Presented by Theresa Daus-Weber

This MUT Running Council 2002 Masters report summarizes the following masters topics:

· 2002 National Ultra Championships

· Future Ultra Championships

· 2002 100K World Challenge

· 2002 WMRA World Mountain Running Championships

· 2002 Trail Running Series

· MUT Website

· MUT Runners and Contributors of the Year

· Ultrarunners Named USATF Athlete of the Week

There were four USATF national championships held in 2002:

· GNC 50K road championship in Pittsburgh, PA, March 23

· White River 50-mile trail championships in Crystal Mountain, WA, July 27

· Golden Gate Headlands 50 Km Trail Run, Sausalito, CA, August 24

· Olander Park 24-hour championship in Sylvania, OH, September 14 & 15

A description of each with results follows.

This Pittsburgh, PA race has been the host of various national championship road races, but changes its venue some years. The 2002 championship race was a 5-K loop and entices US Mountain Team runners as well as ultrarunners.

Overall Men
1 Dan Verrington, 39, Bradford, MA, 3:09:15
2 Dave Dunham, 37, Bradford, MA, 3:13:19
3 Mark Godale, Streetsboro, OH, 3:18:09
4 Mark Behan, 39, Newton, NH, 3:19:09
5 Kam Shun Lee, 32, Cleveland, OH, 3:19:50
6 Danny Fink, 38, Swoope, VA, 3:22:01
7 David Ackerman, 33, Milford, OH, 3:23:40
8 Stephen Marsalese, 36, New York, NY, 3:30:16
9 Tim Clement, 41, Solon, OH, 3:30:46
10 Kenneth Plowman, 28, Albany, NY, 3:31:58

Overall Women
1 Anne Riddle, 35, Asheville, NC, 3:44:38
2 Ann Heaslett, 38, Madison, WI, 3:45:29
3 Laura Nelson, 36, Waynesboro, VA, 3:59:52
4 Connie Gardner, 38, Medina, OH, 4:00:45
5 Jan Kreuz, 54, Cincinnati, OH, 4:16:32
6 Debra Moore, 49, Louisville, KY, 4:53:07
7 Joyce Hodges-Hite, 64, Millen, GA, 5:53:21
8 Helen Dunda, 36, New Kensington, PA, 6:11:42

USA Masters Championship Results

Men 40-44
1 Tim Clement, 41, Solon, OH, 3:30:46
2 Lou D'Angelo, 40, Allison Park, PA, 3:47:27
3 Scott Ferrari, 44, West View, PA, 4:28:05

Men 45-49
1 Bob Dion, 46, Readsboro, VT, 3:36:13
2 Bob Jordan, 49, Pittsburgh, PA, 3:50:08
3 Gary Hilliard, 47, Youngstown, OH, 4:23:36

Women 45-49
1 Debra Moore, 49, Louisville, KY, 4:53:07

Men 50-54
1 Roy Pirrung, 53, Sheboygan, WI, 3:54:26
2 William Ladieu, 52, Harrisburg, PA, 4:22:24
3 Jim Bowles, 52, Latham, NY 4:26:10

Women 50-54
1 Jan Kreuz, 54, Cincinnati, OH, 4:16:32

Men 55-59
1 Frank Probst, 58, Burke, VA, 4:12:02
2 Tom Perry, 56, Pittsford, NY, 4:25:52

Men 60-64
1 Ed Ayres, 60, Manassas, VA, 4:17:07

Women 60-64
1 Joyce Hodges-Hite, 64, Millen GA, 5:53:21

USA Club Team Men’s Championship

1 Central Massachusetts Striders (Dan Verrington, Dave Dunham, Mark Behan), 9:41:43
2 Cleveland Southeast Club (Mark Godale, Kam Lee, Tim Clement), 10:08:45
3 Team Utopia, NY (Ken Plowman, Ben Maynard, Jim Bowles), 11:48:54

American Regional Challenge Team Competition

1 Central (Mark Godale, Kam Lee, David Ackerman, Ann Heaslett, Connie Gardner), 56
2 South (Danny Fink, Anne Riddle, Laura Nelson, Frank Probst, Ed Ayres), 95
3 East, DNF
4 West, DNF

The 2002 50-mile trail national championship returned to White River after the good experience as a début 50-mi trail championship in 2001. The race in Crystal Mountain, WA is run in the shadow of Mt. Rainier and has 17,400 feet of total ascent and descent. The championship enticed 116 trail runners to the race.

Overall Men
1 Nate McDowell, Corvallis, OR, 6:50:39 (new course record)
2 Hal Koerner, Parker, CO, 7:01:11
3 William Emerson, Redmond, WA, 7:07:27
4 Karl Meltzer, Sandy, UT, 7:12:47
5 Scott Jurek, Seattle, WA, 7:16:20
6 Dennis Poolheco, Glendale, AZ, 7:21:49 (1st Masters finisher)
7 Mike Swan, Goleta, CA, 7:28:29
8 Dave Terry, Portland, OR, 7:44:41
9 John Pearch, Olympia, WA, 7:45:25
10 Mark Godale, Streetsboro, OH, 7:46:42

Overall Women
1 Ann Heaslett, Madison, WI, 8:13:17
2 Petra Pirc, Salt Lake City, UT, 8:15:11
3 Krissy Moehl, Seattle, WA, 8:22:44
4 Georgia Daniels, Tacoma, WA, 8:51:25
5 Luanne Park, Redding, CA, 9:03:11 (1st Master finisher)
6 Laura Nelson, Waynesboro, VA, 9:04:45
7 Karen King, Seattle, WA, 9:25;16
8 Ragan Petric, Madison, WI, 9:27:48
9 Janice Anderson, Atlanta, GA, 10:04:29
10 Marlis DeJongh, Seattle, WA, 11:55:52

Men 40-44
1 Dennis Poolheco, 41, 7:21:49 (1st Men's Masters)
2 Dave Terry, 40, 7:44:41 (2nd Men's Masters)
3 Mike Carlson, 42, 7:47:59 (3rd Men's Masters)

Men 45-49
1 Steve Smucker, 48, 8:06:15 (4th Men's Masters)
2 Stu Sherman, 47, 8:52:08
3 Bob Redwanc, 46, 10:13:46

Men 50-54
1 David Horton, 52, 9:07:04
2 Bob Gracie, 54, 10:05:44
3 Tim Yanachek, 54, 10:28:38

Men 55-59
1 Frank Bozanich, 58, 8:21:45 (5th Men's Masters)

Men 60-64
1 Dieter Walz, 67, 11:20:14

Women 40-44
1 Luanne Park, 41, 9:03;11 (1st Women's Masters)

Women 45-59
1 Karen King, 45, 9:25:16 (2nd Women's Masters)

Women 50-54
1 Marlis DeJongh, 51, 11:55:52 (3rd Women's Masters)

Jeremy Redding, 30, from Stanley, ID led a strong field of 217 to win the Golden Gate Headlands 50K in Sausalito CA in a exceptional time of 3:50:46, 9 minutes under the previous course record. Mary Fagan, 26, from Mill Valley, CA continued her rapid rise to national class by winning the women's race in 4:30:59, a scant 2 minutes over the course record.
 
Dave Mackey, 32, from Boulder, CO, and Bryan Dayton, 29, from Asheville, NC, also broke 4 hours, making them, along with Redding and Carl Andersen, the only four runners ever to go under that time on this course. Kristin Moehl, 24, from Seattle, and Luanne Park, 42, from Redding, CA were under 5 hours along with Fagan.

The race had good participation by masters runners. MUT masters members participating in the race included Tom Johnson who won the masters men’s division, Lorraine Gersitz who placed first in the 45 to 49 age-group, and Roy Pirrung.

 Overall Men
 1 Jeremy Redding, 30, Stanely, ID, 3:50:46
 2 Dave Mackey, 32, Boulder, CO, 3:53:43
 3 Bryan Dayton, 29, Asheville, NC, 3:59:52
 4 William Emerson, 38, Redmond, WA, 4:01:14
 5 Ben Nephew, 27, Canton, MA 4:01:47
 6. Tom Johnson, 43, Loomis, CA 4:04:30
 7 Tim Monaco, 36, Oakland, CA, 4:06:02
 8 Will Harlan, 27, Asheville, NC, 4:09:08
 9 Cliff Lentz, 37, Brisbane, CA, 4:09:25
 10 Kevin Sawchuk, 36, Alamo, CA, 4:11:12

Overall Women
 1 Mary Fagan, 26, Mill Valley, CA, 4:30:59
 2 Kristin Moehl, 24, Seattle, WA, 4:44:33
 3 Luanne Park, 42, Redding, CA, 4:59:37
 4 Anne Riddle, 36, Asheville, NC, 5:00:21
 5 Carrie Sisk, 27, Mill Valley, CA, 5:01:16
 6 Deborah Livingston, 27, Vernon, CT, 5:07:47
 7 Jenny Capel, 29, Reno, NV, 5:13:31
 8 Rena Schumann, 41, Folsom, CA, 5:22:41
 9 Suzie Lister, 37, San Ramon, CA, 5:22:42
10 Florencia Gascon-Amyx, 38, Mill Valley, CA, 5:24:52
 
 Men 40-45
 1 Tom Johnson, Loomis, CA, 4:04:30
 2 John Edgcomb, Kentfield, CA, 4:26:37
 3 Ken Gregorich, Castro Valley, CA, 4:35:58
 
 Men 45-49
 1 Mark Richtman, Novato, CA, 4:15:12
 2 Mike Sweeney, San Rafael, CA, 5:02:03
 3. Ken Grebenstein, Corte Madera, CA, 5:11:14
 
 Men 50-54
 1 Herb Tanzer, Cool, CA, 4:42:09
 2 Danny Dreyer, San Rafael, CA, 4:46:46
 3 Will Pittenger, Boulder, CO, 5:01:30
 
 Men 55-59
 1 Frank Bozanich, Reno, NV, 4:42:41
 2 Bob Knox, Mill Valley, CA, 5:16:18
 3 Douglas Brown, East Brunswick, NJ, 5:18:12
 
 Men 60-64
 1 Russ Kiernan, Mill Valley, CA, 5:12:27
 2 Roger Dellor, Los Altos, CA, 5:19:00
 3 Tony Rossmann, Oakland, CA, 7:23:49
 
Men 65-69
 1 Dieter Walz, Portola Valley, CA, 6:09:08
 2 David Woody, Novato, CA, 6:30:06
 3 Ron Vertrees, Vallejo, CA8:37:40,

Women 40-44
 1 Luanne Park, Redding, CA, 4:59:37
 2 Rena Schumann, Folsom, CA5:22:41,
 3 Jane Baldwin, Mill Valley, CA, 5:26:04
 
Women 45-49
 1 Lorraine Gersitz, Fullerton, CA, 5:52:36
 2 Kathy Crompton, Santa Cruz, CA, 6:26:11
 3 Terry Rhodes, Reno, NV, 7:40:08
 
 Women 50-54
 1 Janet Bodle, Greenbrae, CA, 6:09:20
 2 Sally Smith, Pacific Grove, CA, 7:01:45
 3 Christina Brownson, Cupertino, CA, 7:08:31
 
Women 55-59
 1 Joyce Pryor, Sacramento, CA, 7:27:17
 2 Barbara Elia, Modesto, CA, 8:37:39
 
Women 60-64
 1 Eldrith Gosney, Fairfield, CA, 6:38:29

Team Medalists

A team's time is the aggregate of its three fastest finishers.  If clubs field more than one team, the fastest teams from each club are scored against each other, then the second fastest are scored against each other, etc.  Therefore, if one club fields two teams and another club fields one team, the club with one team will always be scored ahead of the second team from the club with two teams, regardless of their actual aggregate times.

Women

1 Tamalpa (A) 14:57:01
   Mary Fagan, 4:30:59; Carrie Sisk, 5:01:16; Florencia Gascon-Amyx, 5:24:52

2 Buffalo Chips 19:30:43
   Rena Schumann, 5:22:41; Linda McFadden, 6:40:45; Joyce Pryor, 7:27:17

3 Tamalpa (B) 17:33:23
   Susannah O'Boyle, 5:25:28; Lynn Schankliess, 5:47:32; Ana Braga-Levaggi, 6:20:23

Men

1 Tamalpa (A) 12:57:17
   Mark Richtman, 4:15:12; Jed Tuckman, 4:15:28; John Edgcomb, 4:26:37

2 Buffalo Chips 12:59:53
   Tom Johnson, 4:04:30; Erik Skaden, 4:13:14; Herb Tanzer, 4:42:09

3 EBS/WVTC 14:52:04
   Ken Gregorich, 4:35:58; Joe Schieffer, 5:01:52; Miles Welze, 5:14:14
 

Prize Fund

Name Amount ($) Place

Jeremy Redding 400(300) plus c/r     (100) 1-OM
Tom Johnson 300 1-MM
Mary Fagan 300 1-OF
Luanne Park 300 1-MF
Dave Mackey 150  2-OM
Kristin Moehl 150 2-OF
Rena Schumann 150 2-MF
Mark Richtman  150 2-MM
Anne Riddle 100 3-OF
Bryan Dayton 100 3-OM
John Edgcomb 100 3-MM
Jane Baldwin 100 3-MF
Lorraine Gersitz 100 1-AG45F (4-MF)
Janet Boddle 100 1-AG50F (5-MF)
Joyce Pryor 100 1-AG55F
Eldrith Gosney 100 1-AG60F
Herb Tanzer 100 1-AG50M
Frank Bozanich 100 1-AG55M
Russ Kiernan 100 1-AG60M
Dieter Walz 100 1-AG65M
Carrie Sisk 75 4-OF
William Emerson 75 4-OM
Ken Gregorich 75 4-MM
Ben Nephew 50 5-OM
Deborah Livingston 50 5-OF
Dave Covey 50 5-MM

Tamalpa A women 200
Tamalpa A men  200

John Geesler, 42, of St. Johnsville, New York made history, becoming the first American man to win the USA 24-Hour Run Championship three times at the Olander Park 24-Hour in Sylvania, Ohio with 138.6 miles. Ann Heaslett of Madison, Wisconsin took her second national crown of the year, following her trail 50 mile national title in July with the women's win here in her first attempt beyond 100 miles. Heaslett, compiling 128.55 miles, bested Sandy Powell, silver medalist, and 7-time defending national champion Sue Ellen Trapp. The championship returned again to the scenic paved and totally flat 1.0910-mile long loop (USATF Certified) around Olander Lake in Sylvania, OH. Conditions were difficult for the runners, daytime temperatures in the mid-80s with oppressive humidity gave way to a night of sporadic showers and thunderstorms.

In the USA Senior Masters championship division, a noteworthy performance was turned in by Ray Piva, age 75, of California. Piva set age-group world records of 23:01:56 for 100 miles and 105.02 miles for 24 hours. The race captured a large number of masters runners and produced the following masters records.

Yiannis Kouros - US All-comer's best, 24 hr - 172.378 miles
Jeff Hagen - US Men's 55-59 Age Group best, 24 hr - 124.079 miles
Sam Soccoli - US Men's 70-74 Age Group best, 12 hr - 49.095 miles
Sam Soccoli - US Men's 70-74 Age Goup best, 100km - 15:41:24
Lorraine Bunk - US Wmn's 60-64 Age Group best, 12 hr - 57.823 miles
Lorraine Bunk - US Wmn's 60-64 Age Group best, 24 hr - 86.189 miles
Ray Piva - World Age Group Record 75-79, 100 miles - 23:01:56
Ray Piva - World Age Group Record 75-79, 24 hr - 105.027 miles
Ray Piva- US Men's 75-79 Group best, 12 hr - 53.459 miles
[Piva's World records also qualify for US Age group marks]

Overall Men
1. Yiannis Kouros (guest: GREECE), 172.37 miles
2. John Geesler (USA National Champion), 137.52 miles
3. Mark Godale, 133.10 miles
4. Stephen Godale, 130.66 miles
5. Scott Ludwig, 129.06 miles
6. Tim Shea, 125.28 miles
7. Jeff Hagen, 124.07 miles
8. Roy Pirrung, 122.69 miles
9. Dennis Deane, 118.91 miles
10. Newton Baker, 116.35 miles

Overall Women
1. Ann Heaslett (USA National Champion), 128.55 miles
2. Sandy Powell, 124.87 miles
3. Sue Ellen Trapp, 113.46 miles
4. Junko Leerink (guest: JAPAN/CT), 110.19 miles
5. Jamie Huneycutt, 106.32 miles
6. Bonnie Busch, 106.21 miles
7. Sylvie Boisvert (guest: CANADA), 104.73 miles
8. Christine Markham, 103.64 miles
9. Debbie Jones, 96.33 miles
10. Christine Crawford, 95.19 miles

Men 40-44
1. John Geesler 138.6 Miles
2. Scott Ferrari 101.5 Miles
3. Richard Plezia 100.4 Miles

Men 45-49
1. Scott Ludwig 129.1 Miles
2. Dennis Deane 119.9 Miles
3. Bob Oberkehr 113.0 Miles

Men 50-54
1. Roy Pirrung 122.7 Miles
2. Frederick Davis 109.1 Miles
3. Robin Fry 107.8 Miles

Men 55-59
1. Jeff Hagan 124.1 Miles
2. Frank Probst 105.8 Miles
3. Ed Dodd 104.7 Miles

Men 60-64
1. Newton Baker 116.4 Miles
2. Edward Rousseau 110.7 Miles
3. Michael Haviland 98.2 Miles

Men 65-69
1. Dieter Walz 98.2 Miles
2. Richard Fedion 81.8 Miles
3. Michael Morrin 69.8 Miles

Men 70-74
1. Sam Soccoli 86.2 Miles
2. William Workman 83.7 Miles
3. Richard Cozart 81.5 Miles

Men 75-79
1. Ray Piva 105.0 Miles
2. Paul Gionfriddo 81.2 Miles
3. Burt Carlson 65.5 Miles

Men 80-84
1. Carolton Mendell 63.3 Miles

Women 40-44
1. Bonnie Busch 107.3 Miles
2. Jamie Huneycutt 106.3 Miles
3. Beth Simpson 86.2 Miles

Women 45-49
1. Sandy Powell 124.9 Miles
2. Julie Schroeder 87.3 Miles
3. Barb Sousa 83.0 Miles

Women 50-54
1. Christine Markham 103.6 Miles
2. Debbie Jones 96.3 Miles
3. Sue Yates 83.1 Miles

Women 55-59
1. Sue Ellen Trapp 113.5 Miles
2. Pat Lehman-Jedrek 81.8 Miles

Women 60-64
1. Lorraine Bunk 86.2 Miles

Women 65-69
1. Emma Blascovich 66.6 Miles
2. Virginia Farneman 66.6 Miles

USATF Club Team Results

Men
1. Cleveland S.E. Runners Club, 369.84 miles
 (Mark Godale, Stephen Godale, Robin Fry)

2. GMAA Vermont, 348.02 miles
 (Newton Baker, Tim Shea, Ray Zirblis)

3. Toledo Road Runners, 313.11 miles
 (John Nichols, Tim Villagomez, Larry Whitaker)

Women
1. Badgerland Striders "A", 300.02 miles
 (Ann Heaslett, Beth Simpson, Lorraine Bunk)

2. Badgerland Striders "B", 274.95 miles
 (Bonnie Busch, Christine Crawford, Kathryn Dunn)

3. Badgerland Striders "C", 214.92 miles
 (Julie Schroeder, Betty Schraith, Kris Hinrichs)

Two following two future ultra championships have been awarded by MUT.

· The 2002 100K road championship will be held at the Edmund Fitzgerald 100K on October 19. The Edmund Fitzgerald has hosted previous 100K road championships on its classic point-to-point course and it is the site of the only World Challenge 100K held on US soil. The 2002 race will be the selection race for the 100K team.

· For the first time since the 1980s, there will be a 100-mile road championship. The Olander 24-Hour Championship, the site of numerous 24-Hour Championships in Toledo, OH will host a concurrent 100-mile road race during the 24-Hour race in September 2003.

The 2003 World 100K is scheduled for Taiwan in November and Winschoten, The Netherlands is the site for the World 100K in 2004. The 2003 WMRA Veterans championship will be held in the Black Forest region of Schwarzwald, Germany on September 27. In 2004 Sauze d'Oulx, Italy will host the event on August 28.

The following ultrarunners were selected as members of the US 2002 100K team to compete at the 2002 100K World Challenge.

Dave Dunham (MA), 38
Dan Verrington, (MA), 40
Scott Eppleman, (TX),
Howard Nippert, (WV),
Jim Garcia, (MA), 42
Mark Godale, (OH),

Anne Riddle (NC), 35
Ann Heaselett (WI) 38
Tania Pacev, (CO), 43
Nikki Kimball (NY), 31
Daniele Cherniak, (NY) 40
Jen Devine-Pfieffer (CA)

On June 21-22, 2002, the World Challenge 100K took place in Tarhout, Belgium a frequent host of the IAU World Challenge 100K under the patronage of the IAAF. The US women captured the bronze medal. The US men finished seventh, which was disappointing considering the US men could have capture the bronze medal, if another team member had run 7:14.

100K Team Coordinator, Kevin Setnes reported that it was a good trip, a good team and good results.  The host organizers did OK overall.  Our accommodations, a convent, were good. Transportation provisions and race operations were poor and IAU's enforcement of rules and course management was lacking. Team sportsmanship was very good the US team’s effort was solid. The management staff was very good. Some fundamentals need to be addressed further with the entire team; namely hydration requirements, training, etc. Team uniform kits were good, much more complete then last year.  Financials were good (final report later)

Kevin is concerned about the IAU web site, web master and the 2003 event to be held in Taiwan in November 2003.  At the IAU meeting, concern was expressed regarding financials and whether the IAU can successfully hold an annual World Cup 100K.  Some expressed a desire to rotate in other ultra events such as the 24-hour, which we support.

The World Cup 100Km has suffered the last 2 years, both from an organization, as well as a competitive standpoint.  Adjustments need to be made, to correct the problems and make it what it should be.  IAAF support seems to be there. The financial climate is not good around the world and support is waning.  While Britain's men returned, Holland did not, nor did South Africa or New Zealand.  Holland not appearing was probably the result of there protesting the 1998 (1999)? Night of Flanders hosting the European Championships.  It was a poorly held event.  Comrades the Monday before hurt the competitive contest. 

1 Fattore Mario ITA M S1 06h34m23 1

2 Tjazhkorob Igor RUS M S1 06h39m33 2

3 Martinez Fermin ESP M V1 06h39m57 1

4 Netreba Vladimir RUS M S1 06h45m43 3

5 Akmetsine Ildar RUS M S1 06h46m16 4

6 Vandendriessche Jan BEL M V1 06h48m20 2

7 Holovnytsky Oleksander UKR M S1 06h49m23 5

8 Sommer Michael GER M S1 06h53m09 6

9 Sinioushkin Valery RUS M S1 06h53m48 7

10 Hostens Ivan BEL M S1 06h54m25 8

31 Verrington Dan USA M S1 07h30m20 18

45 Eppelman Scott USA M S1 07h44m10 25

50 Garcia James USA M V1 07h48m43 13

58 Godale Mark USA M S1 07h57m52 33

74 Pacev Tania USA F V2 08h23m24 2

79 Riddle Anne USA F S1 08h26m56 8

93 Heaslett Ann USA F V1 08h42m25 4

107 Kimball Nikki USA F S1 08h50m35 10

160 Yanacheck Tim USA M V3 09h52m45 15

178 Finishers

The 2002 Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team traveled to Innsbruck, Austria to compete in the WMRA World Mountain Running Trophy Race in mid-September. The senior women ran a 9.2K uphill event on Saturday, September 14 and the senior men race 11.7K uphill on Sunday, September 15. The women's team includes four athletes an alternate, and a manager with the top three finishers scoring for the team. Six athletes, an alternate, along with a manager represent the men's team with the top four finishers scoring. The alternates will run in the Open race, or should another athlete be unable to compete, in the Trophy race. Automatic berths on the team were given to the first men’s and women’s finishers at the following races:

· 5.8 mile Wolverine Hill Climb in Anchorage, AK (June 8) We are discussing adding a USATF Masters Mountain Running Championship at this race in 2003

· 7.6 mile Mount Washington Road race in Gorham, NH (June 15)

· 7.5 mile Vail Hill Climb in Vail, CO (July 7)

The remaining team members were selected by the ten-member USATF Mountain/Ultra /Trail (MUT) Running Council based on:

· Prior world mountain running trophy performances

· International mountain results

· National mountain results

· Regional mountain results

· Trail, cross country, and road results

The athletes selected are among the finest mountain runners ever assembled for a US Team. The runners are mountain specialists and excellent road and cross-country runners. The group includes: Olympic Trials qualifiers, National Champions, national class cross-country and trail runners, US 100K team members, top snowshoe racers, and a sub-four minute miler.

Open Men:
Simon Gutierrez (NM) 36

Eric Morse (VT) 37

Dave Dunham (MA) 38

Paul Low (MA) 28

Richard Shelley (NM) 40

Dan Verrington (MA), 40

Richard Bolt (NH) 31, alternate

Open Women:

Anita Ortiz (CO) 38

Julie Bryan, (WY) 34

Kari DiStefano, (CO) 43

Nikki Kimball (NY) 31

Suzy West, (VT) 40, alternate

The US Women’s Team placed 9^th of 23 teams with Anita Ortiz the top scorer for the US. Julie Bryan and Master’s runner Kari DiStefano contributed to the team position. The US Men’s Team placed 14^th of 26 teams lead by Paul Low. Masters runner Richard Shelley placing 68^th in the race was second place scorer on the US Men’s Team followed by Eric Morris (74^th) and Masters runner Dan Verrington (88^th).

A six-member U.S. junior squad debuted at the World Trophy on September 14 running a 3.3K course (junior women) and 9.2K course (junior men). The juniors were announced on June 2 and include Nicole Hodgson, 19, CA, Colorado athletes Jessica Pitzer, 16, Melissa Marts, 17, and Eduardo Pasko, 17, Matt Winter, 17, MT, and Trevor Hanlin, 16, OR. Jeff Adams, Colorado Springs, CO served as manager of the junior team. The Junior Men’s and Women’s teams placed 12^th of 19 teams and 14^th of 17 teams respectively. The 22nd place finish by junior male Eduardo Pasko was a notable US performance.

At the second annual WMRA World Masters Mountain Running Championships held September 21 in the village of Igls just 6 kilometers outside of Innsbruck, Austria 43-year-old US team member, Kari DiStefano, Telluride, CO finished second in the 40-44 year-old age division to earn a silver-medal spot on the podium. DiStefano, a member of the Teva US Mountain Running Team and the 2001 USATF Mountain Runner of the Year, ran the 10.1K uphill course in 1:01:21. At the World Mountain Running Trophy senior women's race just one week before, DiStefano ran the same course in 1:02:26 to finish 37^th and third for the Teva US Mountain Running Team.

Also competing from the Teva US Mountain Running Team were Richard Shelley, 40, Albuquerque, NM who finished 9^th out of 73 runners in the 40-44 age category with a time of 52:41, followed by Dan Verrington, 40, Bradford, MA who finished 17^th in 54:42. The winning time for the division was 50:07. Junior team manager Jeff Adams, 45, Colorado Springs, CO ran 1:02:48 to finish 32^nd out of 68 runners in the 45-49 year-old category and senior women's team alternate Suzy West, 39, Putney, VT was 4^th out of 15 runners with a time of 1:03:38.

The competition is conducted only in the following age groups:

Age Male Age Group Female Age Group

35-39 ---- None W35
40-44 M40 W40
45-49 M45 W45
50-54 M50 W50
55-59 M55 W55
60-64 M60 W60
65-69 M65 W65
70+ M70+ W70+

The course for age groups up to and including M50/W50 have the following parameters:

· Mainly Uphill courses: Approximately 10K and 800m of ascent.

· Up/down courses Approximately 10K and 600m of ascent/descent

The course for age groups M55/W45 and older have the following parameters:

· Mainly uphill courses: Approximately 8K and 600m of ascent.

· Up/down courses: Approximately 8K and 500m of ascent/descent

Courses must not contain any dangerous sections and be adequately marked throughout such that complete strangers to the course can follow without difficulty. Courses must have less than 20% of the distance on road. Difficult sections and possible shortcuts must be manned.

Guidelines for downhill sections are as follows:

· They must not have rock steps

· They must not consist of loose rock terrain.

· They must not exceed 30% rate of descent, averaged over each kilometer from the starting point of descent.

Drinking and sponging stations must be provided according to IAAF rules. Due regard to mountain ecology and preservation must be observed when planning courses. The WMRA Director of Competition or his nominated deputy must approve courses.

Based on the good outcome of the inaugural year of the Mountain Athletics Trail Running Series and the success of the three 2001 races, many mountain running organizations and race directors are incorporating a series into their trail running programs. There is discussion about adding mountain events to World Masters Games and there is a possibility of a master’s event at the WMRA World Mountain Running Trophy event in 2003 that will be hosted by the Alaska Mountain Runners in Girdwood, Alaska.

Age-grading mountain and trail events was discussed at the September 29, 2001 All American Trail Running Association (AATRA) meeting. The idea was declined as being too complicated with the variety of trail and mountain events. AATRA is a 501 C(3) not for profit corporation founded in 1996 to represent and promote trail and mountain running. For information, go to www.trailrunner.com.

In 2002, MUT created a web presence with its website located at (http://www.cerritos.edu/lgersitz/MUT/Home.html). This website lists info about MUT and its members, MUT championships and bidding process, MUT teams, award winners, and MUT news and press releases. As a great resource for MUT information, add this website to your bookmarks and add a link to it on their own web sites.

MUT is looking forward to having space on the USATF server soon. MUT web master, Lorraine Gersitz is working with Keith Lively, USATF Multimedia Coordinator to get MUT documents transferred to the USATF server. Keith is making sure that all MUT National Championships are given timely coverage, both pre and post event, on the USATF web site.

Candidates have not been finalized for the MUT 2002 Open and Masters Runner of the Year (ROY) or the Contributor of the Year (COY).  The performance window for 2002 ROYs is November 1, 2001 through October 31, 2002. To make these selections, MUT compiles race results on women’s open and master’s candidates and men’s master’s candidates and votes for these categories. MUT is working towards a master’s mountain ROY in 2002. We don't have a separate Masters COY award.  However, we are considering awarding a 2002 Mountain/Trail COY as well as an Ultra COY.

For its 2001 ROY, MUT selected ultrarunning legend, Ann Trason, a master’s ultrarunner and presented a MUT COY award to the American Ultrarunning Association (AUA). MUT open and masters ROYs based on performances from November 1, 2000 through October 31, 2001. The 2001 MUT open and masters ROYs and COY awards were announced in the following press release.

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Press Release 

Running competitively in her new masters division, Ann Trason was recognized by USA Track & Field for her outstanding 2001 ultrarunning year along with fellow Californian, Rich Hanna. Hanna’s gutsy 6:43 silver medal performance at the 2001 World 100 Km Challenge in August in Cleder, France was the highest placing American men’s performance in the history of the International Association of Ultrarunner’s 100K World Challenge. Hanna raced as part of the six-man US team that he was named to in March based on his second place in the USATF 100 Km GNC Championship in Pittsburgh. Hanna was announced the recipient of the Ted Corbitt Award and Trason was awarded the Ruth Anderson Award at the USATF Conference in Mobile, Alabama on November 30, 2001.

Trason’s award-winning year included World Records for the 40 to 44 for 100 Km in 8:22, for 50 Km in 3:47, for 50 miles in 6:25, and for 40 miles in 6:25 set at the Race Across the Years in Phoenix. She won her 12th Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run in 18:33, and won the women’s division of the USATF 50-Mile Trail Championship at White River overall, setting new masters woman’s record in each.

Sue Ellen Trapp, 55 of Florida, and Rudy Afanador 42 of New York, were recognized as USATF Masters Ultrarunners of the Year. Contributing to her selection was Trapp’s multiple US records at the USATF Orlander Park National 24-Hour Championship in September. Trapp set national records 55 to 59 age group records at 100 miles in 18:35 and a 12-Hour record of 69.82 miles to win the women’s championship overall. She also set an age-group World Record by running 190.9 miles in Surgeres, France in May 2001. Performances that contributed to Afanador’s selection included his overall win at USATF Orlander Park 24-Hour Championships in Ohio where he ran 151 miles.

US Master’s ultrarunner Roy Pirrung 53 of Wisconsin was inducted to the USATF Masters Hall of Fame for his 26 American Records at events ranging from 50 Km to 48-Hours over his 13-year ultra career. "The longer the event, the better he is, including finishing as the first American four times at the 250 Km Spartathlon (in Greece)," remarks Norm Green, Secretary of the USATF’s Masters Hall of Fame Committee.

In announcing the American Ultrarunning Association as the Ultrarunning Contributor of the Year, Mountain/Ultra/Trail Running Council (MUT) Co-Chair, Lorraine Gersitz says, "The MUT Running Council and the sports we represent are growing in prestige and recognition within USATF. We want to share this recognition with entities that support and strengthen ultrarunning in a significant way." USATF Ultrarunners and Contributor of the Year are selected by the USATF MUT Running Council.

For information about the MUT Running Council, contact Council Co-Chairs Lorraine Gersitz at bruceandlo@earthlink.net or Kevin Setnes at ksetnes@aol.com.

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Ultrarunners Named USATF Athlete of the Week

In 2002, two Ultrarunners were honored as USATF Athlete of the Week.  The first was Master Ultrarunner and HUFF 50K Trail Champion Jim Garcia on January 1, 2002 (see http://www.usatf.org/news/showRelease.asp?article=/news/releases/2002-01-03.xml)  The second was 50-Mile Trail Champion Nate McDowell on August 6,2002 (see http://www.usatf.org/news/showRelease.asp?article=/news/releases/2002-08-06-2.xml)