Posted: November 18, 2004

Athletics: Dudley, Riddle Win 2004 USA 50K Championship Titles

On Sunday, November 14, approximately 50 runners toed the starting line in Peachtree City, Ga. to determine the USA 50K Open, Masters and Team national champions. The men's race looked to be a contest between 2:14 marathoner Mike Dudley, 2:24 marathoner Kevin Beck, USA Marathon Trail national runner-up Ben Nephew and reigning 50K road champ Dan Verrington. On the distaff side, Anne Riddle, the 2001 USA 50K champion, was the clear favorite, fresh off her victory two weeks ago at the USA Marathon Trail Championship.

The race was hosted by the Darkside Running Club and was held on a small portion of the 80 miles worth of golf cart paths in the city. The course was on a certified 5.2 mile loop, with gently winding turns and occasional rolling hills. The course required passing through a number of tunnels, with low ceilings and a slightly claustrophobic feeling, and this year included circumventing a large tree that had apparently fallen the night before and managed to completely block the path. The weather conditions were excellent with temperatures at the start in the upper 30s, climbing into the low 50s by the end of the day. The sky was crystal clear and the humidity low, but runners had to deal with windy conditions, especially in the few open areas near the small lakes seen throughout the course.

The Central Mass Striders (CMS) team lead a small group of runners through the first three laps. On the fourth lap, Dudley, 34, broke from the pack and slowly extended his lead through the second half of the race. He finished strongly, completing his first ultra in 3:05:34 to win his first national title. Beck, also completing his first ultra, was less than a minute behind. Nephew and Verrington slowed slightly but helped the CMS team bring home defend their 50K national team championship crown. Verrington, 42, also took home the men's masters title (3:16:42).

Anne Riddle, 38, finished 8th place overall in 3:39:58, just over 5 minutes ahead of newcomer and national runner-up, Floren Ansley, who was also in the top 10 in 3:44:52. The women's masters winner was not far behind, as Patricia Zerfas, 42, finished in 3:51:41. Local teams fared well as the Atlanta Track Club (ATC) won the women's team title and placed second for the men.

Peachtree City 50K: USA Open, Masters and Team Championships - Peachtree City, GA, Sunday, Nov 14, 2004

MEN
1) Mike Dudley, 34, Marietta, GA, 3:05:34
2) Kevin Beck, 34, Concord, NH 3:06:22
3) Ben Nephew, 29, Foxboro, MA, 3:11:14 
4) Dan Verrington, 42, Bradford, MA, 3:16:42
5) Dave Dunham, 40, Bradford, MA, 3:27:15 

WOMEN
1) Anne Riddle, 38, Swannanoa, NC, 3:39:58
2) Floren Ansley, 28, Atlanta, GA, 3:44:52
3) Ragan Petrie, 38, Atlanta, GA, 3:51:22 
4) Patricia Zerfas, 42, Kensington, MD, 3:51:41
5) Janice Anderson, 38, Marietta, GA, 4:20:03

For complete results, including all USATF age group winners, visit the MUT website at: www.cerritos.edu/lgersitz/MUT/Home.html.

Race report from Janice Anderson, USATF MUT Council

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.