Hillsound Equipment brand ambassadors Stevie Kremer and Marshall Thomson took the top spots at the Gore-Tex Grand Traverse, a grueling ski mountaineering race.
Kremer won first place with her race partner, Jari Kirkland in the women’s division and Thomson won first in his age group with his race partner, Rob Krar. The competition is a partner race where competitors are unsupported through the duration of the course that begins in Crested Butte and ends in Aspen, CO.
The 18th annual traverse started at midnight on Friday, March 27. Competitors raced on a 40-mile course in the scenic Elk Mountains, gaining over 7,800 vertical feet. Entrants competed in teams of two to ensure a safer traverse while on the course. Teams were required to be prepared for any situation that could arise, knowing that help could take up to 24 hours to arrive. In addition, racers were not allowed to accept outside support if their equipment malfunctioned or was lost. Competitors were required to continue without lost or broken items or quit the race. Course challenges included difficult terrain, treacherous snow conditions, potential for freezing and sub-zero temperatures and limited resources to navigate the course.
“We are so proud of Stevie and Marshall!” said Hillsound Sales and Marketing Manager Jessica Greinke. “They are such brave and strong athletes. This is an unbelievable accomplishment that few people would attempt. We are so excited to celebrate their win.”
Kremer and Thomson have been running together for six years and each have a laundry list of races they have placed in including a first-place co-ed win in the 2011 Gore-TEX Grand Traverse. Kremer has collected first place finishes at Wolf Creek, Snow King, and Divine Incline ski mountaineering races and was named the 2014 Skyrunning World Series Champion. Thomson secured first place wins at the Leadville Trail Marathon, Teva Mountain Games, placed in the Race the Divide Monarch and Heathen Challenge at Sunlight and set the course record for the 2013 Collegiate Peaks 50-mile race.
Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Hillsound offers a range of highly-engineered traction devices for a variety of categories, from winter hiking to fishing. Hillsound also specializes in the design and manufacturing of durable and comfortable gaiters.
