Saari, Quinn rule Turnagain Arm Trail Run

RAINBOW - Matias Saari earned the men's victory and Najeeby Quinn set a women's course record Tuesday night as both local racing veterans earned thorough wins in the 8-mile distance of the 13th annual Turnagain Arm Trail Run.

In the 4-miler, Brad Benter raced to victory in 35 minutes, 13 seconds, while Leslie Varys took the women's title for the third straight year in 39:04.

Saari, a former Mount Marathon winner, finished the Potter-to-Rainbow course in 52:32, missing Eric Strabel's course record by just 12 seconds and easily outdistancing Matt Novakovich (55:40). Meanwhile, Quinn, a former Mayor's Marathon champion, smashed Nora Tobin's 2001 women's record by 36 seconds, crossing the finish line in 1:03:01. Current UAA All-America skier Jaime Bronga was the women's 8-mile runner-up in 1:09:25.

Quinn now holds both women's 8-mile records, as the course is reversed to a south-to-north layout in even-numbered years.

Nearly 200 runners participated in the race, which is held as a fund raiser for the Alaska Anchorage ski team.

13th Annual Turnagain Arm Trail Run
May 24, 2011
4-Miler: McHugh Creek to Rainbow
8-Miler: Potter Marsh to Rainbow

Women's Results (top 3 only)
4-Miler: 1) Leslie Varys, 39:04; 2) Beth Fletcher, 42:41; 3)Sheila Finch, 43:37.
8-Miler: 1) Najeeby Quinn, 1:03:01 (course record); 2) Jaime Bronga, 1:09:25; 3) Colleen Bolling, 1:10:03.

Men's Results (top 3 only)
4-Miler: 1) Brad Benter, 35:13; 2) Robert Black, 37:47; 3) Luke Duffy, 37:48.
8-Miler: 1) Matias Saari, 52:32; 2) Matt Novakovich, 55:40; 3) Patrick Conway, 56:40.

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Players Mentioned

Jaime Bronga: DIS; Freshman

Jaime Bronga: NOR; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Jaime Bronga
: Freshman
: DIS

Jaime Bronga
: Freshman
: NOR