Frosty temperatures and sunny skies greeted runners as they arrived for the 10 a.m. start of the 2024 Moab Trail Half Marathon on November 2. The event served as the USATF Half Marathon Trail Championships for the second consecutive year. Moab also hosted the half marathon championship in 2012 and 2013.
Christian Allen, Orem, UT, won the race in 1:19:02 besting the course record of 01:21:36 set just last year by Meikael Beaudoin-Rousseau. Runner-up Mason Coppi, Lakewood, CO, also bested the previous record with his time of 1:20:34. Rounding out the top three was David Sinclair, South Burlington, VT, timed in 1:21:38.
On the women’s side, Allie McLaughlin, Colorado Springs, CO, was the top runner with a winning time of 1:34:34, breaking the women’s course record set last year by Bailey Kowalczyk by nearly two minutes. In 1:36:40 was second place finisher Tayler Tuttle, Boulder, CO. Rounding out the top three was Rachel Tomajczyk, Williams, AZ, in 1:37:34.
AGE GROUP CHAMPIONS
Nearly 100 runners were registered in the USATF Championship category and there were 77 finishers. Age group winners included:
40-44 – Josh Eberly, 1:26:58 45-49 – Sanford White, 1:44:07 and Sarah Barber, 2:00:00 50-54 – Chris Grauch, 1:36:36 and Heike McNeil, 2:31:09 55-59 – Edwin Johnson, 2:00:01 and Suzy Matsumoto, 2:15:41 60-64 – Michael DeLange, 2:25:21 65-69 – Richard Fargo, 2:04:55 and Anita Rawlinson, 3:32:57 70-74 – Buzz Burrell, 2:24:12 75-79 – Frank Kunkle, 3:02:21
Complete results can be found here.
Course at USATF Half Marathon Trail Running Championships
The course ascends about 800 feet in the first 4 miles and becomes increasingly technical before a sharp descent of about 600 feet between Miles 8 and 9. The terrain throughout the 13-mile route varies from sandy jeep tracks, rim trails, single track, and a short section of road. This mix of surfaces provides a challenging and exciting route for competitors.
Remaining USATF Championships
There are still two championship distances to be contested in 2024. The USATF 10km Trail Running Championships will be held on November 16, in Bentonville, AR, at the Dirt Circus, and the USATF 24-Hour Championships will be held on November 23, in Goodyear, AZ, at Fat Ox.
Contributed by Joe Jurczyk
Photo Credit: Karley Rempel