RUN247 / Running News / Trail Running News / ‘Pure magic’ – triathlon star the latest to make ultrarunning mark with podium at Black Canyon

‘Pure magic’ – triathlon star the latest to make ultrarunning mark with podium at Black Canyon

Jonathan Turner
News Director
Published on

Eric Lagerstrom‘s impressive start to his trail running career moved up a notch with his second place at the Black Canyon Ultras 50K last weekend.

The American is a three-time IRONMAN 70.3 winner in triathlon and his trail running debut late last year saw him not only win the Run The Rock 50k in Oregon but set a new course record.

His friend and ‘mentor’ Heather Jackson has made her mark in brilliant style in the trail running – and gravel bike – world after switching from swim, bike and running.

And over in the UK, former pro triathlete Lucy Gossage wowed the ultrarunning world with a memorable triumph in the 268-mile Winter Spine Race in January.

Advertisement

Impressive step up

And now Lagerstrom is following in her footsteps judged on his display on Sunday in Arizona at the renowned Black Canyon Ultras.

He was a close second to Jeshurun Small, clocking a time of three hours, 25 minutes and 41 seconds, with that duo the only runners to go under 3:30.

XTERRA-Oak-Mountain-2023-men-podium-Serrieres-Lagerstrom-Sloth
Eric Lagerstrom, right, had already shone at off-road XTERRA events [Photo credit: XTERRA]

‘I also still love to compete’

And writing about it afterwards on his Instagram page, Lagerstrom said: “2nd at Black Canyon Ultras 50K 🤯 I came to see if I could hang with some of the best, and this result is still sinking in.

“What an absolutely awesome experience – I feel so lucky to be here doing this, and while I love just being out in nature on trail, I also still love to compete.

“Combining both, and feeling the collective energy is just pure magic. Thanks to all my sponsors, and to Paula, Nick, Heather, Wattie for a weekend I could not have done alone 🙏”

It will be fascinating to see where he heads next, definitely one to watch.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  

Latest Running News

Eliud Kipchoge press conference 2025 photo credit TCS London Marathon
Marathon GOAT Kipchoge announces ‘Eliud’s World Tour’ and says “a running world is a happy world”
Boston Marathon 2024 Hellen Obiri
New York City Marathon results 2025: Kenyan clean sweep as Obiri and Kuprito star in thrillers
Worlds Deepest Marathon 2025 BecomingX
Digging deep: Marathoners go over a kilometre underground to set world records
Eliud Kipchoge London Marathon 2025
New York City Marathon 2025: Start time, how to watch live as legend Kipchoge makes debut in iconic race
Lazarus Lake day 2 Barkley Marathons 2023 photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram
Aussie rules as Phil Gore wins Laz Lake’s Backyard Ultra World Championship
ELEVATE YOUR RUN TRAINING WITH WAHOO KICKR RUN
DISCOVER MORE
247 Endurance

The home of endurance sports

Share to...