Jones-Wilkins conquers Western States 100-miler
Community School Head of School Andy Jones-Wilkins has completed the Western States Endurance Run 100-miler for the fifth straight time. Jones-Wilkins, 41, of Ketchum, finished the 36th annual 100-miler in 18 hours, 46:51 minutes, good for 11th place overall and third in the Men's 40-49 class. His pace was 11:16 per mile. Hal Koerner, 33, of Ashland, Ore. was the winner, as he was the last time the race was held in 2007, with a time of 16.24:55.
The 100-miler started at 5 a.m. Saturday, June 27 at Squaw Valley, Ca., elevation 6,200 feet, and climbed 2,550 vertical feet in the first four-and-a-half miles. Using 160-year-old mining trails, the course climbed another 15,540 feet and descended 22,970 feet into the Auburn, Ca. finish. There were 399 starters and 238 finishers, a 60% finishing rate.
Jones-Wilkins has enjoyed outstanding success in his previous Western States 100-milers in California. He was fourth overall in 2007 at 17.20:29, seventh in 2006 in 20.04:00, second in 2005 at 17.07:00 and eighth in 2004 at 18.26:00.
Rusch just out of medals at Firecracker 50-miler
Specialized/Red Bull professional mountain bike racer Rebecca Rusch, 41, of Ketchum knew it was going to be a tough Pro Women's field in the ninth annual Fourth of July Firecracker 50-mile race in Colorado—and she was right.
Ketchum firefighter Rusch, fourth in the same race last year in 4.50:12, improved by 14 minutes and still dropped a place in the final standings—just out of the top-five medal standings in sixth place of 15 pros at 4.36:06 July 4 at Breckenridge. For the third straight year, the Firecracker 50 doubled as the USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships.
Winning the Pro classes Saturday was the husband-wife duo of Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (3.28:16) and Heather Irmiger (4.06:10), both of Boulder, Colo. Starting at 10,000 feet elevation, the course was a 25-mile technical loop with about 5,000 feet of climbing per lap. Rusch used it as her final tune-up for the 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo Championships July 25-26 at Canmore, Alberta, Canada.
Fairfield runners finish Firecracker 5k
Six Fairfield runners celebrated the Fourth of July by finishing Thursday's Firecracker 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) run at the College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls. In all, 153 people participated in the evening 5k run/walk and 10k run.
Jamon Frostenson (20:44) placed seventh of 98 runners in the 5k event, and won the Men's 20-29 age class. Alicia Sanders (28:54) was 44th overall, the 16th woman, and ended up second in Women's 30-39. Joe Croner (32:19) was 63rd overall and 10th in Men's 30-39. Matt Croner (34:31) placed 73rd and second in Men's 50-59. Randee Martin (44:20) finished 96th overall and 18th in 30-39, and Janet Croner (45:01) placed 97th overall and third in 50-59.
Babe Ruth baseball tourney comes to Hailey
The Wood River Baseball and Softball Association will stage its annual Wood River Babe Ruth Baseball Tournament for 14 southern Idaho teams on Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11 at Founders Field and Nelson Field, Hailey.
Wood River's only entry, the 14-year-olds coached by John Brashears, will open play Friday at 10 a.m. at Founders Field against Kuna. There are four teams in the 14-15 year old tourney and 10 in the 13-year-old meet starting Friday at 8 a.m. at Founders and Nelson.
Concessions will be available at both fields. Championship games are Saturday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. There will be trophies for the top two teams in the 13-year-olds, and for the winning outfit in the 14-15s.
Entries close July 15 for Perch's Backcountry Run
The Elephant's Perch of Ketchum has announced details of its 29th annual Backcountry Run scheduled for Saturday, July 18 starting at 8 a.m. from Hulen Meadows Park north of Ketchum.
Save-money advance entries close Wednesday, July 15 at midnight at the Perch (726-3497) or at active.com. Offered are 16.5-mile and 10-mile single-track courses in the Adams Gulch and Fox Creek drainages north of Ketchum. Total elevation gain is 1,750 feet. Fees are $25 through July 15, and $35 on July 16 and 17. There is no race day registration. Runners can pick up their packets Friday, July 17 from 9-6 at the Perch.
Last year there were 78 runners on the long course and 182 finishers on the 10-mile route. Winners were Mike Sinnott (1.51:21) and Michelle Jensen (2.03:16) for the 16.5-miler, and Noah Hoffman (55:14) and Morgan Arritola (1.04:35) for the 10-mile distance.
Valley Club has two aces
In a three-day span prior to Independence Day, The Valley Club was the scene of two holes-in-one.
On June 30, Carolyn Benson aced the West Course fourth hole from the red tees at 135 yards. Witnesses were Rosalen Cline, Carol Karner and Barbara Shelton. On July 2, Scott Rogers holed his tee shot on the South Course second hole from the blue tees at 150 yards. Witnesses were Jim and Julie Schultz, and Margo Rogers.
Ski Club plans a bike ride to Galena Lodge
The Sun Valley Ski Club announced last week that it is planning a bike ride to Galena Lodge on Thursday, July 16. Bikers should bring a water bottle and meet in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters parking lot eight miles north of Ketchum at 9:45 a.m. The ride will leave at 10 a.m. and be followed by a no-host lunch at Galena Lodge. You may ride either S.H. 75 or mountain bike the Harriman Trail. RSVP to the SVSC office (622-3003) by Tuesday, July 14. Or email the club at sunvalskiclub@yahoo.com.
