Salomon ultra-runner Clare Gallagher of Boulder, CO landed a win for the French-born company when she set the second fastest women’s time to date at the 2016 Leadville Trail 100 and landed the overall win at 19 hours, 27 seconds.
Gallagher’s time was two hours faster than the runner-up women’s finisher Maggie Walsh.
This was Gallagher’s first attempt at the 100-mile race, notorious among the ultra-running industry for being the second oldest race in the country. Leadville runners climb and descend up to 15,600 feet through the Rocky Mountains, where elevations range from 9,300 to 12,620 feet during the course of the race. The race, like all other Leadville series events, is sponsored by Blueprint for Athletes – a performance data company.
“I was really surprised. I couldn’t believe it, I was so excited,” said Gallagher, who trains in Boulder with the Salomon Run Club and Rocky Mountain Runners. “The last two hours were horrific. I owe so much to my support crew and my pacers. I was spent at Winfield (aid station), and my pacers were just incredible. My long-term goal is to be able to compete around the world as a professional runner, and now I could have the opportunity to do that. I’m just so happy.”
“It is really exciting to see Clare have so much success at the beginning of her ultra career,” says Josh Korn, regional marketing manager, Salomon. “Not only is she an incredible athlete, but she’s also really active in her local running community, and has done a wonderful job inspiring and motivating runners to get out there. We are thrilled to have her as part of the Salomon team.”
Gallagher took her Leadville victory wearing Salomon’s S-lab Sonic shoes, a S-Lab Sense Set hydration vest, an Elevate Seamless Tank, Agile Tight Shorts and a S-Lab Sense Visor.
Salomon products are developed in the company’s Annecy Design Center, where engineers, designers and athletes collaborate to create innovative solutions that continually improve the outdoor experiences of those who see nature as a vast playground.
Photo courtesy Salomon, Robbie Lawless #LT100RUN — with Clare Gallagher
