Bain, Olafsen Win XTERRA Richmond Xduro

(Richmond, VA) – Close to 600 runners lined up at the start of today’s XTERRA Richmond Trail Run on Brown’s Island, but it was Christopher Bain and Tora Olafsen who claimed the top spots of this unique, urban adventure.

Bain, a 25-year old from Rockville, MD, took second place of the 21km event last year, but climbed to the top of the podium today with his time of 1:25:34. He nearly edged out Norfolk, Virginia resident Pete Breckinridge, 39, who chased after just 12 seconds later.

Coming from Boston, MA to watch her sister and husband race in the XTERRA Atlantic Cup off-road triathlon tomorrow, 26-year old Olafsen won the women’s 21km event in just 1:41:50. Sarah Breevoort, 24, from Charlottesville, VA was just 35 seconds behind to claim the runner up position.

Runners were overheard saying that the course was “wet, muddy, and a lot of fun.” In its 11th year in Richmond, XTERRA continued to create a one-of-a-kind event that presents the allusion of racing in the middle of nowhere while never leaving the center of a major city.

In the 10-kilometer event, it was Jeff Wilson and Lesia Atkinson who claimed the winners’ titles. Wilson, 34 from Charlottesville, VA broke the tape in 40:19, just 35 seconds ahead of Virginia Beach runner Liam Arocho. Atkinson, 43, traveling all the way from Boulder, CO to visit her sister, finished the race in 44:35 while hometown runner Anne Jacoby, 24, took second for the women in 45:46. Atkinson, a mother of a 4 and 6 year old, usually looks for local runs when she is out of town. “This was my first XTERRA, and it was so fun that I didn’t even worry about my pace.” Her pace was obviously fast enough to win her first place.

Top runners in the 21km race will be awarded points toward their XTERRA Virginia Trail Run Series totals. Those finishing the season with top scores will be invited to race for free in the XTERRA Trail Running National Championship on September 13 in Bend, Oregon. From there, runners have the opportunity to race in the XTERRA Trail Running World Championship on December 6 on the spectacular Hawaiian island of Oahu.

Complete race results are attached and more information can be found online at www.xterratrailrun.com. Media interested in photos from this event should contact emily@xterraplanet.com.

Coming up in the XTERRA Virginia Trail Run Series…
XTERRA Cinco in Mayo Trail Race 8km – Oilville, VA – 6/28/2009
XTERRA Dillon Lake Trail Races 15/30km – Maidens, VA – 8/22/2009

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