Steamboat Springs, Colorado, was once again the location of another unforgettable edition of the Run Rabbit Run 50 and 100-miler. This marked the 18th and 13th years of these beloved events, which offers the highest prize money of any 100-mile ultramarathon. The Tortoises (100-mile runners) took off early Friday, September 12 at 9 a.m., climbing the steep slopes of the Steamboat Ski Hill under brooding skies, while the Hares (elite 100-mile runners) followed later at 1p.m. that afternoon. Despite the toughest conditions in race history, the spirit of adventure and camaraderie was stronger than ever.
Mother Nature threw everything she had at the runners this year: rain, snow, wind, thunder, lightning and bone-chilling temperatures. What began as a cool autumn morning quickly turned into a test of endurance and grit. The weather may have been awful, but the determination of runners was anything but. Even under such extreme conditions, an inspiring number of runners crossed the finish line, proving once again that the Run Rabbit Run community is built on heart, resilience and humor.
The 100-mile race saw returning champions and fresh faces pushing through the storm. But unlike the story, the Hare caught the Tortoise on the final downhill stretch. First-place finisher Jesse Rich from Murray, Utah, came in with a time of 17:42:56, while tortoise Jon Hanson from Boulder, Colorado, finished seconds over the 4-hour start difference. Jesse Rich led an incredible men’s field, demonstrating incredible strength and consistency, winning $20,000. On the women’s side, Riley Brady from Boulder, Colorado, delivered a remarkable performance with a time of 20:29:12. Riley took home our largest purse ever with $21,250 ($20,000 for first, and second-place team prize). Becca Bramley ran a solid consistent race despite the weather challenges and finished second in 21:14:35, earning $12,000 ($8,500 for second place, $2,500 for top team, and $1,000 for the Preem, first to the top of the gondola) Steamboat’s own McKendree Hickory finished third, just behind Bramley, with a time of 21:21:22, grabbing $5,000.
For the men, the race for second, third and fourth was well fought, with Jon Harrison from nearby Eagle, Colorado, coming in second at 19:06:36, taking home $8,500. JP Giblin from Boulder, Colorado, rounded out the podium with a time of 19:20:05, earning $5,000. Prize money for men and women went seven deep, with additional awards for Masters, the Preem and Teams Challenge winners.
Run Rabbit Run continues to be one of the premier ultra events in the world—not only for its challenging terrain and competitive field, but also for its incredible generosity. This year, the race awarded a record $100,000 in prize money and donated an astonishing $82,000 to non-profit organizations, primarily benefitting kids of northern Colorado. These contributions directly support the Steamboat Springs community and beyond, reflecting the race’s deep commitment to giving back.
The Run Rabbit Run 100 and 50 drew runners from 49 states and 11 foreign countries from around the globe, each seeking challenge, beauty and community in the mountains of Steamboat Springs. We can’t wait to see what next year brings—hopefully fewer lightning bolts, but just as much spirit.