Trason & Hanna Named USATF 2001 Ultrarunners of the Year
Masters and Contributor Also Honored

USA Track & Field MUT Running Council

December 20, 2001
For Immediate Release

Running competitively in her new masters division, Ann Trason was recognized by USA Track & Field for her outstanding 2001 ultrarunning year along with fellow Californian, Rich Hanna.  Hanna’s gutsy 6:43 silver medal performance at the 2001 World 100 Km Challenge in August in Cleder, France was the highest placing American men’s performance in the history of the International Association of Ultrarunner’s 100K World Challenge.  Hanna raced as part of the six-man US team that he was named to in March based on his second place in the USATF 100 Km GNC Championship in Pittsburgh.  Hanna was announced the recipient of the Ted Corbitt Award and Trason was awarded the Ruth Anderson Award at the USATF Convention in Mobile, Alabama on November 30, 2001.

Trason’s award-winning year included World Records for the 40-44 age group for 100 Km in 8:22, for 50 Km in 3:47, for 50 miles in 6:25, and for 40 miles in 6:25 set at the Race Across the Years in Phoenix.  She won her 12th Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run in 18:33, and won the women’s open division of the USA 50-Mile Trail Championship at White River, setting new masters woman’s records in each.

Sue Ellen Trapp, 55 of Florida, and Rudy Afanador 42 of New York, were recognized as USATF Masters Ultrarunners of the Year.  Contributing to her selection was Trapp’s multiple US records at the USA National 24-Hour Championship at Olander Park in September.  Trapp set national records for the 55-59 age group at 100 miles (18:35:03) 12 Hours (69.82 miles), and 24 Hours (126.17 miles) to win the women’s open national championship.  She also set an age-group World Record by running 190.9 miles for 48 Hours in Surgeres, France in May 2001.  Performances that contributed to Afanador’s selection included his overall win at the USA 24-Hour Championship at Olander Park where he ran 151.05 miles.

US Master’s ultrarunner Roy Pirrung, 53 of Wisconsin was inducted to the USATF Masters Hall of Fame for his 26 American age-group Records at events ranging from 50 Km to 48-Hours over his 13-year ultra career. "The longer the event, the better he is, including finishing as the first American four times at the 250 Km Spartathlon (in Greece)," remarks Norm Green, Secretary of USATF’s Masters Hall of Fame Committee.

In announcing the American Ultrarunning Association as the Ultrarunning Contributor of the Year, Mountain/Ultra/Trail Running Council (MUT) Co-Chair, Lorraine Gersitz says, "The MUT Running Council and the sports we represent are growing in prestige and recognition within USATF.  We want to share this recognition with entities that support and strengthen ultrarunning in a significant way."  USATF Ultrarunners and Contributor of the Year are selected by the USATF MUT Running Council.

For information about the MUT Running Council, contact Council Co-Chairs:

Lorraine Gersitz at bruceandlo@earthlink.net or Kevin Setnes at ksetnes@aol.com.