OAKDALE’S STEVE LABRANCHE FINISHES THE THIRD LEG IN QUEST TO COMPLETE GRAND SLAM OF ULTRARUNNING

Steve LaBranche of Oakdale finished the Leadville Trail 100 Sunday morning, nicknamed “The Race Across The Sky,” in 28 hours, 13 minutes, 22 seconds, giving him the first three legs of the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning.

LaBranche, 44, the boys' and girls' cross country coach at Montville High School, will next attempt the Wasatch Front 100-Mile Endurance Run in Utah, Sept. 8-9.

Should LaBranche complete the Wasatch 100, he would become only the second runner in Connecticut history to complete the Grand Slam (four 100-mile races in four months), joining Jerry Turk of Guilford, who accomplished the feat in 2009.

There are 12 runners still in contention for the Slam, with seven not completing a scenic Leadville course in Colorado, which climbs to an altitude of 12,600 feet and requires the use of trekking poles. LaBranche said at one point during the race, hail the size of BBs began to fall.

"This was the most beautiful race I've ever run," LaBranche said. "The course was surrounded by 10,000-14,000-foot mountains. To have a chance to run over a fully exposed 12,620-foot mountain pass, Hope Pass, will be a memory I will keep with me forever."

LaBranche so far completed the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run in California on June 24-25, finishing in 27:47:54, the Vermont 100 Endurance Race on July 15-16 in 23:06:47 and Leadville.