March 28, 2013 (Phoenix, Arizona) – Aravaipa Running today announces prize money for the return of the Crown King Scramble 50K. The first place male and female runner in the April 6, 2013 ultramarathon foot race will each receive $250. The Crown King Scramble has a long history as one of Arizona’s oldest and most competitive ultra marathons. Jamil Coury, who is reviving the race after a 5 year hiatus talks about the reason for adding in prize money: “Back in the day, this race would attract many of the top names in the sport of ultramarathon running from across the country. Some of the battles at the front of the pack are legendary. We want to re-foster this level of competitiveness for the first year return of the race and make a big statement that the race is back.”
In addition to the prize money for this year’s winners, a $500 course record bonus will be available to the first man or woman to break the event records. The men’s record was set in 1996 by Dermot McGonigle in a time of 4:00:27, while the women’s record was set by legendary runner Ann Trason in 2002 in a time of 4:34:13. Although set on slightly altered courses (the starting line was located in a different place), the distances are virtually identical. “Dermot and Ann’s times will be the ones to beat in order to earn the event/course record bonus” Coury adds.
Is there a shot at the records going down this year? Coury thinks the men’s field has a good shot with three top runners toeing the line this year. “We have 2:11 marathoner, adiUltra team member and Olympic marathon alternate Trent Briney coming in from Colorado, Phoenix local 2:24 marathoner Joshua Trevino who has set three course records at the McDowell Mountain Frenzy 25K, Elephant Mountain 35K and Mesquite Canyon 30K so far this year, and 2:19 marathoner Kalib Wilkinson of Flagstaff who has placed 4th at the JFK 50 Mile and at the top of several ultras. These guys could push each other right up that hill to a new course record as long as the heat doesn’t get to them.”
In the women’s race, Kristina Pham will be the one to watch. Her 2012 course record at the Pemberton Trail 50K of 3:47:02 shows she has the speed and talent to run a fast 50K.
Weather forecasts are a bit all over the place right now, with 10 day forecasts fluctuating between highs of 77 and 93. Coury adds, “That could really be the deciding factor between a course record run or not.”
The Crown King Scramble, fueled by GU Energy Labs is organized by Aravaipa Runing. Runners will start at Lake Pleasant Regional Park outside Peoria, Arizona in the Sonoran Desert and climb 6,000 feet up to the mining town of Crown King in the heart of the pine covered Prescott National Forest in the Bradshaw Mountains. Registration is still available here.