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In this week’s Ultra Weekend Recap, we head to Colorado where course records fell in two high-altitude races, journey across the border for one of Canada’s most competitive ultramarathon events and travel to Minnesota for a popular 50k on the banks of the St. Croix River. Let’s get to the action!
We start in Silverton, Colorado, for the Silverton Alpine 50k. In the women’s race, Sabrina Stanely ran the fastest time in the race’s 16-year history, taking the win in 4:47:15 and finishing eighth overall. Eva Keohane placed second in 4:59:27 (10th overall and third-fastest course time) and Becca Bramley claimed third (5:05:26). In a tight men’s race, Josh Eberly (4:11:52) edged out second-place Anthony Kunkel (4:12:22) to take the overall win. Bayden Menton rounded out the podium in third (4:20:08). Full results here.
We remain in Colorado for the Leadville Race Series Silver Rush 50. Taking place in the historic mining town of Leadville, Colorado, the 16th edition of the race saw David Roche run the second-fastest time in course history, cruising to victory in 6:18:26. JP Giblin finished second in 6:43:25 and Joel Shores snagged third (6:49:11). On the women’s side, Mary Denholm shattered the previous course record by over 26 minutes, winning in 7:04:51 and finishing fourth overall. Imogen Ainsworth placed second in 7:33:07 (10th overall and third-fastest course time) and Colleen Noonan took third (8:08:44). Full results here.
Next, we head to Beaupré, Quebec, for one of the premier trail running events in Canada, the Quebec Mega Trail. Because there were four ultra-distance races this weekend (100-mile, 110k, 80k and 50k), we’ll list the winners, but you can find the full results of all the races here. In the 100-mile race, both the men’s and women’s winners set new course records in the process of winning their respective races. On the men’s race, Jean-François Cauchon came out on top in 19:01:28, with top female honors going to Anne Champagne in 24:28:27. In the 110k, Dania Belisle was victorious for the women in 16:03:39, and David Savard-Gagnon won the overall title in 12:29:23. In the 80k, Genevieve Asselin-Demers won in 9:35:2, finishing fifth overall and running the second-fastest course time. Ryan Sullivan placed first for the men (8:23:49 and second-fastest time in the race’s history). Finally, in the 50k race, Eric LiPuma edged out a victory by a mere 19 seconds in 4:50:41. Alex Castonguay won for the women (6:16:32).
We wrap things up in Hastings, Minnesota, for the Afton Trail 50k, where 256 runners crossed the finish line under the 9-hour cutoff. In the women’s event, Erica Mitchell brought home the win in 4:29:59. Megan Weaver claimed second (4:43:07) and Nicole Yokum finished just behind in third (4:43:38). For the men, Alex Forte won in a blistering time of 3:26:52, good for the third-fastest time in the race’s history. Benjamin Drexler took second (3:55:54) and Nick Marshall came away with third (3:57:34). Full results here.
Other results from the weekend include The Aliza Lapierre Fan Club 50k (Richmond, VT), Buckeye Trail 50k (Brecksville, OH), Limberlost Challenge (Lake of Bays, ON), Out of the Darkness & Into the Bighorns (Ten Sleep, WY) and Big Butt 50k (Lancaster, SC). Keep an eye on the UltrarRunning Magazine results page as more results roll in.