Katie Schide, the 2022 UTMB winner, almost followed in the footsteps of Courtney Dauwalter earlier in the week with an emphatic win in the women’s race and sixth overall in the 100K race at The Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB on Saturday.
Dauwalter, the undoubted GOAT of women’s ultrarunning, finished over four hours clear of her rivals at the Mt. Fuji 100 on Friday and was third overall.
A shorter distance for Schide but no less impressive as she stopped the clock in 9:10:10 in Auburn, just under an hour in front of the next woman – her fellow American EmKay Sullivan.
The men’s race was won by Rod Farvard in 8:44:30, with Western States golden tickets and UTMB spots up for grabs.
Schide had already qualified for Western States but this display underlines she’ll go there in top form.
Here’s how the weekend’s two big races panned out…
100 mile race
In the 100 mile race, it was an impressive debut 100-miler for USA runner Elena Horton who beat out compatriots Jacquie Mannhard and Sonia Ahuja to take the tape.
Talking after the race, Horton said: “There were some tough parts, but I pushed through, and it was really fun and really beautiful. Next up, my husband and I will be racing La Sportiva™ Lavaredo Ultra Trail™ by UTMB® as part of a late honeymoon.”
Continuing the USA’s clean sweep, with Americans claiming all four race victories across the weekend, it was Canyon Woodward who took the top spot in the men’s race. After finishing third in 2023, Woodward stepped up two positions this year ahead of Nicholas Lightbody (CAN) and Nick Clifforr (USA).
Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB (100M), Friday 26 April 2024
MEN:
- Canyon Woodward (USA) – 18:54:32
- Nicholas Lightbody (CAN) – 19:14:17
- Nick Orr (USA) – 19:55:51
WOMEN:
- Elena Horton (USA) – 21:35:56
- Jacquie Mannhard (USA) – 22:35:52
- Sonia Ahuja (USA) – 23:11:53
100K race
The women’s 100km race saw a dominant victory for Katie Schide, who lead from the start to finish almost one hour ahead of her closest competitors, EmKay Sullivan and Anna Kacius. Schide also finished sixth place overall. Discussing her impressive victory, Schide said: “Everything went smoothly, and I just focussed on ticking off the aid stations. I tried to latch onto some guys when I had the chance and I just focused on not doing anything stupid.” A strategy which clearly paid off!
Over to the men’s race and we had a much closer battle on our hands, with a group of twenty all hot on each other’s heels for the first half of the race until Rod Farvard (USA) began to pull away. As the race went on, that gap extended. The American put the afterburners on, leaving the rest in the dust. Finishing over six minutes ahead of Drew Holmen (USA) and just over ten minutes ahead of third place finisher Petter Engdahl (SWE).
The dominant USA theme continued with Dani Moren and Eli Hemming winning the 50km races, and Talon Hull and Bailey Cossentine taking the tape in the 20km races.
Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB (100K), Saturday 27 April 2024
MEN:
- Rod Farvard (USA) – 8:44:30
- Drew Holmen (USA) – 8:51:09
- Petter Engdahl (SWE) – 8:55:31
WOMEN:
- Katie Schide (USA) – 9:10:10
- EmKay Sullivan (USA) – 10:01:26
- Anna Kacius (USA) – 10:24:37
