Registration for the Hagg Lake Mud Runs opens in 48 hours

From the race directors:

It's almost here - the opening of registration for the 2012 Hagg Lake Mud Runs!   Registration will open at 7:00 AM PST on Tuesday, November 15, 2011.   We will send you another email at that time, which will include the direct URL to registration, or you can visit our website at haggmud.com for the link at that time.   Registration for the 25k is $50 for ORRC Members and $55 for non-members; the 50k is $55 for ORRC Members and $60 for non-members. If you'd like to join ORRC you can do so at the time of registration.   Shirt sizes guaranteed to those who sign up before 12/15 (keep in mind the 25k will likely sell out within a few days though, so you don't want to wait that long).   We will run a waiting list this year again.

Thank you for supporting the Hagg Lake Mud Runs! Your Race Directors, Todd Janssen, Eric & Kelly Barten, and Marianne Jones

USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Council Announces Runners of the Year - Official Press Release

Indianapolis, IN ---- The Mountain/Ultra/Trail running (MUT) council of long distance running has named the 2011 USATF Mountain Runners of the year, Ultra Runners of the Year, Trail Runners of the Year, Trail Championship Series winners, and Contributor of the Year. The following individuals will be recognized at the USATF National Convention in St. Louis this December.

Mountain men open: Max King, 31, Bend, OR, is a first-time recipient of the USATF Mountain Runner of the Year title. King was the 2011 USA Mountain Running Champion and was the gold medalist at the World Mountain Running Championships in Tirana, Albania. King is also an accomplished road runner, having qualified for his second Olympic trials marathon with a 2:15:34 at the Baltimore Marathon.

Mountain men master: Tim Van Orden, 43, Bennington, VT, had a stellar year in 2011 including masters’ championship honors at the USA Mountain Running Championships, the USA 15km Trail Championships, the USA Half Marathon Trail Championships. He was the 2011 USATF New England Mountain Running Series - Masters Champion - 2nd Overall (Masters champion in 5 of the 6 races). He was the first finisher in the 40-44 age group at the 2011 Mt. Washington Road Race and at the 2011 World Masters Mountain Running Championships (Italy), he finished in tenth place in his age group.

Mountain women open: Kasie Enman, 32, Huntington, VT, is a first-time recipient in this category. Enman won the USA Mountain Running Championships to earn a spot on her first U.S. Mountain Running Team, and raced to a gold-medal winning performance at the World Mountain Running Championships leading the women’s team to its fourth-place finish. She also won and set a course record at the Loon Mountain Race, the Northfield Mountain Race, the Ascutney Mountain Race, and the Race to the top of Vermont. In addition to excelling in Mountain running, she has qualified for the Olympic trials marathon.

Mountain women master: Jacqueline Shakar, 51, Sutton, MA, led the master’s field at the USA Mountain running championships. She was a gold medalist in the 50-54 age group finishing in 16th place overall. She was the top 50+ and second master at the USATF New England Trail Running Championships at Northfield Mountain, the top master and fourth overall in the USATF NE Mountain running series. She finished in second place in the 50-54 at the Mt Washington Road Race, and was the top master at the Loon Mountain race, the Mt Ascutney Race, and Wachusett Mountain Race. She was the second masters finisher at the Pack Monadnock mountain race.  Shakar is a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist by the APTA and she is a full time professor in the Physical Therapy Assistant Program at Mt. Wachusett Community College

Ultra men open: Michael Wardian, 37, Arlington, VA, wins his fourth consecutive Ted Corbitt Memorial USATF Ultra Runner of the Year Award in 2011. He finished in bronze-medal position at the 2010 IAU World 100km Championships in Gibraltar which was one of the first races in the nomination period. In 2011, he has had a fantastic year including a silver medal at the IAU World 100km Championships, a win at the USA 50km Road Championships and USA 50 Mile Road Championships (course record). He finished 19^th at the Two Oceans Marathon (56km) in Cape Town, South Africa in April and was 11^th at  Comrades Marathon in Durban, South Africa. Additionally, he competed in 13  road marathons in 2011, with a personal best at Grandma’s Marathon in 2:17:49 (his PR) where he also qualified for his  third consecutive U.S. Men's Olympic Marathon Trials.

Ultra men master: Co-Recipients Chad Ricklefs, 44, Boulder, CO,

 and Mark Godale, 41, Aurora, OH. Chad Ricklefs has been competing in ultramarathons at a national level since 1998 and reached an all-time high in his career in 2011, placing 11th overall at the 2011 IAU 100 km World Championships and first in the World Master's Championships division held concurrently with the World Open Championships. Mark Godale finished third master at the USA 100km Trail Championships, first master at the USA 50km Road Championships, second master at the USA 100km Road Championships, and first master at the USA 100 Mile Trail Championships and the 50 Mile Road Championships.

Ultra women open:  Meghan Arbogast, 50, Corvallis, OR, was named the Ruth Anderson Ultrarunner of the Year Award for 2011. She set a pending world best at the IAU 100km World Championships in 2011 where she finished in fifth place and automatically qualified for the 2012 U.S. 100km Team. She was the second female finisher at Miwok 100km, third at both the US 100km Trail Championships and Way Too Cool 50km and seventh female finisher at Western States 100 Miler.

Ultra women master: Connie Gardner, 47, Medina, OH, won national championships (overall AND master's) at both the USA 100 Mile Trail Championships and the USA 24 Hour Championships where she came within one mile of breaking the 24 Hour National women’s record. She was the top female finisher at both the FANS 24 Hour, and the Lt. J.D. Stone 50km and was the third female finisher at the Buckeye Trail 50km.

USA Trail Championships Series Winners – Recipients will be announced November 10. The invidiual series winners will be those who have garnered the most points in the second annual USA Trail Championships (sub-ultra) series. The events include the 10km, 15km, half marathon, and marathon trail championships as well as the USA Mountain Championships.

Contributor of the Year – Lin Gentling

Lin Gentling has been the team manager for the men, the women or both at the IAU World 100km Championships for nearly two decades.  She puts a lot of effort into making sure that the team members need to think about little more than their race as race day approaches by trying to make herself and her staff responsible for as many of the logistics as possible. Gentling’s organizational skills along with her experience in working with the team over so many years is a big part of the reason our USA 100km teams were so successful at the IAU World Championships 100km race this year.

New category awards for 2011 included:

Trail men open: Max King, doubles this year as the trail men’s open recipient. King won the USA Half Marathon Trail Championships and the USA 50km Trail Championships. He was the winner of the XTERRA National Trail Running Championships (the day after winning the USA 50km Trail Championships), the Siskiyou Out Back 50km Trail Race, and the McDonald Forest 50km Trail Race.

Trail men master: Tim Van Orden, doubles this year as the trail men’s master runner of the year.

Trail women open: Marci Klimek, 24, Phoenix, OR, winner of the USA 15km Trail Championships, second place at the USA Half Marathon Trail Championships. Currently leads the USATF trail series. Klimek is also a talented road runner having run 2:46:28 to win the 2011 Portland Marathon and 1:00:37 to win the 2011 Pear Blossom 10 Miler.

Trail women master: Jacqueline Shakar doubles this year as the trail women’s master runner of the year.

In order to be considered for the USATF Mountain and Ultra running awards an athlete must show top results in U.S. competitions for 2011 November 1, 2010 through October 1, 2011, to include mountain races (these may be on paved/gravel surfaces as long as there is significant elevation loss or gain) and trail races of varying lengths, as well as road races for the ultra category (distances beyond the marathon). International results are also considered. The nominee must be an ambassador for the sport. Nominee must be a USATF member for 2011, and to be considered for the masters’ category athlete must be a minimum of 40 years of age.

For a list of past winners in the other categories, please visit www.usatf.org.

USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Council Announces Runners of the Year

From: Nancy Hobbs - Chairperson - USA Track & Field's Mountain, Ultra & Trail Running Council.

Indianapolis, IN ---- The Mountain/Ultra/Trail running (MUT) council of long distance running has named the 2011 USATF Mountain Runners of the year, Ultra Runners of the Year, Trail Runners of the Year, Trail Championship Series winners, and Contributor of the Year. The following individuals will be recognized at the USATF National Convention in St. Louis this December.

Mountain men open: Max King, 31, Bend, OR

Mountain men master: Tim Van Orden, 43, Bennington, VT

Mountain women open: Kasie Enman, 32, Huntington, VT

Mountain women master: Jacqueline Shakar, 51, Sutton, MA

Ultra men open – Ted Corbitt Memorial USATF Ultra Runner of the Year: Michael Wardian, 37, Arlington, VA

Ultra men master: Co-Recipients Chad Ricklefs, 44, Boulder, CO, and Mark Godale, 41, Aurora, OH

Ultra women open – The Ruth Anderson Ultrarunner of the Year Award: Meghan Arbogast, 50, Corvallis, OR

Ultra women master: Connie Gardner, 47, Medina, OH

New category awards for 2011 included:

Trail men open: Max King

Trail men master: Tim Van Orden

Trail women open: Marci Klimek, 24, Phoenix, OR

Trail women master: Jacqueline Shakar

Contributor of the Year – Lin Gentling

Hagg Lake Mud Runs registration to open around November 15

From the race directors:

We know you're excited about the 2012 Hagg Lake Runs (so are we!) so we wanted to let you know that the target date to open registration has changed. We now hope to open registration on or about November 15. 

 

You will receive an email similar to this one 24 hours before registration will open. This email will include the link where you can register for the 2012 Hagg Lake 25k and/or 2012 Hagg Lake 50k.

 

NOTE: Those who have signed up to be notified of registration opening will receive this link before it is posted on the Hagg Lake Mud Runs website. We anticipate the 25k to fill within days (maybe even in 24 hours) while the 50k usually doesn't get close to filling until about one month before the race. So if you are planning on the 25k please make sure you sign up right away!

 

If you have friends that would like to be on this notification list, please have them sign up for our notification email list here.  https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:Join/signupId:1368523/acctId:1354679

Thank you for supporting the ORRC Hagg Lake Mud Runs!

 

Your volunteer RDs:

Eric & Kelly Barten

Todd Janssen

Marianne Jones

Open/Masters USATF Oregon Cross Country Championships to be held on October 22nd Portland, OR

On Saturday October 22nd, USATF Oregon and Team Red Lizard are co-hosting the USATF Oregon XC Championships for Open/Masters level athletes at Pier Park in Portland, Oregon in conjunction with the 2011Stumptown Cross Series race #3.

The Women’s Open/Masters Race will be 6,000m and will start at 9:00am.

The Men’s Open/Masters Race will be 8,000m and will start at 9:45am. 

Race entry fee is $15.00.

Athletes can sign up online for the 2011 USATF Oregon XC Championships for Open/Masters level athletes at https://www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/78237. 

 There will be day of race registration available beginning at 8:00am and ending at 8:45am.

 
2011 USATF-Oregon Open/Master XC Championship race scoring rules

1. You must be a 2011 member of USATF Oregon in order to count towards scoring in the 2011 USATF-Oregon XC Championship team competition and to be eligible for prizes. Athletes can join USATF at www.usatf.org/membership.
2. For the 2011 USATF-Oregon XC Championship team scoring, the top 4 runners on each team will score. If there is a tie, the 5th runner breaks the tie. 

For more information and a list of prizes and awards visit http://www.ldr-oregon.org

Please help the spread the word about the upcoming USATF Oregon XC Championships for Open/Masters level athletes by telling friends, posting on Facebook and including it in your team newsletters!

Contact/Questions
Jonathan Marcus
USATF Oregon Long Distance Running Chair
971.344.4469

Are you ready for some mud? Info on the 2012 Hagg Lake Mud Runs

FROM THE RACE DIRECTORS:

This email is full of information of what we currently have set for the 2012 ORRC Hagg Lake Ultras. We are still finalizing some details but we are excited about the 2012 edition of the Hagg Lake Mud Runs ... let's hope for rain up until race day, and then sunshine and mild temps!

 

Note we have added another race director, Marianne Jones. Marianne is joining us to gain some race directing experience and to help us out, as the husband and wife pair on the Hagg Lake Team (Eric & Kelly Barten) are expecting and will be more than 7 months pregnant on race day!

 

Please read through this information and if you still have questions, you can contact us at hagglakemud@gmail.com.

 

2012 Hagg Lake Dates

 

The 2012 Hagg Lake Mud Runs are scheduled for the 3rd weekend in February 2012. The 50k will run on Saturday, February 18, 2012 and the 25k will run on Sunday, February 19, 2012. There is no 25k option on Saturday.

 

We will be updating our website soon with new information about parking, our refund and transfer policy, and more information. 

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2012 Hagg Lake Registration

 

We anticipate that registration will open around November 1, 2011 for the 2012 Hagg Lake 50k and 25k. Based on previous year's registration numbers and interest shown this year we expect the 25k will fill within one week. The 50k has not historically sold out but we appreciate it when you sign up ahead of time so we can accurately place our shirt order.

 

If you have received this email directly, you are already on the notification email list and will receive a direct link when registration is open.

 

If you received this email from a friend, and you want to get yourself on the list, you can sign yourself up by choosing "2012 Notification" from the options on our newsletter sign-up page.

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2012 Hagg Lake Newsletters

 

We want to make it easy for you to get the information that you need for the 2012 Hagg Lake Ultras.

 

Each registered runner will automatically be added to an email list for the race they are running. You can also choose to be added to any of four additional newsletters by clicking here and signing up:

 

Trail Work Days

Training Opportunities

Volunteers

Hagg Lake Newbies

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2012 Hagg Lake Training Runs

 

Saturday, October 22 8a - Forest Park at 53rd 

Sunday, November 20 8:30a - Hagg Lake Picnic Area

Sunday, December 18  8a - Forest Park at 53rd 

Saturday, January 21 8:30a  - 8:30a - Hagg Lake Picnic Area

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Links

Hagg Lake Mud Runs website

Nominations open for USATF Mountain/Ultra/Trail Runners of the Year

Nominations open for 2011:

USATF Mountain Runners of the Year – Open and Masters

USATF Trail Runners of the Year – Open and Masters

USATF Ultra Runners of the Year – Open and Masters

USATF Mountain/Ultra/Trail Contributor of the Year

The Mountain/Ultra/Trail running (MUT) council of long distance running will select the 2011 USATF Mountain Runners of the year and Ultra Runners of the Year  based on nominations received from interested athletes, coaches, and administrators involved in the sport. The following is the selection criteria for the 2011 USATF Mountain and Ultra Runners of the Year:

1)      Nominated athlete must show top results in U.S. mountain/trail competitions for 2011 (November 1, 2010 through October 1, 2011) - this will include mountain races (these may be on paved/gravel surfaces as long as there is significant elevation loss or gain) and trail races of varying lengths below the ultra distance. USATF ultra runners of the year results on trail and ultra road courses above the marathon distance in both national and international competition.

2)      The nomination window includes the period: Nov 1, 2010 through Oct 1, 2011

3)      Show top results in international competitions for 2011

4)      Be an ambassador for the sport - athlete promotes and supports mountain running

5)      Be a USATF member for 2011 - athlete MUST have a current USATF membership

6)      To be considered for the masters category, athlete must be a minimum of 40 years of age.

To nominate an athlete, send BY October 25, 2011, the following information to trlrunner@aol.comand dave.dunham@comcast.net .

Nominated athlete's name, age or birth date (if you know it), athlete contact information, brief bio, reason for nomination in 2011. Anyone and everyone is welcome to nominate an athlete (or in the case of COY – an individual, company, etc.). An athlete may also nominate himself/herself.

Nominations received by October 25 will be considered in the selection process. After all nominations are compiled, the MUT council will vote (by October 30) for the mountain runner and ultra runners of the year from nominations received. The USATF Mountain Ultra and Trail Runners of the Year will be announced at or before the annual convention in St Louis in December. Should you have any questions about the procedure, please contact: Dave Dunham at dave.dunham@comcast.net

We also will accept nominations for contributor of the year for mountain, ultra, trail. Past Contributor of the Year recipients have been: American Ultra Running Association, Teva, La Sportiva, North Texas Trail Runners, the Mad City 100 km, the White Mountain Milers, Scott McCoubrey, Paul Kirsch, and Bob and Anita Teschek.

2011 La Sportiva / USATF-Oregon Mountain Running Series - scoring complete!

  

The 4th annual La Sportiva / USATF-Oregon Mountain Running Series concluded earlier this month with the Sunrise to Summit race outside Bend, OR.  Mario Mendoza and Katie Caba won the men's and women's races respectively on a new course.

24 USATF members participated in the 2011 edition of the series which contained only 3 races:
June - Graniteman Mountain Run
August - Mt. Ashland Hillclimb
September - Sunrise to Summit

Congratulations to this years winners:
Men: Erik Skaggs
Women: Laura Raber
Men's 40+: Robert Jullian
Women's 40+: Katie Caba

Here is the 2011 overall series scoring!

First Last Gender Age Group Points

Laura Raber Female Open 209.42

Erik Skaggs Male Open 200.00

Hal Koerner Male Open 185.39

Stephanie Howe Female Open 170.99

Robert Jullian Male 40+ 165.14

Lena Stemple Female Open 121.21

Mario Mendoza Male Open 100.00

Tim Van Orden Male 40+ 98.68

Tyler Davis Male Open 94.65

Richard Bolt Male 40+ 89.95

Katie Caba Female 40+ 86.74

Jenn Shelton Female Open 85.66

Joe Griffin Male 50+ 79.56

Shawn Donley Male 40+ 77.74

Quintin McCoy Male Open 77.58

Jeff Olsen Male Open 72.84

Sharon Mosley Female 40+ 71.36

Scott Abrams Male 50+ 71.16

Shahid Ali Male Open 69.89

Logan Scroggy Male Open 68.97

Chuck Whiteley Male 50+ 67.25

Joe Mosley Female 50+ 67.13

Mario Tigli Male 50+ 64.23

Elena Meyer Female 40+ 60.33

Here are the past series winners and participation numbers for each year:

2010 - 5 races (Larison Rock, Mt. Ashland, Great NW Mtn Run, Sunrise to Summit)

28 USATF members participate

Men's winner: Erik Skaggs (Ashland, OR)

Women's winner: Jenn Shelton (Ashland, OR)

Men's 40+ winner: Mario Tigli (Sandy, OR)

Women's 40+ winner: Sharon Mosley (Eugene, OR)

2009 - 5 races (Larison Rock, Graniteman, Mt. Ashland, Great NW Mtn Run, Sunrise to Summit)

17 USATF members participate

Men's winner: Ian Torrence (Ashland, OR)

Women's winner: Jenn Shelton (Ashland, OR)

Men's 40+ winner: Robert Gallogly (Medford, OR)

Women's 40+ winner: Susanna Beck (Eugene, OR)

2008 - 4 races (Graniteman, Mt. Ashland, Sunrise to Summit, NW Mtn Champs)

13 USATF members participate

Men's winner: Richard Bolt (Portland, OR)

Women's winner: Lisa Lye (Bend, OR)

Men's 40+ winner: Robert Jullian (Medford, OR)

  

Oregon's Max King & Stephanie Howe win USA 50k Trail Championships

Pre-race favorites Max King, 31, and Stephanie Howe, 28, both of Bend, OR, raced to victory at the 2011 USA 50km Trail Championships on Saturday, September 24, held for the second consecutive year at Mount Bachelor Nordic Center located just west of Bend, OR.

At the 8:00 a.m. start time, temperatures were in the upper 40s, but midway through the race, the mercury settled around 80 degrees, well above normal day time highs for the region.  King and eventual second-place finisher Ryan Bak, 29, Bend, ran shoulder to shoulder for much of the course, after dropping early leader Dusty Olson, 38, Duluth, MN, well before the first aid station at 12km. Olson dropped out at that point due to a hamstring issue.

King bettered last year’s second-place performance to win in 3:27:54 and earn yet another USATF championship title this year. In June, he won both the USA Half Marathon Trail Championships and the USA Mountain Running Championships. Add to his resume his incredible gold-medal performance at the World Mountain Running Championships earlier this month, and King is surely the man to beat on the trails and in the mountains.

Bak finished second in 3:33:46, followed by Jacob Puzey, 29, Hermiston, OR, in 3:47:12. Leading the masters’ men was Jeff Browning, 40, Bend, OR, in 4:02:02. Lowlander Mark Lundblad, 42, Swannanoa, NC, said the 7,000 foot elevation was a factor that slowed him down, but he still managed a second place masters’ finish in 4:04:15. Forty seven year-old William Emerson, Portland, OR, finished in 4:18:22.

In the women’s division, Howe ran head-to-head with Natalie Bak, 26, Bend, OR, until the last quarter mile outdistancing her rival at the finish line to win her first national championship in 4:19:26. Bak crossed the line in 4:20:01. Well off the pace was third-place finisher Pam Smith, 37, Salem, OR, who posted a time of 4:41:15.

The 40 and over women were led by Molly Zurn, 40, Reno, NV, in fourth place overall in 5:17:22. Julie Thomas, 44, Canby, OR, finished second for the masters’ women in 5:41:13, followed by Eugene’s Sharon Mosley, 48, in 6:22:15.

The course, unlike many ultra-distance events, consisted of a single, large loop. The race was held high in the Central Cascade Mountains, an area blanketed in snow much of the year. In fact, much of the course was still covered in snow as late as August. Elevations on the course varied from 5,500 feet to 7,500 feet and included single track, gravel service roads, heavily forested areas, and open alpine meadows. The last 50 meters of the course was a loose, cinder-covered path heading straight uphill, a real challenge after running nearly 50 kilometers.

There were seven different states represented among the 32 USATF members who had registered for the championships division, up from 23 registrants the year before. A prize money purse of $2,500 donated by Visit Bend, was distributed to the top three men and women overall and the top masters male and female finisher.

Richard Bolt, USATF Oregon Mountain, Ultra, Trail running coordinator, summed up the event like this, “Seeing the participation increase for a championship event is always a positive sign. Local race director Dave Thomason did an outstanding job with the event from start to finish. He mapped out a challenging course and provided a great post-race celebration complete with vendor booths, a catered buffet, and craft beer on tap.”

Official results are posted here:
http://www.time2race.com/Results/Flagline%2050K%202011.htm

+++ Official post event press release.  Written by Nancy Hobbs with input from Richard Bolt.  +++

USA Wins Double Gold at World Mountain Running Championships

Tirana, Albania – September 11 –  The USA set the bar at the 27^th World Mountain Running Championships held today, September 11, in Tirana, Albania, showcased by the gold-medal performances of Huntingdon, Vermont’s Kasie Enman and Bend, Oregon’s Max King.

“In my nine years as team leader, I’ve never been more proud of our athletes than I am today,” said Richard Bolt, “Kasie and Max’s performances blew me away. They made winning a World Championship look easy.”

                “This is the first time I have represented the U.S. in a World Mountain Running Championship,” said Enman, “I’m very excited. I did not expect to win.”

With her victory Enman becomes the first senior woman from the U.S. to earn an individual gold medal. She led the senior women to a fourth place finish. Her time was 40:39 over the 8.59 kilometer course. She was followed by Megan Lund in 12^th place with a time of 43:56, Michele Suszek in 21^st place with a time of 44:48, and Brandy Erholtz in 26^th place with a time of 45:56.

                “It’s an historic day for our women,” said women’s team manager Ellen Miller, “Kasie’s victory honors the past 17 years of U.S. women’s mountain running.”

                For King, this was his second consecutive appearance at the World Mountain Running Championships, and he bettered last year’s 16^th place performance with a decisive victory today. “I’m tired, but I feel very good,” said King, “This is my first individual medal (last year’s senior men’s team took the silver), and I’m proud to have it in an up/down year especially inAlbania.”

                 King’s gold medal becomes only the second gold for a U.S. male. Jay Johnson, owner of Fleet Feet Sports in Boulder,Colorado, previously won gold for Team USA in 1989 and since that time, Johnson has been an ardent supporter of Team USA.

                About his gold medal performance King said, “It was a good course for me having both the hard technical uphill and the fast and somewhat technical downhill. I had no idea I was in the lead until I crossed the finish line. The Ugandan runner was 30 seconds ahead of me at the top of the third climb and I passed him with about 800 meters to go. I didn’t think that he was the one I was trying to catch, I thought it was a lapped runner.”

                King led the men’s team to a fourth place finish with his time of 52:06 over the 12.7 kilometer course. He was followed by teammates Joseph Gray in eleventh place with a time of 55:33, Ryan Woods in 49^th place in 1:01:51, Matt Byrne in 51^st place in 1:01:58, Tommy Manning in 79^th place in 1:08:10, and Jared Scott in 96^th place in 1:20:21.

                “It was strong team finish, but we were obviously disappointed that we didn’t finish in the medals,” said King.

                Prior to the senior races, the junior men and women competed. In the junior men’s 8.59 kilometer race, University ofRichmond sophomore Ryan Lee posted an impressive 11^th place finish. He was followed by fellow Spyder Billy Fayette in 28^thplace and Oliver Bear Don’t Walk IV in 54^th place. The junior men finished tenth.

                The junior women raced 4.49 kilometers. Krisztina Dearborn, a sophomore at Central Connecticut State University, finished in 24^th place followed by Johns Hopkins sophomore Lara Shegoski in 29^th place, and University of Richmond freshman Clare Moretz in 30^th place.

                “I’m tremendously proud of the efforts of our junior athletes today,” said Paul Kirsch, manager of the junior team, “They raced against the best in the world and held their own. I’m grateful to their college coaches who realize the tremendous opportunity this gives a collegiate athlete to race on a world stage.”

To learn more about the U.S. Mountain Running Team, visit us at www.usmrt.com or www.usatf.org. Follow the team on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usatfmut, or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usmrt. The official race website for the 2011 WMRC is /www.wmrc2011.al.

USATF-Oregon Mountain Running Series - Scoring after 3 races

3 of 4 races in the 2011 La Sportiva / USATF-Oregon Mountain Running Series have been completed.  Erik Skaggs (Ashland, OR) leads the open men with 2 wins and 200 points.  Laura Raber (Eagle Point, OR) leads the open women with 140 points.  Robert Jullian (Medford, OR) leads the 40+ men with 165 points.  Elena Meyer leads the 40+ women with 60 points from her Graniteman finish.


First Last Gender Age Group Grantieman Ashland Total Points
Erik Skaggs Male Open 100.00 100.00 200.00
Hal Koerner Male Open 93.44 91.95 185.39
Robert Jullian Male 40+ 83.85 81.29 165.14
Laura Raber Female Open 68.30 71.80 140.10
Lena Stemple Female Open 60.38 60.83 121.21
Tim Van Orden Male 40+ 0.00 98.68 98.68
Tyler Davis Male Open 94.65 0.00 94.65
Richard Bolt Male 40+ 0.00 89.95 89.95
Jenn Shelton Female Open 85.66 0.00 85.66
Stephanie Howe Female Open 0.00 84.99 84.99
Joe Griffin Male 50+ 0.00 79.56 79.56
Shawn Donley Male 40+ 0.00 77.74 77.74
Jeff Olsen Male Open 0.00 72.84 72.84
Shahid Ali Male Open 0.00 69.89 69.89
Chuck Whiteley Male 50+ 67.25 0.00 67.25
Mario Tigli Male 50+ 64.23 0.00 64.23
Elena Meyer Female 40+ 60.33 0.00 60.33

The final race in the series will be the Sunrise to Summit held on Mt. Bachelor outside of Bend, OR (September 3rd, 2011).  Note the new course due to heavy snow cover on the summit: http://www.mbsef.org/events/sunrise2summit

Mt. Ashland Hillclimb - USATF Results

Here are the results for USATF members who raced in the Mt. Ashland Hillclimb held earlier this month.  Mt. Ashland was the 3rd race in the 2011 La Sportiva / USATF-Oregon Mountain Running Series.  Series scoring will be updated in the next post on this blog.


USATF Place Name Age City/St Time
1 Erik Skaggs 29 Ashland, OR 1:51:54
2 Tim Van Orden 43 Bennington, VT 1:53:24
3 Hal Koerner 35 Ashland, OR 2:01:42
4 Richard Bolt 41 Portland, OR 2:04:24
6 Stephanie Howe 28 Bend, OR 2:11:40
5 Robert Julian 43 Medford, OR 2:17:39
7 Joe Griffin 51 Central Point, OR 2:20:39
8 Shawn Donley 41 Portland, OR 2:23:57
9 Jeff Olsen 26 Ashland, OR 2:33:37
10 Laura Raber 33 Eagle Point, OR 2:35:51
11 Shahid Ali 26 Ashland, OR 2:40:07
12 Lela Stemple 14 Talent, OR 3:03:57

Complete race results can be found here:
http://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=10633

Sunrise to Summit Uphill Race - Important Changes!

Due to deep snow still covering Mt. Bachelor the course and race date have changed.  


The race will now take place on Saturday, September 3rd.


The race will start at West Village Lodge at Mt. Bachelor and then run up lower leeway to the cone saddle, then up the red road all the way to the top of Northwest Chair.  The award ceremonies will take place at Pine Martin Lodge.  Runner will have to hike back down from the top of the Northwest chairlift to the Pine Martin lift where they can get a chairlift ride down. 


For the most up to date race information check out the MBSEF website:
http://www.mbsef.org/events/sunrise2summit

Mt. Ashland Hillclimb Run - Pre-race notes

More wisdom and final thoughts from Race Director Torsten before this Saturday's race:

Wow, the weather forecast is excellent, the fire danger is relatively low, enough snow has melted to have a clear path: the race deities seem to be looking kindly on us this year. We've consulted sheep entrails, tea leaves and an old Magic 8 ball I bought at a garage sale and all signs augur well for an exceptional Mt Ashland Hill Climb Run this Saturday. 

Race packet pickup the day before the race is at Rogue Valley Runners (161 East Main Street in downtown Ashland), from 12-6. I know, I mentioned this already. Department of Redundancy Dept. We like it when people pick up their packets the day before.

Race packet pick up on race day is at the race start, between 6:15 and 7:15. 

The race start is near the bottom of Lithia Park on Winburn St near "the plaza", across the street from Sesame restaurant, near the frequently headless Abe Lincoln statue, and approximately 42° 11.792'N, 122° 42.963'W.

Start Time is 7:30am. We like to be prompt. And, this year I will make sure to have the microphone on when I say "go!"

No Early Starts. I know, you have the best intentions, but have you heard about the destination of the road paved in that manner? Read the FAQ for some of the reasons why we don't allow this (but know this: my timers are math-challenged and adding an hour to your time might put them over the top).

Race Day is Saturday. (Someone who will remain nameless, Cynthia, called me on Sunday one year wondering where everyone was!).

Not showing? There's still time to tell me--without repercussions--if you're not coming (thanks to those who already have). It's less food to buy.

No dogs, snapping turtles or reticulated pythons. Lots of requests for dogs this year. This is not the Iditarod. 

Hiking Poles. Hiking Slavs and Hungarians are OK. Hiking poles, on the other hand, are relegated to the back of the pack. I'm sure there is a joke here about Reverse Polish Notation, but I can't think of the punch line. 

Drinks. Speaking of punch, we serve various electrolyte beverages on course, usually Gatorade but sometimes Heed. It tends to be cool or cold which is what most people seem to want. If you want something else (warm tea, espresso, margarita, etc), you should bring it yourself. We'll have some stuff to eat too, but it's not a gourmet feast. Just setting expectations...

If you want clothes brought to the summit, please put them in a well-marked bag and bring that to the sign-in desk on Saturday. The summit is the top, the apex, the zenith, not the lodge. If you only make it to the lodge, your bag of clothes will be at the summit and will come down only when the aid station closes. We are not responsible for your bag. 

The bus is full.

The race is full.

Leftover stuff. If you leave your crap possessions at the event, I may or may not decide to bring it to my house. Honestly, the stuff you folks leave there astounds me. And, no, don't leave your children, because I won't take them home, not even for "just a week."

Pre-Race Things To Do:

It's too late to start training, so on Friday, go to Dagoba (1105 Benson Way in Asland), taste, then buy some chocolate and then go to a local winery, taste some red wine, and then buy some. Great combo for Saturday evening. Savor the flavors.

Go to Rogue Valley Runners. Pick up your packet and buy the stuff we won't have at the race. I don't think buying shoes the day before is such a good idea though.

Post Race things to do:

Go jump in the lake. Actually, go jump in the reservoir at the top of Lithia Park. Great way to cool off those muscles, reduce inflammation, etc.

Eat at Standing Stone. You locals might want to wait a few days so we don't all descend on them the same day. Remember that theater-goers tend to eat between 6 and 8.

Embrace adversity,

Torsten Heycke

US Mountain Running Team - Junior Squad Announced

Four junior men and three junior women to compete at the World Mountain Running Championships in Albania on September 11

Athletes representing seven states comprise the 2011 U.S. Junior Mountain Running Team (www.usmrt.com).  The team will accompany the senior team members as they compete at the 2011 World Mountain Running Championships in Tirana, Albania, on September 11. (http://www.wmrc2011.al)

The athletes include:

JUNIOR MEN
Oliver Bear Don’t Walk (Age 18, Everson, WA).  Oliver currently holds the American Junior 50km record (3:10:07) and has also qualified for the USATF Junior Track and Field Championships in the 10,000 meters in 2010 and 2011.  He has a 5K road personal best of 15:06 and finished 5th overall at the 15km USA Trail Champs in 2011.  Oliver is attending Stanford University in the fall.

Chase Caulkins (Age 19, Ketchum, ID/Portland, OR).  Chase was a member of the 2010 team where he finished as the top U.S. Junior.  His 5km track personal best is 14:09 and he recently finished in an impressive 4th place in the 5000 meters at the USATF Junior Track and Field Championships in June.  Chase also ran 24:19 for 8 km during the cross country season.  He is entering his sophomore year at the University of Portland.

Billy Fayette (Age 18, Clarendon Hills, IL).  Billy is a recent graduate of Hinsdale Central High School where he set numerous school records and was winner of the prestigious Jim Carmignani award- best all round male athlete/leader at Hinsdale Central HS in 2011.  Billy ran a 14:39 (3 mile) in the IL State Cross Country championships.  He has PRs of 9:09.96 in the 3200m and 4:10.33 in the 1600m.  Billy will be attending the University of Richmond in the fall.

Ryan Lee (Age 19, Wilmington, DE).  Ryan Lee is entering his sophomore year at the University of Richmond.  Last season Ryan finished 12th in the 5000m race at the USATF Track and Field Championships, where he competed against now-team mate Chase Caulkins.  Ryan has PRs of 8:45 (1500m), 14:33 (5000m), 25:32 (8km XC).

JUNIOR WOMEN
Krisztina Dearborn (Age 19, Mirror Lake, NH).  Krisztina is entering her sophomore year at Central Connecticut State University, where she this year she had personal bests of 18:39 in the 5000m and 38:44.22 in the 10,000m.  Kristina went to high school at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro where was 2nd in the 2009 Lakes Region Cross Country championships.   Krisztina also got to preview what the World’s course will be like when she competed in the 2011 USA Mountain Running Championships at the Cranmore Hill Climb in North Conway, NH.

Clare Moretz (Age 18, Madison, VA).  Clare was a senior at Madison High School in 2011 where she had PRs of 5:07.71 in the 1600m and 11:16.18 in the 3200m.  After being undefeated for the first half of her 2010 cross country season, Clare suffered a stress fracture that left her unable to compete for the rest of the XC season.  Clare turned that around in the Spring where she was 1st at the VHSL Group A State Championships in the 3200 and set a school record in the 1600m with her second place finish at the Championships.  Clare qualified for the championships in the 400, 800, 1600, and 3200.  Clare will be attending the University of Richmond in the fall.

Lara Shegoski (Age 19, Belle Mead, NJ).  Lara had a strong Freshman year at Johns Hopkins University where she had a 17:37 personal best in the 5000m and had her 6000m XC personal best at the Division III National Championships in NovemberLara attended Montgomery High School in New Jersey where she was All American in the 5000m indoor and outdoor. .  Lara’s leg speed will serve her well at the relatively fast World’s mountain running course in Albania.

The Junior Team joins senior athletes Max King, Joe Gray, Ryan Woods, Matt Byrne, Tommy Manning, Jared Scott, Kasie Enman, Michele Suszek, Brandy Erholtz and Megan Lund, who will compete in Albania at the World Mountain Running Championships.

Last year at the world championships in Slovenia, the U.S. Men won their first-ever silver team medal.  The junior women and senior women have previously won team and individual medals.  The team looks to capitalize on that success in 2011 in Tirana.

“I’m really excited about this year’s junior team” said Paul Kirsch, Team Manager of the Juniors.  “The course in Tirana is a fast one and the combination of strength and speed that our juniors have this year gives them a good shot at being on the podium.”

The World Championships alternate between up only and up/down courses every other year with 2011 being an up/down year.  The junior women will  race one 4.5km up/down lap while the junior men will race two 4.5km laps.  The senior men’s race is three laps and the senior women, like the junior men, will race two.

You can follow the team’s pursuits this September by following them online at any of the following sites:
Website:  www.usmrt.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/usatfmut
Twitter: www.twitter.com/usmrt
As we have done the past two years, the team will be sending live updates via twitter from Albania in September.  The official race website for the 2011 WMRC http://www.wmrc2011.al

Mt. Ashland Hillclimb - pre-race message from race director

A message from Torsten Heycke (Chief race mucky muck - pictured above):


We're just a week and a half away from the Mt Ashland Hillclimb Run (Sat, Aug 6). Below is some important information that might help you and us:

1. Reminder: This is an extremely challenging event.
You already signed a waiver telling us that you acknowledge this. You can't plead insanity, because that is already assumed. Seriously, though, if you are not physically able, you should not participate. It could be extremely cold and/or hot. Additionally it could be windy or completely still. There are unmarked hazards including loose rocks, holes, and branches. There may be wild animals on the course. Speaking of, there may be mountain bikers riding on various roads and trails (though we have asked local shops to inform riders to please refrain).

2. If you know you're not going to make it to the event, please tell us as soon as possible. Race directors are reporting 20-25% no-shows at their events. No-tell no-shows result in a huge waste of resources, including food and drink, and people's time. It also messes with the random draw prizes. We know that stuff comes up: forgot to train, root canal scheduled for that day, have to clean the garage, etc. Just tell us: there is no embarrassment in that. The consequences of "no-tell, no show" are likely to be most heinous: I haven't decided whether to pass the list on to other race directors or feed the information to a tele-sales organization.

By the way, if you pick up your race packet, we are assuming you will show up at the race. Please notify us if you are not going to participate. It hurts our feelers if we go searching for you on the course and find out you didn't start.

3. There are no refunds, exchanges, credits, etc.
Check the FAQ for more on this.

4. Pre-Race Training. 
Run up Mt Ashland from town and get a ride back. You can do this by arranging with the Ashland Mountain Adventure folks for a shuttle ride from Mt Ashland down to town. You will want to coordinate with their existing shuttle schedule . 541.499.2298

5. Friday Packet Pickup is at Rogue Valley Runners, 161 E. Main St, from 12- 6pm.
Great place to pick up some stuff while you're there. You can also pick up your packet on race day at the race start (at the bottom of Lithia Park, on Winburn Way near "the plaza") after 6:15am and before 7:15am. Please don't show up at 7:20.

6. Race numbers. Wear them where finish line people can see them. If you wear your number on your butt, make sure you go through the finish line butt first. We'd prefer that you wore your number in front, but that's your prerogative. We apologize if this messes with your fashion statement. If we can see your number, we will give you a race time. The corollary to this is: we will give you a time when we see your number--even if it's several minutes after you finished. Also, please make sure you're wearing your number and not your spouse's, friend's, grandmother's, etc. It really messes with the results when a 21-year old guy wins the women's 60-69 division.

7. Race Day: Dropping out and aid station cut-off times.
If you drop out, please notify someone at an aid station. Make sure they write down your number (or better yet, give them your number). If you are asked to stop, please do so. Many people stop at the lodge and that's a good choice (food, drink, beer maybe).

-- Four Corners (~6.6 miles) by 10:30am
-- Bull Gap (~10.5 miles) by 11:30am
-- The Lodge (~12.8 miles) by 12:15pm.

IMPORTANT: the summit aid station will close at 1pm and there will be no transportation down after that time. If you continue past the lodge at 12:14 and decide to linger to marvel at the extraordinary wildflowers on the way up to the summit, you just might miss the aid station. Great wildflowers, though.

8. Race Day: Getting Down from Mt Ashland Summit to the Lodge
We will have vehicles driving down from the summit on a narrow, bumpy, dusty road. You may find that you are faster if you just walk down. We appreciate if you can do this.

9. Race Day: Spectators
The best place for spectators is at the Mt Ashland lodge. Please do not drive the narrow, bumpy, dusty road to the summit. Spectators who drive to the summit delay our shuttle vehicles, which also delays results, emergency care, and water and food delivery. There is nothing worse than delaying water and food to thirsty and hungry runners. Please tell your spouses, significant others, fan club, etc that you (the participant) risk disqualification, or worse: public humiliation, by their driving up to the summit. Spectators can walk to the summit if they want (but please don't walk up the road!)

10. Race Day: The Course
No one has gotten lost yet; well at least, everyone has eventually shown up. Please read the website course directions. Look at the maps there. We do minimal course marking (mainly at the locations where you might be confused... but, really, who are we to know when you will get confused? Sometimes I can't remember why I went into the garage, so confusion might arise at any time and anywhere.) Be responsible, read the course description. www.mtashlandrun.com/course.html

Also, Mt Ashland still has snow in places, but not on our course. So, if you're walking in the snow, you're off course.

11. Race Day: Awards and Random Draw Prizes
Race day awards will be shortly after 11. If you arrive at the lodge parking lot after that, you can still collect your prize. (These are first place prizes for age groups and overall men's and women's winners).

Random prize winners can pick up their item(s) at the lodge parking lot. Must be present to win. Hmm, words to live by.

Thanks for reading,

Torsten Heycke
Chief race mucky muck

Americans Joe Gray & Maria Dalzot win NACAC Mountain Running Championships

Joe Gray (Lakewood, WA) and Maria Dalzot (West Virginia) won their respective races at the 2011 NACAC Mountain Running Championships in Ajijic, Mexico.  Joe also set a new course record - breaking the old record by 3 minutes.  The US women's team (Maria, Chris Lundy, Amber Moran and Gina Lucrezi) won the women's team competition.  The US men (Joe, Tommy Manning and Mario Mendoza) finished 3rd behind Canada (1st) and Mexico (2nd).  


Complete results will be available soon at: http://www.usmrt.com/


Photos of the event are here: https://picasaweb.google.com/RichardABolt/2011NACACMountainRunningChampionships?authuser=0&feat=directlink


A video of the start of the race can be found here: http://youtu.be/6XQpgD1xHRo