NEW TRAIL EVENT ... FOR THE DOGS!

For the first time, a whole new breed of athletes will be hitting the trails on four legs. XTERRA has added two new events just for dogs, the Breeder’s Choice XTERRA K9 Obstacle Challenge and K9 Walk.

The K9 Challenge is a timed race with owner-dog teams competing against the clock on a combined trail run and obstacle course. Completing the challenge will take anywhere from 20 seconds to one minute and features obstacles including sprints, a speed-crawl through a tunnel, a bounding leap over a 2-foot-high block, and a hairpin turn into a set of mixed sized step-overs. The dog with the fastest time will be handsomely rewarded with a year supply of AvoDerm Dog Food.

 

Photo By Rich Cruse

For those dogs eager to hit the trails, the K9 Walk is the event for them. A leisurely owner-dog walk is designed to be a fun event to get dogs on the trails and should take about an hour or less to finish. These two events will debut at the XTERRA Southeast Championship in Pelham, AL on June 7 and at the XTERRA East Championship in Richmond, VA on June 14. For registration or more information, visit www.xterraplanet.com or call toll-free 877-751-8880.

RACE RECAPS

XTERRA Vail Lake Xduro

More than 250 runners from eight states, Canada and Mexico took part in the XTERRA 5km, 10km, and 21km trail runs at Vail Lake Resort in Temecula, CA on May 17. With temperatures reaching into the high 90’s, no shade at all on the course, and several hundred feet of climbing through the rolling hills of Temecula’s wine country, the runs were certainly no walk in the park.

The men’s 21k winner was 23-year-old Benjamin Dillon, an active U.S. Navy man from San Diego, CA (via Louisiana). It was the first big victory for Dillon, who took up running just after high school. Dillon’s time of 1:51:05 was a full two minutes ahead of runner-up Jamison Smith of Alta Loma, CA.

In the women’s race 49-year-old Judy Maguire from Idyllwild, CA put in a late race surge to pass dozens of racers, including a handful of the lead men. Maguire, a stand-out road runner in Florida during the 1990’s, finished third overall and crossed the line in 1:53:08, more than a minute ahead of Beth Gerdes from San Diego.

Photo By Nils Nilsen

XTERRA Havoc at the Hideout Trail Run

Portland locals came out on top once again as Richard Bolt, 37, and Mandy Giblin, 33, finished first in the XTERRA Oregon Trail Run Series at the Havoc at the Hideout 8K on May 17.

After their previous wins at the XTERRA Dirt Dash on March 30, Bolt and Giblin displayed no mercy for their fellow competitors as they stormed the finish line crushing both their previous 5-mile times.  Bolt came in with a time of 33:00, over two minutes faster than runner-up Mike Tyler, 41 of Salem, Oregon who also came in second at the Dirt Dash event.

Photo By Shane Young for Brian F Conaghan Photography

In the women’s race, Giblin dominated the field finishing in 43:14, almost three minutes ahead of fellow Portland resident Heather Daniel.  Ranging in age from 17-59, Portland pride was evident as many hometown athletes came out to challenge XTERRA.

XTERRA Forks of the River Trail Run

Knoxville local Chase Chase, 42, and Pelham, AL native Dave DeJong, 28, came out on top at the XTERRA Forks of the River 10k Trail Run on Sunday, May 18.

DeJong had the best time of the day crossing the finish line in 38:44 with Sevierville, TN resident Jeremy Donahue, 26, right on his tail coming in just 12 seconds behind. At the last XTERRA Tennessee Series Race at Seven Islands, Donahue beat DeJong by two minutes, so competition is strong between these two outstanding runners. It will all come down to the final race in the 2008 series at the XTERRA Panther Creek Trail Run on August 2.

In the women’s race, Chase came in with a time of 45:27, just one minute ahead of runner-up Tracy Brooks, 25, of Harrogate, TN. At Seven Islands, Brooks also took home the second place title displaying her trail running strength and consistency. 

After the race, director Kevin Mahan commented that “The race went very well and the weather was perfect. Everyone seemed to have a great time.”

XTERRA Hibernia Park Blast Trail Run

Muddy trails did not stop Coatesville local Dan Dix from his second win in the XTERRA Philly Series at the May 21st Hibernia Park Blast 5K Trail Run. Jerilyn Kucharski of Quakertown, PA decided she did not want to settle for another second place finish and ran her way to capture the women’s title.

Dix crossed the finish line in just 19:55 to win the men’s race, only 32 second faster than runner-up Matt Herring, who also came in second place to Dix at the XTERRA Warwick Park Revenge. For the women, the tables turned as Kucharski, who came in second to Deena Andrus of Reading, PA in the XTERRA Warwick Park Revenge, beat the previous winner with her time of 25:00, a mere minute faster than Andrus to take over as the top female runner.

Local runner and triathlete Jesse Sturino of West Chester, PA, who came in 9th place overall, summed the race up as “a great course and loads of fun. It was a true XTERRA adventure – through the mud, over the rocks, along the river, under and over the logs and over the bridges. Great fun!”

XTERRA Black Bear Hollow Trail Run

Jay Friedman, 32, of New Paltz, NY turned in the fastest time of the day at the May 24th XTERRA Black Bear Hollow Trail Run while Suzanne Snyder, 26, of Wallingford, CT won the women’s race.

Friedman finished the 5.7 mile race in 39:42 with Ronnie Severino, 38, of Kingston, NY right on his heels coming in at 40:30. Snyder dominated the women’s race with her time of 47:19 almost 9 minutes ahead of Lisa Gibson, 34, of Bloomingburg, NY.

For questions about the XTERRA 2008 Trail Run Series, contact emily@xterraplanet.com or visit www.xterratrailrun.com.

SOCAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

With the conclusion of the 2007-2008 SoCal Trail Run Series, XTERRA has awarded the first batch of free entries to the first-ever XTERRA National Trail Running Championship in Bend, Oregon on September 27th. Congratulations to So Cal's Regional Champions:

Male Age Group 01-19: Andrew Rohrlich – Los Angeles, CA
Female Age Group 01-19: Hannah Finchamp – Altadena, CA
Male Age Group 20-29: Todd Andersen – Hermosa Beach, CA
Female Age Group 20-29: Beth Gerdes – San Diego, CA
Male Age Group 30-39: Carlos Vizcarra – Los Angeles, CA
Female Age Group 30-39: Angela Dybdahl – Lancaster, CA
Male Age Group 40-49: Travis Burrell – Los Angeles, CA
Female Age Group 40-49: Sharon L’Heureux – San Clemente, CA
Male Age Group 50-59: Terry Raymer – Fullerton, CA
Female Age Group 50-59: Betty Crowell – Camarillo, CA
Male Age Group 60-69: Dan Adams – Pinon City, CA
Female Age Group 60-69: Amy Galbraith – Venice, CA
Male Age Group 70-99: Harry Pantelas – Newbury Park, CA

For more information about your nearest XTERRA Trail Run Series and how to get to Bend, Oregon, visit www.xterratrailrun.com.

RUNNER SPOTLIGHT: JUDY MAGUIRE

“When things get tough, the way out is the way through.”

Hawaii, here she comes! After winning the half-marathon distance XTERRA Vail Lake Xduro on May 17 in Temecula, CA, Judy was thrilled to find out she had also won a free roundtrip flight to Hawaii courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines. After battling her way over 21 kilometers of sun-scorched trails, Judy’s trip is well deserved. We talked to the 49-year-old Idyllwild, CA resident following the race where she shared some of her secrets to trail running success.
 
How long have you been running? When did you start trail running?

I have been running since high school (almost 32 years), but I just started trail running since moving to Idyllwild last November.

What is the best part of trail running?

For me it would be the change, compared to flat, fast and hot road racing which I spent the last 20 years doing. I enjoy being in nature and the more comfortable pace.

What motivates you to run?

It’s so much a part of my life; I don’t even think about it or need any “motivation” to do it. It is just a natural part of my routine, which I do first thing in the morning. It seems weird to eat or shower if I haven’t run yet!

What advice would you give others just starting in the world of trail running?

Well, since I’m also just starting I’d say “Come run with me in Idyllwild” (since I’m always looking for like-minded training partners). But a little more seriously, I’d say be aware of the environment you’re running in and respect it…don’t abuse it. Be prepared for any potential hazards such as wildlife, dehydration and sunburn. Oh, and don’t get lost!

What makes up your running schedule?

I follow a pretty workable schedule for myself: 2 days of long runs (2+ hours since I’m training for my first ultra), one day of speed (fartlek or tempo on the roads), one gym day (my “easy” day – I sometimes will do a short tempo on the treadmill also), and the other days are medium runs (1-1 ½ hours) through the hills and trails of Idyllwild. I do lots and lots of hills here since it’s 5500 feet up a mountain and it’s all hills around here!

How does trail running help you in other areas of life?

It helps me to keep going when things get tough and know that the way out is the way through.

What XTERRA events have you competed in?

Strangely enough, this was my first XTERRA race and my fourth trail race ever. It was awesome even though it was quite hot!

XTERRA trail runs are…?

Tempting me to do more of them!

What is your favorite XTERRA memory?

Breaking the tape in the XTERRA Vail Lake Xduro and then hearing that I’d won a trip to Hawaii!

What XTERRA event are you training for now?

I would like to do the next XTERRA SoCal Trail Run Series starting in the fall, so I can rack up points in the 50-55 age group. I am also considering the XTERRA Trail Running World Championship on December 7th in Hawaii now that I just won the airline ticket there!

Thanks Judy and congratulations on your win and free trip to Hawaii. We hope to see you at the Trail Running World Championships on December 7th!

**If you would like to nominate someone for Runner’s Spotlight, email emily@xterraplanet.com**