Come rain or shine, Clanton Track and Trails was determined to hold their annual SERA/SETRA Enduro on the weekend of May 23-24.

The weekend turned out to be successful with many dedicated competitors in the sport showing up to tackle the challenging hills and valleys in the mud. Rain was falling just prior to the start of the races on Saturday and Sunday, but both days turned out to be bearable.

The trails, however, took a beating and proved to be somewhat of a force to be reckoned with for many riders. Off-camber hillsides, rooty paths and muddy trenches could be found from the beginning to the end of the shortened 25-mile race. The original race was to be 50 miles, but, because of impassible creek crossings and dangerous territory, the course was condensed.

Two hundred thirty-nine participants left the starting line beginning at 8:01 on Sunday morning, and several local competitors were on hand for the challenge.

Reigning SERA champion Cliff Ousley and his cousin, Tyler Carter, started on the same row and would both have good rides. Ousley slipped into a check a minute early, and it cost him the overall, allowing Steven Reed and Carter to finish ahead of him for the day.

Reed and Carter tied to the minute, but Reed won on the tiebreaker check to give him the overall. Carter won first in 250A and Overall A because he isn’t in the AA class yet, but it’s coming soon.

Other local participants were: Ted Anz, 7th Sr. B; John Huggins, 10th Sr. B; Vicki Anz, 3rd, 4StrokeC; Chris McMillan, 5th, 4StrokeA; Brian Duke, 1st, 4StrokeB; Brian Lewis, 5th, VetC; Jack Willis, 1st, 250C; Brad Belcher, 6th, Sr. Short A; Adrian Gervais, 7th, Vet A; Jacob Davis, 2nd, Jr. Open; Jared White, 4th, Jr. Open; Hunter Sanders, 6th, 200A; Burton Huff, 6th, Sr. A; Chad Earl, 6th, Vet A; Tommy Seales, 4th, Super Sr. A; Jonathon Seales, 5th, 200B; Frank Reynolds, 3rd, 200C; and Jason Copeland, 4th, Vet B.

Frank Reynolds crashed less than a mile from the finish with what he thought was a broken leg, but he managed to finish anyway. His leg wasn’t broken but bruised very severely.

On Saturday afternoon, the kids enduro took place with several local competitors in this one as well.

Neal Ousley cruised to another victory in the Vet Kids class. In the Pee Wee class, Ethan Gregg brought home his first first-place trophy of the season and was followed closely by Austin Anz for second and Trent Huff in fourth.

The next scheduled SERA event is an enduro in Louisiana on May 30-31.