Two Boulder-based runners broke course records last weekend at the Black Canyon 100K in Arizona, one of the country’s most competitive ultramarathons.
Riley Brady, 29, won the women’s race in 8 hours, 16 minutes, breaking the previous course record by more than 29 minutes. It was Brady’s fifth time running the race, and they had their sights set on the record.
“I had a blast out there running. It was definitely hard. I’m pretty destroyed,” Brady said after the race.
Seth Ruhling, 30, won the men’s race, finishing in 7 hours, 24 minutes. A professional runner with The North Face, Ruhling said it was somewhat of an emotionless race.
“I think the desert and the sun zap all the emotion you have. So I guess it was kind of pent up until the end,” he said after the race.
The Black Canyon 100K winds through Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, following the historic Black Canyon Trail past saguaro cacti and deep canyons. Both Brady and Ruhling have raced the event before and dropped out. As part of the Golden Ticket Series, the race is a qualifier for the prestigious Western States 100-mile race, offering top finishers an automatic entry.