This was my fourth year running this race, and I went into it hoping for a strong performance. The organizers returned the course to the original layout used in the first six years, so I thought I might finally snag a course PR. That idea lasted through Monday’s optimism and into Wednesday, when I ended up back at the doctor with bronchitis. By Friday night, after driving through a monsoon to get there, I abandoned any aggressive time goals and focused on making it through the course intact — mudslides, bugs, and whatever odd characters the trails might reveal.
Why do you ask that?
This.
If you missed my previous race reports, here are links to the earlier write-ups:
2010
2011
2012
This edition brought back familiar terrain and the same mix of challenge and fun I’ve come to expect. I had hoped the restored course might offer a faster line, but the weather, illness, and the trail’s natural difficulty made it clear that effort and enjoyment, not a specific time, would be the goals for the day. When the race director Becky — easily my favorite RD — gave the pre-race instructions, the rain had paused and I wasn’t in severe pain, so I allowed myself a little optimism. That optimism lasted just long enough to carry me into the first few miles before the old memories of how tough this race is started to return.
The course is deceptively hard. I always seem to forget the steep climbs, the tricky footing, and the sections that slow you down more than you expect. Even so, the trails are beautiful and the community at the aid stations makes the effort worthwhile. Volunteers kept the stations well stocked and offered steady encouragement. Their support is a huge part of why this event stays special year after year.
One of the unexpected highlights was having a friendly, civilized conversation with an Auburn fan during the race. That’s not something that happens every day, and I’ll credit the Twisted Ankle vibe and Becky’s influence for the temporary truce. The camaraderie and sense of shared adventure — whether you’re racing for time or simply out to enjoy the trails — is what makes this race memorable.
Below are photos from the day. You’ll see Becky, course scenes, and some snapshots of the race in progress. The last image is from the finish, taken because I decided to push hard for the final two miles and felt great about how the race wrapped up.
This final image was taken because I pushed hard in the last two miles and finished feeling strong. 
I crossed the line 37 minutes faster than last year and 22 minutes faster than my previous course PR. I was outrageously excited!
Race day can throw a lot at you — weather, illness, rough footing — but this event once again delivered the mix of challenge, community, and fun that keeps me coming back. Thanks to the volunteers, the race director Becky, and everyone who cheered on the trail. If you want the results, feel free to scroll down to the results section or check the race site for official times.
Thanks for reading and for following along with my Twisted Ankle report. I’ll be back next year to see what the course and the weather have in store.