The 2011 American Discovery Trail Marathon and Half Marathon saw a huge increase in numbers for the 11th annual Labor Day tradition. The point to point downhill marathon runs along the smooth dirt surface of the Santa Fe Trail from Palmer Lake (elevation 7,225′) to America The Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs (elevation 6,020′). This year, a record 420 people finished. Martin Mudry of University Heights, OH took the overall win in 2:32:53. He was followed by Jacob Smith of Colorado Springs (2:45:32) and Scott Colford of Logansport, IN, who set a master’s course record of 2:50:17. Sharon Howard of Aurora took the female title in 3:01:01. Jennifer Chalmers of Golden set a female masters course record of 3:18:58 in finishing second.
456 people tackled the half marathon, which runs out and back from America The Beautiful Park. Ben Klungtvedt of Colorado Springs took the overall title in 1:18:03. Colorado Runner’s web editor Connilee Walter of Colorado Springs took down the female course record with her winning time of 1:27:38.