Frost, Jornet and Gates Dominate Speedgoat 50K

A weekend trail-racing recap

Photo courtesy of Bryon Powell and iRunFar.com

Speedgoat 50K – Snowbird Ski Resort, Utah

Spain’s Kilian Jornet made a triumphant return to racing in the United States Saturday, winning the Speedgoat 50K in 5:14:00, the fastest time ever recorded on the course. He was not awarded the course record (or prize money), however, as it was reported Jornet cut several switchbacks on the course (something that is acceptable in European-style racing). The course record now belongs to Rickey Gates of Woody Creek, Colorado, who now lives in San Francisco, California. Gates finished just behind Jornet in 5:18:27. Max King of Bend, Oregon, was third in 5:23:10, and Boulder, Colorado’s Anton Krupicka returned to racing after nearly a year and a half away due to injuries with a fourth place, 5:23:36 effort. The top six finishers all crossed the line well under the previous course record of 5:43:20, set in 2010 by Salt Lake City resident Kevin Shilling.

New Zealand’s Anna Frost overcame her own recent injury setbacks to dominate the women’s race with a time of 6:26:23. She finished over thirty minutes ahead of runner-up Kerrie Bruxvoort of Broomfield, Colorado, who clocked a 6:56:33. Sarah Evans of Alta, Utah, finished third in 6:58:51.

The Speedgoat 50K was part of the Skyrunning World Series this year. Complete results can be found here.

Giir di Mont Skymarathon – Premana, Italy

In other Skyrunning action, Kasie Enman of Huntington, Vermont, won the Giir di Mont Skymarathon in a time of 3:45:50. Her nearest competitor was Italy’s Silvia Serafini, who finished in 4:04:26. Spain’s Oih Kortazar Aranzeta finished third in 4:08:49.

In the men’s race, Spain’s Tofol Castanyer Bernat won overall in a time of 3:19:19, over two minutes ahead of Great Britain’s Tom Owens, who was second in 3:21:24. Luis A. Hernando Alzaga, also of Spain, finished third in 3:22:52.

Complete results can be found here.

White River 50 Mile – Crystal Mountain, Washington

U.S. Mountain Running Champion Sage Canaday, of Sheridan, Oregon (recently relocated to Boulder, Colorado), continued his successful 2012 campaign with a win and course record at the White River 50 Saturday. He finished in 6:16:10, over nine minutes under Anton Krupicka’s old course record of 6:25:29, set in 2010. He was also well ahead of the competition; New Zealand’s Vajin Armstrong was second in 6:53:47 and Joshua Brimhall of Henderson, Nevada, was third in 7:03:22.

In the women’s field, North Vancouver, British Columbia’s Ellie Greenwood also enjoyed a dominating performance, winning in 7:40:02. Runner-up and fellow British Columbian, Kelowna’s Mel Boss, finished in 8:08:12 and Seattle’s Nichole Sellon finished third in 8:39:25.

Complete results can be found here.