On August 22nd Snowbasin Resort played host to the inaugural Mount Ogden 50k. Snowbasin is not featured on the Intermountain Cup schedule and the 50k offered racers a chance to sample the trail network, which is helping to make the Ogden area an outdoor recreation hotspot. Racers responded with 200 turning out for the race.
Temperatures were high, even at the higher elevations, but that didn't take away from the exciting singletrack riding during the race. An abundance of tight trail kept riders focused and having fun throughout the marathon distance race.
Chris Holley on his way to a win at Mt. Ogden
In the men's event, it was endurance strongman Chris Holley (Subaru/Gary Fisher) taking top honors. Despite being just one week removed from his top-20 finish at the Leadville 100, Holley had plenty left in the gas tank defeating a field of top Utah riders. Nate Miller (Dale's Pale Ale), enjoying his typical late season burst, did his best to stick with the leader keeping Holley in sight throughout most of the race. He finally finished just 27 seconds back. Miller can now add Mount Ogden to his second place finish at the Galena Grinder last month.
Even with the longer distance, riders stayed close together with the top-4 finishers being separated by a mere 79 seconds. Jonny Hintze (Bikers Edge) finished in the third spot with recent Madison, Wisconsin, transplant Thomas Bender taking 4th just 19 seconds back.
Sarah Kaufmann crosses the finish line
In the women's event, it was Sarah Kaufmann (Titus/Roaring Mouse) crossing the line first. Kaufmann, who relocated to the Ogden area this summer, was the only female finisher to break the 3 hour mark, finishing with a time of 2.59.13. Kauffman seems to excel at longer distance races having just taken 3rd at the Intermontance Challenge in Kamloops, Canada.
Behind Kauffman came KC Holley (Subaru/Gary Fisher) who reported to be feeling the effects of her amazing third place finish in Leadville. Third place went to Joey Lithgoe (Kuhl/Scott).
Riders at the start of the Pro women's event
Race Notes:
Racers of the Mount Ogden 50k were handsomely rewarded for their efforts on the race course with a spectacular prize list which included Light & Motion lights, Edge Composite Wheelsets, Kinetic Trainers, and much more.
Written by: Shannon Boffeli
Photos by: Lyna Saffell
Results
Pro Men
1, Chris Holley (Gary Fisher) 2.36.40
2, Nate Miller (Dales Pale Ale) 2.37.07
3, Jonny Hintze (Bikers Edge) 2.37.40
4, Thomas Bender 2.37.59
5, Quin Bingham (Bikers Edge) 2.43.43
6, Tom Diegel
7, Brent Pontius
8, Nick Fisher
9, Brandon Firth (Rocky Mountain)
10, Todd Smith
11, Taylor Foss
12, Ryan Krusemark
13, Chad Davis
14, Josh Mortensen
15, Scott Morrison
16, Brett Satterwaite
17, Kyle Stock
18, Bob Saffell (Revolution/Peak Fasteners)
19, Fred Porter (Kuhl/Scott)
Pro Women
1, Sarah Kaufmann (Titus/Roaring Mouse) 2.59.13
2, KC Holley (Gary Fisher) 3.02.18
3, Joey Lithgoe (Kuhl/Scott) 3.02.44
4, Erika Powers (Revolution/Peak Fasteners) 3.15.29
5, Kelsey Bingham 3.22.39
6, Mary Fuss
7, Debbie Mortensen
8, Lisa White
9, Meg Plank
