On September 10, 2011, 3 ultra runners from Wisconsin competed at the
International Association of Ultrarunners and World Masters Athletics'
100K World Championships, each bringing home World Championship medals.
Hosted for the 3rd time by Run Winschoten in Netherlands, the race
celebrated its 36th running, now under the municipality of Oldambt, while
the IAU celebrated the 25th running of the 100K World Championships.
Carolyn Smith, of Milwaukee, again competing as a member of the 100K
National Team, was the 5th USA women's team finisher, on the silver medalist
team, in a time of 8:45:53 and also gained a silver medal in the 45-49 WMA
portion of the event.
Kevin Setnes, of Eagle, a past and frequent member of the USA team, returned
to Winschoten for the 6th time, following a hiatus from ultra running to
participate in masters track. He last ran the Winschoten course in 2007.
Kevin snatched the 55-59 age group bronze medal in the WMA event, completing
the 10 lap, 10K course in 9:04:44.
Veteran ultrarunner, Roy Pirrung, Sheboygan, who won the silver medal in
Winschoten during the 2007 IAU 100K WCs and broke the 55-59 American Record
with an 8:39 performance, was awarded the bronze medal in the WMA 60-64
group. Suffering from heat related cramps, he came back to pass the 3rd
place competitor in his category, at 98K, and finished in 11:21:35.
The 100K men's national team won the gold medal for the first time, lead by
Michael Wardian' silver medal performance, Andrew Henshaw's bronze and Matt
Woods' 6th place finish. The Japanese were the silver medalist team and the
French team received the bronze.
On the women's side, the Russian team was first, USA second and Japan third.
