PALM SPRINGS, CA (October 21, 2023) The winner of today’s 36th Annual Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge was Nic Beechan, who ran the “World’s Toughest 6K” in 30 minutes, 7 seconds. The first female to cross the finish line was Jeanne Collonge in 35 minutes, 51 seconds. Maverick Gentry finished first in the youngest category (12 and under) and Andrew Suozzo finished first in the oldest category (75-79).
This year’s Male and Female Challenge Division Winners are:
| Age Groups | Name | City | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 and under M | Maverick Gentry | Cathedral City, CA | 00:52:07 |
| 12 and under F | Leilani Lua | La Quinta, CA | 01:25:33 |
| 13-19 M | Travis Nuñez | Unknown | 00:37:44 |
| 13-19 F | Yoselin Canseco | California | 00:45:56 |
| 20-24 M | Jayson Fernbacher | Orinda, CA | 00:50:47 |
| 20-24 F | None | – | – |
| 25-29 M | Deryhan Harris | Unknown | 00:41:43 |
| 25-29 F | Oralia Ortega | Unknown | 00:51:06 |
| 30-34 M | Ryan Mills | Unknown | 00:42:16 |
| 30-34 F | Hail Wiggins | Unknown | 00:43:46 |
| 35-39 M | Kyle Stovel | San Diego, CA | 00:38:42 |
| 35-39 F | Liz Mills | Bellevue, WA | 00:46:14 |
| 40-44 M | Steffen Hoehne | Newbury Park, CA | 00:38:37 |
| 40-44 F | Carey Paholek | Edmonton, Canada | 00:42:51 |
| 45-49 M | Eric Jannon | Santa Monica, CA | 00:43:52 |
| 45-49 F | Arcy Selk | Brawley, CA | 00:44:50 |
| 50-54 M | Troy Williams | Palm Cove, Australia | 00:37:52 |
| 50-54 F | Kristen Trubee | Palm Desert, CA | 00:47:52 |
| 55-59 M | Anthony Tanner | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 00:38:09 |
| 55-59 F | Nancy Hickey | Los Angeles, CA | 00:44:45 |
| 60-64 M | Jeff Soares | Aptos, CA | 00:37:02 |
| 60-64 F | Pamela Smyth | Indio, CA | 00:56:52 |
| 65-69 M | James Maxwell | San Diego, CA | 00:48:16 |
| 65-69 F | Debra Montgomery | Unknown | 00:52:24 |
| 70-74 M | Paul Beer | Palm Springs, CA | 00:51:56 |
| 70-74 F | Linda Peterson | Playa Del Rey, CA | 00:51:36 |
| 75-79 M | Andrew Suozzo | Cathedral City, CA | 00:56:04 |
| 75-79 F | Debbie Patterson | Woodland, CA | 01:12:23 |
The first Tram Road Challenge was held in 1983, and was won by Rob Slick in 27 minutes, 35 seconds and Nancy Baird in 35 minutes, 25 seconds. The fastest men’s time was set by Rubin Garcia of Mexico—26 minutes, 5 seconds—in 1987. Lubov Kremleva of Russia set the fastest women’s time—28 minutes, 56 seconds in 1998.
732 runners and walkers entered this year’s Tram Road Challenge.