Christy Marvin’s return to the Ozarks Highland Trail in Arkansas was a resounding success.
Marvin, of Palmer, hiked most of 218-mile trail in seven days with her mother, Beth Virgin, in 2017. When they heard about a new ultramarathon there called the Razorback Running Revival, they figured it would be a fun and different way to experience the renowned trail.
On Nov. 9, Marvin won the women’s division and finished second overall in the “50-mile” race that actually measured 58 miles. She finished in 11 hours and 44 minutes, not far back from overall winner Caleb Ault (11:30).
The race is billed “Hands down, the toughest ultra in Arkansas” and includes technical trail and 9,300 feet of elevation gain.
Among 19 finishers, Marvin was the only female, in part because many racers missed the 50K cutoff time due to the unexpected longer distance, she said.
It’s not the first time Marvin, a two-time winner of the Mount Marathon Race, has finished near the top of the standings, regardless of gender. She placed second overall at the 2018 Kesugi Ridge Traverse and won the 2014 San Diego Trail Marathon outright.
Meanwhile, Beth Virgin, 61, completed the 50K (which measured nearly five miles long) in 10:33, good for eighth among women and 28th of 57 overall.