Not far into the Burning River 100, Jordan Lafreniere realized he was going to need to slow down.
“Usually the paces start off pretty hot,” the 43-year-old from Rockford, Michigan, said. “I kind of go with the leaders just to see if it sustains or if it backs off.”
Ten miles into the race July 25, 2026, the leaders were committed to a pace of about 8-minutes per mile. By the half-marathon point, they were running even faster.
“I backed off the group,” Lafreniere said.
He slowed his pace for the next 40 miles, watching the race leader disappear into the distance.
“At the turnaround I timed it and he was like 22 minutes ahead of me,” Lafreniere said. “I figured he was either gonna run 14 hours flat or he was gonna blow up – there was no in between for how far ahead he was.”
The conservative strategy paid off. By mile 75, the master’s runner had not only caught up, but was leading the race.
“Even though I felt like I had the win, I just kept pushing them,” Lafreniere said. “I just wanted to make sure I had a buffer.”
Lafreniere won the 2026 Burning River 100 in 15:34:47, fast enough to set a course record for the 40-44 age group.
Stacey Billig, 33, of Canton, Ohio, was the first female finisher in the 100-mile race with a time of 19:18:42.
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‘Trail conditions were phenomenal’
Not far behind the eventual overall winner, Aiman Scullion, 39, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, also was trying to manage his speed.
“We went out pretty fast,” Scullion said. “I had a pretty low low point around miles like 25 or 30, and then I kind of came out of it.”
By the halfway point, he was fully recovered and ready to chase down the leaders.
“The back 50, I was just kind of possessed,” Scullion said. “I was able to really run a lot of the course, and I felt great.”
He finished second overall in 15:46:21, less than 12 minutes behind the leader.
The performance was even more impressive considering it was his first 100-mile finish.
“I was really taking care of myself and fueling,” Scullion said. “Even when the body didn’t seem to want to take it, I would just continue to push the fuel, the carbs, the sodium and the salt. I just kept working that into my body and I think towards the end it kind of paid off.”
The event proved perfect for a successful finish.
“You couldn’t ask for a better day,” Scullion said. “It was cooler than usual and the trail conditions were phenomenal. It was perfect.”
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‘People battle through so many things’
In addition to age-group awards, six overall records were set during the 2026 Burning River 100, according to Vince Rucci, one of the race’s directors.
“It was set up to be that way, based on the weather and the conditions,” Rucci said. “And the course itself.”
Hollyann Swann set a women’s record of 7:02:33 for the 50-mile race.
Caleb Bowen set a men’s record of 6:06:06 for the 50-mile race.
Thomas Szymanski set a men’s record of 8:28:13 for the “back half” 50-mile event.
Alex Colucy set a record of 3:09:53 for the 26.2-mile marathon.
In the 100-mile, 8-person relay men’s division, “The Men of Malone” set a course record of 10:56:30.
And in the 100-mile, 8-person relay men’s master’s division, “Canal Rats MX” set a record of 14:34:42.
Of the 254 people who started the 2026 Burning River 100, 163 finished for a completion rate of 64.2%.
“It’s a journey and so many people battle through so many things,” Rucci said. “They’re doing it for a reason and whatever that reason is, we’re happy when they check the box.”
More than 2,000 played a part in the event, which is hosted by Western Reserve Racing. That number includes race volunteers, participants, crews, families and spectators.
“This is one of many events we host,” Rucci said. “This is definitely our crown jewel, but even if someone doesn’t have a distance at this race, we have plenty to choose from.”
To learn more about Western Reserve Racing, visit the series online at westernreserveracing.com.
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