June 9, 2004

On a cloudless Rocky Mountain morning more than 200 competitors took to the trails on Vail Mountain for the inaugural USA National Trail Championships. At the end of the day Simon Gutierrez, 38, Taos, NM and Laura Haefeli, 36, Del Norte, CO were crowned the USA National Trail Champions. 

If you're like Simon and Laura and enjoy running off the beaten path, the Mountain/Ultra/Trail (MUT) Council of USATF invites you to participate in the upcoming MUT National Championships. The remaining six MUT championship races offer unique locales, beautiful scenery, and challenges beyond the typical road race for open and masters runners.  From the completely uphill Mt. Washington Road Race to the flat Peachtree City 50K, runners can explore new terrains and attempt new distances while competing in a National Championship race. 

Runners of all ages are encouraged to participate in the MUT championships. When you participate in a USATF MUT championship race and win overall or in an age group, you earn the title of USATF national champion, master's national champion, or age-group national champion. In addition, team competition is offered at national championship races, so your running club can vie for the title of national champion team.

The establishment of the USATF national championships for mountain, ultra, and trail running reflects the growth of these running disciplines in the United States. MUT has been offering championship races in these disciplines since its inception in 1998.  The 2004 championship schedule is the most expansive yet, including mountain, trail, and ultra races of varying distances and terrains. Join the fun at one or more of these great events!

June 5, 2004

USA 10 km Trail Championship

Vail, CO

http://www.vailrec.com 

June 19, 2004

USA Mountain Championship

Gorham, NH

http://www.gsrs.com/mwrr/

July 31, 2004

USA 50 Mile Trail Championship

Crystal Mountain, WA

http://www.whiteriver50.com/

October 2, 204

USA 50 Mile Championship

Boalsburg, PA
http://www.tusseymountainback.com/index.html 

October 17, 2004

USA Trail Marathon Championship

Hendersonville, NC

http://www.ymcahendersonville.org/SpecialEvents/DupontMarathon.htm

November 14, 2004

USA 50 km Championship

Peachtree City, GA

darksiderunningclub@comcast.net

December 18, 2004 

USA 50 km Trail Championship

Huntington, IN

http://www.huff50k.com 

For more information contact:

Janice Anderson (Ultra) - jslug1@comcast.net