An Arkansan won the Ouachita Triple Crown endurance race as part of the sixth Gudrun Mountain Bike Festival in Hot Springs, city officials announced Thursday. (PHOTO: Visit Hot Springs) TOPICS: Arkansan Gudrun Mountain Bike Festival Ouachita Triple Crown Walker Jones Endurance race Northwoods Trail System Mountain bike trails Hot Springs HOT SPRINGS (KATV) — An Arkansan won the Ouachita Triple Crown endurance race as part of the sixth Gudrun Mountain Bike Festival in Hot Springs, city officials announced Thursday.
Despite challenging weather conditions, Bentonville native Walker Jones finished the 178-mile race through Hot Springs’ Northwoods Trail System.
“The Ouachita Triple Crown consists of some of the most challenging mountain bike trails in the country, and to accomplish the 178-mile trek in the rain and darkness is a true testament to Walker Jones’ physical and mental strength, said Visit Hot Springs Marketing Director Bill Solleder. "Jones departed the starting point from the Northwoods/Gudrun trails at noon on Friday, November 8. He rode through the night in a steady rainfall and finished the course in 29 hours and 28 minutes."
Only 2 riders out of 20 registered competitors finished the race.
Officials say that Jones shouted "I’m delirious and I want a burrito" as he approached the finish line.
The race encompasses the LOVit Trail, Womble Trail and a portion of the Ouachita Trail, all rated Epics by the International Mountain Bicycling Association.
In total, 12 states were represented during this year’s Gudrun Festival.Next year’s festival is set to take place from Nov. 7-9.
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