Cross gallery: Really rad, really muddy day 1 of RRFCX

Veteran cyclocross racers (L to R) Cassie Maximenko, Beth Ann Orton, Crystal Anthony, Arley Kemmerer, and Rebecca Gross would all be on the front row today. Photo: Dave McElwaine

The masters fields had as many a 80 men taking on the muddy conditions. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Masters racers run a muddy hill with small steps as the rain started to dissipate. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Crystal Anthony (Liv Cycling) had to be considered the pre-race favorite. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Conditions for the early races were brutal as the rain made everything slippery. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Arley Kemmerer (Fearless Femme Racing) takes the holeshot in the UCI women’s race. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Arley Kemmerer (Fearless Femme Racing) almost got away as the other women struggled in a sandpit behind her. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Crystal Anthony (Liv Cycling) took the lead on the first lap and never relinquished it. Very few women attempted to ride this muddy off-camber section of the course. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Crystal Anthony (Liv Cycling) crests a small hill early in the race. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Britlee Bowman (RSCX-House) and Rebecca Gross (Zero D Racing) had a bit of a battle going on. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Cassie Maximenko (Van Dessel) running a muddy hill with steps. She went on to finish fifth. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Some racers chose to push their bikes through the mud while others found it easier to carry them. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Rachel Rubino (Fearless Femme Racing) pushing her bike up a slick hill. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Rebecca Gross (Zero D Racing) was looking forward to a muddy course and she got her wish. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Crystal Anthony (Liv Cycling) did not bother to ride the twisty sand pit, running it instead. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Rebecca Gross (Zero D Racing) making one last trip over the barriers Photo: Dave McElwaine

Crystal Anthony (Liv Cycling) prevailed over the mud, wind, and other racers to take the victory going away. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Crystal Anthony (Liv Cycling) said she took a pit bike on every lap. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Justine Lindine (Hyperthreads Apex) on the front row of the start. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Merwin Davis (Cycle-Smart) got off to a very fast start. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Molly Cameron (Point S Nokian) racing to a sixth place finish today. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Riders who attempted to ride this hill usually ran into trouble. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Justine Lindine (Hyperthreads (Apex) with about a 10-second lead during the second lap. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Justine Lindine (Hyperthreads Apex) had no trouble riding this off-camber section of the course. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Molly Cameron (Point S Nokian) running the longest hill on the course with two laps remaining. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Kevin Bradfor-Parish (SET Coaching) racing in second place early in the contest. Photo: Dave McElwaine

The mud started to dry out a bit toward the end of the race but off-camber portions of the course were still slippery. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Merwin Davis (Cycle-Smart) racing through the trees with one lap remaining. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Robert Marion (Carpe Diem Racing) descending into the woods mid-race. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Merwin Davis (Cycle-Smart) taking a pit bike with two laps remaining. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Justine Lindine (Hyperthreads Apex) trying to find a line with some traction. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Robert Marion (Carpe Diem Racing) racing through the trees on his last lap. Photo: Dave McElwaine

Justine Lindine (Hyperthreads Apex) taking the win by nearly a minute and a half. Photo: Dave McElwaine