Sachtleben wins 2016 Collegiate Mountain Running National Championship

The Loon Mountain Race served as both the U.S. and Collegiate championships; three collegians earn spot on 2016 U.S. Mountain Running Team

The third Collegiate Mountain Running National Champions were crowned as part of the 2016 Loon Mountain Race in Lincoln, New Hampshire on July 3, 2016. The Loon Mountain Race also served as the U.S. Mountain Running Championships and was the only team selection race for the upcoming World Championships in Sapareva Banha, Bulgaria. The top six men and top four women automatically qualified for the U.S. Mountain Running Team and the top three male and female college students split a $3,000 prize purse provided by the Collegiate Running Association. With both prize money and Team U.S.A. spots on the line, the competition proved to be fierce in both races.

A record number of participants were on hand for the races, including 52 college students representing more than 40 colleges and universities from across the U.S. This is more than double the collegiate participation from two years ago when the first Collegiate Championships were held in Lincoln. In all, roughly 600 participants competed and conquered the 10.6k run up the mountain, which was highlighted by the infamously steep Upper Walking Boss – nearly 1000m of climbing with an average incline of 40%.

Women’s Recap

There was also a strong collegiate women’s field as Mary Ballinger, Amanda Lee, Mandy Ortiz, Bethany Sachtleben and Taylor Ward were all pre-race favorites. Ward, who competed in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials (Marathon), and Ortiz, who was the 2013 World Junior (U20) Champion, were considered two of the heavy favorites before the race, but this day was owned by George Mason University graduate Bethany Sachtleben.

Sachtleben, a NOVA graduate student, took command of the race from the gun leading both the U.S. and Collegiate Championships races through 4.5 miles. Sachtleben, who placed 2nd in both the 2015 CRA Trail Championship and 2016 CRA 10K Road Race Championship, used a fast start on the lower, flatter section of the race to build a huge lead on the collegiate field and was never challenged winning in 58:16.4. Along with being named the Collegiate Mountain Running National Champion, Sachtleben earned $750 for being the first college finisher, $500 for placing 2nd in the U.S. Championship, and a spot on the U.S. Mountain Running Team.

Ward, a graduate student at Weber State, claimed second among collegians in 1:04:46. Her efforts netted her $500. Boston University graduate student Amanda Lee claimed $250 for third among collegians in 1:07.21. 

                        Collegiate Female Top 10

Place      Bib          Name                                 City                      St     Time    

===== ===== ================== ============   == 

    1          3876       Bethany Sachtleben   Manassas     VA    58:16.4 

    2          3973       Taylor Ward                 Auburn           AL  1:04:46.2

    3          3720       Amanda Lee                Boulder           CO 1:07:21.2

    4          3465       Mary Ballinger            Martin             TN  1:07:51.2

    5          3954       Annmarie Tuxbury     New Hartford CT  1:08:58.7

    6          3821       Mandy Ortiz                Eagle                CO 1:12:11.5

    7          3819       Amelia Ortiz                Eagle                CO 1:13:23.6

    8          3911       Zoe Snow                    Weston            MA 1:16:25.0

    9          3505       Cally Braun                 Charlotte         VT  1:21:24.4

   10        3870       Alexandra Ross          Glastonbury    CT  1:22:24.0