75K Runners heading out at the start
What began as an informal full moon night training run for the Javelina Jundred, has evolved into an event all its own. I ran the Javelina Night Run back in 2005 when it was a completely self supported affair, loosely organized by Javelina Jundred founder and race director Geri Kilgariff. It was my first true night trail run and I remember the magic and adventure of running around the Pemberton Trail under the full moon with friends. Coyotes were howling, I could shut off my headlamp halfway through the run and there was even a night mountain bike ride going on in the opposite direction we were running. That was back before I ran my first ultra, but it helped to pave the way for my introduction into the sport. Running further than a half marathon at night completely self supported took me outside of my comfort zone.
50K Runners
After we took over the Javelina Jundred in 2008, we decided to put a little more into the night run and it has slowly evolved into what it is today, a 25 Km, 50Km, 75Km and 100Km around the Pemberton Trail at night under the full moon. This year was our largest showing ever, with 257 runners taking to the trails around sunset. Just as this was my first introduction to night trail running and my first exposure to the ultra running community, we hope this event will pave the way for many runners to get out of their comfort zones and experience something amazing.
25 K Runners under the full moon
The new format this year replaces the previous 12 hour format in lieu of defined distances. We now have separate start times for each distance and an overall 14 hour cutoff for the 100 Km. Drop downs (or upgrades for those brave enough) are allowed and results are posted reflecting the switching. There is also now a full aid station at the Pemberton Trailhead, full aid station at Granite Tank half way around the loop and pizza and pint glasses for all runners at the finish!
25K Winner Brian Folts
The men’s 25Km race was close with the top three finishing within 4 minutes of each other. Brian Folts (multiple time DRT trail series race winner) crossed the line first in 1:44 followed two minutes later by Nick Goodman and then Ryan Petry. The women’s race wasn’t quite so close, with speedy Lauren Besenfelder taking the top spot with a 2:08 lap followed by masters runner Lisa Raykowski in 2:13. A total of 169 runners finished one loop, many whom experienced their first night trail run!
Runners coming in at night.
The 50K with its 13 hour cutoff is a nice option for runners who want a generous cutoff and ideal running conditions for unique night ultra. There were 74 finishers in the 50K with Trent Taylor of Mesa taking first, sneaking in under the 4 hour mark with a 3:57. Bret Sarnquist of Flagstaff was second in 4:05. Jumping from a half-marathon up to her first ultra distance race and taking the win was 22 year old Erin Lostracco of Scottsdale who finished in 4:42. She was followed up by Laura Encinas of Phoenix who finished with a 5:05.
In the unique 75Km distance (about 46.6 miles) we had a dozen finishers, two of which were women. Jason Underwood of Casa Grande took the win in 8:26, followed by Daren Sandbank of Oro Valley in 8:48. Our first female finisher was Becky Iammarino of Surprise who was 3rd overall in 8:50.
Bret Sarnquist – 2nd in the 50K
Out of 21 starters in the 100 Km race, we had a very low finisher rate of only 3 runners! Most decided to drop down to shorter distances for one reason or another. This makes the Javelina Night Run 100Km come out with a lower finisher % than the same day’s Mogollon Monster 100 mile! Dov Greenberg was our top finisher in 12:21, followed by Eric Bonilla in 12:41 and Matt Long in 12:53.
Dov Greenberg – 1st Place 100Km
With the night run complete, we now turn our attention towards our premier event on the Pemberton Trail, the Javelina Jundred which will be held October 27-28 under the full moon!