Willliam Emerson and Ann Trason are the winners! 

Emerson, age 37 from Redmond Washington, won a very close men's race with final margin of little more than a minute over Dave Dunham.  Ann Trason, age 40 from Kensington California, won both Open and Masters, taking the lead at 37 miles from Bonnie McReynolds. 

Dan Brannen reports that conditions were overcast with rain in the early hours, with temperature down to the 40's (Fahrenheit) on ridges, and no views of Mt. Rainier.  Seven men were within one minute of each other at the halfway mark, and Dunham was within 30 seconds of Emerson as late as 44 miles in the race.  Trason's final margin of about 19 minutes includes some late slowing by McReynolds, the women's race having been also very close until near the end. Here are some of the top finishers with as much background information as is available on short notice: 

              MEN 

              1. William Emerson, 37, Remond WA, 6:58:14 
              2. Dave Dunham, 37, MA, 6:59:19 
              3. Clark Zealand (Canadian visitor not in USATF medals) 7:07:56 
              4. Dennis Polheco, 40 (1st Master) 7:17:17 
              5. Eric Clifton, 43, Albuquerque NM, 7:17:51 
              6. Ed Kostak 7:18:35 
              7. Courtney Campbell 7:21:53 
              8. Nick Hamlin 7:35:35 
              9. Tom Moritz 7:40:07 
              10. Leland Barker 7:41:59 

              WOMEN 

              1. Ann Trason, 40, CA 7:57:52 (Open plus Masters champion, 21st overall) 
              2. Bonnie McReynolds, 37, WA, 8:16:00 
              3. Ann Heaslett, WI, 8:37:56 
              4. Tania Pacez, 42, WA, 8:40:01 (2nd Master) 
              5. Luanne Park, CA, 8:46:38 (3d Master) 
              6. Amanda McIntosh, TX, 8:56:14 

              -- Gordon Chace, transcribing Dan Brannen's telephone report 
 

7/29/2001: West team is apparent winner of regional contest at White River

As of the Saturday evening telephone report from Dan Brannen, it appeared that the West had won the regional team championship at White River.  Exact team totals had not yet been calculated so this report is subject to review. 
 

7/29/2001: BEST TRAIL ULTRA IN AMERICAN HISTORY

MT. Rainier National Forest, 
28 July 2001 

USA National 50 Mile Trailrunning Championship, 
Hosted by the White River 50 Mile 

What was touted as the best ultra trailracing field not only in USA Championship history, but in American trailracing history period, lived up to its billing as William Emerson, 37, from Redmond, Washington and Ann Trason, 40, of Kensington California took their first National Trail titles. 

Runners before the race joked that the course had "only two hills."  But each would climb almost 5,000 feet, and each lasted a relentless seven miles.  And each was matched by about 5 miles of merciless, unending downhill pounding.  In between were rocks, roots, rivulets, thick old-growth forest with barely a trail wide enough for a single runner to squeeze through, and cliff edges with 1,500 foot sheer drops. 

Mt. Rainier itself remained hidden throughout the day, as early morning thick clouds and rain finally gave way to occasional bursts of sunshine. Temperatures on the ridge lines were in the low 40's, and the weather remained unusually cold throughout the day. 

A special guest in attendance to experience this historic race was USA Track & Field president Bill Roe, the first president of the National Governing Body to attend and watch a USA Ultra Championship race. 

The men's competition could hardly have been deeper or more exciting.  Seven men, including the finest trail ultrarunners from around the country (and Canada) remained within a minute for the first half of the race.  Only near the end of the second long climb, after 38 miles, did local hope William Emerson and pre-race favorite Dave Dunham pull away, both scorching the following 5 mile gravel road downhill (the only non-trail section of the course) at under 6 minutes per mile.  Emerson had led the way, exhibiting one of the most unexpected phenomena in the sport.  Specializing in fast-packing and long-range power-walking, Emerson was actually able to WALK away from a running Dunham (one of the world's top-ranked mountain runners), on the steepest uphills.  The two were never more than two minutes apart, and at 44 miles Dunham had closed to within 30 seconds.  But this was Emerson's turf and he was not to be denied, responding by pulling away to a close but secure victory over the last 6 miles of gnarly, rocky trail along the raging White River. 

The women's race brought an ever bigger surprise, as America's living ultra legend, multiple world-record holder, world champion, 11-time winner of the Western States 100 mile Ann Trason found herself in the unusual position of following an "unknown" woman for more than 35 miles. Another pacific northwest local, Bonnie McReynolds, had run only a single 50k before this national championship race.  But what only a few of the locals knew was that McReynolds is a 2:34 marathoner (5 minutes faster than Trason's best).  Only on the final, steep approach to the second summit at 37 miles did McReynolds finally falter.  The experienced and patient Trason seized the moment and pounced, putting the race in the bag as McReynolds, spent, slogged into the finish for the silver medal. 

Prize money in the amount of $10,000 was awarded to the top Open and Masters finishers. 

 -Dan Brannen, AUA 

              MEN 

              1. William Emerson, 37, Redmond WA, 6:58:14 
              2. Dave Dunham, 37, MA, 6:59:19 
              3. Clark Zealand (Canadian guest) 7:07:56 
              4. Dennis Polheco, 40 (1st Master) 7:17:17 
              5. Eric Clifton, 43, 7:17:51 
              6. Ed Kostak 7:18:35 
              7. Courtney Campbell 7:21:53 
              8. Nick Hamlin 7:35:35 
              9. Tom Moritz 7:40:07 
              10. Leland Barker 7:41:59 

               WOMEN 

              1. Ann Trason, 40, CA 7:57:52 (Open plus Masters champion, 21st overall) 
              2. Bonnie McReynolds, 37, WA, 8:16:00 
              3. Ann Heaslett, WI, 8:37:56 
              4. Tania Pacez, 42, WA, 8:40:01 
              5. Luanne Park, CA, 8:46:38 
              6. Amanda McIntosh, TX, 8:56:14 
 

8/15/2001: Results of the AMERICAN REGIONAL CHALLENGE team division at the USA 50 Mile Trailrunning Championship, hosted by the White River 50 Mile, Mt. Rainier National Forest, Washington

28 July 2001

FIRST PLACE: West Region
1   Emerson, William       M37    Redmond WA        6:58:14
4   Poolheco, Dennis       M40    Glendale AZ       7:17:17
5   Clifton, Eric          M43    Albuquerque NM    7:17:51
21 Trason, Ann             F40    Kensington CA     7:57:52
24 McReynolds, Bonnie      F37    Everett WA        8:16:00
TOTAL = 55

SECOND PLACE: Central Region
13  Godale, Mark           M31    Streetsboro OH    7:47:31
17  Setnes, Kevin          M47    Eagle WI          7:53:28
30  Pirrung, Roy           M53    Sheboygan WI      8:30:58
31  Heaslett, Ann          F37    Madison WI        8:37:56
92  Moser, Jane            F42    Madison WI        11:07:11
TOTAL = 183

THIRD PLACE: South Region
7   Campbell, Courtney      M36    Berryville VA     7:21:53
23  Wardian, Michael        M27    Arlington VA      8:15:11
40  Robertson, Craig        M41    Helotes TX        8:55:08
42  McIntosh, Amanda        F36    San Antonio TX    8:56:14
83  Trittipoe, Rebekah      F44    Lynchburg VA      10:42:14
TOTAL = 195

DID NOT FINISH: East Region
2   Dunham, Dave           M37    Bradford MA       6:59:19  08:23
6   Kostak, Ed             M33    New Hartford CT   7:18:35  08:46
49  Brannen, Dan           M48    Morristown NJ     9:19:12  11:11
TOTAL = INCOMPLETE