The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games were kicked off Thursday night with the 15th running of the Bear Hillclimb.

According to Kristen Pickeral, of Grandfather Mountain, over 950 runners participated in the five-mile run up Grandfather Mountain.

The course was foggy from the beginning, with some patches so thick, it was difficult for runners to see a few yards ahead of them.

25-year-old Daniel Amick, of Weaverville, won the race with a time of 31 minutes and 1.9 seconds.  32-year-old Stewart Moran, of Asheville, placed second, and 30-year-old Ryan Woods of Boone took third.

On the women’s side, 30-year-old Amber Moran, wife of second-place male, Stewart Moran, was the first woman to cross the time stripe with a time of 37 minutes and 57.9 seconds.  28-year-old Amanda Cook, of Banner Elk, took second, and 30-year-old Alison Bryant, of Elkin placed third.

(Photos courtesy of Kristen Pickeral)