The morning grind for most people might refer to their drive to work or even a cup of coffee. For the participants in the Eldora Morning Grind – Uphill Race Series on Wednesday, March 1, it meant strapping on their skis and grinding 1000 feet up the slopes to the summit of Challenge Mountain and back. Guaranteed to get your blood flowing, 68 men and 23 women had signed up for the privilege. The start time was 7 a.m. sharp.

Racers could choose between a single lap or double lap. Donny O’Neill took first place in the single lap category in a time of 30:14.1. Wilson Rawlings was second at 32:58.6. The first woman to finish was Sophia Marseilles who wasn’t that far behind the best two men; she landed third place in a time of 33:13.2.

For the most serious ski racers or those with masochistic tendencies, there was the double lap. Davide Giardini, Nicholas Noone, and Will Nabours took first, second, and third respectively in the February 1 uphill race. Now one month later, these elite athletes would vie for the top three positions for a second time this season. Noone secured top honors in a time of 44:26.2. Nabours crossed the finish line a minute and a half later for second place. Davide Giardini came in third. Megan Cooke was the first woman finisher in February’s double lap and was the top female finisher again this time. Kudos go out to 52-year-old Jamie Kilcoyne who finished ninth in a time of 50:26.1. His 19-year-old son Max Kilcoyne bettered his dad’s time by three and a half minutes for sixth place.

To enter the final race on March 15, go to www.Eldora.com.