The Raven 50 Mile Ultra and Relay (also known as the Reckless Raven) took off on Sunday on a sunny morning. 

According to organizer John Carson, the lineup this year included 16 solo females (six Masters), 38 solo male runners (11 Masters), 13 mixed teams (two Masters), 26 female teams (nine Masters), 22 male teams (two Masters) and for the first time in the Raven’s history, 21 youth relay teams. There were a total of 115 runners. 

James Mitchell of Team 158, Wizard Daddies, ran the second leg of the race, which was 45 kilometres. Jessica Hannon ran the first leg of the race for the team. 

“We did great,”said Mitchell. “Fantastic. It was hot out. It’s a special course. It was neat to run. I made a point of stopping and talking to each person that I met along the way. 

Mitchell added, “I made sure I stopped and encouraged all the solo runners at halfway. I was fresh and they were gassed.” 

This was Mitchell’s first time running the race. When asked if he would do it again, he said, “Let’s see how I feel tomorrow.” 

Keith Maguire was one of the solo runners. He finished third in the Male Masters category. 

Maguire said it was a great day. 

“Sumanik was clear, cool, windy, no bugs. And even the top of Mount Mac was hot, but just incredible.” 

Maguire said he was feeling “tired but satisfied.” 

He beat his personal best time by half an hour, finishing in 11 hours, 33 minutes and 42 seconds. 

Maguire ran the Raven nine years ago. 

“I’m getting close to 50 and I just had to try it one more time.” 

Corentin Favre and Nicolas Cardona of France were team El Capeo. 

Favre ran 38 kilometres. 

He said the race was “pretty good. 

“We had an objective and we did it. We wanted to do it in less than 10 hours and we did it. 

They finished in 9:51:13. 

“We’re very, very happy.” 

Guillaume Grima of France finished second in the Male Solo category. 

Grima beat his time from last year by two and a half hours, finishing in 8:56:32. 

“I feel happy. My legs are pretty sore and tired.” 

Gregory Ablett came in first in the Solo Male Master’s category. 

Virginia Sarrazin finished first in the Solo Female Masters. 

Team Scrambled Legs #1 finished first in the Youth Relay Junior category. 

In the Youth Relay Intermediate, the Sigma Striders took first place honours. 

Complete results of the race, including winners in all the categories, can be found at https://raven.runforlife.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Raven50_2024_Results-3.pdf