Granite Man Mountain Race

The inaugural La Sportiva / USATF Oregon Mountain Running Series kicked off with the Granite Man Mountain Run. This 10 mile challenge climbed to the summit of Colling's Mountain and back down to the shore of Applegate Lake just a few miles from the California border. Now in it's second year, the Granite Man race attracted twice as many runners to the 2008 edition of the race, including ultra running superstar Scott Jurek (pictured left) - a former winner of the Western States 100 Mile Race.

The race started at lake level and immediately climbed over 1500' in the first 1.5 miles. Eventual winner Erik Skaggs elected to be first on the trail in the interval start format, followed by eventual women's winner Jenn Shelton, Scott Jurek and Richard Bolt. Erik was never challenged for the lead - only seen briefly when he doubled-back near mile 1, thinking he'd taken a wrong turn (he hadn't). Erik set a new course record by 9 minutes, finishing in 1:14:04. Portland runner Richard Bolt (1:16:50) quickly passed Jenn and Scott settling into 2nd place for the duration of the race. Local runners John Leuthold (1:19:02), Ian Torrance (1:20:06) and Todd Ragsdale (1:21:53) were also among the early starters and jockeyed for position before finishing 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively. Scott Jurek came down from Seattle, WA and enjoyed the sunny weather finishing 6th in 1:22:47.

On the Women's side, Jenn Shelton blazed around the course in a winning time of 1:28:47. Jenn finished 10 minutes ahead of second place woman Laura Raber (1:39:40) and 2007 race winner Sarah Hyman (1:40:00). Complete results can be found at: http://roguemultisport.com/

Race director Chuck Neely will be presenting his next challenging trail running race on July 12 with the Clackamas River Run-off in Estacada, Oregon. The next stop for the La Sportiva / USATF Oregon Mountain Running Series will be back in southern Oregon on August 2nd for the 31st running of the Mt. Ashland Hillclimb Run.

Top Female Finishers
Place Name City Bib No Age Age Group Place Time
1 Jenn Shelton Ashland OR 63 24 ***** F 20-24 1:28:47
2 Laura Raber Eagle Point OR 5 30 ***** F 30-34 1:39:40
3 Sarah Hyman Jacksonville OR 1 39 ***** F 35-39 1:40:00
4 Brandy Watton Fort Jones CA 50 34 1 F 30-34 1:46:26
5 Kirsten Baggett Tallahassee FL 3 41 1 F 40-44 1:52:03
6 Vanessa Connolly Grants Pass OR 48 33 2 F 30-34 1:57:04
7 Heather Armstrong Ashland OR 7 34 3 F 30-34 1:57:30
8 Erika Hanselman Green Corvallis OR 41 36 1 F 35-39 2:01:26
9 Aysha Staha Medford OR 82 30 4 F 30-34 2:02:07
10 Kim Handloser Medford OR 78 44 2 F 40-44 2:05:02

Top Male Finishers
Place Name City Bib No Age Age Group Place Time
1 Erik Skaggs Ashland OR 62 25 ***** M 25-29 1:14:04
2 Richard Bolt Portland OR 88 37 ***** M 35-39 1:16:50
3 John Leuthold Phoenix OR 80 40 ***** M 40-44 1:19:02
4 Ian Torrence Ashland OR 9 35 1 M 35-39 1:20:06
5 Todd Ragsdale Talent OR 72 39 2 M 35-39 1:21:53
6 Scott Jurek Seattle WA 11 34 1 M 30-34 1:22:47
7 Adam Seibert Medford OR 85 38 3 M 35-39 1:25:30
8 Eric Poole Ashland OR 79 39 4 M 35-39 1:25:36
9 Aaron Reed Ashland OR 46 25 1 M 25-29 1:26:15
10 Aaron Brian Ashland OR 61 36 5 M 35-39 1:32:17

Race photos are available at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/RichardABolt/GraniteManMountainRace

*****UPDATE*******
Granite Man race winner Erik Skaggs also won the 2007 Quad Dipsea where he missed the course record by 38 seconds. Story at:
http://www.marinij.com/dipsea/ci_7550271
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