VHTRC runners close out 2014 in style at Hellgate 100K

Brad Hinton was the top VHTRC finisher at the 12th running of David Horton’s Hellgate 100K on 12/13/14, claiming fourth overall in the field with a sub-12 finish – 11:54:48.

Other Happy Trails runners in the top 10 included Jack Kurisky, who took first in the male masters division and 7th overall with a finish time of 12:43:56; John Andersen, who claimed 5th overall in 12:06:40; and Michael Kisiel, who took 10th in 12:57:08.

In the women’s field, Justine Morrison took first with a 13:19:07 that was good enough for 13th overall; Bethany Patterson came in second at 13:25:49, and Lori Cooper was third with a 13:32:59.

Other strong VHTRC performances included Sophie Speidel’s 15:54:45 finish, which was good enough for honors as first 50-plus woman. Keith Knipling and Kerry Owens logged solid performances as usual, racking up their 10th Hellgate finishes.

The top overall finisher this year was Ryan Paavola, who set a new course record of 10:45:49 in weather that was fantastic by Hellgate standards. Temperatures hit a low of only 30 degrees, and topped out at 50. There were no major injuries, according to George Wortley, but at least four cases of the legendary “Hellgate Eyes” – corneal edema. There were 148 starters, and 122 finished under the 18-hour cutoff.

Full preliminary results are available here.

George Wortley’s wrap-up video can be viewed here.