Written by Lin Gentling | American Trail Running Association
Well, there is not much more to be said on what turned into an amazing day of history making for the 2025 Tunnel Hill 50 Mile USATF National Championship. Along with the championship, Tunnel Hill hosted a marathon, 100K, and 100-mile event. To be succinct, the women crushed the day, running to two world records (pending verification), obliterating one long-standing American record in the 100K and a new American age group record. This is certainly not meant to overshadow the remarkable achievements of the men’s race or the two men’s age group records. More on the men later.
Weather cooperated with near perfect conditions. Cool start (44 degrees) yielded to moderately warming temperatures (mid 60s), giving runners a great chance to run in ideal weather. No wind, partly cloudy skies, perfect course conditions, and good temps, it just doesn’t get much better.
Anne Flower, 31, Colorado Springs, CO, record-breaking winner at the 2025 Leadville 100, did it again, only this time, she earned the status of the new 50-mile world record holder finishing the very fast and flat Tunnel Hill course in a blistering 5:18:57, bettering the previous world record of 5:31:56, averaging 6:38 miles. Simply stated, to the observer, Flower ran an even split race appearing to thoroughly enjoy herself and running effortless. Talking with Anne, she would certainly say it was otherwise.
Much has already been written on this history-making effort, but suffice it to say, Flower ran a brilliant race strategically, running virtually by herself in leading the entire distance. Please refer to this excellent write up by iRunFar for further information on Flower and her race. No telling where she will go as she has amazing untapped potential.
Running in second place for the entire race was former 50-mile world holder, Courtney Olsen, 38, Bellingham, WA, averaging 6:41 miles, timed in 5:33:59. Olsen was trying for a rare double having entered the 100K as well. Conveniently, once she crossed the 50-mile finish line, she simply kept going for an additional 12.2 miles, to make the full distance a certified 100K. While I realize this was a 50-mile national championship, to not comment on Olsen’s brilliant effort at securing the new American women’s 100k record would be a disservice. The previous American 100K record of 7:00:48, was set by Ann Trason at the 100K world championship in Winschoten, The Netherlands in 1995.
Olsen came across the 50-mile finish line in 5:33:59 only 2 minutes off her record-breaking effort from last year. This gave her 94 minutes for 12.2 miles to run under 7 hours which was her goal. As the 7-hour mark neared, all eyes were on the trail and the clock, waiting, waiting, waiting. And then Olsen appeared and we all realized it was going to be so close. The crowd went wild cheering her in and Olsen, after running over 62 miles, found yet another gear and in a spectacular effort using absolutely everything she had left in the tank, crossed the 100K finish line to a new American record, a record that had stood the test of time for over 30 years.
We were not done. Each of the top three women tore the course apart. Running in 3rd place was Emily Hugo, 40, St. George, UT. Hugo joined the record setting party clocking 5:50:54, bettering the previous masters 40-44 American age group record of 5:57:46, held by Camille Heron. Like Flowers and Olsen, Hugo ran in third position the entire race, facing no challenges from the other female runners.
While the women’s race lacked the excitement of position changes, it certainly had the thrill of three records among the top three runners. The men’s race was not absolutely decided among the top three runners until the end. Brogan Austin, 34, Longmont, CO, in his first 50 mile led from wire to wire. His pace per mile went from 5:33 at the beginning to 6:03 at the end, indicating the difficulty and fatigue that set in as the race progressed. At one time he held a substantial lead but that whittled away as the enormity of the task became evident. Yet despite never having run the distance before, the IT project manager dug deep and drew strength from his 2:12 marathon best finishing first.
Click here to read the full article at the American Trail Running Association.