Hundreds of runners skated loops and circles on the frozen, forested of northern Orange County last Saturday morning, where ice remaining from earlier winter weather still made for slippery slopes.

Say what you want about the grace and beauty of Canada's Moir and Virtue, the first non-Russian pair ever to claim gold; they didn't have to contend with precipitous uphills, drastic downhills or 10 miles of roots, rocks and rutted trails that marked the icy Little River Trail Runs.

Held at the Little Little River Park Regional Park and Natural Area off Guess Road in northern Orange County, the runs showcase a virtually pristine natural area boasting nearly 15 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, picnic areas, bathroom facilities, a campground, and a playground. Managed by Orange County, the park offers nearly 400 acres of natural area. Hosted by local off-road enthusiasts the Trailheads, the event is now as popular as ever in its sixth year.

"Yeah, the trails were slippery - they were really icy, especially where the steps were coming up from the river," said Nick Von Hoene, a teacher at Smith Middle School who took on the trails alongside other Smith Cyclone mentors, Elizabeth Wood and her husband, as well as fellow teacher Noa Stuchiner.

"That was the worse part, and there were a couple places where it was hard to tell where the trail was," Von Hoene added. "Having the snow on the side of the trail was pretty helpful."

On the day, however, there were very few serious falls, scrapes, or bruises due to the ice.

"I was amazed that we didn't have more problems," said Layna "Willow" Mosley, who shared race director duties with David "Booda" Elam. "We had ice on the course, but I think it was well-marked, and people were careful."

More surprising still was the fact that course records were set in both the men's and women's 10-mile trail runs.

"The course is just the same. The old course records were 1:05 for men and 1:17 for women," Mosley said. "The women's record was beaten by a little more than a minute, and the men's record was beaten by around two-and-a-half minutes."

UNC freshman Timmons Williams (1:16:45.6) claimed first and a new course record in the women's 10-mile LRTR, with Katie Hume (1:16:52.5) just seven seconds off the winning pace. Durham's Alicia Parr (1:20:17) rounded out the top three places. Joan Mabe (1:21:51) captured the women's 10-mile masters division crown.

"It was frustrating on the uphills where it was really slick," Williams said, "and I'm not wearing trail shoes. I've never run out here, so that was a new experience, but I liked the trails."

Twice the winner's age, Hume managed a valiant effort and would have otherwise set a course record herself.

"I think I just went out too hard," Hume said. "The trails were actually in better shape than I expected them to be though."

"(Williams) passed me in the last mile, and at that point I was happy to let her go," Hume explained, laughing. "I'm sad to admit my competitive spirit left me at that point."

Running shirtless in the sub-freezing chill last Saturday morning, David Roche of Durham won the Little River 10-mile trail race by les than 4 seconds over runner-up Alex Varner of Carrboro.

"On days like today, I think you just try to run straight and hope for the best," said Roche. "I ran shirtless because self-preservation is a great motivator to run fast."

Roche finished in 1:02:54.2, while Varner (1:06:17.6) took second place, Mark Carey (1:10:31.2) third, and Daniel Williams of Durham (1:11:13.2) was fourth.

Common love

The Trailheads first staged the race in 2006. Through a common love of trail running, mountain biking, ultra-running, triathlons, and other off-road adventure sports, the group celebrates nature, preservation, and sensible stewardship.

Emphasis this year was placed on sustainability, as runners and volunteers pledged to "go green" by carpooling to the remote race site. In all, just 290 cars arrived at the park.

"Eighty-five percent of the people said they'd carpooled here," Elam said. "If everyone had come by themselves, we would have had around 600 cars here with all the runners and volunteers."

Still park supervisor Mike DiFabio said some repair work would always be needed after so many used the facilities.

"Some of the donations we put back into making sure we cover up any 'footprint,' caused by the event, and unfortunately, it warmed up just enough this year so make the ground a little mushy," DiFabio said. "The goal is teamwork, and if teamwork put the message out to carpool, then that made the event that much more successful.

"If carpooling continues, that could lead to allowing the event to grow a bit more. I don't think we're at our limit, but it all depends on the parking."

Pruning while expanding

The race typically earns about $5,000 of revenue, donated by the Trailheads to the park. DiFabio said there was definitely a need for funds, especially in a tough economy.

"The biggest maintenance challenge is the trails -- pruning them back and making sure there are no muddy areas," he said. "That's tough with 14 miles of trails."

"We've also expanded our programming," he added. "We've always done a lot of programs for kids...but we'd really like more adult programming--like garden workshops."

DiFabio encouraged all interested in the park or its slate of programs for 2011 to visit their Facebook page.

"Folks can go to Facebook and then search 'Little River Regional Park,'" he said. "Then they should just 'Like' us to become a fan. If there are closings, we'll mention those, we have links, and we'll list programming."

In addition to the Little River Regional Park and Natural Area -- a winner in its own right on the day, numerous runners outside of the top three came out feeling like winners as well.

First foursomes

For the first time, foursomes vied for wins in a team competition at the LRTR. The Trailheads came out on top, with the "Energizer Bunnies" in second place, and "Four of a Kind" rounding out the top three places.

Donning bunny ears, Ilona Jaspers of the "Energizer Bunnies" said her team and "Four of a Kind" were actually formed from a 12-person team which competed in last year's Blue Ridge Relay.

"We actually had two (women's) teams," Jaspers said. "We had the 'Four of a Kinds' with (poker-themed) tee-shirts and socks. The other team was the 'Energizer Bunnies,' so that's why we have the bunny ears and bunny socks.

"I was actually on the Bunny team but got injured, so I just ran 7K. I was replaced with a (male) 'Bun-ner,' so there were actually three girls and one guy on the team."

Low Pressure

Next up for overall winners may be a return to hibernation for a bit.

"Everything around here is just so great," Roche said. "I'll probably just go 'wherever.' I got an email about this race just two weeks ago."

"I have a spring marathon," Williams said, "and I'm looking for some other trail runs."

Hume, though, is looking for a low-pressure runs.

"I'll just go out and run for fun," she said.

The Trailheads will now focus on their next race, the Philosopher's Way Trail Runs through the Carolina North Forest in Chapel Hill later this spring. Registration and further information will be available through the Trailheads' website ( www.trailheads.org/pwtr/).

The way this winter has gone so far, one might want to sharpen up the skates and break out the snowshoes for that one as well.