Jennifer Benna
Jennifer Benna is a trail momma, competitive ultramarathon runner, and adventurous lover of life. Her heart belongs to her family and the mountains. She is a mom to 4 year old Eva LaRue and 6 month old Asher, wife to JB, and a full time sales executive for a biotech pharmaceutical company. Currently living in the Reno/Tahoe area at the base of the beautiful Mt. Rose Wilderness, Jen has been running ultramarathons for over a decade, beginning her pursuit on the trails of Southern California on a whim in December of 2003. With more than 40 ultras in her book, she has dedicated herself to truly enjoying the miles and the adventure of trail racing. In 2007 Jen’s ultra career moved to the competitive Bay Area and with some guidance from coach Scott Jurek, Jen decided it was time to step it up. With podium finishes at almost every ultra she has run in the last 4 years, Jen is not only a consistent ladies front runner but often finishes in the top 10 overall among men as well. In 2013, Jen won the Bandera 50k, is the 2013 Zion 100 mile champion and course record holder as well as a 2nd place at the Tahoe Rim Trail 50k in 2013. Jen is just returning to the competition scene after a 2014 hiatus to birth her son. She was back running the CIM marathon at 11 weeks postpartum. She is stoked for what 2015 has in store.
Some highlights from previous seasons include, podium finishes at the The North Face Beijing 100k, Cascade Crest 100, Tahoe Rim 100, and the Pine to Palm 100. She has placed in the top ten at Speedgoat 50k, TNF San Francisco 50 mile Championships, as well as an overall top 10 at the Waldo 100k. She is the 2012 Oregon Trail Ultra Series Champion, and was also the winner of the Bishop High Sierra 50k, the Truckee Trail Half Marathon and Ray Miller 50K. Jennifer Benna runs professionally for Hoka One One, Drymax Socks, Princeton Tech and Vespa Fuel.