Hot Time, Summer in the Trophy Series
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Racking up points in the 2012 Trail Runner Trophy Series Presented by GORE-TEX
With a little over four months left in the 2012 Trail Runner Trophy Series, we’ve tallied points from 42 race results (received by June 7).
Leading the men’s Ultra Division is Jeremy Bradford of Denver, Colorado, who most recently completed the Rocky Mountain Double Marathon in Laramie, Wyoming, on July 27. Despite relentless wind, Bradford says it was an enjoyable day. Due to the multiple-out-and-back format of the course Bradford was able to see and cheer on his wife (who was running her first marathon), other friends and racers.
His win, though, was a surprise. “Looking at past performances for that course, I really did not expect to place so well,” says Bradford, who clocked the 12th fastest time in history on the course, 8:19:05.
“In the first out-and-back, at least 15 people were ahead of me. I was shocked to find out that everyone ahead was actually in the marathon. From that point on, it was all I could do to hang on to first. Second place was gaining on me considerably in the last 13 miles.” The second place finisher finished than five minutes back.
Next up in the series for Bradford? South Dakota’s Black Hills 100 Mile on June 23.
Photo by Frank Sikora
The women’s Ultra Division leader is 28-year-old Melanie Peters of White Lakes, Michigan. The former University of Miami track and cross-country runner and 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier is leading the women’s division by almost 100 points. Even more impressive, she’s only run three ultras … ever. “I guess ultras were the next step,” she says.
And while her racing plans this summer include a few more Trophy Series events, she took home first at Wisconsin’s Ice Age 50 Mile, part of the Montrail Ultra Cup, securing her one of the last elite spots for the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run in California later this month. Running Western is an opportunity she says she can’t pass up. Of her training now, though, says Peters, “I don’t have the slightest idea what I’m doing!”
For the top three in the Ultra Division and the leaders of the Non-Ultra Division (broken down by age group), see the compiled leaderboards below. Current standings are based on official results received by June 7. If you have questions and/or concerns about points, please email us at events@bigstonepub.com.
Ultra Division Leaderboard
Men
1st: Jeremy Bradford, 34, Denver, CO – 2 races, 609.6 points
2nd: Glen Redpath, 46, New York, NY – 3 races, 574.4 points
3rd: Nicholas Davis, 23, Fort Collins, CO – 2 races, 504.8 points
Women
1st: Melanie Powers, 28, White Lake, Michigan – 3 races, 499.2 points
2nd: (All tied with 1 race and 400 points) – Michele Hartwig, 45, Lakewood, IL; Shawna Tompkins, 40, Burlington, WA; Gina Dhaliwal, 28, Mississauga, ON, Canada
3rd: Beiyi Zheng, 48, Broomfield, CO – 4 races, 364.3 points
Non-Ultra Division Leaderboard
Men
10 to 19: TJ Hooks, 14, Morgantown, WV – 2 races, 102 points
20 to 29: Josh Arthur, 25, Crested Butte, CO – 1 race, 100 points
30 to 39: Jurgen Montgomery, 37, Pagosa Springs, CO – 1 race, 100 points
40 to 49: Daniel Campbell, 46, Mount Gilead, OH – 5 races, 141.3 points
50-plus: Steve Baber, 53, Indianapolis, IN – 5 races, 198.8 points
Women
10 to 19: Saxon Tidd, 17, Burlington, ON – 1 race, 62 points
20 to 29: Stevie Kremer, 28, Crested Butte, CO – 1 race, 100 points
30 to 39: Deborah Davies, 38, Idaho Springs, CO – 1 race, 100 points
40 to 49: Elizabeth Gold, 40, Englewood, CO – 1 race, 100 points
50-plus: Sheri Nemeth, 54, Elizabethton ,TN – 3 races, 123.3 points
Please note: The Pajarito Trail Fest, part of the 2012 Trail Runner Trophy Series race-date has changed. The festival will now be held on September 22, 2012. Visit the event website for details: http://www.fitfunfeminine.com/pajaritotrailfest/.