Potter wins Ache Around the Lake; Barber leads field in The Ouch

A pair of local runners were among the winners Saturday at the 15th Annual Ache Around the Lake road races in Tryon.

Former Polk County High School standout Caleb Potter finished first in the day’s featured race, the 8K Ache. Potter completed the challenging course in 29:15.8, finishing more than three minutes ahead of runner-up James Quattlebaum.

Complete results for all three races

Two other local runners, Simon Behan of Tryon and Brooks Saucier of Lynn, finished in the top five in the Ache, an 8K run on a hilly course around Lake Lanier.

Jamie Connelly of Greenville finished third overall and took honors as the top female, completing the course in 33:03.1.

The annual series of races around Lake Lanier is held to benefit St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation, the organization that helps raise money for St. Luke’s Hospital.

Polk County High School junior Chan Barber won the day’s two-mile race, The Ouch, posting a time of 11:25.7. Campobello’s Grace Valentine finished as the top female and second overall in 13:51.6, with PCHS senior Emma Brunell claiming third in 14:39.5.

A new 12.4-mile race, nicknamed The Trauma, made its debut this year, and Brett Morley of Taylors, S.C. led the field with a time of 1:10:22.6. Morley finished more than 24 minutes ahead of runner-up Cactus Fernandez of Greenville.

Brian Jones of Tryon was the top local finisher, claiming 15th with a time of 1:57:26.7.

The Trauma followed the traditional Ache course for the first lap, but a second lap included an additional climb and some scenic views before a return to the finish line.