BURT 100 supports Bainbridge Island trails

As the rain fell, so did the course records on sixth running of the BURT 100, the Bainbridge Ultra Running Team’s endurance fest and fundraiser for Bainbridge Island trails.

Runners set new marks in the 55K (male and female divisions), 110K (male and female) and 100 mile (male) competitions, despite soggy conditions and the innate rigors of island topography.

The Feb. 7 event drew a record 65 runners from around the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, Montana and Hawaii.

Race proceeds supported the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation’s trail-building program.

The roughly 33-mile course begins and ends at Battle Point Park, covering much of central and south Bainbridge Island. Each loop features more than 4,000 feet of elevation gain, thanks to peaks and valleys through parks and switchback trails up to Gazzam Lake. One loop equals 55K, two laps, 110K, and three laps equal the daunting 100 mile mark – an overnight run.

Significantly, new trail construction and connections over the past year shaved about 1.5 miles of “road” off the course since last year. About 85 percent of the BURT 100 route is now on public trails.

The runners, well-seasoned to ultra-long distances, were greeted by another, quintessential Northwest foe: a drizzle that began with the 8 a.m. start and continued through the day. About half of the runners in the 110K and 110 mile events failed to complete their distances– a point of pride for BURT 100 organizers.

“Punishing rain throughout the daylight hours added the extra element of difficulty we always hope for,” Chris Heiden says. “It pushed 55K runners to finish faster, contributing to course records falling left and right. It made the longer races a real test of will, gear, and planning. And the rain largely stopped as soon as the race organizers started to get nervous about the longer-distance loopers getting hypothermia.

“And we could roast smores at night. Perfect.”

TOP FINISHERS (* denotes course record)

Men’s 100 Mile – Kyle Deerkop (Aberdeen), 21:50:18*; Jerry England (Bremerton), 28:02:52; Matthew Kellenberger (Missoula, MT), 30:20:50

Women’s 100 Mile – Deanna Kytonen (Seattle), 26:56:49*; Staci Revel (Centralia), 27:01:49

Men’s 110K – Brian Harmon (Bainbridge Island), 12:54:28*; Cameron Austin (Yakima), 13:15:22; Mark Goodro (Bainbridge Island), 14:44:20

Women’s 110K – Nicole Sanislo (Bainbridge Island), 18:21:12

Nonbinary 110K – Lauren Fischer (Seattle) 17:32:32

Men’s 55K – Rob Bond (Bainbridge Island), 4:37:09*; Jimmy Buchanan (Bainbridge Island), 4:40:38; Adrien Chaussabel (Seattle), 4:57:09

Women’s 55K – Audrey Lawrence (Issaquah), 5:04:24*; Joanna Brewer (Kamloops BC), 5:53.03; Angelica Sanders (Pasco), 6:18:05

The final finisher: Matthew Kellenberger of Missoula, MT, who completed the 100 Mile run in just over 30 hours.

“It’s with special reverence we celebrate the person willing to suffer the longest in a physical test like the BURT 100,” Heiden says. “We thanked him for crossing the tree with plenty of time to spare before the Seahawks’ smackdown of the Patriots would commence.”

For complete 2026 BURT 100 results, look here.