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Photos: 2015 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon

Sunday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon had a fast field, a match race and a new Masters record when the finish line was finally crossed.

RELATED: Meb Keflezighi Breaks U.S. Masters Half Marathon Record at Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose 

Jordan Chipangama won the men’s race in 1:03:00, beating Meb Keflezighi by 2 seconds. Keflezighi’s 1:03:02 set a new U.S. Masters record for the half marathon, breaking Mbarak Hussein’s previous mark of 1:03:23. Aliphine Tuliamk Bolton, a Kenyan training in New Mexico, won the women’s race in 1:11:26.

Here are photos from the day, taken by PhotoRun.net:

 

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Deena Kastor served as a pacer in the half, one day after tying a Masters record in the 5K.

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Jordan Chipangama.

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Adriana Nelson.

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Former NFL great Roger Craig.

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Daniel Tapia

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Joanna Thompson

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Jordan Chipangama and Meb Keflezighi were head-to-head for most of the race.

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Jarrett LeBlanc

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Nicholas Hilton

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Danny Mercado

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Aliphine Tiliamuk

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Meb Keflezighi was going for the Masters record in the half marathon.

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Jordan Chipangama won in 1:03:00.

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Meb Keflezighi finished second in 1:03:02, setting the U.S. Masters mark.

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Aliphine Tiliamuk Bolton won the women's race in 1:11:26.

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

Meb had a lot of family support in San Jose.

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2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Jose

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2015 Rock n Roll San Jose

The top 3 (from left): Adriana Nelson, Aliphine Tiliamuk Bolton, Joanna Thompson.

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The post Photos: 2015 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon appeared first on Competitor.com.

Meb Keflezighi Breaks U.S. Masters Half Marathon Record At Rock ’n’ Roll San Jose

Jordan Chipangama breaks the tape in downtown San Jose ahead of Meb Keflezighi. Photo: Mario Fraioli | Competitor

Running side by side through the Rose Garden neighborhood of San Jose just before Mile 10 on Sunday morning, Meb Keflezighi took a glance at Jordan Chipangama to his right before putting his head down and charging up a small incline.

The surge didn’t phase the 26-year-old Chipangama as he easily matched strides with the cagey 40-year-old from San Diego. The two continued on together past Mile 12 before Chipangama tightened the screws and pulled away from Keflezighi in the final quarter mile to win the Rock ’n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon in 1 hour, 3 minutes. Keflezighi crossed two seconds later, breaking Mbarak Hussein’s U.S. masters half-marathon record of 63:23. It was the same margin Chipangama defeated Keflezighi by at the Rock ’n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon on May 31. Daniel Tapia, 28, of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., finished third in a personal best 1:03:39.

“It’s good to be back here in San Jose,” said Keflezighi, who also broke the U.S. Masters 20K record en route, clocking 59:43. “At Mile 8 I was going for the win but I knew I didn’t have it at that point. I just told myself to concentrate and go for the [American] record. It was close. I wish I could have gone for the world record [1:02:28] but I’m happy to have the American record.”

The race got off to a quick start, as five men passed through the mile in 4:42. By 5K (14:53) it was down to three—Keflezighi, Chipangama and Tapia—as two packs chasing the Olympic Trials standard of 65 minutes formed in the background. The first of those groups caught up to the three leaders by 10K and eight men passed the 6.2-mile mark together in 29:55. Determined to keep the lead group as tight as possible, Keflezighi, Chipangama and Tapia opened up a small gap into mile 7, before a 4:45 split from mile 7 to 8 dropped Tapia and made it a two-man race to the finish line.

Chipangama, a native of Zambia who is hoping to have his U.S. citizenship in time for the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon next February, was pleased with how the race played out and to take home his second Rock ’n’ Roll Series victory of 2015.

“The hardest part of the race was in the middle,” said Chipangama, who sports a 62:24 half-marathon personal best. “The last mile was probably the easiest because I knew he couldn’t outkick me. [Meb] is a great a guy. He has endurance, he has the speed but he doesn’t have the turnover like I do now. I knew taking it into the last mile that it was going to be my race. I always look forward to opportunity to race with Meb. It’s an honor for me to race with him and I hope one day to do what he has done.”

In the women’s race, Aliphine Tuliamk Bolton, a 26-year-old Kenyan who trains in Santa Fe, N.M., alongside reigning Boston Marathon champion Caroline Rotich, pulled away from 35-year-old Adriana Nelson of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., at the 3-mile mark to win easily in 1:11:26.

After going through 5K in 16:24, Bolton extended her 4-second lead to 43 over the next 3.1 miles, a gap which held steady the rest of the way to the finish line.

“I heard it was a fast course, but I was hoping for a faster time,” said Bolton, who was targeting a finishing time in the 68 or 69-minute range. “I didn’t feel like it was hilly or anything. But it was a beautiful course and the people who were cheering and dancing were amazing. I was impressed by the crowds.”

Nelson held on for second in 1:12:08, while Joanna Thompson of Raleigh, N.C. rounded out the top three in 1:15:10.

Top-10 Men

1. Jordan Chipangama, 1:03:00

2. Meb Keflezighi, 1:03:02

3. Daniel Tapia, 1:03:39

4. Nicholas Hilton, 1:03:43

5. Matt Daniels, 1:03:43

6. Tesfaye Alemayehu, 1:03:49

7. Danny Mercado, 1:04:04

8. Jarrett Le Blanc, 1:04:37

9. J.P. Slater, 1:05:02

10. Dylan Wykes, 1:05:10

Top-10 Women

1. Aliphine Tuliamuk Bolton, 1:11:26

2. Adriana Nelson, 1:12:08

3. Joanna Thompson, 1:05:11

4. Natasha LaBeaud, 1:15:19

5. Maor Tiyouri, 1:15:24

6. Olivia Mickle, 1:15:25

7. Rachel Jaten, 1:16:47

8. Amy Schnittger, 1:16:55

9. Kate Schwartz, 1:17:03

10. Tasha Williams, 1:17:26

The post Meb Keflezighi Breaks U.S. Masters Half Marathon Record At Rock ’n’ Roll San Jose appeared first on Competitor.com.

Deena Kastor Ties Masters Record in the 5K

SAN JOSE — Deena Kastor is at an age where most pros hang up their racing flats, but nothing appears to be stopping her. Today she tied the women’s U.S. and World Masters record in the 5K in 15:48, winning the women’s Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose 5K and placing third overall. The women’s 5K Masters Record was previously set by Colleen De Reuck in Albany, New York, in 2004.

“I felt really good about the race,” said Kastor, who won the 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon in 1:12:23, which was her first win since giving birth to her daughter Piper. “It’s a celebration out here today whether we reach our goals or not. I came out here and gave it my best. There was not one point on the course I could have pushed harder to get a faster time. I’m really happy with my effort. I feel like Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose is an underestimated destination for fast times.”

Last year, the 41-year-old Olympic bronze medalist and American marathon-record holder racked up four Masters records in one race at the at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon, including the Masters World Record in the half marathon (1:09:36), 15K (49:03), 10 miles (52:41) and 20K (1:05:52). She now holds every women’s Masters record from the 5K to the half marathon. On Sunday, Kastor will pace the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon.

Meb Keflezighi was also out on the 5K field, pacing the 7:00 minute mile group. He was using the 5K race as a warm up for tomorrow’s Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon, where he will attempt to set the Masters Half Marathon record. San Francisco 49ers legend Roger Craig tried to keep with Meb’s pace, until the last half mile. Craig finished with an impressive time of 22:41.

“The 5K had great environment, great weather, and it was a lot of fun,” said Keflezighi. “Roger Craig went away from his plan to run with me. I was trying to stay with him, but I was pacing the 7-minute mile so the last half-mile or so we had to break away from him. He is great and should be an example to other players to come out and run because it’s a healthy way to live. And for him to come back tomorrow to run the half marathon, he’s keeping the dream alive.”

“I was trying to keep up with Meb, but he ran me out of my energy in the last half mile,” said Roger Craig. “It’s great to have him and Deena Kastor here supporting the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Jose race today. I just love running with people and it was great to run with some fans too. Today was a day to get acclimated and warm up for the half marathon tomorrow. If you want to have fun, run Rock ‘n’ Roll, baby! They know how to party!”

“I’m not even going to try to keep up with Meb tomorrow in the half marathon though,” joked Craig.

The post Deena Kastor Ties Masters Record in the 5K appeared first on Competitor.com.

Photos: Marathoner Stephan Shay’s Vintage Mobile Home

For the past 10 months, Stephan Shay, a 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier has been living in a vintage 1960s motor home he calls Lolita, balancing work, training and his desire to be a bit more footloose and fancy-free than most elite runners allow themselves. Check out the gallery of photos from Shay and Michael Zynda below.

 

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

When he was a kid, Shay always thought he’d be living out West waking up with a view of a beach.

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

He searched for used RVs last winter and found this 1966 Clark Cortez in pretty good condition for $5,200. It had all of the original appliances, cabinetry and seating.

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

It needed some rehabbing, but he taught himself
how to do exterior body work. In addition to exterior work, he also installed new wood flooring and upgraded the stereo.

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

So far, he’s put $10,000 into his 18.5-foot home on wheels, but he figures that
offsets the rent he hasn’t had to pay.

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

After finishing the body work, he had it repainted in a vintage Volkswagen green.

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

It’s attracted lots of attention as he’s hung
out in varous beach towns near Los Angeles.
“People have told me, ‘that’s a rad looking
toaster,’ and I think it does kind of look like an old-school toaster a bit,” Shay says.

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

“It’s not like I’m an
attention whore for it,
but I like when people
ask questions about it," he says. "From there, we’ll start
talking about other
things like surfing, even
though I don’t surf. It’s
a cool way to strike up
conversations.” (He recently bought his first surf board.)

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

Shay has taken his rig on a
weekend trip to Santa
Barbara and twice made
the seven-hour drive to
Flagstaff, Ariz., to get in
some high-altitude training
with some of the many
fast elite runners living
there. (Lolita gets about
16 mpg on the highway.)

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

Shay has embraced the spartan lifestyle RV living
demands, especially
because he knows he’s
producing less trash,
using less water and
reducing his carbon footprint.

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

Shay turned in two of the best marathon results of his career in the
past year, placing 16th
in last year’s New York
City Marathon (2:19:47)
and 10th in this spring’s
Los Angeles Marathon
(2:18:08).

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

Shay, who has been running about 85-90 miles per week, has PRs of 2:16:48 for the marathon
and 1:02:26 for the
half marathon.

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

Shay works two part-time marketing
jobs: one for a
lithium ion battery manufacturer,
the other for
Santa Ana College. (He
also has a small sponsorship
deal with Skechers.) He doesn't drive the rig to work, though. He has another car for commuting.

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

Aside from working and training, Shay also finds time to relax.

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

Shays appreciates the RV life, but admits he only cooks a couple of times a week in the rig.

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

“I got bit by the bug
and I realized how much
fun it is and how much
freedom it gives you,” he
says. “I don’t have anything
against people who
want a big house. But at
29, I’m pretty happy that
all my stuff fits in an
18-and-a-half-foot bus.
For me, life is about trying
to find that balance
between paying the bills
and having that life you
want to live. This was the
perfect balance for me.”

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

Shay has been hanging out in beach towns near Los Angeles.

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

“It’s a lot of fun and
there’s a certain romance to it with all the
freedom it can bring," Shay says, "but it’s not something
everybody is cut out for.”

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Stephan Shay's Vintage RV

Shay says he knows life will
continue to evolve, but
he suspects he’ll always
own an RV of some sort.

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Joe Gray Breaks Matt Carpenter’s Manitou Incline FKT

The Manitou Incline, pictured here earlier this year, is one of the steepest trails in the U.S., if not the world. (Photo: Brian Metzler)

Joe Gray is a bonafide mountain man, and he has the resume to prove it. The 31-year-old from Colorado Springs, Colo., is a 19-time U.S. national team member, nine-time national champion and, earlier this year, won the Mt. Washington Road Race for the second straight year, clocking 58:15—the fastest American time ever and the second-fastest time in the event’s history.

On Friday morning, less than a week after leading Team USA to fourth place at the World Mountain Running Championships in Wales by way of a fifth-place individual finish, Gray rolled out of bed and set the FKT (Fastest Known Time) at the popular Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs, Colo., scaling the ridiculously steep 0.9-mile former railway—which has an average grade of 40.3 percent—in 17 minutes, 45 seconds, eclipsing the widely accepted mark of 18:31 set by mountain running legend and twelve-time Pikes Peak Marathon champion Matt Carpenter in 1998.

“I decided this morning I would go for a sub-19:30 but halfway up I felt good and went for my best time,” said Gray, who kept a close eye on his Mio Alpha heartrate-based watch—paired alongside a Garmin 620 GPS watch—the entire way. “My best before was 18:43, so I was stoked to see how fast I was going once I could see the peak.”

RELATED: Inside The FKT Trend

Gray says he went out hard and once he got close to 90 percent of his max heart rate, he began power hiking for about 30 seconds, a strategy that allowed him to “blast hard” the rest of the way to the summit.

Faster times on the Manitou Incline have been reported, such as former professional triathlete Mark Fretta’s 16:42, run in 2006 alongside Olympic speedskaters Ryan Bradford and Apolo Ohno—who Fretta says ran 17:41 and 17:52 that day, respectively—but those marks haven’t been verified and are widely disregarded by many locals. According to Gray, Fretta, Ohno and Bradford allegedly stopped their watches at the bailout point, which is about 800 feet from the top.

“They have no data to back it up,” Gray says. “It’s hard for me to believe Fretta as he has done nothing to suggest he could get remotely close to sub-19 even. No data, no time!”

The Fastest Known Time movement is guided both by sportsmanship and honesty, but also specific guidelines on how to report times and FKT attempts.

In 2012, Fretta was sanctioned by USADA for “variations in his individual longitudinal blood profile,” which landed him a four-year suspension from competition. Fretta, whose suspension started on June 11th, 2012, has never actually failed a drug test.

“Can you truly believe this guy could run 16ish in that era when Carpenter had the record at 18:31 and yet he never even touched Matt in any mountain races?” Gray says. “A 16 is so good that he could have won nearly every uphill race in the country yet he had no major victories or results. Seems odd to me at least.”

RELATED:

— Photos: Relentlessly Steep Manitou Incline

— Video: The Allure of the Manitou Incline

The post Joe Gray Breaks Matt Carpenter’s Manitou Incline FKT appeared first on Competitor.com.

Katherine Hopper: Strength in Numbers

Photo: Nils Nilsen

I’ll be the first to admit that I love solo running. It’s my quiet time to recharge at the end of a stressful day. I can set out at any time that suits me. There’s no need to coordinate hectic schedules with my running friends. I run at whatever pace I feel like. I can stop to take photos of sunrises and sunsets without being“that girl” who makes the entire group pause.

However, there are solid reasons why running with a group can be a physical and mental game-changer, especially when you are putting in long miles training for a marathon. Even if the idea of running with a group or friends intimidates you, try it out, you may surprise yourself with how much fun it can be! Read on for my top five reasons to grab a friend or two the next time you lace up and head out the door.

No time for the snooze button

On a cold, dark morning at 5 a.m., the last thing I want to do is crawl out from under my down comforter to head outside and run. However if I know a group of my running friends is waiting for me, it’s the perfect motivation to get up and go.

The new and improved happy hour

The more I run, the less time I have for social interaction. Group running can be a fantastic way to log miles, visit with your friends, and get your social fix all in one fell swoop, especially when you have a limited amount of time in your schedule. Even better—run and grab a meal together afterward! I’ve made some amazing friends through running groups.

Built in tour guide

Running around a new city is my favorite way to get a feel for a new-to-me place. But sometimes it’s hard to know where to go. Before I travel, I look up the local running clubs, e-mail the contact and join the group for a run. Not only do I get a local’s tour of the city, I find out about other must-do runs in the area.

Peak week distraction

The number of hours that I spend running becomes borderline mind numbing during high-mileage peak marathon training weeks. And, the temptation to skip a workout can become overwhelming, even for the most dedicated runners. However, if you know you’re not going through all of this alone, and you have a group of equally semi-burned out runners to meet up with, you can get through it more easily and probably with more laughs.

A chance to push the pace

When running with faster folks, I tend to exert more effort without it feeling more challenging. The group energy and conversations provide welcome distractions and, before I know it, the miles start ticking by at a speedy pace.

 

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Angela Bekkala: What to Pack for a Destination Marathon

The week before a marathon can be stressful. Full on taper crazies, plenty of overthinking and, if you are running a destination race, the stress of what to pack can be a lot to process. Thankfully, packing takes your mind off the fact you aren’t running as much! The best thing you can do is pack earlier in the week so you have the time to get race day essentials in order. Remember the golden rule of racing—no new stuff on race day.

When it comes to what to bring, you don’t want to over pack but you do want to make sure you pack enough so you have options in case the weather suddenly changes or if you simply have a change of heart about what to wear on race day. Packing all of your race day essentials in your carry-on bag is the way to go. That way you’ll have everything you need to run the race with you and won’t have to worry about the airline losing your luggage.

Make a list of everything you will need. Here’s mine:

Race Day Outfit

This should be an outfit that you have tested on a couple of occasions to make sure it will be comfortable for 26.2 miles. It should include everything—socks, underwear/sports bra (for the ladies), top or tops depending on the weather, bottom, hat/visor and sunglasses. You definitely don’t want to find out that your race day shorts chafe after 10 miles. I like to set out my race day outfit from headband to socks and shoes to make sure I’m not missing anything.

I always pack a few different options. You never know if there will be a last minute change in the weather.

Running Shoes

Bring a pair you’ve worn for at least one 20-miler. Even if you find a great deal on your tried and true favorites at the race expo, do not run the marathon in them. Save the fresh shoes for after the marathon.

Race Day Fuel

Pack your preferred fuel with you in your carry-on. You don’t want the added stress of trying to find a specific brand and flavor of gel in an unfamiliar city.

Accessories

GPS watch and charger, iPod/phone and charger, ear buds, fuel belt or hydration system, body glide, hair ties, headband, KT Tape, Road ID Bracelet—exactly what you need is up to you.

Throwaway gear

In larger races, you may not have access to your gear bag before the race. And you most likely will have to wait around for some time in your corral before the race starts making throwaway gear is essential to keep you comfortable, especially in damp and wet weather, while you wait for the starting gun. Trash bags can keep you warm and dry. If you would rather wear a jacket or sweat shirt, many races partner with local charities that collect and donate clothes left in the starting area.

 

 

 

 

 

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Tapering Dos and Don’ts For Marathoners

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Tapering. The word injects equal parts relief and fear into the hearts and legs of marathoners everywhere in the final few weeks leading up to race day.

“Did I train hard enough?” “Should I try and squeeze in one more long run?” and “Do I need to eat less?” are a few of the myriad questions that run through the minds of marathoners as race day approaches.

We caught up with Ben Rosario, coach of the Flagstaff, Ariz.-based Hoka Northern Arizona Elite and a 2:18 marathoner in his own right, to talk about key “dos” and “don’ts” to keep in mind when it comes to tapering for your next marathon.

RELATED: The Art of Peaking For A Goal Race

DO…
…evaluate your training.

In the weeks leading up to an exam, it’s important to review your work. Tapering for a marathon is no different. Review your entire training cycle and make an honest assessment of how it went and how you’re feeling with a couple weeks to go. If necessary, don’t be afraid to make adjustments to ensure you’re healthy, rested and confident when you step on the start line.

“No two tapers are created equal,” explains Rosario. “If you’ve gone over the line, then you need to cut way back. If not, then you can stick to your original taper plan. This is no time to be stubborn.”

…stay in “the zone.”

“Taper time doesn’t mean party time,” says Rosario. “Store up your extra energy. You’ll need it.”

In the last couple weeks before your race, as your training load lessens and pent-up energy looks for ways to release itself, it can be easy to lose focus and wear yourself out with inessential non-running related activities. Take advantage of any newfound free time to relax and remain focused on the task at hand. Now isn’t when you want to start taking yoga classes or embark upon a massive home improvement project. Save those things for after the race!

…congratulate yourself.

One of my favorite quotes, adapted from the Bhagavad Gita, says, “We are only entitled to the work, not to the fruits of that work.” Applied to marathon training, this can be interpreted as, “We are only entitled to the training, not to the results of that training.”

Good results on race day aren’t guaranteed to anyone. All we can do it train as hard—and intelligently—as possible in order to give ourselves the best possible chance of achieving our goals. Marathon training is a grind and getting through an entire training cycle full of heavy mileage, challenging long runs and killer speed workouts is no small feat. Acknowledge that achievement when you begin tapering and gain confidence from it as race day approaches.

“Pat yourself on the back,” instructs Rosario. “Take pride in all your hard work and gain confidence from it.”

DON’T…
…overthink things.

The work is done. There’s no significant fitness to be gained in the final two weeks leading up to your marathon—so stop stressing about it!

“No amount of picturing the race and imagining every step is going to make you any fitter,” says Rosario.

When doubt starts to creep in during the taper period, relax and remind yourself of all the hard work you’ve put in during the previous 2-4 months. You’ve got this!

…cut back on your food intake.

As obvious as it sounds, an empty gas tank will significantly slow your journey to the finish line. While it’s tempting to want to eat less during your final two weeks of marathon training, the rapid metabolism you developed over the past few months won’t slow all that much over the course of a couple weeks.

“Just because you’re running less doesn’t mean you need to eat less,” Rosario says. “Your body will need all the energy it can get on race day.”

Stay on target with your nutrition and hydration while tapering and ensure you step to the start line with a full tank.

…run too much.

Less is more when it comes to training in the final two weeks before race day. When tapering, it’s important to stick to the regular rhythm of your weekly training routine, but make a conscious effort to reduce your overall workload and don’t go overboard on the intensity.

“No one ever says, ‘I should’ve run more in those last two weeks,’” Rosario says. “Don’t be afraid to reduce your volume by as much as 40 percent that first week and 60 percent the second week.”

For example, if you’ve been running 50 miles a week during your heaviest training periods, reduce your weekly volume to 30-35 miles two weeks out from your race, and 20-30 in the seven days leading up to the event. Do speed workouts on the same days you’ve been doing them, but cut back on the number of reps and keep the effort in check. It’s better to be slightly undercooked than completely toasted when you step on the starting line.

RELATED: Marathon Tapering Tips

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Photos: Caribbean Fun at the Nevis Marathon

It’s a tiny country consisting of two islands in the West Indies—Saint Kitts and Nevis. On the smaller of the two islands, the Nevis Marathon shows off the beauty of the island to the very small number of participants who took part in the marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K earlier this month.

How small? While the young race hopes to grow the field to 400 runners someday, the 2015 marathon had seven finishers, the half marathon had 13 finishers, the 10K had 11 finishers and the 5K had seven. The 38-runner field included a few who made the trip from England after hearing about the race. Other runners came from Saint Kitts, the larger of the two islands just a couple miles away.

The race starts in Charlestown, the capital of Nevis with a population of 1,500, in front of the home where U.S. founding father Alexander Hamilton was born. The longer races go through many villages and runs along the Atlantic coastline. Katrina Crumpler was the overall winner of the half marathon in 1:41:50, while Marcos Echegaray won the marathon in 4:02:43.

Here is a look at the charming race through photos taken by Jeff Clark.

 

 

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Trail of the Week: Pritchett Canyon-Hunter Rim Loop, Moab, Utah

Our Trail of the Week feature is made possible through a partnership with Trail Run Project .

In one of the best towns in the U.S. for off-road endurance sports, the trails of Moab, Utah are abundant and stunning.

One great route is the Pritchett Canyon/Hunter Rim Loop. The terrain is rocky and sandy with short, steep ascents. Some highlights you’ll see are arches, petroglyphs, a granary, views of Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area, killer singletrack above Hunter Rim Trail and Gatherer Canyon, and a spring.

This 12.4-mile loop has long, rugged sections in Pritchett Canyon and on the Hunter Canyon Rim Trail. The Hunter Canyon Rim Trail has high, exposed singletrack and is above Gatherer Canyon. There are a few rock arches in Pritchett Canyon and a granary up a side drainage just before the Hunter Canyon Rim Trail singletrack.

Most people complete this route clockwise, starting at Pritchett Canyon and ending at Gatherer Canyon. The only major turn is at the Pritchett Canyon/Behind the Rocks/Hunter Rim Junction. Turn right at this junction onto the Hunter Canyon Rim Trail.

The Data

Miles: 12.5

Runnable: 92 percent

Singletrack: 45 percent

Average Grade: 5 percent

Max Grade: 36 percent

Total Ascent: 1,614 feet

Total Descent: -1,617 feet

Highest Elevation: 4,803 feet

For a closer look, check out the interactive map, data, photos and virtual run simulator courtesy of Trail Run Project:

The post Trail of the Week: Pritchett Canyon-Hunter Rim Loop, Moab, Utah appeared first on Competitor.com.