Cool weather and clear skies led to new course records in both the men’s and women’s Superior 100 Trail Races Sept. 7-8. Steven Moore (Austin, Texas) knocked off nearly 40 minutes off the previous course record finishing in 21:02. Kristina Folcik (Goffstown, N.H.) lowered the women’s course record by an astounding two hours with a finish time of 24:49. Overall 89 racers finished the 100 mile trail run through remote wilderness on the Superior Hiking Trail.
Men’s Race
Steven Moore would take the lead early on in the race and held it to the end to win the race in his first attempt. Moore, a resident of Austin, Texas who grew up in Colorado, came through the 50 mile mark in Finland in a time of 9:27. Only two other runners, Adam St. Pierre (9:36) and Ben Hian (9:59), ran under 10 hours over the first half of the race.
Moore’s pace slowed slightly through the night but was able to pull away from his fellow competitors for the win. St. Pierre, a resident of Minneapolis, used his knowledge and experience of the course to recorded his second straight runner-up finish in 22:41. Ryan Welts (Goffstown, N.H.), the fiance of women’s race winner Kristina Folcik, finished third in 22:58.
Women’s Race
Kristina Folcik experienced a range of emotions during her first 100-mile race. The New Hampshire, native started her first 100-mile race with a head ache that persisted during much of the race. She thought about dropping at the Tettegouche Aid Station at mile 35 but she was convinced to push on by her coach and pacers. Christi Nowak was the first to reach the half way point in 10:52 more than an hour ahead of the next woman Sheryl Wheeler. Folcik came in five minutes later.
With her headache behind her and her gastrointestinal issues under control she went to work over the final 50 miles. She took the lead for the first at the 77 mile mark. She held on to the lead and crossed the line in a time of 24:54, two hours under the course record. She finished seventh overall.
Christi Nowak finished second and 10th overall in 25:52, and Rebecca George was one spot back in 26:05.