Posted: December 10, 2007

Athletics (RWire): Janicki, Sakurai Win IAU Trail World Challenge 50 Mile at Sunmart Texas Trail Endurance Runs

Harrington defends, Jarzombek takes 50K titles From Paul Baltutis HUNTSVILLE, Texas - (December 8, 2007) - This year's Sunmart 50 mile event served as the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) Trail World Challenge. Runners representing twelve IAU federations ran side-by-side with the Open field to vie for the overall championship. The men's winner Jaroslaw Janicki hails from Poland and broke the tape in 6 hours, 7 minutes and 46 seconds. The women's winner, Norimi Sakurai from Japan, clocked in at 6:34:58 at the 18th Texas Trail Endurance Runs on Saturday. Janicki, 41, former winner of several high profile ultra marathons including the Comrades Marathon in South Africa, set the pace from the beginning and slowly separated himself from the rest of the field. "I am happy about winning, but somewhat surprised by my results," stated Janicki who usually competes on the roads and was attempting a trail ultra for the first time. Janicki won his first Sunmart, the famous Stallion trophy and the $1000 victor's purse. Coming in 22 minutes behind Janicki was Marc Vanderlinden of Belgium in 6:29:21 and third place went to Jose Azevedo of Luxembourg in 6:32:04. Sakurai, 36, is also well known internationally in the women's ultra marathon community and was this year's winner of the IAU 100K World cup in The Netherlands. Sakurai ran with the men's leaders and her most serious challenge was the weather. "The conditions were tough," stated Sakurai. "I am happy about winning, but this effort was very tiring." There was a seesaw battle for second and third place as Helen Crossan of Ireland passed Adela Salt of England on last lap and finished in 7:18:24. Salt finished in 7:22:03. In the men's 50K Jim Harrington, 42, from Negaunee, Mich. defended his title in 3:42:33. Harrington surged to the lead from the beginning and no one attempted to stay with his pace on a hot day. "I'm lucky to win this event," stated Harrington, "Everything went well, I drank a lot of Gatorade and that is what saved me." Harrington won the trophy and the $600 cash prize for the 50K victory. He spoke for everyone by complementing the race organization and was especially appreciative for the support on the course on a tough day. Jamie Cleveland, 35, from Austin, a newcomer to ultras finished runner-up in 3:55:53. Francisco Garza, 42, from Houston rounded out the top three and finished in 3:58:59. The women's 50K was the best race of the day as Andrea Jarzombek, 33, from San Antonio bested defending champion Wendy Terris, 38, of Portland, Ore. Jarzombek stated, "Being new to this distance my goal was to finish and I wanted to run within myself. At a certain point, I felt I could open things up." Terris was in the lead, but probably had gone out too fast for the conditions. Jarzombek passed Terris going into the final lap and won in 3:46:12 (second overall). Terris bettered her time from last year and came in 3:51:59 (third overall). Tania Pacev, 48, from Littleton, Colo. placed third in 4:19:55. This year's Sunmart event attracted over 1,100 runners from 32 states and twelve countries. 18th Sunmart Texas Trails Endurance Runs - Huntsville, TX, Saturday, December 8, 2007 50 Mile - IAU Trail World Challenge MEN 1) Jaroslaw Janicki, 41, (POL), 6:07:46, $1000 2) Marc Vanderlinden, 49, (BEL), 6:29:21 3) Jose Azevedo, 42, (LUX), 6:32:04 WOMEN 1) Norimi Sakurai (JPN), 6:34:58, $1000 2) Helen Crossan, 40, (IRL), 7:18:24 3) Adela Salt (GBR), 7:22:03 50K MEN 1) Jim Harrington, 42, MI, 3:42:33, $600 2) Jamie Cleveland (TX), 3:55:53 3) Francisco Garza, 42, TX, 3:58:59 WOMEN 1) Andrea Jarzombek (TX), 3:46:12, $600 2) Wendy Terris (OR), 3:51:59 3) Tania Pacev, 48, CO, 4:19:55 Deeper results at: www.doitsports.com Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director (805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016 Ryan@RunningUSA.org www.RunningUSA.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest