Bright and early on Sunday, September 8, athletes toed the start line of the 43rd annual Tioga Pass Run. The energy and excitement were palpable as walkers and runners began their 12.4 mile ascent from the Mono Lake Committee in Lee Vining to the east entrance of Yosemite National Park.
This race is a local favorite but also draws folks from all over the state, and even from as far as Germany this year. Many athletes return to the Mono Basin year after year to spend a crisp September morning traveling 3,200 feet up to Tioga Pass, a truly memorable feat to accomplish even once.
Top finishers
During this year’s race, wind howled through Lee Vining Canyon, ripped through the flats at Ellery Lake, and threatened to blow all the napkins at our finish line celebration away. But the 51 runners and 27 walkers who crossed the finish line made this year’s race look like a breeze.
Runner Michael Peterka of Mammoth Lakes led the pack as the first overall finisher with a brisk race time of 1:43:20. Caroline Cobo of San Dimas took the title of first female finisher with a time of 2:06:54. And Cathy Wuesthoff of Mammoth Lakes was the first walker to cross the finish line in 2:45:02.
This year’s event was a Mono Lake Committee family affair of sorts. Mono Lake Intern Diego Murguia’s mom Luz Murguia ran the race for the first time. Project Specialist Caelen McQuilkin and her mom Sarah Taylor were greeted at the finish line by Geoff and Cassia McQuilkin. We were also grateful to have staff parents John Ljung, Mary Ljung, and Pete McGlinchy supporting the event as volunteers.
Find the complete list of 2024 race results here.
To those of us on the race staff, the Tioga Pass Run signifies the transition between the busy summer season and the calmer, colorful days of autumn. We love seeing all the familiar faces at the finish line celebration each year and are always excited to cheer on new and veteran Tioga Pass Run racers as they cross the finish line. Thank you to everyone who came out to race, volunteer, and support last Sunday! Your enthusiasm for this fun event is something we look forward to every year.
Thank you
The Tioga Pass Run would not have been as successful without the help from volunteers, sponsors, first responders, and Committee staff. Thanks to all who contributed to making this one of the best events yet.
To the volunteers: Janet Barth, Lenny Cowles, Maria Cowles, Preston Few, John Ljung, Mary Ljung, Pete McGlinchy, Jan Rhoades, John Shepherd and the Bishop Amateur Radio Club, Igor Vorobyoff, and Joe Woods.
To our race sponsors: Designs Unlimited, Distant Brewing, Eastside Sports, El Mono Motel & Latte Da Café, Epic Café, Footloose Sports, June Lake Brewing, Mammoth Brewing Company, and Mammoth Hospital.
To the law enforcement officers and emergency medical responders who ensured the safety of everyone on the course.
To the Mono Lake Committee staff members who made this race happen: Juniper Bishop, Ryan Garrett, Elin Ljung, Maureen McGlinchy, Geoff McQuilkin, Bartshe Miller, Mara Krista Plato, and Andrew Youssef.
Let’s do it again next year: the 2025 Tioga Pass Run will be held on Sunday, September 7!
Top photo by Bartshe Miller.