Rink and Run blog: Jurek sets U.S. record

Proctor native and St. Scholastica graduate Scott Jurek of Seattle finished second in the IAU 24-Hour World Championship on Friday, setting an American record in the process, completing 266.677 kilometers or 165.705 miles on a 1.25-kilometer loop in Brive, France.

      The previous U.S. record was 162.46 miles by Mark Godale of Aurora, Ohio, in 1999. Jurek, 36, a physical therapist, has previous championship ultrarunning credentials including seven straight Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run titles (1995-2005) in Auburn, Calif., three straight Spartathlon (152-mile) titles in Greece (2006-08) and two straight Badwater Ultramarathon (135-mile) titles in Death Valley, Calif. (2005-06).

     Japan's Shingo Inoue, 30, led a field of 229 to win the 24-Hour Championship in an Asian record 273.708K or 170.074 miles. Ivan Cudin of Italy was third in an Italian record 263.841K or 163.943 miles. The second American was Michael Henze, 40, of Neenah, Wis., with 248.615K or 154.482 miles. Final results are here at IAU website.

Tags: daily updates, scott jurek, iau 24 hour world championship, shingo inoue, brive france, sports