Inspired racer gears up for Cool 5 Race

James True, 41, is a software developer who calls Beech Mountain his home.

Come this weekend, he’ll be running in the Antler Realty A Cool 5 Race for the second year in a row. Beech’s challenging hills, scenic vistas and copious wildlife are all draws for True, who moved to Beech five years ago.

“I ... always came up to ski on Beech in the wintertime,” he said. “One summer visit here sold me on the lifestyle and cool elevation, so I packed my bags and moved here full time. When I got here, I was overweight and out of shape.”

He began working out at the Buckeye Recreation Center with trainer and race director Daniel Scagnelli, losing 60 pounds over the course of nine months.

“The staff at the rec center was very supportive and helped me build a fitness plan,” True said. “One day, after my training, I wanted to see if I could run around the track with my dogs. It was a tough run that left me tired, but happy. Little did I know that was the start to my running program. Nine months later, I ran the Grandfather Mountain Marathon.”

And he’s currently training for the New York Marathon in November.

A Cool 5 should offer adequate preparation.

The race weekend kicks off the summer season at Beech Mouintain since many of its part-time residents have returned.

Beginning at the Beech Mountain Town Hall, the Cool 5 wraps around the southeast side of the mountain and features a long range view stretching for miles. The trail continues up to the intersection of all four ski slopes and up to the former Land of Oz theme park on the northwest side.

The race provides a 360-degree vista tour of the High Country. The last mile is all downhill.

Julia Heinlein, title sponsor and owner of Antler Realty, said, “The race atmosphere is high energy, and the whole town of Beech Mountain comes out to participate in all the excitement. The 1.5 fun walk also offers beautiful mountain vistas if you don’t want to run.”

The Cool 5 Race will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at Beech Mountain Town Hall.

For advanced registration, visit http://www.acool5.com or call (828) 387-3003. The fee is $30 in advance or $35 on race day.

A pre-race pasta supper is at 5 p.m. Friday, June 8, at the Buckeye Recreation Center featuring motivation speaker and Olympic coach Lee Zohlman. Tickets are $6 per person.

A Beech Mountain Pub Crawl begins at 4 p.m. after the race. Four pubs — Famous Fast Eddie’s, Beech Alpen Inn, Brick Oven Pizza and Jackolopes View Restaurant — will be offering free appetizers and discount drinks.

In addition, Marla Gentile will provide “Sunday Yoga” at 10 a.m. June 10 at the Fred’s Mercantile Gazebo. There will also be a Sunday guided hike at 11 a.m., starting at Beech Mountain Town Hall.

A free shuttle service is available beginning at Fast Eddie’s and will offer rides anywhere on Beech, according to race organizers.