Purcell, Briggs Win Buffalo Run on Catalina Island
400 intrepid runners slosh through the muddy trails

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By Holly Laubacher
Posted Tuesday, 2 March, 2010

From Ryan Lamppa, Running USA

CATALINA ISLAND, Calif. - (February 27, 2010) - Rainy weather seems to be a new tradition at the Buffalo Run Half Marathon as 400 runners sloshed through muddy terrain Saturday morning when intermittent rain showers took over the Island of Catalina for the second straight year.

The Buffalo Run, in its 11th installment, takes runners on the dirt fire trails of Catalina Island, which sits 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. The interior of the Island, where runners spent nine of their 13.1 miles, is known for its natural beauty and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the mainland.

The half-marathon winners were Kevin Purcell of Los Angeles with a time of 1 hour, 26 minutes and Hannah Briggs of Monrovia, Calif. who clocked 1:43:41.

While the half-marathon runners were taking to the trails, 5K runners took a scenic run around the streets of Avalon, the main tourist destination on Catalina. This year's 5K winners were Angus Kennedy of Los Angeles (22:08) and Joni Moore, 50, Mission Viejo (25:37).

The Buffalo Run was the first leg of the American Trail Championship (ATC) that concludes with the Catalina Marathon, named the #1 Off Road Marathon in the world. On Saturday, March 13, marathoners will take an even deeper tour of the Island on a route that is normally unavailable to tourists.

Following the 33rd Catalina Marathon, American Trail Championship awards will be presented to those with the fastest combined times from both races.

11th Buffalo Run Half Marathon
Avalon, CA, Saturday, February 27, 2010

MEN
1) Kevin Purcell (CA), 1:26:00
2) Jonathan Toker (CA), 1:29:34
3) Wad Wadley (CA), 1:32:55

WOMEN
1) Hannah Briggs (CA), 1:43:41
2) Karena O'Rourke (CA), 1:54:50
3) Donna Flanagan (CA), 1:56:00

Full results at: www.pacificsportsllc.com

To watch a video of the race, go to: www.ecatalina.com/buffalo-run-2010-video.html

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