Get ready for the 43rd edition of the Jed Smith Ultra Classic. The certified course is nearly identical to the course used for the 2011 World Masters Championship Marathon. Looking for a BQ or PR? This course promises to be fast! Each loop is 4.85 miles long. This is the course Jim Walmsley set the New 50-Mile World Best in the Hoka One One 100k Challenge in May 2019.

We are continuing with the course along the American River that we’ve used since 2011. We believe you will enjoy this scenic route. It is very fast and virtually identical to the marathon course for the 2011 World Masters Championships. This is not a trail race. 

The staging area (start/finish) is the Watt Avenue access to the American River Parkway. 

By Waiman Yip

Under clear skies and moderate temperatures, we were honored to host the first in-person race in Sacramento since March 2020. The Jed Smith Ultra Classic is the only annual local race that has not been postponed or canceled due to the pandemic. It was, however, a little different this year. To provide a safe and healthy event, we limited participation in 3 distances and included temperature checks, face coverings, staggered starts, and packaged nutrition. 

The super fast course did not disappoint. Malcolm Richards shattered the course record with a 2:51:49 finish in the 50k. Rich Hanna, who broke the American age-group record last year for the 50k, broke the American age-group record this year for the 50 miler set in 1981 by more than 2 minutes. We also saw course records for the marathon by Hans Van Horn and Thia Angelo, who both earned Boston Qualifiers. Throughout the day, we also saw many first time marathoners and ultra runners (50k or 50 miler). Whether it was their first or their 108th, we saw so many happy faces, PR’s and BQ’s.

It was a spectacular day to see so many familiar faces (sometimes hard to recognize with masks on) and heartening to see friends and strangers supporting each other to accomplish their goals. 

Bev Anderson-Abbs, who broke the US and Canadian age group record for the 50 miler last year continued to dominate by winning the women’s race this year. Alan Abbs and Grant Carboni both looked strong, coming in 4th and 5th in a very competitive age group where a new American record was set. Sherri Kerth had a great 50k owning her new age group. In the marathon, Robert Vazquez also coming in first in his new age group, Brian Marks volunteering before and after his race, and Tracy Youngstedt looking good.

And to all the volunteers (many pulling double duty): Leo, Kevin Young, Kevin Beile, Chris W, George P, Ralph V, Jen Hart, the Furlongs, Mike V, Kari A, Jennifer Harwood, Charles C, Bill R, Tony Smith, and Allan Fuss. It was great to see so many Chips on and off the course. Sorry if I missed anyone.

A big shout-out to Dennis Scott for getting us through the permitting process, Race Director John Feeney, the tireless efforts of Mansour Monem and the many volunteers out there Saturday. We had to do more with fewer, but thanks to their efforts, we hosted a very safe and successful race.

Find more photos (credit Allan Fuss) here. 

For race results check here.