Event: Blue Marsh

Name: Chris Eatough

City: Baldwin

State/Province: MD

Country: USA

Age: 27

Place: 1st

Category: Pro

CLASS +/or Age group: Senior

Team: Trek/VW

XC Race Bike: 9.8

Tires: Bontrager

Conditions: Awfully muddy

How was your fitness level going into this race?

Good. I road raced in Virginia the day before, but did not feel tired from it.

Were you happy with your position going into the singletrack?

Yes, I was 2nd behind Brandon, who went very quickly up the prologue hill

Were you strong from start to finish?

Yes.

When did you put the hammer down?

Whenever I could. Gear skippage in the mud was limiting me on the flats, and Brandon, John M, and Jason M. were faster than me on those sections. On the steep climbs, everybody had to run/walk, so the chain was not an issue.

Did you have any unusual problems?

Wheels clogging if I pushed my bike on the hike a bike climb, so I decided to carry the bike on my back the whole way. It was heavy with all the mud, but it was the fastest way, and it helped me win the race.

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Yes, although hoses for clean up would have been valuable.

Did you have any interesting experiences during your race (exchanges with competitors/spectators)?

Something jumped into the lake as I rode by. It might have been geese, but it seemed really big!

Anything you would like to add?

Congratulations to all finishes who toughed it out in some horrible conditions.