(Lander, WY) – Cool temperatures and overcast skies made for near-perfect racing conditions at the annual Sinks Canyon Trail Races Saturday, with record-breaking performances across both the 18K and 50K distances.
Temperatures hovered in the upper 40s near the back of the canyon, and a thick layer of gray clouds kept direct sunlight off runners all morning, with rain holding off for most of the event. Race directors and participants alike noted that the conditions contributed to faster times across all fields compared to previous years.
“Conditions were perfect out there,” said 18k winner Eric Koenig at the finish line, not yet knowing he’d set the course record for the race.
Runners gather on the starting line a few minutes before start time. h/t Carl Cote Emily Tilden and Jenny Joyce spoke to the crowd of runners gathered before the start of the 18k race in Bruce’s Parking Lot Saturday morning. h/t Carl Cote Runners took a selfie before the start of the race. h/t Carl Cote Runners take big strides down the dirt road at the start of the race. h/t Carl Cote Kade Shiderman and Scott Groenke fought their way up the switchback on their way to the steepest section of the race. h/t Carl Cote Logan Heller and Logan Milek chase the leader up to fossil hill Saturday morning in Sinks Canyon. h/t Carl Cote Ian Smith, Charlie Manganiello, and Ben Venter push up the road toward Fossil Hill Saturday morning in Sinks. h/t Carl Cote Ian Smith smiles on his way up to the highest part of the race Saturday. h/t Carl Cote Courtney Bouchet makes her way onto the steepest part of the course, the snowmobile track up to Fossil Hill. h/t Carl Cote
In the 18K, the top three men’s finishers all broke the previous course record. Eric Koenig, a 37-year-old from Fort Collins, CO, crossed first in 1:26:22, with Lander Valley High School runners Logan Heller and Logan Milek right on his heels. Heller finished second in 1:26:27 and Milek third in 1:26:30, the three separated by just eight seconds. On the women’s side, Courtney Bouchet of Fort Collins took the top spot in 1:40:47, followed by Hannah Casey, also of Fort Collins, in 1:43:04, and Molly Olsen of Lander in 1:43:23.
The 50K, which winds through Sinks Canyon and into the Wind River Mountains with five aid stations stocked with water, electrolytes, gels, and other food along the route, also saw standout performances. Alex Kellam won the men’s race in 4:41:41, with Jeff Randall close behind in 4:43:52 and Andrew Pontbriand third in 5:02:50. Taylor Bacon and Lillie Romeiser Rodgers went one-two among women, with Bacon crossing in 5:07:48 and Romeiser Rodgers in 5:08:04, both breaking the previous women’s course record. Tatum Rask rounded out the women’s podium in 5:27:44.
Logan Milek and Logan Heller round a tight corner in front of the aid station in the 18k race. h/t Carl Cote Joe Kluberton makes his way up the trail around the back side of Fossil Hil. h/t Carl Cote A runner makes her way through the blooming balsam roots near Fossil. h/t Carl Cote Ella Joyes speeds down a curve after the aid station Saturday morning under Fossil Hill. h/t Carl Cote Mike Dicken pours electrolyte water into a runner’s flask. The race only allows reusable flasks, so runners bring their own to be filled along the course at aid stations. h/t Carl Cote
Runners were excited to find Linda Williamson catering the post-race spread at the finish line, offering chips, dips, salsas, soups, and fresh fruit for runners to recover after finishing. And despite the cold, finishers were seen munching down on ice cream from the little green truck in Bruce’s Lot before heading home.
The Sinks Canyon Trail Races are hosted by the Lander Running Club. Full results are available here.
Race Winner and new course record holder Eric Koenig crosses the line in 1:26:22 Saturday morning in Sinks Canyon. h/t Carl Cote Joe and Dani Kluberton share a kiss after Joe’s finish in the 18k race in Sinks Canyon Saturday morning. h/t Carl Cote Fumie Hiromitsu smiled as they crossed the finish line in the 18k Saturday morning. h/t Carl Cote Charlie Manganiello held his daughter Mabel at the finish line of the Sinks Canyon Trail Race Saturday morning. h/t Carl Cote Runners dig into catering from Linda Williamson after the finish of the races Saturday in Lander. h/t Carl Cote
Taylor Bacon, Lillie Romeiser Rodgers, and Tatum Rask finish top three in the 50k race Saturday in Sinks Canyon. h/t Gabe Joyes 
Top three finishers in the mens’ 50k race were Alex Kellam, Jeff Randall, and Andrew Pontbriand Saturday. h/t Gabe Joyes 
The top three finishers in the mens’ 18k were Eric Koenig, Logan Heller, and Logan Milek Saturday morning. h/t Gabe Joyes 
The top three womens’ finishers in the 18k were Courtney Bouchet, Hannah Casey, and Molly Olsen Saturday morning in Sinks Canyon. h/t Gabe Joyes
