buford, GA – 10/3/2009 (#2 for 2010)
XTERRA Battle at Big Creek 7/15KM Trail Run – Roswell, GA – 11/8/2009 (#3 for 2010)
XTERRA Victoria Bryant 10KM Trail Run – Royston, GA – 11/29/2009 (#4 for 2010)
For more information, visit www.xterratrailrun.com or call 877-XTERRA-1.