University of Richmond Athletics
Richmond's Terrill and Bendura Dominate Collegiate Trail Running National Championship at Strouds Run State Park
05/18/2023 | Cross Country
Athens, Ohio - The Southeastern Ohio Trail Runners (SEOTR) and the Collegiate Running Association (CRA) joined forces once again to host the highly anticipated Collegiate Trail Running National Championship at Strouds Run State Park in Athens, Ohio. The event, held on May 12, 2023, brought together a field of talented athletes and featured the prestigious Collegiate Trail Running National Championship on Friday evening.
The race witnessed an outstanding performance from Stuart Terrill, a standout runner from the University of Richmond who emerged as the national champion, conquering the demanding trails of Strouds Run State Park. Terrill's display of skill, strength, and determination solidified his position at the forefront of the competition.
From the start, the Spider standout Terrill, accompanied by his teammate Jordan Bendura, who secured the runner-up position in the 2022 Collegiate Championships, took the lead, setting an impressive pace as they charged through the single-track trail. By the 2-mile mark, they had established an astonishing one-minute lead over their competitors, including Cory Culbertson from Shawnee State University, Ian Switzer, and Ridge Cook from Ohio University, who valiantly gave chase.
Terrill continued to extend his advantage over Bendura, showcasing his skills on the narrow trails and hilly terrane. By the 3.7-mile point, he had created a considerable distance between himself and his teammate, setting a course record pace. It became evident that the battle for the Collegiate Trail Running title was a two-man race as Terrill and Bendura led the pack. As they reached the 5-mile mark, Terrill dominated the field, leaving no doubt as to the eventual outcome and leaving everyone wondering how much he would surpass Josh Park's course record of 44:55, set in 2022.
With a crushing last half of the race, Terrill crossed the finish line in a crowd jaw-dropping time of 41:26, obliterating the previous course record and claiming the well-deserved title of the 2023 Collegiate Trail Running National Champion. Bendura once again secured second place, completing the race with an impressive time of 46:03. Cory Culbertson from Shawnee State University claimed the third-place position, while Ian Switzer and Ridgeway Cook, both representing Ohio University, secured the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
The top three finishers in each category were duly recognized for their performances, with first-place winners receiving a prize of $750, second-place recipients earning $500, and third-place finishers taking home $250. In addition, the top five collegiate finishers were honored with JAMBAR, the official energy bar of the association.
The Collegiate Trail Running National Championship took place against the captivating backdrop of Strouds Run State Park, featuring its picturesque single-track trails, vibrant wildflowers, and awe-inspiring rock formations. The race course challenged participants with a total elevation gain of 1,099 feet, spanning the park's sprawling 2,600-acre expanse, which includes the serene Dow Lake, a 160-acre gem created in 1960.
The race witnessed an outstanding performance from Stuart Terrill, a standout runner from the University of Richmond who emerged as the national champion, conquering the demanding trails of Strouds Run State Park. Terrill's display of skill, strength, and determination solidified his position at the forefront of the competition.
From the start, the Spider standout Terrill, accompanied by his teammate Jordan Bendura, who secured the runner-up position in the 2022 Collegiate Championships, took the lead, setting an impressive pace as they charged through the single-track trail. By the 2-mile mark, they had established an astonishing one-minute lead over their competitors, including Cory Culbertson from Shawnee State University, Ian Switzer, and Ridge Cook from Ohio University, who valiantly gave chase.
Terrill continued to extend his advantage over Bendura, showcasing his skills on the narrow trails and hilly terrane. By the 3.7-mile point, he had created a considerable distance between himself and his teammate, setting a course record pace. It became evident that the battle for the Collegiate Trail Running title was a two-man race as Terrill and Bendura led the pack. As they reached the 5-mile mark, Terrill dominated the field, leaving no doubt as to the eventual outcome and leaving everyone wondering how much he would surpass Josh Park's course record of 44:55, set in 2022.
With a crushing last half of the race, Terrill crossed the finish line in a crowd jaw-dropping time of 41:26, obliterating the previous course record and claiming the well-deserved title of the 2023 Collegiate Trail Running National Champion. Bendura once again secured second place, completing the race with an impressive time of 46:03. Cory Culbertson from Shawnee State University claimed the third-place position, while Ian Switzer and Ridgeway Cook, both representing Ohio University, secured the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
The top three finishers in each category were duly recognized for their performances, with first-place winners receiving a prize of $750, second-place recipients earning $500, and third-place finishers taking home $250. In addition, the top five collegiate finishers were honored with JAMBAR, the official energy bar of the association.
The Collegiate Trail Running National Championship took place against the captivating backdrop of Strouds Run State Park, featuring its picturesque single-track trails, vibrant wildflowers, and awe-inspiring rock formations. The race course challenged participants with a total elevation gain of 1,099 feet, spanning the park's sprawling 2,600-acre expanse, which includes the serene Dow Lake, a 160-acre gem created in 1960.
Players Mentioned
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