Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Results are in for the 35th annual Tioga Pass Run

Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

This post was written by Jessica Schneider, 2015-2020 Office Director, 2011-2013 Information Center & Bookstore Manager, and 2010 Information Center & Bookstore Assistant.

The 35th annual Tioga Pass Run took off in front of the Mono Lake Committee last Sunday. Photo by Bartshe Miller.
The 35th annual Tioga Pass Run took off in front of the Mono Lake Committee last Sunday. Photo by Bartshe Miller.

Last Sunday, September 13, 102 runners and walkers made their way up 12.4 miles of the grueling and scenic Tioga Pass, during the 35th annual Tioga Pass Run. They started in front of the Mono Lake Committee in Lee Vining and finished at the entrance to Yosemite National Park, gaining 3,165 feet in elevation along the way.

Patrick Parsel of South Lake Tahoe won overall with the time of 1:29:43, close to ten minutes faster than the fastest time last year. Jessica Francois, Lee Vining local and former Mono Lake Committee staff member, was the first female finisher, beating her time from last year with 1:50:39. There were also eleven participants who were awarded “Graniteman” or “Granitewoman” designations after completing a swim across June Lake, the High Sierra Fall Century bike race, and the Tioga Pass Run over three consecutive days. See the complete list of results here.

Overall winner Patrick Parsel takes off from the Mile 3 aid station on his way to a win. Photo courtesy of Bill Taylor.
Overall winner Patrick Parsel takes off from the Mile 3 aid station on his way to a win. Photo courtesy of Bill Taylor.
Women's winner Jessica Francois comes into the Mile 3 aid station for some hydration. Photo courtesy of Bill Taylor.
Women’s winner Jessica Francois comes into the Mile 3 aid station for some hydration. Photo courtesy of Bill Taylor.

All of the runners and walkers did a wonderful job, and were rewarded with a generously donated lunch at the Whoa Nellie Deli. The 35th annual Tioga Pass Run was a big success in large part to all of the volunteers, sponsors, the businesses who donated raffle prizes, the emergency responders and law enforcement officers who were on call, and especially race director Alana Levin—without their generosity this race could not have been accomplished. Thank you!

Runners take off from the starting line. Photo by Bartshe Miller.
Runners take off from the starting line. Photo by Bartshe Miller.
Tioga Pass Run participants hit the 8,000-foot mark on their way up the pass. Photo by Bartshe Miller.
Tioga Pass Run participants hit the 8,000-foot mark on their way up the pass. Photo by Bartshe Miller.
Photo by Bartshe Miller.
Runners approach Ellery Lake, where the road levels out a bit toward the finish line. Photo by Bartshe Miller.
Photo by Bartshe Miller.
Granitewoman Shelly Hallman of Mammoth Lakes crosses the finish line strong at 9,943 feet above sea level. Photo by Bartshe Miller.
Photo by Bartshe Miller.
Bret Deto of Mammoth Lakes cruises to a 13th-place finish at the entrance to Yosemite National Park. Photo by Bartshe Miller.

3 Comments

  2. Hey, SO great to know the Tioga Pass Run still holds sway! I’ve run it three times – ’88, ’89 and ’91, finishing first female the first two years. I’m joyful to see faster times amongst the women of late. On, on, altitude junkies, all!

  3. Many thanks to all the volunteers at the Mono Lake Committee and the High Sierra Triathlon Club for putting on such a well organized and enjoyable event. The leadership of Alana on organizing the Graniteman was fantastic.