By Sydney Hess. November 6, 2010. BLOWING ROCK -- A wintry welcome of black ice and freezing temperatures failed to temper the spirits of Stickboy Mayview Madness 5k runners this Saturday morning in Blowing Rock. Photos by Sydney Hess on behalf of Blowing Rock News.

“It was a cold today, but the course was beautiful and there were some great views,” Phil Mitchell said. Mitchell finished with a time of 17:07, which put him in 3rd place overall.

Cameron Bean of Blowing Rock's ZAP Fitness finished first in the race with a time of 16:24. Proceeds from the event benefited Boone’s Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC). The non-profit helps landowners conserve their land in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. To date, BRC has protected over 15,000 acres of land.

On average, the annual 5k run raises $5,000. This year around 150 runners participated in the 5k run.

The funds raised this year go towards the protection of Pond Mountain in Ashe County. With help from Clean Water Management Trust Fund, BRC will purchase the remaining 300 acres, which total 1,800 acres of land protected in the area, Eric Hiegl said. Hiegle is the co-deputy director of BRC.

Boone’s Stick Boy Bread Company was the race’s presenting sponsor. Blowing Rock’s Bistro Roco funded this year’s finish line and awards ceremony. “The support of these successful local businesses has helped our race grow and attract more runners,” Lesch-Huie said. “We’re grateful for their involvement.”

The BRC is the result of a recent merger between two local, non-profit land trusts: High Country Conservancy (HCC) and Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust (BRRLT).

“With over 20 years of combined conservation experience, the merger has made us a stronger organization with a greater capacity to protect our area’s family farms, scenic views, important natural areas, and critical water resources,” Walter Clark, executive director of BRC, said.

For more information about BRC and races times visit: http://blueridgeconservancy.org/mayviewmadness.php.

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