20K win seals Canadian women’s dominance at Puerto Vallarta by UTMB

Danièle Riendeau punctuated an astounding weekend for Canadian women at Puerto Vallarta by UTMB by winning Sunday’s 20K in 2:03:30 and finishing 11th overall.

Riendeau’s victory saw Canadian women close out the second year of UTMB’s race weekend in Mexico by capturing first place in three of the weekend’s five events. On Saturday, Montreal’s Geneviève Asselin-Demers topped the women’s podium in the 100K, while Saskatoon’s Caitlin Schindel took first in the 50K.

Like the ultra-trail races, the 20K challenged runners with tough ascents, highly technical trails and scorching heat, although temperatures weren’t as consistently high as they were on Saturday. “I think that worked in my favour, for sure,” Riendeau said following her win.

She added the course’s varied terrain was both a challenge and a treat for runners keen to compete on a scenic course.

“It was hilly, right up the first six kilometres uphill on a winding road into the jungle—some trails, up and down cobble stones, bridges, and then just beautiful scenery all the way back, with a lot of downhill at the end.”

Riendeau said she didn’t enter the 20K expecting to win. “I didn’t know I was in the lead, but I was running alone for a lot of it.”

Having triumphed in Mexico, Riendeau said she’d like to focus on running a 50K. She said she’d certainly consider tackling the distance in Puerto Vallarta next year, calling it a “great event” on a well-marked course with “great variety and beautiful scenery” and outstanding volunteers.

Joining Riendeau on the women’s podium were Mexican runners Diana Darinka Zárate Díaz (2:10:51) and Paola Segura (2:18:40). Meanwhile, Mexico dominated the men’s race with Jose Luis Castel Ceja breaking the tape in 1:43:42, followed by Alan Carzolio (1:43:56) and Ricardo Mejia Hernandez (1:45:32).

In Sunday’s 33K race, Mexico’s Jeff Rosas topped the men’s podium in 3:38:54. Salvador Martínez, also from Mexico, took second in 3:40:55, and Colombia’s Jhoan Sebastian Rivera Alape placed third (4:03:39). Canadian Greg Cruickshank ran 4:40:28 to top the 40-44M category and place 13th overall.

Mexicans swept the women’s 33K podium. Sabrina White ran 4:35:05 for the win and 10th place overall, followed by Mariela Silva (5:03:06) and Lorena de Luna Saucedo (5:37:40).