Walker, Vanlerken Win XTERRA Makena Beach 10km

FULL RESULTS | WATCH HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

A record-breaking field of more than 500 athletes lined up under XTERRA’s signature red arch and bright, beautiful, blue skies at this morning’s XTERRA Makena Beach Trail Runs. Just a day before the prestigious XTERRA World Championship off-road triathlon, today’s trail runs also hosted its own international spectacular with runners hailing from 15 countries and 31 states.

Talent was in high supply for the 10-kilometer race, and Nick Walker from Victoria, BC (pictured here photo ©2009 Rich Cruse/richcruse.com) took home the top prize. His blazing fast time of 43:53 was good enough to best Kit Stokes from Bristol, UK crossing the line at 45:30 to claim the runner-up position. Walker, a running store owner and triathlon coach, said “the course was unbelievable. It was hot, and the climb was hard, but it felt great.” Stokes, a pro triathlete here supporting friends in tomorrow’s event, had a disappointing experience at the Kona Ironman World Championship two weeks ago and said “this is a nice consolation prize.” Michael Tobin, 2000 XTERRA World Champion and the last American to win off-road triathlon's premier event, took third place just four seconds behind Stokes.

Known as the Flying Blonde Dutch Girl, professional triathlete Yvonne Van Vlerken from the Netherlands (now living in Schwarzach, Austria) blew away the women’s 10k field in 46:42. Van Vlerken was second at the Ironman World Championship last year, is a several time Ironman race winner and the 2006 Duathlon World Champion, but this was her very first trail run. “I have never done a race like this. The course was really exciting and the time just flew by.” Just two minutes behind the winner was last year’s 10k champion and the 2008 XTERRA Trail Running World Champion Cynthia Anderson from Kailua, HI. “This is a really hard course, but I knew what to expect. I went out a little quick and stayed with Yvonne for a few miles, but after that she really took off.” XTERRA newcomer and professional triathlete Mandy Mclane from Orlando, FL rounded out the top three in 50:49.

In the 5km race, Eugene, Oregon’s Andy Downin led the field in 23:29. One of the organizers for the Eugene Marathon, Andy gave this race his stamp of approval. “This course was very Hawaiian with the black rocks, sand, and scenery. It was definitely not easy but very cool.” Local Haiku runners Brooke Mahnken and Nick Wilson took second and third places with their times of 25:33 and 25:48 respectively.

For the women, Tiffany Hill from Kailua, HI had the winning time of 26:47. A Naval engineer moving to Oahu just four months ago, she came out to preview the run course for her big race tomorrow. If today is any indication of how fast she is, women in the 30-34 age group should keep her on their competition radar. Also competing in tomorrow’s race, Keri Grosse from Leavenworth, WA took the runner-up position in 27:33. “I like to do this race as a warm-up, and even though I went out a little too hard today, I feel good.” Just one second later, Kahului local Kiana Smith, a 12-year old 7th grader, claimed the 3rd place title for the second straight year.

Last year’s 5km winner Dakota Grossman, an 8th grader from Pukalani, HI, upgraded to the 10km race this year and unbelievably came in 9th place overall for the women with her time of 59:07. Wearing a t-shirt with a picture of her grandpa who passed away just a month ago, Dakota said she competed today as a way to remember and honor him.

Winning her division in the 5km event, Ruth Limtiaco of Honolulu said “I’m hooked on XTERRA!” after her very first trail run. As part of the public relations team for the host hotel, Ruth is just one of many who think the Makena Beach & Golf Resort is the perfect place to hold such an exciting weekend.

After the steep Haleakala climb, the twists and turns inside Spooky Forest, and the grueling sand run on the sparkling Makena Beach, 10km winners were rewarded with round trip flights between the mainland and Hawaii courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines while the 5km champions were given free shoes from the exciting line of XTERRA Footwear.

Those who missed out on today’s event along with those who just can’t get enough XTERRA should mark the December 6th XTERRA Trail Running World Championship on their calendar. Held at Oahu’s spectacular Kualoa Ranch, site of major productions such as Jurassic Park, Godzilla, and LOST, no qualification is necessary, and with 5km, 10km, and 21km distances, there is a race for everyone.

© 2013 TEAM Unlimited LLC