Result of the 44th annual Tioga Pass Run

The 44th annual Tioga Pass Run has come and gone and, though we endured conditions that were smokier than we had hoped for at the start line, 42 runners and 26 walkers enjoyed better air quality as they crossed the finish line at Tioga Pass. Fewer racers competed this year, but we still felt the same excitement from participants as they set out on their 12.4 mile ascent from the Mono Lake Committee in Lee Vining to the east entrance of Yosemite National Park.

Runners take off in front of the Mono Lake Committee in Lee Vining for the 44th annual Tioga Pass Run on Sunday, September 7, 2025. Photo by Geoff McQuilkin.

Top finishers

We were scrambling to set up the finish line before runner Chad Hall of Big Bear reached the top of the hill. Aiming to break his brother Ryan Hall’s course record of 1:20:57 (set in 2010), Chad led the pack as the first overall finisher with a truly impressive race time of 1:23:39.

Left to right: First overall finisher Chad Hall and first female finisher Lauren Kleppin with Race Director Leslie Redman. Photo by Elin Ljung.

Lauren Kleppin of Fawnskin finished in 1:49:41 and took the win for first overall female runner and Merissa Armbrust-Lehr of Reno, NV rounded out the podium at 3:35:37 as the first place nonbinary runner. David Riddle of Pacific Grove and Alicia Close of Mammoth Lakes crossed the finish line hand in hand in 2:58:46 as the first two walkers to reach the top.

Leslie with Merissa Armbrust-Lehr, first nonbinary finisher. Photo by Elin Ljung.

Find the complete list of 2025 race results here

This year’s race featured many returning racers from all over California, a lot of local folks representing Eastern Sierra communities from Bishop to Coleville, and Harlie Goodwin who trekked all the way from Lahaina, HI to take the challenge.

David Riddle and Alicia Close were the first walkers to complete the course. Photo by Elin Ljung.

Thank you

The Tioga Pass Run would not have been as successful without the help from volunteers, sponsors, first responders, and Mono Lake Committee staff. Thank you to everyone who came out to race, volunteer, and support!

The end of the course is always a fun scene with plenty of athletes and volunteers celebrating another race well-run and refueling on sandwiches, snacks, and beverages. Photo by Elin Ljung.

Thank you to the volunteers: Lori Beck, Kathy Cecere, Jean Dillingham, John Ellsworth, Preston Few, John Ljung, Mary Ljung, Jan Rhoades, Sherryl Taylor, Tony Taylor, Joe Woods, John Shepherd and the Bishop Amateur Radio Club.

Thank you to our race sponsors: Footloose Sports, Designs Unlimited, Mammoth Brewing Company, Eastside Sports, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, June Lake Brewing, Mammoth Hospital, Ridge Merino, and Skratch Labs!

Thank you to the law enforcement officers and emergency medical responders who ensured the safety of everyone on the course.

And thank you to the Mono Lake Committee staff members who made this race happen: Hannah Ashby, Patience Brennan, BreeLynn Butler, Deja Charles-Tomkins, Anna Christensen, Judith Goddard, Sarah Lampley, Elin Ljung, Maureen McGlinchy, Geoff McQuilkin, and Diego Murguia.

First overall finisher Chad Hall striding along past Ellery Lake en route to a near-record time of 1:23:39. Photo by Elin Ljung.

Let’s do it again next year: the 2026 Tioga Pass Run will be held on Sunday, September 6!

Top photo by Elin Ljung.