LaBianco, Banks Finish First at XTERRA Philly Finale

(Macungie, PA) – Perfect weather and the beautiful Bear Creek Resort set the stage for the fifth and final event in the 2009 XTERRA Philly Trail Run Series. Hundreds of runners came out to test their skills on the tough, hilly, technical course circling the resort at Bear Creek’s first ever trail run.

The 21km Xduro was won by Stephan LaBianco, 24, of York, PA in a time of 1:25:42. This blazing time was enough to hold off Coatesville local Evan Daney, 21, and series regular Derek Schultz, 30 of Thorndale, with their times of 1:31:26 and 1:31:46 respectively.

The women’s 21km Xduro title went to Corrine Banks, 29 of Ocean City, NJ in just 1:42:47. In her second consecutive series win, Banks finished just ahead of 20-year old Jonna Trexler of Emmanus who crossed the line just 45 seconds later.

XTERRA Philly Series standout Dan Dix, of Coatesville, went for the shorter 10km trail run but still dominated the field with his time of 46:00 to edge out Andrei Lioshyn, 40 from Russia, who turned in a 47:48. The women’s 10km race came down to a finish line sprint between Gail Diamond and Bonnie Stoeckl with Gail winning by just one second in 1:00:55.

After the 21km race, JD Mora reported “The race was definitely challenging and in a beautiful setting. We had a great time, and walked away with some battle wounds and good memories.”

According to XTERRA regular and 21km overall 4th place finisher Rich Burgunder, “The Xduro was an awesome race, just as you’d expect in any XTERRA event. Steep climbs, rocks and numerous switchbacks caused the race to be very strategic, and the location was amazing.”

Top runners in the 21km race earned points toward their XTERRA Philly Series totals. After adding this race into the mix, area runners with the highest scores will be crowned XTERRA Regional Champions and invited to race for free at the XTERRA Trail Running National Championship coming up on September 13 in Bend. Oregon. Here they will line up against other Regional Champions and the nation’s best runners to compete for the XTERRA National Title.

For more information about the XTERRA Trail Run Series, visit www.xterratrailrun.com.

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.

2009 XTERRA Trail Run Series Championships
XTERRA Trail Run Nationals – 5/10/21km – Bend, Oregon – September 13
XTERRA Trail Run Worlds – 5/10/21km – Oahu, Hawaii – December 6

For more information, visit www.xterratrailrun.com.

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