Jenny Capel wins honorary position on the La Sportiva Mountain Running Team
DECEMBER 17, 2008, CARBONDALE, COLORADO-
Trail Runner magazine, North America's leading publication for off-road running, is pleased to announce 36-year-old ultrarunner Jenny Capel as Grand Prize winner of the 2008 La Sportiva
Trail Runner Trophy Series. "The team is a good group of people with exceptional mountain-running talent," says Capel, a physical therapist and mother of two from Reno, Nevada. As an honorary team member, Capel receives team apparel and running shoes from La Sportiva.
The Fifth Annual La Sportiva
Trail Runner Trophy Series encompassed 105 trail races held throughout North America between March 1 and September 30, 2008.
"Jenny demonstrated that she is an excellent runner and we are delighted to have her on the team," says Buzz Burrell, La Sportiva Mountain Running Team Manager.
At the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Run in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, on July 19, Capel finished third woman, with a time of 24:53:38 for 100 miles. "It was the first race where I had to really dig deep to finish," says Capel, who ran well despite intermittent stomach trouble. "The best part was discovering my strength and determination. Plus the scenery on that course is absolutely spectacular and the aid-station volunteers kept my spirits up."
The following month, at Hot Springs, South Dakota's Lean Horse Hundred, Capel came back strong and set a women's course record of 16:55:30. "At the 50-mile turnaround, I saw that the next woman was quite a ways behind me, which gave me an adrenaline rush," she says. "The low point came at mile 65 when my hamstrings got tight and stomach felt nauseated. But with three miles left, my dad, Roland Martin, told me that if I ran hard I could break 17 hours. The last mile felt surreal, knowing I had finally won a 100-mile race, placed second overall and broken the course record by almost four hours!"
These stand-out performances placed Capel third woman in the women's Ultramarathon Division behind sisters-in-law Theresa and Laurie McGrath of Kitchener, Ontario, who were first and second, respectively.
The 18 division winners in the Trophy Series' Ultramarathon and Marathon-and-Under Divisions received prize packages from sponsors La Sportiva, Injinji, Julbo, Kahtoola, Amphipod, GU, Moeben Sleeves, Pro-Tec Athletics and Trigger Point Therapy. Visit
www.trailrunnermag.com for full results and see the February 2009 issue of Trail Runner for information about the 2009 Trail Runner Trophy Series, presented by GORE-TEX.
Theresa McGrath and Ian Hobler are Ultramarathon Champs; Hugh Davis and Belinda Young win Marathon-and-Shorter Division
DECEMBER 2, 2008, CARBONDALE, COLORADO-
Trail Runner magazine, North America's leading publication for off-road running, announced the winners of the fifth annual La Sportiva
Trail Runner Trophy Series this week on
www.trailrunnermag.com. After the series wrapped up on September 30, results from 105 races, ranging from 5K to 150 miles, were collected and points for 21,000 Trophy Series participants tabulated.
Winners in the Ultramarathon and Marathon-and-Under Divisions will receive prize packages including gifts from Trophy Series sponsors La Sportiva, Injinji, Julbo, Kahtoola, Amphipod, GU, Moeben Sleeves, Pro-Tec Athletics and Trigger Point Therapy.
Congratulations to our randomly drawn-prize winners, Nathan Miller of Bidwell, Ohio, who raced in the Dirty Dog 15K Trail Run, and Kristi Dmytriw of Arvada, Colorado, who ran the Quarry Trail Run. The winner of the Grand Prize of an honorary position on the La Sportiva Mountain Running Team will be announced shortly.
Pick up a copy of the January/February 2008 issue of
Trail Runner to read more about our division winners and find the 2009 Trophy Series race directory. Check our website in the new year for exciting news about big changes to next year's Trophy Series.
Marathon-and-Shorter Division
Returning champion Hugh Davis, 44, of Tell City, Indiana, ran the most Trophy Series events (seven), to again take top honors in the Marathon-and-Shorter Division, which he had also won in 2006. Nicknamed "Forrest Gump" by friends for his prolific trail-race schedule, Davis's four age-group wins contributed to his impressive 425.6-point total.
Belinda Young, 38, of Chattsworth, Georgia, topped the women's Marathon-and-Shorter Division after racking up 292 points across five Trophy Series races ranging from 15 miles to the marathon. She ended the series with an age-group victory at September's Mountain Top Half Marathon, where she clocked 1:55:17 on the 13.1-mile course.
Marathon and Shorter Age-Group Winners, Men
10-19 years old-Andrew Bliss, 19, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 209.6 points
20-29 years old-Chris Repka, 25, Greeley, Colorado, 129.6 points
30-39 years old-Daniel Goding, 32, Loveland, Colorado, 370.6 points
40-49 years old-Hugh Davis, 44, Tell City, Indiana, 425.6 points
50+ years old-Heath Hibbard, 55, Montrose, Colorado, 215.5 points
Marathon and Shorter Age-Group Winners, Women
10-19 years old-Courtney Siegle, 19, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 104.8 points*
20-29 years old-Cathyrn Haskings, 28, Montrose, Colorado, 150.1 points
30-39 years old-Belinda Young, 38, Chattsworth, Georgia, 292 points
40-49 years old-Lisa Mills, 46, Aurora, Colorado, 162 points
50+ years old-Marianne Brannon, 53, Gray, Tennessee, 149.8 points
*Courtney tied for points with Rachel Campbell, 19, of Chesterfield Virginia and Sarah Maddy, 17, of Fountain, Colorado, but was named the winner for clocking the fastest marathon time (5:28) at the American Discovery Trail Marathon.
Ultramarathon Division
Both Ultramarathon Division winners are from Ontario, Canada, a hotbed of long-distance trail-running talent. Both Theresa McGrath, 38, and Ian Hobler, 28, are the Canadian 100-mile National Champions thanks to their wins at May's Sulphur Springs 100-Mile Trail Race in Ancaster, Ontario, which is also a Trophy Series Race. Read more about McGrath, mother of three young children, and Hobler, a dedicated runner who spends almost as much time studying physiology and sports psychology as he does training, in the January/February issue of
Trail Runner.
Top Ultramarathon Women
1. Theresa McGrath, 38, Kitchener, Ontario, 877.4 points
2. Laurie McGrath, 40, Baden, Ontario, 610 points
3. Jenny Capel, 35, Reno, Nevada, 600 points
Top Ultramarathon Men
1. Ian Hobler, 28, Ottawa, Ontario, 670.5 points
2. Mike Wolfe, 30, Missoula, Montana, 524 points
3. Josh Brimhall, 32, Henderson, Nevada, 493 points
Please click here for full points standings.
FALL FRENZY
As Series end draws near, division leaders hold onto top spots … for now
SEPTEMBER 29, 2008, CARBONDALE, COLORADO--As of September 24, the results from 87 races have been tallied in the Fifth Annual La Sportiva Trail Runner Trophy Series. The nation's largest off-road trail running series, which began March 1, is comprised of 121 races across the U.S. and Canada. For a list of upcoming Trophy Series races, complete points standings, rules, prize information and registration for the La Sportiva shoe promotion, go to
www.trailrunnermag.com.
Marathon and Shorter Division
Loveland, Colorado's Daniel Goding, 32, is closing the gap between him and division leader Hugh Davis, of Tell City, Indiana. Goding recovered from a back injury in July to win the American Discovery Trail Marathon in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on September 1, where he clocked 2:53:33 on the entirely downhill point-to-point course. "It was the highlight of my racing career," says Goding. "The finish line was as good as it gets-we ran a lap around America the Beautiful Park and where tones of people were watching. I felt like I was entering an Olympic stadium."
Three weeks later, Goding placed third in his age group at the Salomon Equinox 12-miler in Frisco, Colorado, with a time of 1:35:43. However, Davis, 44, maintains his lead thanks to an age-group win at the Odyssey Trail Marathon on September 20 in Milboro, Virginia, where his time of 4:14:15 was also good enough for fourth place overall.
While women's division leader Belinda Young holds steady at 209.6 points (same as last month), Anne Esposito, of Rochester, New York, has moved into second place after two great runs in June, coming in second in her age group at the Tanglewood Tanglefoot 10-mile Trail Run in Elmira, New York, and first at the Ultimate XC Quebec Edition, where she took 5:55:43 to navigate the tough course described as "a muddy bushwack" and scramble over large boulders. And Coloradans Joana Masloski and Joy Robertson remain tied for third until at least one of them tackles one more Trophy Series race before the season's end.
Top Men, Marathon and Shorter Division
1. Hugh Davis, 44, Tell City, Indiana, 425.6 points
2. Daniel Goding, 32, Loveland, Colorado, 370.6 points
3. Andrew Bliss, 18, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 209.6 points
Top Women, Marathon and Shorter Division
1. Belinda Young, 39, Chatsworth, Georgia, 209.6 points
2. Anne Esposito, 41, Rochester New York, 134.7 points
3. Joana Masloski, 30, Highlands Ranch, Colorado, 132.2 points (tied)
3. Joy Robertson, 50, Lafayette, Colorado, 132.2 points (tied)
Ultramarathon Division
There is no change since last month among the leaders of the Ultramarathon Division, but the standings are sure to shake up once we receive outstanding race results. Once we have results from all the Series' events, we will announce the division winners plus the names of two lucky random draw-prize winners. Stay tuned!
Top Ultramarathon Men
1. Ian Hobler, 28, Ottawa, Ontario, 670.5 points
2. Jim Orr, 52, Toronto, Ontario, 483.6 points
3. Keith Straw, 53, Malvern, Pennsylvania, 450 points
Top Ultramarathon Women
1. Theresa McGrath, 38, Kitchener, Ontario, 877.4 points
2. Laurie McGrath, 40, Baden, Ontario, 610 points
3. Darla Brader, 35, Bend, Oregon, 550 points
Davis, Young hold onto top Non-ultra spots; Canadians take control of Ultra division
AUGUST 27, 2008, CARBONDALE, COLORADO--As of August 21, results from 65 races have been tallied in the Fifth Annual La Sportiva Trail Runner Trophy Series. The nation's largest off-road trail running series, which began March 1, is comprised of 121 races across the U.S. and Canada. For a list of upcoming Trophy Series races, complete points standings, rules, prize information and registration for the La Sportiva shoe promotion, go to www.trailrunnermag.com.
Marathon and Shorter Division
While Hugh Davis maintains a comfortable 111.2-point lead, Daniel Goding's age-group win at Leadville, Colorado's High Mountain 25K Trail Run on July 12 (adding to his two previous Trophy Series scores from May) bumped him up into second place, ahead of 18-year-old Andrew Bliss.
The only activity among the women was for third place, as Andrea Cobham, of Toronto, Ontario, bumped Jennifer Schwartz off the leader board after winning her age group at the Creemore Vertical Challenge 25K in Creemore, Ontario, on July 5, with a time of 2:11:56. Joana Masloski and Joy Robertson remain tied for second behind leader Belinda Young of Chatsworth, Georgia.
Top Men, Marathon and Shorter Division
1. Hugh Davis, 44, Tell City, Indiana, 320.8 points
2. Daniel Goding, 31, Loveland, Colorado, 241.8 points
3. Andrew Bliss, 18, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 209.6 points
Top Women, Marathon and Shorter Division
1. Belinda Young, 39, Chatsworth, Georgia, 209.6 points
2. Joana Masloski, 30, Highlands Ranch, Colorado, 132.2 points (tied)
2. Joy Robertson, 50, Lafayette, Colorado, 132.2 points (tied)
3. Andrea Cobham, 33, Toronto, Ontario, 124 points
Ultramarathon Division
Women are outscoring the men in the Ultramarathon Division, as Ontario, Canada's Theresa McGrath more than doubled her Trophy Series points since last month's update, thanks to her victory on August 9 at the Dirty Girls' 24-Hour Solo ultramarathon, where she covered 111 miles. At the same event, her sister-in-law Laurie McGrath covered 93 miles (finishing third woman) and earned enough Trophy Series points to move into second place in the standings.
Ranked third is Bend, Oregon's Darla Brader, who won June's Kettle Moraine 100 Endurance Run in La Grange, Wisconsin, with an impressive time of 22:04:50. It was her first shot at the century distance. "I thought I would have to drop at the 62-mile point because my back was starting to spasm," says Brader. "Chris, my fiancé and running partner, suggested I continue to see if the pain would subside, and it did! I felt pretty good for the remainder of the race despite the harsh weather conditions."
Even though Jim Orr won the Dirty Girls' 24-Hour Solo Ultramarathon (logging 120.9 miles), it is the second-place finisher at that event, Ottawa, Ontario's Ian Hobler, who sits atop the men's rankings after finishing his third Trophy Series ultramarathon of the year. New to the leader board is 53-year-old Keith Straw, of Malvern, Pennsylvania, who won the 24-Hour Adventure Trail Run in Triangle, Virginia, by completing 12.5 laps of the loop course in Prince William Forest Park, to log exactly 100 miles.
Top Ultramarathon Men
1. Ian Hobler, 28, Ottawa, Ontario, 670.5 points
2. Jim Orr, 52, Toronto, Ontario, 483.6 points
3. Keith Straw, 53, Malvern, Pennsylvania, 450 points
Top Ultramarathon Women
1. Theresa McGrath, 38, Ontario, Canada, 877.4 points
2. Laurie McGrath, 40, Baden, Ontario, 610 points
3. Darla Brader, 35, Bend, Oregon, 550 points
New ultra women's leader Christine Crawford joins other division leaders
JULY 22, 2008, CARBONDALE, COLORADO--As of July 22, results from 55 races have been tallied in the Fifth Annual La Sportiva
Trail Runner Trophy Series. The nation's largest off-road trail running series, which began March 1, is comprised of 121 races across the U.S. and Canada. For a list of upcoming Trophy Series races, complete points standings, rules, prize information and registration for the La Sportiva shoe promotion, go to
www.trailrunnermag.com.
Marathon and Shorter Division
Hugh Davis, 44, of Tell City, Indiana, widened the lead he had established last month, racking up more points with a second place age-group finish at the Indian/Celina Challenge in Southern Indiana, purported to be Indiana's toughest marathon, with 6300 feet of elevation gain. Andrew Bliss, 18, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, scored major points at the Terrapin Mountain Marathon and the Seneca Creek Greenway by winning his age group in both March marathons. He now sits in second place, while Dan Goding, 31, of Loveland, Colorado maintains his third-place position.
Belinda Young, 39, of Chatsworth, Georgia, made strides in the women's division, holding on to first place after placing second in her age group at June's Indian/Celina Challenge. Joana Masloski, 30, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Joy Robertson, 50, of Lafayette, Colorado, are tied for second thanks to winning their respective age groups at the 14.3-mile Joe Colton's Off Road Adventure Race in Rollinsville, Colorado, on June 14. Close behind them in third is Jennifer Schwartz, 32, of Lawrence, Kansas, who scored an overall win at May's Rock Creek Trail Race #1 in Perry Lake State Park, Kansas.
Top Men, Marathon and Shorter Division
1. Hugh Davis, 44, Tell City, Indiana, 320.8 points
2. Andrew Bliss, 18, Fredricksburg, Virginia, 209.6 points
3. Dan Goding, 31, Loveland, Colorado, 179.8 points
Top Women, Marathon and Shorter Division
1. Belinda Young, 39, Chatsworth, Georgia, 209.6 points
2. Joana Masloski, 30, Highlands Ranch, Colorado, 132.2 points
2. Joy Robertson, 50, Lafayette, Colorado, 132.2 points
3. Jennifer Schwartz, 32, Lawrence, Kansas, 117.2 points
Ultramarathon Division
Jim Cook, 43, of Nicholson, Pennsylvania, still leads the ultramarathon division, but only 25 points behind him is 49-year-old Randy Miller, of Ramsey, New Jersey. Miller's win at the Laurel Highlands Ultra in 13:13:06 on June 14 give him enough points to bump Ian Hobler, 28, of Ottawa, Ontario, down to third in his division standings. By mile 39 of the Laurel Highlands Ultra, Miller set his sights on second place, since race leader Adam Lint was ninety minutes ahead. But at mile 57, he learned that Lint had dropped out and that he was now leading the race. "I was now being chased rather than chasing, which gave me a little jolt to get my rear end moving," says Miller.
In the women's division, Christine Crawford, 38, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, shot to the top of the standings as a result of winning the Kettle Moraine 100K in LaGrange, Wisconsin, clocking a time of 11:08:12 in hot, humid and stormy weather. Theresa McGrath, 38, of Ontario, Canada, who hasn't earned any more Trophy Series points since last month, was bumped to second place. Monica Ochs, 39, of Anacortes, Washington, is in third after placing first at the 28.8-mile Lake Youngs Ultra, where she set a course record of 3:40:04 over three rolling 9.6-mile loops around Lake Youngs.
Top Ultramarathon Men
1. Jim Cook, 43, Nicholson, Pennsylvania, 400.0 points
2. Randy Miller, 49, Ramsey, New Jersey, 375.0 points
3. Ian Hobler, 28, Ottawa, Ontario, 300.0 points
Top Ultramarathon Women
1. Christine Crawford, 38, Whitewater, Wisconsin, 448.0 points
2. Theresa McGrath, 38, Ontario, Canada, 400.0 points
3. Monica Ochs, 39, Anacortes, Washington, 315.2 points
2006 Trophy Series winner Hugh Davis leads again; McGrath sisters top women's ultra standings
JUNE 20, 2008, CARBONDALE, COLORADO--As of June 16, results from 35 races have been tallied in the Fifth Annual La Sportiva
Trail Runner Trophy Series. The nation's largest off-road trail running series, which began March 1, is comprised of 121 races across the U.S. and Canada. For a list of upcoming Trophy Series races, complete points standings, rules, prize information and registration for the La Sportiva shoe promotion, go to
www.trailrunnermag.com.
Marathon and Shorter Division
Tell City, Indiana's Hugh Davis, 2006 winner of the Marathon-and-Shorter division, leads this season's points standings after scoring three age-group wins at the Lake Geneva Euro XC Marathon, Babcock Gristmill Grinder Half-Marathon and Land Between the Lakes Trail Run. "Lake Geneva was my first trip to cheese country for an race, and its unique route circles the Lake and passes through backyards of the nicest resort homes in the Great Lakes area," he says of his favorite Trophy Series event so far this season.
Second is Loveland, Colorado's Dan Goding, who swept the field at the Wyoming Marathon in Laramie on May 25, where he clocked 3:17 on the gravel-road course that winds through Medicine Bow National Forest.
Belinda Young, 39, of Chatsworth, Georgia, scored enough points at two early season trail marathons to put her in the lead of the women's standings. She was third in her age group at the Land Between the Lakes Trail Run in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, on March 8, and second at the Free State Trail Run in Lawrence, Kansas, on April 26. "I don't really race to win, but to enjoy myself and the scenery," says Young. "One reason I go out-of-town races is to see new places in nature; I am always amazed at God's beauty."
Trailing Young by only 13.8 points is Lawrence, Kansas' Jennifer Schwartz, who won her age group in the 3.1-mile Rock Creek Trail Race #1 in Perry Lake State Park, Kansas, and Free State.
Top Men Marathon and Shorter Division
1. Hugh Davis, Tell City, Indiana, 197.4 points
2. Dan Goding, 31, Loveland, Colorado, 179.8 points
Top Women Marathon and Shorter Division
1. Belinda Young, 39, Chatsworth, Georgia, 131 points
2. Jennifer Schwartz, 32, Lawrence, Kansas, 117.2 points
Ultramarathon Division
Big points were earned at the Sulphur Springs 100-mile Trail Run in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada on May 24. Topping the women's field was Theresa McGrath, of Kitchener, Ontario, beating course-record holder (and her sister-in-law), Laurie McGrath. Laurie was leading the race until a bottle of rancid Accelerade caused severe stomach upset slowing her pace considerably, thereby opening the door for Theresa to seize the victory. Rob Gehl, Laurie's father, coaches both women who are trying out for the Canadian National 24-hour team going to the World Challenge 24 Hour Race in South Korea this fall.
Behind the Canadians in the Ultra standings is Florence, Colorado's Tammy Stone (who won last summer's Leadville 100-miler in Leadville, Colorado) after she successfully defended her title at the Free State Trail Run 100K with a time of 10:03.
The top men in this division are Jim Cook, of Nicholson, Pennsylvania, and Ian Hobler, of Ottawa, Ontario, after they finished first (18:43) and second (19:21), respectively, at the Sulphur Springs 100. Ranked third is Clark McLemore, of Springfield, Missouri, who followed up his fifth-place showing at April's Rockin K Trail Run in Kanopolis State Park, Kansas, with a record-setting time of 9:23 at the Free State 100K, in Lawrence, Kansas.
Top Ultramarathon Men
1. Jim Cook, 43, Nicholson, Pennsylvania, 400 points
2. Ian Hobler, 28, Ottawa, Ontario, 300 points
3. Clark McLemore, Springfield, Missouri, 298.7 points
Top Ultramarathon Women
1. Theresa McGrath, 38, Kitchener, Ontario, 400 points
2. Laurie McGrath, 40, Baden, Ontario, 300 points
3. Tammy Stone, 46, Florence, Colorado, 248 points
Early season speedsters rack up points at trail races across the country
MAY 27, 2008, CARBONDALE, COLORADO--Results from nineteen races (as of early May) have been tallied so far in the Fifth Annual La Sportiva
Trail Runner Trophy Series, which began March 1. The nation's largest off-road trail running series, boasts 121 races on its calendar this year. For a list of upcoming Trophy Series races, complete points standings, rules, prize information and registration for the La Sportiva shoe promotion, go to
www.trailrunnermag.com.
Marathon and Shorter Division
Several Trophy Series leaders earned big points at Damascus, Maryland's point-to-point Seneca Creek Greenway Trail Marathon, which actually measures almost two miles longer than the marathon standard of 26.2 miles. The top three men there are among the 10 runners now tied for first place in the overall Marathon-and-Shorter standings. Alex Barth, a personal trainer and owner of Wayne, Pennsylvania's Peak Fitness Company, won Seneca Creek with a time of 3:24:52. "It was the best weather we could have asked for and this trail was smooth and runner friendly," he says.
Second at Seneca Creek was Mark Hoon, 43, of Kensington, Maryland, (3:50:38) and third was Michael Iacobucci, 50, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, five minutes later. Each topped his age category, thereby each earning 104.8 points.
Topping the women's points standings are eight women who each won her age group at various trail marathons. Among them are Melissa Beaver, of Bloomington, Indianan, who was first woman with a time of 4:04:01 at Land Between the Lakes in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, on March 8, and 41-year-old Jill Devereux, who won Seneca Creek Marathon with a time of 4:43:38.
Top Men Marathon and Shorter Division
(all with 104.8 points each)
John Baker, 40, Paducah, Kentucky
Alex Barth, 35, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania
Andrew Bliss, 18, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Charles Fogg, 26, Nashville, Tennessee
Mark Hoon, 43, Kensington Maryland
Michael Iacobucci, 50, Phoenixville Pennsylvania
Tony Kramer, 61, Weldon Spring, Missouri
Alex Luedtke, 22, Omaha, Nebraska
Kyle Martin, 10, Medina, Ohio
Jeff Meystrik, St Louis, Missouri
Top Women Marathon and Shorter Division
(all with 104.8 points each)
Melissa Beaver, 30, Bloomington, Indiana
Marianne Brannon, 52, Gray, Tennessee
Sandra Cooke, 29, Champaign, Illinois
Jill Devereux, 41, Berryville, Virginia
Maureen Rohrs, 52, Severna Park, Maryland
Laura Scherff, 41, St Charles, Missouri
Cheryl Smoker, 33, Rockville, Maryland
Laura Vartain, 27, Washington, DC
Ultramarathon Division
The longest Trophy Series race so far was the 10th Annual Rockin K Trail Run on April 5, which covers 50.7 miles through Kanopolis State Park in Kansas' Smoky Hills. Winner Thomas McKenna, 29, squeaked into first place overall in the Ultra standings with 202.6 points. His pre-race goal was to better his time from last year's Rockin K (his first ultra) but surprised himself by slashing 47 minutes from the course record, lowering it to 8:03:51. "I was worried if I might run into trouble later on because I started out so hard, so I slowed down near the end but was able to cruise in and still win," says McKenna.
On the women's side, Michele Harmon, of Gaithersburg, Maryland tops the leader board thanks to her win at the Seneca Creek Greenway 50K and second-place finish at Charlottesville, Virginia's Bel Monte 50K Endurance Run on March 22.
Behind McKenna and Harmon, seven men and seven women share second place for winning various 50-milers across the country. As the season for 100-milers draws near, the ultramarathon standings are sure to shake up.
Top Ultramarathon Men
1. Thomas McKenna, 29, Lawrence KS, 202.6 points
2. John Anderson, 29, Boulder, Colorado, 200 points
2. Zachary Irelan, 28, Kettering Ohio, 200 points
2. Mike Mason, 37, Charlotte, North Carolina, 200 points
2. Brian Morrison, 29, Seattle, Washington, 200 points
2. Erik Storheim, 35, Salt Lake City, Utah, 200 points
2. Roger Sutton, 45, Ocala, Florida, 200 points
2. Leigh Schmitt, 35, Conway, Massachusetts, 200 points
Top Ultramarathon Women
1. Michele Harmon, 42, Gaithersburg Maryland, 217 points
2. Emily Baer, 31, Silverton, Colorado, 200 points
2. Milada Copeland, 44, Draper, Utah, 200 points
2. Ellen Erhardt, 36, Valparaiso, Indiana, 200 points
2. Staci Inscore, 35, Raleigh, North Carolina, 200 points
2. Deborah Livingston, 33, Bolton, Connecticut, 200 points
2. Monica Ochs, 39, Anacortes, Washington, 200 points
2. Eva Rosvold, 34, Frederick, Maryland, 200 points
2008 La Sportiva Trail Runner Trophy Series Kicks Off
From California to Florida, races hit the dirt running, build points-and collide with deer!
APRIL 9, 2008, CARBONDALE, COLORADO--Featuring 121 races, the Fifth Annual La Sportiva
Trail Runner Trophy Series, the nation's largest off-road trail running series, kicked off on March 1. Last year, over 20,000 runners participated, and we hope the series' and our sport's rising popularity bump that number even higher. The series includes races from March 1 to September 30, and from 5Ks to 100-milers.
Thus far, results from eight events (16 actual races as many events offer various-length option) have been tallied, ranging from California to Florida.
Full points standings and more Trophy Series information-including race schedule, rules, prize info and registration for the La Sportiva shoe promotion-is available at
www.trailrunnermag.com.
Marathon and Shorter Division
A new addition to the Trophy Series this year, the San Luis Mountain Run 10K took place March 9 on the rugged singletrack and cruisey fireroads near San Luis Obispo on California's Central Coast. The growing event produced 115 finishers, with Kevin Koeper, 29, of Arcadia, California, taking first for the men (40:17) and Mary Cooper, 50, of San Luis Obispo (52:36) ruling the women's division.
On March 1 in Damascus, Maryland, the Seneca Creek Greenway Trail Marathon and 50K offered runners in both the Marathon & Shorter and Ultra divisions opportunities to garner early season points, and approximately 250 runners took advantage. While Jill Devereux, 41, Berryville, Virginia (4:43:38) and Alex Barth, 35, of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania (3:24:52, course record), took top marathon honors for women and men, respectively, the survival award goes to a female runner who was nailed by a marauding whitetail deer.
"I never even saw the deer, and the people around me started to echo, 'She's just been hit by a deer!'" wrote the runner on the race's website. "The deer blindsided me from the left, and all I ever saw was some brown fur. The [runners] on the course were so sweet, and I didn't want to interfere with their running and told them to please keep going. Anyway, my left shoulder is badly busted, and my right clavicle may be fractured."
Top Women, Marathon & Shorter
(all with 104.8 points each)
Melissa Beaver, Bloomington, Indiana
Marianne Brannon, Gray, Tennessee
Sandra Cooke, Champaign, Illinois
Jill Devereux, Berryville, Virginia
Maureen Rohrs, Severna Park, Maryland
Laura Scherff, St Charles, Missouri
Cheryl Smoker, Rockville, Maryland
Laura Vartain, Washington, DC
Top Men, Marathon & Shorter
(all with 104.8 points each)
John Baker, Paducah, Kentucky
Alex Barth, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania
Andrew Bliss, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Charles Fogg, Nashville, Tennessee
Mark Hoon, Kensington, Maryland
Michael Jacobucci, Phoenixville Pennsylvania
Tony Kramer, Weldon Spring, Missouri
Alex Luedtke, Omaha, Nebraska
Kyle Martin, Medina, Ohio
Jeff Meystrik, St Louis, Missouri
Ultramarathon Division
At the Seneca Creek 50K, Joshua Hunsberger, 28, of Bethesda, Maryland (4:16:52), took the men's division, while Michele Harmon, 42, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, blazed a women's course record of 4:48:01.
On March 8, offering a smorgasbord of four races-23K, marathon, 60K and 50M-Kentucky's Land Between the Lakes Trail Runs enticed a record 400-plus trail fiends-despite having to start in seven inches of fresh new snow! One volunteer, Dr. Bob Haugh, beginning at 3 a.m. on race day, apparently dragged a weighted sled over key portions of the 11.3 mile loop course, which made for easier running.
In the 50-mile race, the snow mercifully melted somewhat for the third and fourth laps, and Zachary Irelan, 28, of Kettering, Ohio, in his first race longer than 50K smoked a time 7:12:24 for the win, while Ellen Erhardt, 36, of Valparaiso, Indiana, crossed the finish line next in 7:59:39 for the women's victory.
On March 1, the Old Pueblo 50-Mile Endurance Run at Sonoita, Arizona, attracted a competitive field of 132, with Coloradans John Anderson, 29, and Emily Baer, 31, owning the men and women's fields, respectively. Old Pueblo is a 50-mile loop course on forest-service roads and singletrack in the Santa Rita Mountains.
Top Ultramarathon Women
1. Michele Harmon, Gaithersburg Maryland, 217 points
2. Emily Baer, Silverton, Colorado, 200 points
2. Ellen Erhardt, Valparaiso, Indiana, 200 points
2. Staci Inscore, Raleigh, North Carolina, 200 points
2. Eva Rosvold, Frederick, Maryland, 200 points
3. Marla Buechner, Jupiter, Florida, 150 points
3. Cynthia Heady, Finchville, Kentucky, 150 points
3. Juliet Morgan, Redondo Beach, California, 150 points
3. Rebecca Phalen, Ivy, Nevada, 150 points
Top Ultramarathon Men
1. John Anderson, Boulder, Colorado, 200 points
1. Zachary Irelan, Kettering, Ohio, 200 points
1. Mike Mason, Charlotte, North Carolina, 200 points
1. Roger Sutton, Ocala, Florida, 200 points
2. Sean Andrish, Leesburg, Virginia, 150 points
2. Horacio Ruiz, Asotria Queens, New York, 150 points
2. Gregory Swords, Naples, Florida, 150 points
2. AJ Wolfe, Memphis, Tennessee, 150 points
3. Tadd Morris, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, 148.8 points
Sign up soon for the Trophy Series races you've earmarked, as races are filling faster than ever. September's Dances With Dirt Relay, in Hell, Michigan, has already filled to its capacity of 400 five-person teams!
Fifth Annual La Sportiva Trail Runner Trophy Series Begins March 1, 2008
Trail races in Indiana, Arizona and Maryland kick off popular, seven-month race series
FEBRUARY 6, 2008, CARBONDALE, COLORADO--Sponsored by La Sportiva, the
Trail Runner Trophy Series is the world's largest off-road running series, encompassing 121 races held between March 1 to September 30. Kicking off this year's series on March 1 are the Foot Pursuit 5k in Valparasio, Indiana, Old Peublo 50-Mile Endurance Run in Sonoita, Arizona, and Seneca Creek Greenway Trail Marathon and 50K in Damascus, Maryland.
Throughout the series, over 20,000 trail runners will earn points for completing races and bonus points for winning age-group or overall categories. Runners clash in two divisions: (1) marathon and shorter and (2) ultramarathon (races longer than 26.2 miles).
Trophy Series participants can earn credits towards mountain-running shoes from La Sportiva and a chance to become an honorary member of the La Sportiva Mountain Running Team. This person will receive four pairs of La Sportiva mountain-running shoes and a team apparel package including socks, headlamp, singlet, t-shirt, shorts, warm-up jacket and headwear. "La Sportiva makes footwear specifically designed for the kind of the obstacles and terrain found in Trophy Series races, so this partnership is a great fit," says team manager, Buzz Burrell.
The top male and female finishers in each age group are awarded prize packages containing products from Original Buff, Trigger Point Therapy, Amphipod, Gore-Tex, Suunto, Pro-Tec Athletics, Moeben Sleeves, GU Energy Gel, GlacierGel, Injinji, Julbo, PowerSox, La Sportiva and Kahtoola. The season's male and female Trail Runners of the Year in the marathon-and-under and ultramarathon categories will be featured in
Trail Runner's January/February 2009 issue.
"I am very honored to have won the Ultra Division, and all my training, discipline and focus led to a very fulfilling year," says 2007 Trophy Series Ultra Division winner, Diane Van Deren. "Participating in the Trophy Series gave me the opportunity to run all different types of courses and conditions." Read more about Van Deren and other division winners in the
Trail Runner Trophy Series Supplement distributed free at all Trophy Series races.
Monthly updated Trophy Series points standings, a list of Trophy Series races, press releases, race reports, profiles of past winners and details about the prizes and promotions available only to Trophy Series participants can be found
www.trailrunnermag.com.
