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Mission “Possible” For Major & Sanchez



Kate Major & Romualdo Sanchez win XTERRA Mission Gorge 15k Trail Run

-- San Diego, CA

On Sunday, February 11, 2007 in a sell-out field of over 300 competitors, Kate Major (33) and Romualdo Sanchez (36) take the top honors as the overall female and male winners in the kick-off race for the 2007 XTERRA Trail Running Championship Series. 

For the women, the top field was strong as steel – or more appropriately, iron.  Major - an Aussie living in San Diego - finished first in a time of (1:14:49).  A champion triathlete, her career highlights including winning the Ironman Championships and the Hawaiian Airlines Double.  The “Double” is a feat reserved for only the heartiest of athletes – awarded to the racer with the lowest combined times of the Ironman and XTERRA World Championship races in Hawaii, spaced only eight days apart.  She was followed by legendary triathlete Paula Newby-Fraser (1:23:02), an eight-time Ironman World Champion, twenty-three-time Ironman champion, and winner of more triathlons than the next winningest male and female combined!

 Kate Major - Women's 15K Winner : Photo - Byron W. Moore

 Kate Major - Winner Women's 15K 
Photo: Byron W. Moore
More Event Photos

In the men’s 15k race, Sanchez, City of Angels 1/2 marathon winner, led the pack from the start – breaking the finish line tape in a time of (1:03:44).  Speedy teenagers Daniel Gonia (18), and Collin Jarvis (15) were right on his heels in times of and (1:06:22) and (1:07:10) respectively. 

The overcast San Diego weather provided perfect conditions for the event.  The course featured a challenging 9.3 miles up and over Fortuna Mountain.  The second half of the run featured the 1,000 steps that climb South Fortuna Peak and takes a runner from 300’ to just under 1000’ of elevation.  The descent that follows leads the runners down another 700’ before passing the historic Old Mission Dam.  A portion of the XTERRA Mission Gorge Trail Run proceeds went towards trail maintenance throughout the park, which suffered a devastating fire in 2003.

Because this race is part of the SoCal Series, competitors in the 15k had the opportunity to accumulate points towards being crowned regional champion.  When the Series is complete, the top five point-scorers in each age group are invited to compete against each other and top trail runners representing six other U.S. regions for the title of National Champion in Lake Tahoe on September 29. 

 

For complete results of the XTERRA Mission Gorge Trail Run

Including the 5k and age group winners, check out www.trailrun.com
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