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Crystal Lake trail run no ordinary morning job

Matthew Zastrow moved like a large cat over the off-road terrain that kept almost 300 other runners carefully watching their step Sunday morning in Crystal Lake.

The winner of the 5-mile portion of the fifth annual Northwest Trail Run at Veteran Acres Park dressed the part too, wearing cheetah print leggings and running shoes with individual toes.

"I watched slow-motion video of cheetahs running last night and this morning," Zastrow, 27, of Crystal Lake, said after crossing the finish line first. "This is probably my favorite race, because of the course."

Two groups of runners competed in the 5-mile race and a 10-mile race. The course wound over acorn carpeted hills, through narrow muddy trails with treacherous tree roots, and over rocky trails in hilly prairies. At least two white-tailed deer were startled by the first racers to enter the prairie.

The race is sponsored by Centegra Health Bridge Fitness. Proceeds from the trail run will benefit The Centegra Foundation.

  A runner is framed by tall pine trees Sunday during the Centegra Health Bridge Fitness fifth annual Northwest Trail Run at Veteran Acres Park in Crystal Lake. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Runners make a hairpin turn in a prairie Sunday during the Centegra Health Bridge Fitness fifth annual Northwest Trail Run at Veteran Acres Park in Crystal Lake. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
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