Last-minute entries add intrigue to women's race
Sept. 17, 2010 -- The field is set for the 2010 XTERRA Trail Run National Championship, and indications are, it will be a very fast race.
The XTERRA Nationals will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Old Mill District in Bend, Ore.
The race course has been set at 13.9 miles (approximately 22.5 kilometers), which is slightly longer than in previous years.
The top seed is Bend's own champion runner, Max King. He has earned the nickname "King of the XTERRA Trail Runs" because of his dominating performances in recent XTERRA championship races. He is the two-time defending XTERRA national and world champion.
"I don't know what to expect this year because I don't know who's signing up who could be really fast," said King, 30. "The course is challenging itself, so I'm just going to try and run a good race and go for the win."
At last year's XTERRA National Championship race in Bend, King finished six minutes ahead of his closest competition. He is again considered the overwhelming favorite, although there are several elite runners who will be racing at the XTERRA Nationals for the first time.
"That's the thing about this race, there are a lot of unknowns," King said. "Somebody could show up who you don't know much about and be pretty quick, so you have to be ready for everybody."
Some of those first-time runners who could contend include Fujio Miyachi of Japan, Derick Williamson of Texas, and Oregon runners Sean Meissner, Greg Mitchell, Scotty Carlile and Mike Olson.
The women's field became even more intriguing in the days leading to the race with the addition of two significant runners. On Thursday, less than 48 hours before the race, defending champion Lauren Fleshman of Eugene, Ore., decided to enter. On Friday, less than 24 hours before the race, elite distance runner Sopagna Eap of Eugene entered.
Before Fleshman and Eap registered, there were already several fast females registered. Among the other contenders are Utah's Rachel Cieslewicz, Texas's Claudia Spooner, and Oregon runners Kami Semick, Pam Bradbury, Katie Caba and Stephanie Howe.
In addition to the overall titles, more than 25 age-group national championships will be awarded. More than 400 runners from around the world are entered, ranging in age from 7-year-old Zoe Allen to 85-year-old John Keston.
Results and a recap of the race will be issued to the media following the conclusion of the event on Saturday
Website: XTERRAPlanet.com.
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