Top three earn spots to 2010 World 24 Hour in France
By Dan Brannen
The 2009 U.S. 24 Hour Run National Championship was hosted by the inaugural North Coast 24 Hour Endurance Run at Edgewater Park in Cleveland, Ohio on October 3-4. Conditions were nearly ideal, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s on the scenic lakefront course. Philip McCarthy, 41, of New York City and Jill Perry, 38, of Manlius, NY took their first national titles.
McCarthy, one of the top Americans at the all day / all night event for the past three years and one of the favorites, compiled 151.51 miles for the win. Perry, a relative newcomer to ultrarunning at any distance, emerged victorious after a nip-and-tuck duel through the night with local favorite (and #2 all-time American) Connie Gardner, racking up 136.32 miles for the win.
Veteran and former national champ John Geesler, 50, of St. Johnsville, NY, nipped Dan Rose, 32, of Washington, DC by just over one-tenth of a mile to take second behind McCarthy. On the distaff side, relatively unknown Anna Piskorska, 37, of Blandon, PA was runner-up with 132.26 miles, ahead of another local runner and 2009 U.S. national team member Debra Horn of Shaker Heights, OH, who totaled 128.93 miles. All six of these athletes qualified for the U.S. national team that will compete at the World 24 Hour in Brive, France in May 2010.
Inaugural North Coast 24 Hour Endurance Run
Cleveland, OH, October 3-4, 2009
MEN
1) Philip McCarthy, 41, New York, NY, 151.51 miles, $900
2) John Geesler, St. Johnsville, NY, 139.41 miles, $300
3) Dan Rose, Washington, DC, 139.28 miles, $200
4) Keith Straw, Malvern, PA, 137.87 miles
5) Tim Clement, Solon, OH, 134.21 miles
WOMEN
1) Jill Perry, 38, Manlius, NY, 136.32 miles, $900
2) Anna Piskorska, Blandon, PA, 132.26 miles, $300
3) Debra Horn, Shaker Heights, OH, 128.93 miles, $200
4) Kim Martin, 44, Lakeville, MN, 123.19 miles
5) Connie Gardner, 45, Medina, OH, 116.19 miles
Complete race results, photos and more at: www.northcoast24.org.