Mt. Si 50k: Kerr Wins and Thiessen Adds Another Title

Clear skies and maybe a little bit too much sun(mid 70’s) greeted hundreds of runners early Sunday morning at the Mt. Si Relay and UltraRuns. In taking to the trails below Mt Si, participants were treated to a beautiful day that was appropriate for embracing the celebration of Earth Day. Though the weather did cause some early exits in both the 50k and 50 miler, several top runners took advantage of the day and posted some impressive performances.

Mark Kerr, 49, who trains on Galbraith and Chuckanut Mountains in Bellingham, used a newly found focus period this winter/spring to get in great shape and race to a personal best in the 50k on Sunday.

“I've never spent enough time on my own race specific training to do sustained racing, but this past winter I have been able to put 5 quality months together-for really the first time in my life. With family commitments and coaching commitments I have never been able to just train,” remarked Kerr about his performance, which was a personal record by well over 30 minutes

In closing out the final 5 mile segment at low six minute mile pace, Kerr blazed a 3:36:08 and said the race was “more of a focused trail run than race” and that the course is set up for a fast times with a gentle uphill going out and a downhill portion coming back.

The only disappointing part of the day for Kerr was not being able to finish the race with his Klick’s teammate and training partner Jay Sloane who was last year’s winner. Sloane, pulled out of the race just before 26 miles with heat and hamstring issues.

“I ran those last 5 miles for the two of us...there are people that positively influence your life and Jay is one of those people for me,” said Kerr in citing Sloane’s hard work and dedication to the sport. 

Kerr will now turn his attention to finishing up the Bellingham Trail Series and racing the summer relay odyssey known as Ragnar, a 12 person, no sleep, all fun relay from Blaine to Whidbey Island in July. He has been a part of the winning relay team since 2008.

Annie Thiessen captured the women’s 50k title on Sunday, which she adds to her Mt. Si victories in 2010 at 50k and 2009 at 50 miles. Thiessen’s time of 3:57:13 placed her 4^th overall and was faster than her 2010 victory.

In case you don’t know who Annie Thiessen is, please follow this link to ATHLINKS and take a look at what is only a portion of her long distance running resume. In an article in the Seattle PI, it states that Thiessen had finished her 100th race of marathon distance or longer. She won that race, the Newport Marathon in Oregon in 2:56:12 and that was in 2008. Her list of impressive finishes at top level ultras in recent years include a 3^rd at the Chuckanut 50k and a 3^rd at the White River 50 Miler.

Thiessen’s finish on Sunday was part a wave of masters runner that took 3 of the top 4 overall spots. Jonathan Symmes, 45, and Steve Hammond, 24, round out the top 3 in the men’s 50k, while Dana Katz, 36, and Laura Sanderson, 37, took 2^nd and 3^rd place on the women’s side. The 50 Mile titles were won by Gregory Shumavon in 7:10:33 and Heidi Perry in 8:47:28

The Mt. Si Relay and Ultra Runs had 39 finishers in the 50 miler, 64 finishers in the 50k and 94 teams in the relay. It should also be noted that 1 dog ran the 50k.

Race Results: 2012 Mt. Si Relay and UltraRuns