A recent UTMB 50-kilometre contest in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico saw Joren Titus claim gold...and a berth in next August's 50k World Series finals in Chamonix, France.
Overcoming more than 2230 metres of elevation gain, the ex-Whistlerite reached the line in five hours, 20 minutes and 40 seconds. Peru's Emerson Trujillo Flores had enough speed for silver (5:25:24), a result matched impressively by top woman and second-overall finisher Sara Alonso from Spain.
American David Norris checked in for bronze (5:26:18).
"The 50k win in Mexico meant a lot. I have been dealing with persistent injuries the last few years and wasn't able to race to my potential," Titus revealed. "I started working with a coach last year and he really helped get me back on track and in shape for this race. Winning an international event like this was such a surreal experience.
"The people of Puerto Vallarta really got behind the event and it was cool how they incorporated a lot of the local culture and ceremonies into the event. The experience was made even better by seeing a few of my friends, and fellow Canadians take the podium in the 33k and 100k distances."
Said individuals were Arden Young (first, women's 100k) and Emilie Mann (second, women's 30k).
Titus' life in Whistler made him a very active young man. He and his brother played all kinds of team sports in addition to the local staples of skiing and mountain biking. Influenced by his parents to get into marathons and Ironman races, Titus ended up becoming a track and cross-country athlete at the University of British Columbia.
After earning his degree, Titus believed he was done with structured training and competition. It wasn't until his third decade that he discovered ultra running.
"I just loved how laid back the sport was and how training mostly consisted of big long adventures in the mountains," he said. "The ultra running community is amazing as well. I signed up for my first ultra race in 2018 and have been hooked ever since."
Full results from Puerto Vallarta are available here.
