(Logan, UT August 24, 2016) – Altra’s Elite athlete, British-born Ian Sharman, carried his country’s flag across the finish line for his second consecutive Leadville 100 win. Sharman has dominated this trail race for the last four years, placing first in 2013, third in 2014 and first again in 2015 and 2016. But placing first for a third time wasn’t his only highlight. He beat his 2015 time by 11 minutes, set a personal record finishing in 16:22:39, the fourth fastest time ever at the race and two hours ahead of second place. Altra’s own Kyle Pietari followed Sharman finishing second with a time of 18:16:48.
Sharman and Pietari chased fellow decorated ultra runner Max King, who ran the majority of the race under the course record.
“I was very panicked,” Sharman said. “I started catching Max on Hope Pass on the way back, and then the next aid station, he put another 12 minutes on me, and everyone said he was flying, and I thought, ‘Well, he’s 24 minutes ahead with 24 miles left, and he’s running quicker than me.’ So I didn’t think I was going to catch him. But all you can keep doing is moving.”
It wasn’t until mile 80 where Sharman passed King, hit his stride and began taking his commanding lead.
Sharman is well known throughout the ultra running community and is based in Bend, OR. Since beginning ultra running in 2005, he’s completed over 200 ultras and marathons in over 30 countries. He is also a three time champion at Rocky Raccoon 100, Grand Slam of Ultrarunning record holder and has finished in the top 10 at Western States 100 for the past seven years. On top of that hefty list, 35-year-old Sharman is also an ultra running coach (USATF certified), race director for the Altra US Skyrunner Series and a journalist for iRunFar and Ultrarunning Magazine.
The Leadville Trail 100 Run, also known as the legendary “Race Across the Sky” features 100 miles of extreme Colorado Rockies terrain, river crossings and elevations of 9,200 to 12,600 feet. This annual race is held every August near Leadville, CO. The grueling course has a 30-hour cut-off and each year about half of the participants are unable to finish the race.
“I’ve done four good races (at Leadville),” Sharman said, “but I feel there’s still improvements to be made.”
Sharman ran his way to victory in Altra Lone Peak 3.0, Altra Performance Short, Altra Performance Tee and Altra Gaiters.
About Altra:
While working at a running store, Altra founders Golden Harper and Brian Beckstead saw the pain caused by traditional running shoes. Their passion to create a shoe that made running enjoyable inspired Altra’s FootShapeTM toe box and Zero DropTM platform. Within only five years, Altra grew from one to 21 shoe styles, winning multiple Editor’s Choice awards and distribution in 49 countries.
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PR Contact: Colleen Logan, VP Marketing, clogan@iconfitness.com
Photo Caption:
Altra Footwear’s Elite athlete, British-born Ian Sharman, carried his country’s flag across the finish line for his second consecutive Leadville 100 win. Photo Credit: Josh Arthur
The post Altra Footwear’s Ian Sharman Wins Leadville Trail 100 Run for Two Consecutive Years; Fellow Altra Athlete Kyle Pietari Takes Second appeared first on Endurance Sportswire.
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