Coinciding with the longest day of the year, the La Sportiva Summer Solstice Trail Run kicked off in beautiful Creekside Park in the heart of Beaver Creek, CO.
Presented by the Vail Valley Charitable Fund, the Summer Solstice 10K, 5K and Kids Fun Run is arguably the most enjoyable event in the La Sportiva Trail Running Series. The races take runners through Aspen groves and on Beaver Creek Mountain’s challenging singletrack trails.
All participants were treated to great race swag, a post-race party and awards ceremony at Creekside Park following the race.
The men’s 10K race was close, with 27-year old Tyler Curtis edging out last year’s champion, Josiah Middaugh, in 43:26. Middaugh finished second in 43:29. Rounding out the podium was 18-year old Jared Leblow.
In the women’s 10K race, 39-year old Brandy Erholtz took top honors in 52:30, with last year’s winner, 13-year old Alayna Szuch, finishing second in 53:27. Maija Zimmerman of Highlands Ranch crossed the line in third in 55:03.
The men’s 5K saw all three top finishers come in within 15 seconds of one another, each 16 years old or younger. 15-year old Jacob Kluckhohn of Warrenville, IL finished first in 30:42, with 13-year old Sullivan Middaugh coming in second in 30:54, and 16-year old Ian Hardebergh rounding out the top three in 30:55.
The women’s 5K also saw two youngsters on the podium, with 14-year old Haley Brewster taking top honors in 33:34, and 14-year old Molly Blakslee crossing the line second in 35:56. Coming in third was 28-year old Courtney Knoff in 36:12.