Sacramento Running News

Hanna (left) and Pommier lead the pack. (Photo by Joe McCladdie)

There is a certain appeal that has kept one of the regions oldest ultras going year after year. While some races tout scenic or difficult routes, the Jed Smith Ultra Classic, hosted by the Buffalo Chips, is where ultrarunners go to be fast.

The race features two ultra distance races–50 mile and 50 km–as well as a 30 km and new 13.1 mile “fun run.” All of these are run on a 4.9 mile loop course along the American River, between Watt Avenue and the Guy West Bridge at CSUS.

This year, despite being early February, the weather was more like fine spring day, which made for pleasant running, spectating, and volunteering.

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Three thousand plus runners and walkers braved fierce winds along the river this morning at the Parkway Half Marathon and 5K.

Jeff Gardina, of Santa Clara, pulled off the half marathon win in a smoking 1:15:49. Chris Pollack, of Sacramento, and Jason Harne, of Folsom, earned 2nd and 3rd with 1:17:54 and 1:18:45.

The top woman was Kelly Wisnicky, of Fair Oaks, in 1:30:16. Rounding out the top three women were Jennifer Kent, of Sacramento, and Marrie Chen, of Davis, in 1:31:53 and 1:32:20.

In the 5K, the first in was Alex Diehl, of Lodi, in 16:25. The top woman, and 3rd overall, was Kimberly Williams, of Berkeley, in 18:26.

Rounding out the top women of the 5K were Sarah Carvill, of Santa Cruz, and Julia Christian, of Sacramento, in 23:12 and 25:08. The 2nd and 3rd men were Curt Casazza, of Cameron Park, and Kyle MacLachlan, of Eldorado Hills, in 18:13 and 21:44.

Did I mention that Kimberly Williams was third overall?

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