CONTACT: ALYSSA WALKER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
603.730.2715

Kismet Rock Foundation thanks supporters for the 3rd Annual Cliff Run

North Conway, NH – September 23, 2011 – Over 40 runners gathered at Echo Lake State Park on Sunday morning, September 18, for the third annual Cliff Run to benefit Kismet Rock Foundation. Race director Gabe Flanders designed the challenging course, where runners gained over 1,100 feet of elevation in just five miles.

Leslie Beckwith of North Conway was 1st female overall with a time of 51:42, breaking the previous record by nearly two minutes. Dawn Heinrich of Wolfeboro was 2nd woman overall and 1st in her age group. Colleen Ryan of Danvers, MA was 3rd female overall.

Tim Livingston of Conway was 1st male overall with a time of 44:05, breaking the previous record, held by Carl Swenson, by over four minutes. Carl came in second, and first in his age group, still faster than his own old record. Brent Perdrizet of Lyme was 3rd male overall.

Winners received unique, hand-made trophies in addition to prizes from La Sportiva representative Doug Madara. “It’s great to have such a wonderful race sponsor like La Sportiva,” Flanders said.

Kismet Rock Foundation is a non-profit that serves economically underprivileged students who might otherwise ‘fall through the cracks’ of their highly stressed public school systems. By developing their potential, Kismet prepares students to contribute to their communities and their culture throughout their lives.

Kismet serves seven public schools in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts; offering students one week per summer of programs for up to four years. To make a donation, volunteer or learn more about Kismet Rock Foundation and its climbing programs for New England youth please visit www.kismetrockfoundation.org, email info@kismetrockfoundation.org or call 603-730-2715. Kismet Rock Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 and all donations are tax deductible.

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Contact:
Alyssa Walker
Executive Director
Kismet Rock Foundation
PO Box 1744
North Conway, NH 03860
603.730.2715

2011 Cliff Run Results

Kismet Cliff Run – 2011 Results Press Release (PDF)

Check out some photos of the 2011 Kismet Cliff Run on Kismet’s Facebook Page.

2011 Kismet Cliff Run on Active.com

2011 Kismet Cliff Run Registration Form (PDF)

2011 Kismet Cliff Run Press Release (PDF)

La Sportiva will sponsor the third annual Cliff Run to benefit Kismet Rock Foundation on September 18, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Echo Lake State Park in North Conway, NH.

The Kismet Cliff Run is a challenging, five mile race around beautiful Cathedral and Whitehorse Ledges in North Conway, New Hampshire. Come for the steep climbs and descents, technical singletrack, and stunning views, with approximately 1,100 feet of elevation gain. Starts and finishes at Echo Lake State Park. This event is USATF sanctioned, and part of the Eastern New England Trail Running Series. There is also a non-competitive walking division!

La Sportiva is again offering $200 to a runner who can break the course record! There will be prizes for top finishers including La Sportiva shoe gift certificates for 1st place men/women.

2010 Kismet Cliff Run results (pdf)

2009 Kismet Cliff Run video:

Full results from the race:
2009 Kismet Cliff Run Results

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Former Olympian Carl Swenson Wins First Annual Kismet Cliff Run

North Conway native Carl Swenson, a nordic ski Olympian, made it a memorable first ever Kismet Cliff Run as the winner of what more than one competitor commented is destined to become a classic race in northern New England. Carl’s time of 48:18 was the sole sub-fifty minute finish, ahead of the dead-heat second and third place finishers Eric Marshall (Rumney, NH) (51:58) and Jeff Arsenault (Rumford, ME) (51:58.3). In the women’s division, first place finisher was Lynne Zummo (Norwich, VT) (52:33), second Erica LaBella (Sugar Hill, NH) (60:03) and third Dawn Heinrich (Wolfboro, NH) (61:48). The youngest finisher was twelve-year-old Eva Bates (Intervale, NH) (73:04).

For the fifty Kismet Cliff Run participants, Sunday, September 20th was a perfect early fall day in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. With the first signs of fall foliage dotting the surreally beautiful landscape, clear skies and temperatures hovering in the 50’s, the conditions were a runner’s dream-come-true. The five mile trail race included a grueling Cathedral Ledge uphill (complete with rock climbers on the cliffs below) and some down hills which proved rather treacherous, judging from a few of the bloodied arms and legs that crossed the finish-line.

Delicious post-race burritos were provided by Kearsarge Cafe, followed by a raffle and award presentations. The raffle included gift certificates from race sponsor La Sportiva, a beautiful Cathedral Ledge photo panorama by Brian Post and items from Zimmerman’s and Eastern Mountain Sports. The creative Kismet Cliff Run trophies were once-beloved trail running shoes painted gold, silver and bronze and mounted on granite bases–destined to become another tradition along with the Kismet Cliff Run? Time will tell.

The Kismet Cliff Run was organized and conducted by volunteer Race Director Gabe Flanders as a fundraiser for Kismet Rock Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in North Conway, NH that provides educational rock climbing programs for disadvantaged youth. Special thanks to Paul Kirsch, the Livingstons, Dave McDermott and more than a dozen other race volunteers.

Next on Kismet Rock Foundation’s fall calendar: Saturday, November 7^th is Caliente! A Night of Salsa Dancing to Benefit Kismet Rock Foundation in Jackson, NH. Also, Thursday, October 15^th, is Fundraiser Night at Flatbread Company in North Conway, NH, when a portion of all pizzas sold will benefit Kismet Rock Foundation. For more information about these events, to make a donation, volunteer or learn more about Kismet Rock Foundation and its climbing programs for New England youth please visit www.kismetrockfoundation.org, email, or call 603-356-7738. Kismet Rock Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 and all donations are tax deductible.

Twelve-year-old Eva Bates finishes the first annual Kismet Cliff Run, with Whitehorse Ledge in the background.