Some of the Northeast's most decorated adventure racers battled for the top three spots at the 2018 Pond Sprint, held over Columbus Day weekend in Willsboro, NY.
Jan Wellford and Liam Davis ran the entire 12.5-mile race together, apparently not too hard as many observers heard them in non-stop relaxed conversation, but hard enough to tie for the victory in a record time of 1:34:40.
The pair, both representing Team BEAST, finished on the podium earlier this year at the Patch Sprint, ending up in second and third behind another elite runner, Ryan Atkins. For Davis, one year removed from a knee injury, this was the culmination of a sensational racing season, which included a victory in the Whiteface Sky Run, along with top-5 finishes in the prestigious Wasatch 100, Great Adirondack Trail Run, and Manitou's Revenge, a race that Wellford has won in the past.
Sarah Keyes, of Team LaSportiva, ended up third overall, seven minutes behind the winners, but easily taking the women's overall. A multi-time vertical and ultra distance race champion, and female record holder of the fastest known time (6:37:49) for the Great Range traverse, Keyes was competing for the first time in either the Pond Sprint or Patch Sprint. "Beautiful course, lots of fun!"
Andrew Gonzales was the only other racer to finish under two hours, followed by Tom Reinckens, Ryan Fagen, John Rayburn and Katie Moffett.
In addition, eleven others successfully finished the shorter, just-as-scenic, Pond Hike course.
Our congratulations and thanks to all who raced, hiked and donated, as well as the group of volunteers who helped with the timing, road and aid assistance, cooking, and course set-up/cleanup.
A special thanks to Pok-O-MacCready Camps, and Highland Forest, LLC for the use of their land.
FULL RESULTS and PHOTO GALLERY HERE
Jan Wellford and Liam Davis ran the entire 12.5-mile race together, apparently not too hard as many observers heard them in non-stop relaxed conversation, but hard enough to tie for the victory in a record time of 1:34:40.
The pair, both representing Team BEAST, finished on the podium earlier this year at the Patch Sprint, ending up in second and third behind another elite runner, Ryan Atkins. For Davis, one year removed from a knee injury, this was the culmination of a sensational racing season, which included a victory in the Whiteface Sky Run, along with top-5 finishes in the prestigious Wasatch 100, Great Adirondack Trail Run, and Manitou's Revenge, a race that Wellford has won in the past.
Sarah Keyes, of Team LaSportiva, ended up third overall, seven minutes behind the winners, but easily taking the women's overall. A multi-time vertical and ultra distance race champion, and female record holder of the fastest known time (6:37:49) for the Great Range traverse, Keyes was competing for the first time in either the Pond Sprint or Patch Sprint. "Beautiful course, lots of fun!"
Andrew Gonzales was the only other racer to finish under two hours, followed by Tom Reinckens, Ryan Fagen, John Rayburn and Katie Moffett.
In addition, eleven others successfully finished the shorter, just-as-scenic, Pond Hike course.
Our congratulations and thanks to all who raced, hiked and donated, as well as the group of volunteers who helped with the timing, road and aid assistance, cooking, and course set-up/cleanup.
A special thanks to Pok-O-MacCready Camps, and Highland Forest, LLC for the use of their land.
FULL RESULTS and PHOTO GALLERY HERE