Athletes go the distance at Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs, Carson City woman wins 55K
Over the weekend of July 16, Carson City hosted the 21st Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs, a premier ultra distance race that encircled the Eastern Sierra west of town. Once a local Sierra endurance race, the TRTER has grown into one of the elite ultra distance races in the country while continuing to be a fully volunteer run operation that makes substantial donations to local organizations.
There were more than 500 runners competing in three distances; 55 kilometers, 50 miles, and 100 miles. Racers came from as far away as Japan and as close as perhaps your own neighborhood. The Start/Finish and Race Village was located at Western Nevada College and the clock went off at 5 a.m. for the 100 mile race and 6 a.m. for the other distances.
Locally, Andrea Bayer Carson City ran her first ultra distance race and took 1st place in the women's 55K in 6:46:51.
The skies were remarkably clear for race day and the 4,200 foot climb to the top of Snow Valley Peak soon spread the racers out over the course. Once on the Tahoe Rim Trail, the runners had the first of many views of Lake Tahoe and Marlette Lake. As the miles accumulated so did the temperature and many racers began to drop out of the race due to fatigue and exhaustion. Those who fought on were rewarded with stunning wildflowers (purple penstemons!) and a brisk wind on the ridge lines. Back country aid stations dot the course where ice, grilled cheese sandwiches, and even cold beer was offered.
Eventually the racers finished with a grueling 12 mile downhill from the Tahoe Rim into the finish at WNC. It was a blazing oven for the last 100 mile endurance runners and only 71 racers out of a field of 136 made it to the finish line. Victorious runners returned to Carson City throughout Saturday night and into Sunday afternoon with the final 100 mile racer finishing just 18 minutes before the 5 p.m. Sunday cutoff.
The overall 100 mile winner was Dennis Boic of Redding, Calif., who finished in 22:19 and the Women’s winner was Christy Baker of San Diego in 30:08. Carson City's Robert Montgomery finished in 32:19 and Tony Moore finished in 32:21.
The fastest man in the 50 mile was William Tennent (9:15) of Brooklyn, New York and the fastest woman was Mary Fetter (11:10) of Palo Also, California. Local finishers were Jason Kerver, Larry McDonald, Angela Sullivan and Juan Bravo.
Top finishers in the 55K were Ben Tedore (5:07) of Reno, Nevada and Andrea Bayer (6:46) of Carson City, Nevada. Other local finishers in the 55K were Nancy Davison, Tammie Bigley, Taylor Davison, Dean Williams, Laura Wiggins, Alisha Clark, David Hamilton, Kate Mortensen and Bill Andrews.
For photos and more information see the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs Facebook page here and website here.