Valemount runner breaks own record in root race run.

Just call him the root master.

Posting the fastest time in course history, Reiner Thoni defended his title at the Jasper 2009 root run on Oct. 17.

Thoni beat his own course record by more than two minutes, as he ran the arduous trek in a time of 42:33.

Despite the impressive time, which saw him best second place runner Mike D’Antonio, Thoni said the course is one of the more challenging 10 km races he competes in.

“I think it’s actually longer than 10 kms – it feels longer for sure,” Thoni said, who’s been running the root race since he was in public school. He now lives in Valemount.

“I was stoked to beat my last time. This is a tough 10 kms. They say to add five minutes to a regular 10 km, but I’d say it’s closer to six or seven minutes,” Thoni said.

Well aware the course has about 600 metres in elevation change, Thoni and friend Cory Wallace (who partnered with Thoni to win the Freewheel biathlon three weeks ago) had a strategy going in.

“Cory tore off at the beginning and sprinted up the hill fast to see if he could tire the pack out. I stayed back and by the slough I had caught up to everyone,” Thoni said. “It was a fun way to run a race.”

Rain left the course slick in parts, but the beauty of the course kept everyone motivated.

“It’s such a beautiful course, you look at the scenery and don’t think about how tired you feel,” Thoni said.

Another familiar name, Loni Klettl, captured first place in the women’s division with a time of 55:57. Klettl was competing in her first ever 10 km run in years – and her first root run, however the professional cyclist let her cardio carry her to victory.

“I’ve only been running about eight times this year. My lungs are fit, but my legs had to get caught up. I’m more of a cyclist than a runner, so I knew I’d be strong on the hills,” Klettl said.

Slick conditions kept her head up, which allowed her to float above the obstacles on the course.

“I used a float and sting approach,” Klettl said. 

“It’s a fabulous course. There’s never a dull moment. There’s so much variety you have to pay attention to what you’re doing,” Klettl said. 

Fresh off of a ninth place finish at the national cycle cross race in Edmonton, Klettl was happy to mix up her routine before competing in two more cycle cross races this weekend.

The root race began in 1977 by George Andrew, who wanted a race that didn’t cross any town roads. The event traditionally draws between 30 and 60 runners from Alberta and British Columbia, and combines several of the town’s trails on the pyramid bench.

The course was changed in 2006 to ensure it measured a proper 10 kms. Previously, the course came in at 9.6 kms.