Runners from across the country converged on Moab this past weekend. The Moab Trail Half Marathon was chosen as the USA Track & Field Half Marathon National Championship. I knew the field would be deep and I wasn't disappointed. It was great to see fellow SkiMo racers "Espresso Bob" and Stevie Kremer at the starting line (not so good to have Stevie pass me at the first aid station). Now, you're probably expecting this to be a story about getting chicked.... Around mile ten we reached Kane Creek. At this point in the race you're actually running in knee deep water. I finally pulled ahead of Stevie as I plowed through the water. After running in the creek for about a mile we came to a short section of road and she was right on my tail. I managed to sprint to the finish and cross the line seconds ahead of her (phew). I came within a minute of winning my age group but had to settle for 2nd and 18th overall. Four Durangoans finished in the top 20!
1. JOSEPH GRAY 1:23:23 RENTON WA
2 JARED SCOTT 1:24 DOLORES CO
3 JUSTIN RICKS 1:25:14 COLORADO SPRINGS CO
4 JUSTIN GRUNWALD 1:31 MINNEAPOLIS MN
5 BRENDAN HALPIN 1:31:49 MISSOULA MT
6 STEPHAN SHAY 1:32:07 HUNTINGTON BEACH CA
7 NATHAN PETERS 1:32:15 SALT LAKE CITY UT
8 RYAN SMITH 1:32:41 HOUSTON TX
9 BRETT WILSON 1:33:26 DURANGO CO
10 1:34:08 MURRAY UT
11 1:34:10 FRANCE
12 NICHOLAS TURCO 1:34:13 DURANGO CO
13 GORDON GIANNINY 1:34:14 DURANGO CO
14 MARK POKORA 1:34:14 SAN CLEMENTE CA
15 NOAH BRAUTIGAM 1:35:40 SALT LAKE CITY UT
16 JOSHUA KURZ 1:36:12 PAGOSA SPRINGS CO
17 DAN VEGA 1:36:54
18 SCOTT SIMMONS 1:37:40 DURANGO CO
19 RIKKI HACKER 1:37:45 PRAIRIE VILLAGE KS
20 MATT PEHARDA 1:38:04 LITTLETON CO
21 STEVIE KREMER 1:38:08 CRESTED BUTTE CO
