Posted: June 6, 2006

Running: Haefeli, Wells Win 10 Km Trail Titles

Two-time U.S. Mountain Running Team member Laura Haefeli (Del Norte, Colo.), claimed her third consecutive USA 10 km Trail Championship on June 3, in the scenic mountain town of Vail, Colo. Haefeli's time of 55:12 outdistanced Danelle Ballengee, (Evergreen, Colo.) by 42 seconds. Brooke Kish (Evergreen, Colo.), and a member of the Rocky Mountain Distance Team, was third in 57:01.

On the men's side, road specialist Clint Wells (Boulder, Colo.), who finished third at last year's championships, won his first trail title with a time of 45:45. Josiah Middaugh (Vail, Colo.), finished second, while Michael Friedberg (Flagstaff, Ariz.) rounded out the top three running 46:18.

National titles were also up for grabs for the masters and junior competitors. Andy Ames (Boulder, Colo.) and Anita Ortiz (Eagle, Colo.), claimed the 40-44 titles; Hans Funke (Boulder, Colo.) and Mary Pierik (Vail, Colo.), were the 45-49 champions; Chuck Smead (Mosca, Colo.) took home the 50-54 title with Frank Rodriquez (Alamosa, Colo.) running to victory in the 60-64 division.

The junior titles were claimed by 15-year-old Joseph Manilafolsha (Denver, Colo.) and 16-year-old Kathryn Helmerick (Cheyenne, Wyo.).

The breathtaking mostly single track trail course started and finished in the middle of Vail Village and included more than 3,000 feet of elevation change on Vail Mountain with no part of the course falling below 8,000 feet.

For more information on the USA 10 km Trail Championships visit www.usatf.org.

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