XTERRA Pacific Northwest Trail Run Series is Underway

Fort Steilacoom Trail Run is first race of the new series

History was made last weekend when the first XTERRA Pacific Northwest Trail Run Series race was held at Lakewood, Washington.

The XTERRA Fort Steilacoom Trail Run was completed on Saturday, March 24, in near-ideal conditions at Fort Steilacoom Park.

Edward Strickler of Seattle ran away with the victory, completing the 16-killometer trail in a course-record time of 1 hour, 5 minutes, 26 seconds. Strickler is an avid runner who has trained and raced on many trails in the Pacific Northwest, but he said this was his first experience at Fort Steilacoom.

(Race photo courtesy www.nwtrailruns.com)

"There was some singletrack that was narrow with some tight turns, but there was also a lot of open sections, and the hills weren't too steep," he said. "It wasn't the most difficult trail, but for an early-season race, it was good because you could get your feet under you. It was actually a great way to start the season."

It was also a great way to welcome the XTERRA Pacific Northwest Trail Run Series as the latest region to join the XTERRA Trail Run national circuit. The Pacific Northwest is one of 12 regions hosting an XTERRA Trail Run Series in 2012. The others are Alabama, Arizona, Southern California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pocono, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Texas.

The Pacific Northwest Series will feature four races in 2012, with all of the races set to take place in Washington. "The road races are still more popular out here," Strickler said. "But the trail races are growing. I'm seeing more and more people, so I think there's a lot of potential."

He added that the weather cooperated on race day, offering runners cool - but dry - temperatures. "It was a beautiful day," he said. "The (temperature) was maybe 50s or 60s, which is perfect running weather."

Keith Laverty of Bellevue, Wash., placed second to Strickler with a time of 1:09:15, and Doug Lowe of Seattle was third in 1:13:55.

Breana Herren from Seattle was the first female finisher with a course-record time of 1:25:33. MacKenzie Vaughn from Olalla, Wash., was second in 1:26:48.

In addition to the 16-kilometer long course, there was also an 8-kilometer short course for sprinters and less-experienced runners. Jonmark Smith was the first finisher in the 8K with a time of 35:01, and Natasha was the first female in 46:12.

For complete results, CLICK HERE.

Runners of all ages and skill levels can participate in the XTERRA Pacific Northwest Trail Run Series. Each race in the series will offer a long course and a short course to accommodate the various levels of runners.

The next race in the series will be the XTERRA Lord Hill Trail Run at Snohomish, Wash., on June 2. To register for a race in the series, or to learn more about it, please visit www.nwtrailruns.com.

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