05/09/2026
Carolina Thread 8/4HR Recap:
Greetings my Crazy Animals,
MONUMENTAL: highly significant, outstanding
Each and every one of you was monumental!
Results:
Congratulations on many, many Epic performances. They will be outlined in the coming weeks on social media. WOW is the only word!
Carolina Thread 8HR Women's Podium
Janelle Pham - 40.25 miles (New Women's Course Record Holder)
Allison Arrwood - 36.75 miles (Course Record)
Katya Baker - 31.5 miles
Carolina Thread 8HR Men's Podium
Luke Chafin - 45.5 miles (New Course Record Holder)
Brandon Ashley - 42 miles
David Carrool - 40.25 miles
Carolina Thread 4HR Women's Podium
Allie Nguyen - 17.5 miles (Women's Course Record Holder)
Nikki Jones - 17.5 miles (10 minutes between 1st and 2nd)
Camilla Bird - 15.75 miles
Carolina Thread 4HR Men's Podium
Bubba Walkins - 19.25 miles (Course Record Holder)
Luis Damas - 17.5 miles
Michael DeBorde - 15.75 miles
Great Appreciations:
Special thanks to:
- Each and every one of You that pushed the living hell out of your limits. So many stories to come.
- Volunteers and Spectators, the backbone of having a stellar day.
- Westminster Park and its beautiful 300 acre playground that we get to call home to two different BALS Racing ultras.
- Charlotte Running Company at Riverwalk for hosting packet pick up and providing the gift certificates to the riddles.
- Just Ingredients and their similar belief that Food is Fuel. Providing the best electrolytes!
- Wicked Skins Athletics and Brie Los as the mastermind behind the medals and awards.
- Rock Hill Screen Printing for their amazing work on the hats and mugs.
Onto New Limits:
I would like to apologize if I did not get around to everyone (or their crew) to chat.
I am totally beyond stoked at what transpired this past Saturday.
- Blown away by the consistency of Luke Chafin (16 - 19 minute loops until the last loop, 23 minutes) and the new course record.
- Lam and Allie Nguyen who both formally took up running about six weeks ago, both setting PR's, with Allie taken first female in the 4hr.
- John Burton, I know you from somewhere. From calling him Johnny B to JB to Jack to Jack John to Johnny Jack, his dad even stated he will answer to knucklehead. Lol.
- Brenda Weyerbacher at 72 years young rocking the no quit attitude. She took second female in our 12hr option last year.
- Allison Arrwood, our youngest competitor at 17 years young. Smashed her PR and then some breaking the female course record from last year.
- Janelle Pham who has put the female course record I believe in a crazy stratosphere nailing down a 16 minute last loop, Wow.
- Connor Moore, there was no way your dad and I were not getting you out there on your last loop to hit your 50K mark.
- Zach Dehning who set a New Year's Resolution of running an ultra, committing and doing just that.
- Bubba Walkins running extra just to get a marathon on Strava.
- Kelly Kirk rucking 20lbs around the course getting ready for her MammothMarch 20 mile hike.
- Camilla and Trevor Bird who just kept going hitting PR's and simply not stopping.
- Nikki Jones and the ten minutes that separated first and second place.
- Michael DeBorde with a soft demeanor that just got things done.
- Luis Damas who held consistent 25 minute loops and very sofly spoken.
- Brandon Ashley, I will continue to feed you watermelon slushies.
- Katya Baker explored some elevation getting away from city life, it's always about the cheese. Lol.
- David Carroll whom never ran more than 18 miles before the race smokes a PR of 40.25 miles and now signed up for BALS BACKYARD. Stoked to see the limits you push.
- Paul Guizard I owe many, many thanks to. Foremost, for opening my eyes up to this venue. And to one hell of a training partner.
- Kathryn Hilton, sometimes bumping into people on a trail and handing them a flyer is pure rock and roll.
- Cole Horton who had a goal in mind, and tackled it.
- David Moore made a bit of an early exit with a foot injury, and then kicked his son in the arse every loop to hit his 50K.
- Stone Murrill whom was amazing to watch keep pace with Luke and then, to hitting the struggle bus, to getting the magic back again and finish strong.
- Matthew Stilwell, I will have more bacon next time.
Thank you,
BALS Racing
