The Yampa Valley trails saw history made this weekend as over 800 runners braved the elements for the 14th edition of the Run Rabbit Run ultramarathon. Amidst a grueling test of endurance, Colorado residents Ryan Sullivan and Hannah Allgood dominated the field, shattering existing course records and claiming top honors in the prestigious “hare” division.
Sullivan crossed the finish line in a blistering 17 hours, 3 minutes, and 38 seconds, comfortably eclipsing the 2023 record set by Dave Stevens by nearly 20 minutes. Allgood was equally impressive, finishing in 19 hours, 1 minute, and 59 seconds to break Emilie Mann’s 2024 mark. Both athletes secured $20,000 for their victories, winning by margins exceeding one hour over their nearest competitors.
“Nobody was beating Ryan and Hannah today,” said race director Fred Abramowitz. “They both shattered course records and won by over an hour each. It’s incredible.”
The triumph was not without its trials. While the race began under clear skies, conditions deteriorated rapidly as the sun set, bringing relentless rain and hail that persisted throughout the night. For many, including tortoise division runner Hannes Gehring, the wet conditions meant navigating difficult terrain and managing blisters. Despite the fatigue, Gehring praised the event, noting that the high alpine setting remains one of the most beautiful courses in the country.
The race also saw a heartbreaking shift in momentum for local favorite Devon Olson. Running in second place at mile 89 and trailing Sullivan by only 26 minutes, Olson suffered a separated shoulder after a fall. Though he was forced to withdraw, he was able to reach an aid station for treatment and is reportedly recovering. Behind Sullivan, Jeff Mogavero and last year’s champion, Jessie Rich, rounded out the men’s podium, while Nicole Laughton and Lauren Puretz secured second and third in the women’s race.
The excitement surrounding this year’s purse — which also paid $8,500 for second place and $5,000 for third — is set to pale in comparison to future iterations of the event. In a massive announcement leading up to the race, Insight Global CEO and ultramarathoner Bert Bean revealed that the 2027 and 2028 winners will receive a grand prize of $100,000.
This move makes Run Rabbit Run the first event in the ultramarathon world to offer such a substantial reward. For race organizers, the news brings a new layer of logistical planning.
“We’ll have to plan,” Abramowitz said regarding the unprecedented prize hike. “I don’t know what this will look like, but we’ll see what happens. This is certainly unprecedented.”
As runners returned to the trailhead to dry off and celebrate, the legacy of Run Rabbit Run was firmly cemented not only by the records broken on the course but by the massive future looming on the horizon.
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