The 2013 JFK 50 Mile saw blazing fast times despite significant winds on exposed portions of the course. However, the cool, dry weather could only help runners along.
Women’s favorite Emily Harrison led from wire-to-wire, never leaving any doubt as to whether or not she’d win the women’s race. The only questions were how fast would she run and where would she place overall. Well, her 6:35 was good enough to take home tenth overall. Sixyh-place woman Alyssa Godesky reports in a comment below,
I hit the AT in maybe 8th or 9th and gained some ground on the trails, ultimately coming onto the towpath in 2nd with 3rd (Shegoski) right on my heels. About 5 miles in Lara passed me but somehow I did pass her back. I held on until 26, when I was passed by a group of 3 girls (who all took 2,3,4) all running quite strong together and looking comfortable. Not sure how long they stayed together, but would love to know! At 38 I was passed for 5th, and I managed to hold on for 6th.
While nearby men’s runner CrawfordJr (and commenter) notes,
I came off of the AT just as Lara Shegoski was leaving the aid station. I briefly passed Lara but an unfortunate restroom break put her back ahead of me. At about mile 23, Sage Norton and Kara Henry passed me looking very strong, running side by side, and chatting. They then slowly caught up to Lara and the three of them began running together. I saw the three of them catch up to Alyssa and eventually pass her, and I hung onto the back of their group until probably mile 33. (They kept flying through the aid stations and finally dropped me!).
It looks like Sage and Kara were still together but two minutes ahead of Lara at mile 42 when the road section started. Then it looks like Sage build a 3 minute lead over Kara to grab 2nd place.
[Editor’s Note: If you were one of the women battling behind Emily, we’d love to know how the battle for the rest of the top five played out!]
Emily Harrison wins the 2013 JFK 50 mile. All Photos: Eric Senseman
On the other hand, the front of the men’s race was topsy turvy throughout. Josh Arthur and Iain Ridgway left the Appalachian Trail for the towpath before the rest of the field, but Zach Miller (not the one some ultra aficionados are thinking of), Matt Flaherty, and Rob Krar were all within a minute or so of the lead. Once on the pancake-flat towpath, Krar, Miller, and Arthur took off with the last quickly falling off the pace around mid-race. Krar and Miller continued to battle with each opening small gaps on the other. It appears that Krar made a move after mile 30, opening up a 45-second lead on Miller by mile 34, but less than 5 miles later, it was Miller pulling Krar along. And then Krar dropped out leaving Miller all alone out in front. Still, Flaherty had relentlessly stayed 3to 4 minutes behind the leaders since mid-race and he continued to pursue Miller with Mike Wardian making an even stronger late charge. Neither would catch the previously unknown 25-year-old Miller, who had no marathons and two 50ks to his resume before winning JFK in the third fastest time ever–5:38:53. Zach ran for Division III RIT where he set PRs of 31:23 in the 10,000m and 15:32 for 5k.
Zach Miller on his way to winning the 2013 JFK 50 mile.
Thanks to Andy Mason, Eric Senseman, and Rachel Smith for providing all the reports!
Men’s Results – 2013 JKF 50 Mile
- Zach Miller – 5:38:53 (third fastest JFK 50 ever)
- Matt Flaherty (Salomon) – 5:44:37
- Mike Wardian (The North Face)- 5:55:37
- Iain Ridgway – 5:57:26
- Ryan Aschbrenner – 6:13:25
- Mike Bialick – 6:14:45
- Kenneth Janosko – 6:16:58
- Daven Oskvig – 6:19:26
- Jon Lawler – 6:21:19 (masters winner)
- Will Kuper – 6:35:27
Mike Wardian taking third six days after racing two marathons in a day (and winning the first).
Women’s Results – 2013 JFK 50 Mile
- Emily Harrison (adidas) – 6:35:05
- Sage Norton – 7:14:03
- Kara Henry (Newton) – 7:17:37
- Lara Shegoski – 7:20:34
- Shanna Ailes-Istnick – 7:30:02
- Alyssa Godesky (Oiselle) – 7:38:20
- Emily Halnon (Oiselle) – 7:46:33
- Erin Sutton (Altra) – 7:49:38
- Lindsay Simpson – 7:52:07
- Phyllis Tsang – 8:00:29
Kara Henry running in second early.
Additional Resources
- Miller’s JFK 50 Mile victory is one of legendary proportions – Local Herald Mail article
- Video from the Herald Mail
- Herald Mail photo gallery
- Geoffery Baker photo gallery
PA Sports Lens photo gallery[broken link removed]- Matt Flaherty’s race report (2nd man)
- Iain Ridgway’s race report (4th man)
Please let us know if you know of other 2013 JFK 50 resources!
Call for Comments
- What do you think of the Emily Harrison’s dominance of the women’s race? How about the dynamic men’s race or Zach Miller’s breakthrough performance?
- Did you run JFK this year? If so, how’d it go for you?
- Have fond memories of running JFK? Share ’em!
