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In this week’s Ultra Weekend Recap, we check on ultramarathon results from Arizona, Texas and Maryland. Let’s see what unfolded.
We kick things off in the Arizona desert for the 11th running of the highly competitive Black Canyon Ultras (100k and 50k). Saturday’s 100k featured a stacked field of elite runners testing themselves against some of the sport’s best, while also trying to earn their Golden Tickets into the 2025 Western States 100. In the men’s event, Seth Ruhling shattered Hayden Hawks’ course record by over 5 minutes, winning in 7:24:55. Will Murray (7:26:53) finished just behind in second, also under the previous course record. Joe McConaughy came in third (7:31:37). All three men accepted their Golden Tickets to the start of Western States in Olympic Valley this summer. We also saw crazy-fast times in the women’s contest, with Riley Brady racing to victory in an incredible 8:16:18. Brady’s time took nearly 30 minutes off the previous female course best. Tara Dower (8:25:08) crossed the finish line in second, also well under the previous CR, and EmKay Sullivan rounded out the podium in third (8:48:50). Dower and Sullivan both claimed their Golden Tickets, with the third automatic entry into Western States rolling down to fourth-place finisher, Lin Chen (Brady had already earned a spot with a win at Javelina in October).
While Sunday’s 50k did not have Golden Tickets on the line, it still featured an extremely deep group of speedsters gunning for the win. In the women’s race, Allison Baca blazed her way across the desert to take the women’s crown in 3:45:09. Caroline Alcorta finished second (3:53:37), and Robyn Lesh (4:00:38) placed third. Top overall honors went to Jeshurun Small in a blistering fast 3:22:52. Eric Lagerstrom finished second male (3:25:41), and Chris Myers (3:30:50) took third. Full results here.
Heading to the Southwest, we stop by Huntsville, Texas, for the 26th annual Rocky 50 (50-mile and 50k). Rosa Rigas crossed the finish line first for the women in Saturday’s 50-miler, taking the victory in 8:58:19 and placing fourth overall. Shaheen Henderson claimed second and seventh overall (9:24:21), and Haley McMahon (9:40:15) finished third woman and tenth overall. In the men’s event, Joshua Getega broke the tape, winning in 8:17:59. Paul Box took second (8:45:38), and Keith Pitman (8:47:10) came in third.
There were 193 runners who earned a finish in the 50k distance, led by first-place finisher Jordan West in 4:16:35. Martin Eikel ran to second (4:20:38), and John Hardy (4:21:46) snagged third. Nicole Bitter ran the second-fastest course time in the women’s race, securing the win and taking fourth overall in 4:26:32. Stephanie Knowlton finished second and seventh overall (4:53:16), and Denise Bourassa (5:16:23) placed third. Full results from both races here.
Our final stop takes us to Pocomoke City, Maryland, “the friendliest town on the Eastern Shore” for the Algonquin 50K. The popular event saw 228 runners cross the finish line, with top female honors going to Maria Miller who bested the women’s field in 4:39:51, placing her sixth overall. Erin Collins finished second (5:00:16), and Aubryn Cruz (5:21:32) came in third. In the men’s race, Darrel Dorsey was victorious with a time of 4:15:34. Samuel Hilgartner ran to second (4:27:20), and Gavin Furlong (4:32:20) snagged the final podium spot. Full results here.
Other results from the weekend include: The Sparrow (Flowery Branch, GA), Los Lobos Six Hour Challenge (Kansas City, KS), Coyote Wall Trail Races (White Salmon, WA), Mill Stone 50K (Fort Mill, SC), and Sun Up to Sun Down 50K (Virginia Beach, VA).
Congratulations to everyone who raced this weekend and be sure to check out our full list of this weekend’s race results here.