2009 Great Northwest Mountain Run

The 2009 edition of the Great Northwest Mountain Run was an evolution of the 2008 race billed as the Northwest Mountain Running Championships which took place in September. Perhaps due in part to the change in date and name, the race this past weekend attracted a smaller and much less competitive field.

2009 Great Northwest Mountain Run:
35 finishers - no prize money - 1 finisher under 45 minutes

2008 Northwest Mountain Running Championships:
73 finishers - $6000 in prize money - 5 finishers under 45 minutes

In spite of the differences from last years race, all the runners seemed to have the usual great X-Dog fun. The 6 miles course was slightly shorter than last year but featured the same 1500' of climbing and descent. With perfectly clear sky's the views from the course were fantastic with the summit of Mt. Hood towering over the course.

The race was won in 44:06 by Zach Violett (Bend, OR) and cross country skier who finished 5th at the Mt. Ashland Hillclimb just 2 weeks ago. On the women's side Stephanie Howe (Bend, OR) won in 51:22 and finished 6th overall. Congrats to Zach and Stephanie for taking home free trail running shoes courtesy of La Sportiva.

Don Gallogly (pictured above) was the top masters man in 8th place with a time of 53:14. The top masters woman was Florencia Gascon-Amyx who finished 10th in 1:01:30.

For complete results visit: xdogevents.com

Race photos can be found at: http://picasaweb.google.com/RichardABolt/2009GreatNorthwestMountainRun#

The final race in the La Sportiva / USATF-Oregon Mountain Running Series will be the Sunrise to Summit near Bend, OR. This 3 mile lung burner will climb 2500' to the summit of Mt. Bachelor on September 5, 2009.