Ever since the advent of road racing in the late 1970s and, subsequently, the meteoric rise in popularity of multi-sport events like triathlons and duathlons, event coordinators have sought after that magic mix of elements that leaves racers glowing with pride, euphorically basking in endorphins and avidly awaiting the next year's registration.

Some offer rock music on every street corner or sumptuous feasts just beyond the finish line. Others offer scenic vistas or exotic locales. But some essential elements at the third annual Carrboro Classic Endurance Sports Festival top all inducements: 70 degrees and sunshine.

"When you have weather like this and this crowd, it brings out the people in this sport," said Endurance Magazine publisher and founder Steve Lackey. "There are tons of smiles, and we've got folks who've traveled here from Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia ... it's just fantastic."

Staged at McDougle Middle School, the Carrboro Classic included a long-course duathlon (5-mile run, 33-mile bike, and 5-mile run), a super sprint duathlon (2.4-mile run, 12-mile bike, and 1.2-mile run), and a Wild West 8K (five-mile) run.

"It was great," said men's overall long-course duathlon winner Casey Williams (2:23:58.95). "When God gives you great weather, you make the most of it. The course itself was well-maintained, and the volunteers were some of the best I've seen in racing."

Among the women, local standout Stacey Richardson (2:37:29.30) claimed the top prize. The short-course duathlon winners included Glenn Cook (56:13.30) and another local favorite, Kristin Villopoto (57:15.75). In the Wild West 8K road race, it was Bobby Mack (24:19.35) finishing first and Tara Allden's 38:26.10 good for the women's top prize.

Lackey initially worried how timing of the April 25 short-course duathlon National Championships in Richmond, Va., might impact registration. "But we've had a great year again this year," he noted.

Kim Chapman, owner of Durham's Bull City Running Company brought a group of beginning runners, the culmination of a 12-week clinic for about 36 women.

Winners

Just off the 8K pace set by overall men's winner Bobby Mack (24:19.35) were Asher Colburn-Hertzberg (29:23.85) and Andy Reynolds (32:33.45). Charlie Lancaster (33:51.25) was the men's masters winner.

"It really helped to have the long and short-course duathlon running out in front to have folks for people to catch," Mack said. "They say it's the fastest 8K you'll ever run, and they were about right. ... I was shooting for around a 24:40, and I came in about 20 seconds faster than I'd expected."

For Andy "Tweety' Reynolds, a grudge match with fellow Trailhead and first-place masters finisher Charlie "Grynz" Lancaster was sufficient motivation to push Reynolds to his third-place overall finish.

"Yes, I felt his presence," Reynolds said, grinning. "I ran well, though. I was trying to go out in (a pace of) 6:30 miles, and I ran 6:27s."

"Yeah, I saw (Andy) the whole race," Lancaster said after finishing sixth. "Someone was on my shoulder for the entire last mile and a half. Then he just blew by me."

Behind Allden in the women's 8K overall field were Carroll Scott (39:16.50) and Dino Mangano (40:35.75). The women's masters winner was Gwen Van Ark (44:00.65).

Despite the race's billing, Allden said it was not her fastest 8K ever. "Oh no, I've run faster," Allden said, laughing, "but it was many years ago. ... It was fun, and it was beautiful."

In shape

Behind Villopoto in the short-course duathlon was Janelle Renschler (57:58.30) and Tina "Spinz" Weiler (59:20.60). Leslie Morgan (1:05:09.70) took the women's masters short-course title.

"This was a good litmus test because I was injured again recently," Villopoto said. "Today, I just didn't want to hurt something three weeks from Nationals in Richmond. There'll be a lot of people from here going up for that one."

However, Villopoto's biggest prize for the year should be the World Championships in the fall.

"I won't be in 'A' shape for Nationals," she said, "but I'm hoping to be in better shape for Worlds in September."

Just 20 seconds behind men's overall short-course winner Glenn Cook, Daryn Lambooy (56:35.45) took second and Brent George (56:53.35) third. Dan Lehman (1:00:24.95) earned the masters crown.

"I was in fourth after the first run," Cooke said, noting he chose the short course of the long event because he had to hurry to work before noon. "So, I just put my head down and rode."

Next up for Cook will be the Xterra West Nationals at Lake Las Vegas, Nev.

Winning the short-course relay division was the team "I'm Not the Father" (1:06.47.25).

Tara Flint (2:46:54.75) took second in the women's overall long-course competition behind Richardson, and Kari Mayhew (2:50:48.80) rounded out the top three places. Susan Kitchen (3:01:55.65) earned the women's masters title.

Winning the long-course relay division was the team "Sleek and Sexy" (2:25.35.10).

Behind Casey Williams in the men's long-course overall standings were Marty Stiegmann (2:29:08.60) and Doug Covington (2:31:23.75), with Russell Mead (2:36:17.30) taking the masters crown.

Up next

Williams also will be among those heading for the Nationals in Richmond.

"Today's race was good in and of itself, but it's also a great race leading up to the rest of the spring schedule," Williams said.

Next up for Endurance Magazine will be the staging of the ever-growing downtown events: the Franklin 5000 and Tar Heel Ten Miler on May 25. Those benefit the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA's Strong Kids campaign, Lackey said, which the YMCA uses to provide program scholarships to children whose families are in need.

"The end will be a straight-on finish right down Church Street -- no more corkscrew finishes through the parking lot," he said. "And now you get a view of virtually every single Chapel Hill landmark along Franklin Street."

No word yet if participants are guaranteed 70 degrees and sunshine.

SMILES ALL AROUND

The Carrboro Classic benefits the Swim for Smiles Foundation, which helps raise money for the UNC Children's Hospital through several events. Last year's Swim for Smiles contribution to the hospital was around $30,000, SFS organizer Gary Kayye said.

Swim For Smiles hosts a Youth Triathlon for ages 7 through 18 on May 31, which features both long- and short-course triathlons that go through The Oaks and the Chapel Hill Country Club area. "Really young kids can participate on tricycles or on bikes with training wheels, and their parents can do it with them," Kayye said.

"It's incredibly kid and parent-friendly," Endurance's Steve Lackey said. "Anyone with a kid 6 years old or older should consider coming out for their first event."

The Swim For Smiles "Wacky Relay Day" on July 12 targets the 1,200 kids in the Chapel Hill Summer Swim Leagues. Then, a Family Triathlon on July 26 at Southern Village will include multiple parent-child categories as well as individual divisions.