Sam Jurek Wins Voyager 50 Mile Marathon In Carlton

Wes Vork-NSO

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July 30

Wes Vork-NSO

CARLTON – Running a 50 mile ultra-marathon is a brutal undertaking when the runners know the course well. Having little knowledge and no experience on the course makes the task all the more difficult. Those challenges were little more than speed bumps for first time course runner Sam Jurek, who won the 2011 Voyageur Trail Run 50 mile marathon in Carlton on Saturday with a winning time of 7:27.35.

Jurek, of Boston Massachusetts, grew up and graduated in Foley, MN made the trip back to Minnesota for a friend’s wedding and decided to tackle the grueling run. Starting in Carlton, the trek makes its way through the trails, rocks, ravines and swinging bridge of Jay Cooke Park to Fond du Lac and then returns via the same route.

A record 154 runners competed in the 30 the annual event on Saturday. Three time winner and course director Andy Holak explained that ultra-marathon runners are a bit different group of competitors than a standard marathon runner. “Ultra marathons are generally a bit more laid back; you kind of take care of each other.” Holak explained that it is almost like a family with a lot of the same runners showing up at races. “Helping each other is always the case, you will see a leader stop and help someone get to the next aid station.” Added Holak.

Jurek, a veteran runner, posted his best 26 mile marathon time of 2:34 at the 2009 Disneyworld marathon and has consistently ran in the 2:30’s in Boston, but has never won a 50 miler until Saturday,
always finishing second or third.

Going in Jurek did a bit of research on what would be his tenth ultra-marathon and third 50 miler, but admitted the trek through Jay Cooke Park wasn’t what he thought. “It was definitely harder than I expected, a lot more mud,” but quickly added “It is a beautiful course though and we were well taken care of.”

When the race started at 7:00am the temperature was a perfect 66 degrees and almost on queue with the countdown to the start some large raindrops fell. The rain left as quickly as it had arrived but the temperatures quickly soared to the mid 80’s, adding to the difficulty and slowing times. Jurek had hoped for a time in the 6:40’s coming in and was on that pace for the first half before the heat took its toll on the runners.

Other top five finishers included Craig Hertz, second with a time of 7:44.32, Josh Wopata third at 7:46.22, Chris Rubesch fourth at 7:48.07 and John Storkamp fifth ant 8:10 flat. Christi Nowak was the first female finisher at 8:37.35

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