The 11th annual Audi Power of Four trail run was held on Saturday, with runners going from Aspen to Snowmass Village via an up-and-over trek of the four area ski mountains. Produced by Aspen Skiing Co., it has become one of the most popular trail runs in the region.
According to a news release from Skico, this year’s field of almost 400 runners was the “largest competitor field to date” with racers climbing almost 10,000 feet throughout the roughly 31-mile course.
Taking the overall 50-kilometer race win was Matthew Vira, of Louisville, Colorado, in 5 hours, 30 minutes, 54.3 seconds. Basalt’s Zachary Russell was second (5:43:21.5) and Longmont’s Andreas O’Malley was third (5:58:21.8).
In fourth overall and first among women was Hannah Osowski of Colorado Springs in 5:59:39.9. The second female finisher was Kentucky’s Anne Flower (6:07:10.2, sixth overall) and in third was Basalt’s Jessica Collentine (6:42:31.8, 12th overall).
In the 25k race, both titles went to the husband-and-wife duo of David and Megan Roche, out of Boulder. David Roche was the overall winner in 1:54:38.95, while Megan Roche was third overall in 2:20:54.59. In second was Mason Coppi of Denver in 1:57:07.4.
The 10k race was won by Aspen’s Matt Shelden in 45:06.99. The top female finisher was Vail’s Anna Saunders in 1:00:38.63.
Aspen Valley Marathon returns
Also Saturday was the Aspen Valley Marathon, a foot race from Aspen to Basalt via the Rio Grande Trail that is a Boston Marathon qualifier.
Taking the win was Devin Deholl out of Asheville, North Carolina, in 2 hours, 41 minutes, 23 seconds. In second was Egor Gavrilov of Huntington, West Virginia, in 2:42:15, and in third was Nick Nowlen of Arvada in 2:43:13.
The women’s race win went to Anna Gavrilova in 3:07:12. She was 13th overall. Carbondale’s Colleen Loughlin was second in 3:10:36 (16th overall) and in third was Jessica Chaffee of Austin, Texas, in 3:17:35 (20th overall).
In the half marathon, Bryce Shirley of Omaha, Nebraska, won in 1:21:50. Watkins Fulk-Gray of Glenwood Springs was second (1:21:51) and Longmont’s Phil Dumontet was third (1:22:14).
The women’s half marathon winner was Denver’s Colleen Campbell in 1:27:49. Second was Aspen’s Emily Lanter (1:32:29, 11th overall) and in third was Amy Rollins of Carbondale (1:33:34, 15th overall).
Fruita’s Erik Campbell won the 5k race in 21:16, while Brooks Yang of Beverly Hills took the women’s crown in 21:19, good for fourth overall.
But there’s more
Among Saturday’s events was the Aspen Invitational, a charity bike ride by the local nonprofit Brake the Cycle. Through working with World Vision, Brake the Cycle raises money for bicycles and clean drinking water (via water wells) for the people of Zambia. Each summer a group of passionate donors come together for a fun ride that includes a trek up to the Maroon Bells. There was also an option for mountain bikers.
For more, visit https://www.brakethecycle.net/.
Race season is far from over in the Roaring Fork Valley. Among events still to come are the Snowmass 50 mountain bike race and the Aspen Backcountry Marathon, both scheduled for Aug. 5. The Grand Traverse, which takes racers from Crested Butte to Aspen via a run, and then back via bike should racers decide to do both, is scheduled for Sept. 2-3.
Aspen’s famed Golden Leaf Half Marathon is slated for Sept. 23.
acolbert@aspentimes.com