The 2016-2017 Desert Runner Trail Series is coming to a close just in time for the weather to really heat up here in Phoenix. The 7th and final race in the series is the Mesquite Canyon Trail Runs on March 18 at White Tank Mountain Regional Park. We thought it would be fun and beneficial to update everyone on the current point standings. Since the final race in the series is worth more points (1250 instead of 1000) this one can really shake things up.
The full point standings are currently on Ultrasignup for both the Ultra Series & Trail Series (they have been calculated through Elephant Mountain).
We are recapping the top ten men and women in both series going into the final race at Mesquite. Remember, points are allocated based upon your finish percentage time of the winner and we score only your best 3 races in the whole series. In addition to overall awards, we will also have a masters category for runners over 40 years of age.
Awards will be presented at our April 23 Dam Good Run at Lake Pleasant Regional Park.
*We’ve denoted below with an asterisk (*) which athletes have only completed two races in the series. They have the highest likelihood of moving up in the standings by just finishing Mesquite Canyon.
Women’s Trail Series Open Division
Carmen Enns leads our Trail Series (24K-35K) open division by more than 200 points over Suzanne Janssen with Marisa Jenkins rounding out our podium. All three have completed at least three races within the series. The best bet for a woman to surpass these leaders would be Kori Krichko, Rachel Buzzard, Erin Kennedy, or Adela Salt- all having completed just two races. Currently, only Erin has registered for Mesquite.
Women’s Trail Series Open Division
- Carmen Enns (31) – 2533 Points
- Suzanne Janssen (36) – 2331
- Marisa Jenkins (40) – 2124
- Jill Futia (52) – 2031
- *Kori Krichko (25) – 2000
- *Rachel Buzzard (31) – 1967
- *Erin Kennedy (40) – 1933
- *Adela Salt (43) – 1914
- Sandra Rowland (55) – 1855
- *Lora Liu (34) – 1849
Women’s Master’s Division
Our Master’s Division is led by Marisa Jenkins, who leads Jill Futia by just 93 points. These two have both completed three races within the series while Erin Kennedy and Adela Salt have both finished just two. Erin is ready to toe the line at Mesquite while Adela has not registered. There are three additional ladies closing out the top 10 that have only finished two races: Nicole Weitzman, Barb Dow, and Dianna Torrez, who could make some noise with a finish at Mesquite. None of those three are registered as of today.
Women’s Master TRAIL Series Leaders – (40+)
- Marisa Jenkins (40) – 2124 Points
- Jill Futia (52) – 2031
- *Erin Kennedy (40) – 1933
- *Adela Salt (43) – 1914
- Sandra Rowland (55) – 1855
- Michelle Edwards (44) – 1744
- Lindy Manwaring (42) – 1685
- *Nicole Weitzman (47) – 1438
- *Barb Dow (55) – 1321
- *Dianna Torrez (46) – 1304
Women’s Ultra Series Open Division
Lisa Buzzeo is our overall leader in the Ultra division (50K, 50M), narrowly leading Diana Sigrist, with Jean Watson rounding out the podium. All three of these ladies have finished three races. What makes this battle so interesting is that the next seven women have only completed two races and would have a solid chance of winning an award. However, only Lisa Moore is registered for Mesquite as of today!
Women’s Ultra Series Open Division
- Lisa Buzzeo (34) – 2527 Points
- Diana Sigrist (43) – 2435
- Jean Watson (56) – 2228
- *Emily Cova (34) – 1913
- *Lisa Moore (36) – 1885
- *Krystin Mullins (29) – 1847
- *Shannon Maaske (34) – 1621
- *Amber Fifield (32) – 1563
- *Michelle Wagher (44) – 1561
- *Claire Ogesen (30) – 1547
Women’s Ultra Series Master’s Division
The Master’s Ultra Division has Diana Sigrist as our current leader and Jean Watson sits in second. Michelle Wagher is in third place but with only two races on the books. Again, 3rd-10th place in the Master’s Division have all only completed two races in the series leaving the door WIDE open for some final week shuffling. As it turns out though, none of those women are set to run Mesquite either.
Women’s ULTRA Series Master’s Division (40+)
- Diana Sigrist – 2435 Points
- Jean Watson – 2228
- *Michelle Wagher – 1561
- *Rachel Thomas (43) – 1533
- *Meggin Kirk (42) – 1533
- *Terri Rashid (49) – 1452
- *Angela Gohlke (42) – 1426
- *Crista McCarthy (44) – 1415
- *Debora Gama Lima (51) – 1406
- *Merilee Carter (44) – 1390
Men’s Trail Series
Sixty year old Kevin Tuck leads the Trail Series (24-35K) Open Division with some seriously strong scores that include three second place finishes. James Breyfogle & David Santiago round out the Open division podium heading into the final race. All three of these men have three races in their score but current leader, Kevin Tuck and David Santiago (3rd) are not registered for Mesquite as it stands. The door is open for other runners to edge closer. Travis Swaim may be the only one to overtake Kevin at this point but the rest of the podium is still up for grabs!
Men’s Overall Leaders TRAIL Series
- Kevin Tuck (60) – 2893 Points
- James Brewfogle (35) – 2789
- David Santiago (52) – 2666
- *Travis Swaim (28) – 2000
- Tim Hackett (50) – 1961
- Raul Olmo (58) – 1887
- *Mike McLean (44) – 1855
- *Anthony Tadajewski (39) – 1853
- David Witko (59) – 1773
- *Jonathan Schaller (32) – 1724
Men’s Master Trail Series
As Kevin Tuck has dominated the DRT Series, he leads the Master’s division too. And while Tim Hackett and Raul Olmo are battling it out for the third place spot, Mike McLean, Raymond Pierce, John Kruelle or Joe Labrie would each have a chance of jumping these two with a finish at Mesquite. Raymond is in for the 30K & Joe is signed up for the half marathon but that wouldn’t count unless he bumps his entry to the 30K.
Men’s Master TRAIL Series Leaders – ages 40+
- Kevin Tuck (60) – 2893 Points
- David Santiago (52) – 2666
- Tim Hackett (50) – 1961
- Raul Olmo (58) – 1887
- *Mike McLean (44) – 1855
- David Witko (59) – 1773
- *Raymond Pierce (45) – 1695
- Derrick Mitchell (41) – 1661
- *John Kruelle (52) – 1636
- *Joe Labrie (52) – 1542
Men’s Ultra Series Open Division (all ages)
This is led by 47 year old Rob Gray who had another great race at Elephant Mountain, finishing second behind Travis. In fact, all THREE runners on the podium in the Open Division are over 40, meaning we would be looking at a clean sweep of the Open & Master’s Division if no one steps to the line at Mesquite. What makes it interesting is that all three of the leaders (Geoffrey Foote & Michael Miller are the other two) have completed three or more races and have essentially tapped out in points while we have three fast (younger) runners that could overtake them with a strong showing in the White Tanks.
Travis Swaim, Kent Green and Adam Danks all average over 900 points in their two respective races they’ve completed and could surpass all three to land on the podium in the finale. But that would require them to actually run at Mesquite which none of them are currently in line to do.
Men’s Overall Leaders ULTRA Series
- Rob Gray (47) – 2532 Points
- Geoffrey Foote (46) – 2178
- Michael Miller (53) – 2111
- Rick Cheever (34) – 2089
- *Travis Swaim (28) – 2000
- Bill Nicktakis (56) – 1923
- *Kent Green (29) – 1861
- *Adam Danks (38) – 1850
- Dean Hansen (61) – 1817
- *Diego Espinosa (52) – 1732
Men’s Ultra Master Series
As mentioned above, all three leaders, Rob Gray, Geoffrey Foote, and Michael Miller also lead the Master’s division (see: bad a**). If Bill Nictakis can carry his momentum through Mesquite he could land himself on the podium- he’s registered for the 50K. My money would be on Diego Espinosa who has only finished two DRT races but he is not registered and has a 100 miler in February so he’s likely out. Others with a shot are Rob Applegate and Kevin Rauter who only have two races on the books. However, neither are registered for Mesquite.
Men’s Master ULTRA Series Leaders – (40+)
- Rob Gray ~ 2532 Points
- Geoffrey Foote – 2178
- Michael Miller – 2111
- Bill Nicktakis – 1923
- Dean Hansen – 1817
- *Diego Espinosa – 1732
- Christopher Vitek (54) – 1638
- *Rob Applegate (42) – 1567
- *Kevin Rauter (50) – 1542
- *Julius Drelick (49) – 1480
Shameless plug to make sure it gets interesting: Mesquite Ultrasignup page
