BANDERA, Texas -- Champions were named at the 2015 USATF 100 km Trail Championships in Bandera, Texas on Saturday, Jan. 10. The winners keep getting younger in ultra championships, which is a sure sign of growth in the sport. The top three received prize money of $1,000, $500 and $300 respectively.

26 year old David Laney (Ashland, Oregon) exchanged the lead with several runners en route to his 8:35:46 winning time, under less than ideal trail conditions.

His victory earned him a spot at the Western States 100, where he finished 20th last year, as did the runner up, Paul Terranova (Austin, Texas) in 8:39:44.

Terranova, 40, was fourth overall in 2014 and finished in 2015 as the top masters athlete for the second consecutive year.

Terranova earned a spot to WS100 and both he and Laney will compete there again. Terranova will also run the Rocky Raccoon 100-mile trail championships on January 31.

Rounding out the top 3 was 19 year old Jared Hazen (Colorado Springs, Colorado) in 8:47:55. Hazen has already run eight ultras in his short career and was third overall at the RR100 in ’14.

Aliza LaPierre (Burlington, Vermont) battled Nicole Studer (Dallas, Texas) before pulling ahead to finish in 10:17:15. Studer crossed in 10:22:46, earning a spot with LaPierre for WS100 in June.

Also reaching the podium was Ashley Lister (Lockhaven, Pennsylvania), who finished the muddy, icy trail in 10:41:12.

Traci Falbo (Charlestown, Indiana) was the top masters female in 12:30:49 and along with Eric Loffland (Chattanooga, Tennessee), 11:21:24, earned $200 in prize money.

Complete results of the championships can be found here.

Contributed by Roy Pirrung, USATF MUT Council