The first IAU North American 100km Championship was held recently (27/3/93) similar to our first Australasian Championships. Even though there were quite a few runners from other countries, and a much larger field, results were similar. The winning American team time of 21:45:38 is only a little faster than our 22:16:04. The North American results are reproduced here for your information.

Reprinted from IAU Newsletter, Spring Edition, 1993
NEW YORK ULTIMAX 100 KM RACE.    USA.    February 27th 1993
IAU Inter-Continental Cup Series Event
by Malcolm Campbell
The New York Times started it’s race report with “In a race slowed by the cold, 28-year-old Valmir Nunes of Brazil and 30-year-old Marta Vass of Hungary lived up to their international credentials yesterday, finishing the U.S.A. national 100 kilometer championships in Central Park well ahead of their closest rivals.” That sums it up nicely.
The winning margins were similar although the methods used by Nunes and Vass were quite different. The Hungarian set off at a brisk seven miles per hour pace and established an early lead which she maintained to the finish with the new American National Champion-Kris Clark-Setnessfinishing about seven minutes later. The Brazilian adopted completely different tactics allowing the Canadian, Andy Jones, to dominate matters for the first seventy kilometres.The course was on a 7km rolling lap course and after 10 laps Jones had stretched his lead to about eight minutes. Up to this point Nunes and Stefan Fekner(CAN) had run comfo-rtably sharing second spot for much of the race. Shortly after 70kms Jones was obliged to retire. Fekner ran a great race and the issue was not fully settled until the last lap with Nunes reaching the finish about six minutes ahead of him.
A new dimension had been added to the championships with the first three American men and women guaranteed selection for the National Teams in the IAU 100km World Challenge.Similarly the Association of Canadian Ultrarunners (ACU) had supported the event with the Canadian entries also fighting for National team places. Whilst taking nothing away from the race winners much of the drama and interest in the event lay in the great battles taking place a little behind (but not too far behind) them. Only eight minutes seperated the first and third placed American woman with Sue-Ellen Trapp less than two minutes behind her. In the men’s division only six minutes seperated the first American man from the third. The first husband and wife to gain selection for their national teams were Kris Clark-Setnes winner of the womens National Championships with 8.21.19 and Kevin Setnes , second in the men’s division with 7.15.50
This was more more than an event. It was a happening. Race Director, Richie Innamorato of the Broadway Ultra Society, undertook the job when the original championship race was cancelled. In the space of a few months the race was on and the competitors were off and running. Fred Lebow, Chairman of the New York Road Runners Club, has never hidden his enthusiasm for ultradistance and gave his valuable support. A number of talented international competitors were invited and in addition to those already mentioned the field included Don Ritchie(GBR),Erik Seedhouse (GBR), Zbigniew Siemaszko (POL), Doina Nugent (IRL) and Bev Williams (CAN). .
There were many in Central Park-either involved in or watching the race-who had played key roles in the development of North American ultradistance running. The list is long and headed by Americas most loved and respected ultrarunner-Ted Corbitt. Nick Marshall another well respected ultrarunner and author was busy at the scoring table.Peter Gagarin editor of “Ultrarunning” and ACU President, David Blaikie, who is also editor of “Ultrarunning Canada” were there and will have seen much to report. On reflection there were many authors involved,with or watching the race. Ed Dodd who is generally credited with the revival of Six Day Racing was running. Jim Shapiro wrote “Ultramarathon” and this book is required reading for any ultrarunner-he was now helping Nunes.Dan Brannen was-the Referee and Marvin Skagerberg was supervising the aid stations. The list of key players in the development of the sport who were at this race goes on and only space prevents me completing it.
New York Marathon Medical Director, Andy Rodriguez, was Medical Director for this race. I have known Andy for many years and have yet to see him fazed. The night before he had overseen the Drug Testing of about 100 athletes at the Indoor Meeting at the Madison Square Gardens. He had about ten tests taken in the 100km race and was, I suspect, about to put his feet _up. One of the helpers came in asking if a patient could be treated for a dog bite. Without hesition he said “Sure. Bring the runner in”.”It’s not one of the runners” was the reply.” Is it a helper?” asked Andy. “No”. This time there was a short pause and Andy said “Well bring him in anyway”. This verbal exchange took only a few seconds but I found it fascinating. The helper shuffled his feet for a minute and then said, ” I think you should know something else. The patients another dog”. I do not think any animal can have had such distinguished assistance as this one as everyone swung into action. I repeat again, I have yet to see Andy fazed.
Dirk Strumane Fred Lebow to old gleam back for New York. Results.
and his wife Martine were at the race and they have invited Torhout for the IAU 100km World Challenge.

Fred’s got that in his eye. That’s good for ultradistance running and good Watch this space.

Tags: Ultra history, USA

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Tags: Ultra history, USA