Jason Bryant of Elkin, NC finished first in the Grandfather Mountain Critter Crawl 5K on Thursday. Bryant crossed the finish line almost four minutes before any of the other 90 participants. (The Herald/Skip Sickler)

More than 90 runners lined up at the base of Grandfather Mountain May 3 to participate in the first annual Critter Crawl: a 5K race to the summit of the nature attraction, just below the Mile High Swinging Bridge.

The purpose of the race was to help fund the upcoming eagle habitat renovation.  Runners began the race with unseasonably warm weather in MacRae Meadows and ended at the top with a cool breeze.

With a commanding lead by the end of the race, the first place participant with a time of 21 minutes and 29.9 seconds was Jason Bryant of Elkin, NC.  Bryant, 39 years old, is an experienced runner who has completed races all over the world including Europe and the Mt. Washington Road Race.  He likes any race that goes uphill and says that Grandfather is one of the best in the area.

Hannah Wheeler was the first female to cross the Critter Crawl finish line with a time of 32 minutes and 34.7 seconds. Wheeler, from Boone NC, placed 21st in the race overall. (The Herald/Skip Sickler)

Sam Saulsbury of Burnsville, NC was the second to finish in 25 minutes and 7.1 seconds.  Saulsbury is only 16 years old and ran near his home to prepare for the race.  The highlight of the day for Sam was his impressive finish and his ability to keep his nervous stomach settled when he finally reached the mountain’s summit.

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