We did it! : American Women take 2nd Place at 24 Hour World Challenge!

Photos above:
1)minutes after the start (Jamie is in front-you can see me a bit back w/visor)
2)portion of the course
3)USA's Scott Eppleman running down "crew station alley"
4)me all caught up in the excitment
5)American woman after International UltraRunning Press Conference with our silver medals. (Deb is missing due to travel plans).L to R: Carily, Jen, Jamie and Annette

The 24-Hour World Challenge ended at 10am today, Italy time.
A full life in 24 hours! I will write a report sometime this week, yet for now wanted to share a few photos and results!

France was 1st, USA 2nd and Italy 3rd! (And yes, we worked our butts off to earn this-Yay!!!)

This is the first time the first time the American women have ever earned a spot on the podium in the team competition. It was all very exciting and emotional! It was a tense race for 2nd place between Italian women and American women for hours…yet more on that and more later.

And I had 4 Amazing teammates: Jamie, Deb, Carilyn and Jen and great guys on the Men’s team AND George was there working all night too. Ok. More later!

More info to follow on the World’s men competition!

Bergamo Italy is beautiful! The race fabulously organized and very well executed. An excellent venue for the 230 runners and countless volunteers and staff!

Team USA Women:

Jamie Donaldson: 136.7 miles (4th overall, individual competition)
Annette Bednosky: 129.6 miles (9th overall, individual competition) (not sure of the rest…this is fresh!)
Deb Horn: 128.miles
Carilyn Johnson: 126.7 miles
Jen Van Allen: 109.5 miles

Team USA Men:
Scott Eppelman: 124.9 miles
Phil McCarthy: 122.6 miles
Bob Sweeney: 119.6
Matthew Chaffin: 113.6 miles
Roy Pirrung: 82 miles
Bill Allen: 21 miles

Full results, photos, etc are at the IAU website.

24 Hour World Challenge, 11 hours 'till start!

Italy!

Photos:

Team USA during opening ceremony
Annette, Jen, Carolyn and Matt
Fruit pops in store window
Yummy looking bread in store window
A view from Citta Alta (upper city of Bergamo) looking to the North and East


Yes were are all here! All members of Team USA and Doctor Andy and our loved ones-including George!

This evening was the opening ceremony. I almost cried walking in back of the American Flag. There are 28 countries and around 230 runners. Wow!

Today was a major holiday in Italy-the Italian version of Labor Day, I think! Stores and businesses closed-so lots of cyclists and runners out and about. We even saw a parade this morning!
There is so much to see and experience. I am thrilled to be part of Team USA and am so psyched we are in Italy! So far, so good. I even have “coversed” a bit with my pathetic Italin!

I must ready and sleep now. More later. This link is supposed to be active starting 10am Italy time (4am EST).