2005 Race Recap
Thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, and participants for another great event!
2005 Photos
Check out the new course records set. All the course records can be found here.
We threw the old record book into Puget Sound after this year's Rainier to Ruston Rail-Trail Relay on June 4, National Trails Day. After going public for the first time in its three-year history, the relay attracted a record 38 teams and 168 total participants, including some speedy finishers.
The best team finisher — and new course record-holder — was Team Fleet Feet from Bonney Lake, WA. The four-person squad completed the 50-mile course from the Carbon River entrance at Mt. Rainier to the Tacoma waterfront in 5:34:20. Fleet Feet runners included Markus Dennis, Dennis Eldridge, Pat Kenworthy, and Kevin Alfano.
The top ultra was Matt DeBoer, the "Flying Dutchman," of Puyallup, WA with a time of 7:41:22. Matt was one of five ultra's who broke ground as the first athletes with solo descents of the Rainier to Ruston.
The top solo walker was Kirsten Sanford of Buckley, WA. Kristen completed the newly routed 26-mile walking relay from Carbon River to Orting in 5:53:09, beating all the other walking teams as well!
2005 Golden Spike Winners
DivisionTeam NameTeam #CaptainOverall Time
Ultra Marathon Flying Dutchman 104 Matt DeBoer 7:41:22
Women's Walking (Solo) Bio 250 302 Kirsten Sanford 5:53:09
Men's Solo Walking (Solo)Team Thurman 311 Walter Thurman 6:12:12
Walking (2) The Vet's Pets 307 Jerry Brown 6:05:43
Walking (3) Fatheads 301 Shandela Hinkle 6:48:27
Walking (6) Flora & Fauna 305 Sandie Olson 6:16:09
Running (4) Fleet Feet in Bonney Lake 374 Markus Dennis 5:34:20
Running (6) Team Seabolt 354 Robert Seabolt 5:53:50
Most Generous Donation Flora & Fauna 305 Sandie Olson $125
This year's event attracted record numbers to the trail as athletes from all over the region competed for the coveted Golden Spikes," says Race Founder John Selby. "The Rainier to Ruston helped to raise awareness of the trail in support of our long term vision: a continuous, non-motorized public trail from Mount Rainier to Puget Sound. A big thanks to our 20 sponsors and to the 47 volunteers, without whom we never could have pulled off such a successful first year of Rainier to Ruston as a public sporting event.
