Piraino and Whelan Win Niagara Trail Titles

Results

Joe Whelan (Bergen Elite) and Lindsay Piraino (Roadkill Racing) earned top honors at the 2025 USATF Niagara Trail Running Championships, held in conjunction with the Ridge Walk & Run 25K in Ridge, NY. The challenging course tested athletes with its elevation changes and rugged terrain, showcasing some of the region’s top trail talent.

OPEN MEN

Whelan, 34, led from the front to capture the men’s title in 1:45:22, finishing ahead of Tim Chichester (Genesee Valley Harriers, 1:47:32) and teammate Hunter Brignall (1:53:11) for a strong Bergen Elite 1–3 finish. Bergen Elite claimed the men’s team title with a combined time of 10:12:32, anchored by performances from Whelan, Brignall, EJ Boyce, Lazarus Gleason, and Scotty Miner.

With the win, Whelan clinched the Niagara Runner of the Year title. 

OPEN WOMEN

In the women’s race, Piraino, 29, powered to victory in 2:04:22, defeating Checkers AC teammates Jenny Keenan (2:05:20) and Maura Tyrrell (2:08:47). 

MASTERS WOMEN

Keenan’s performance also earned her the masters women’s age-graded title with a 63.03% score as she led a Checkers AC sweep. Her teammates Jenny Selig, 43 (2:22:36; 55.81%) and Mary LeBrun Schultz, 44, (2:31:33; 52.01%) finished second and third, respectively to lead the squad to the team win as they clinched the victory in the year long Club Grand Prix. Jessica Weinman, 46, (2:59:37; 45.45%) and Sabrina Figler, 55, (3:46:49; 39.82%) were the final scorers for the team.

MASTERS MEN

In the masters men's race, Mike Bonarski (Checkers AC) topped the age-graded standings at 59.71%, helping Checkers AC secure the team title. The other scorers for the team were Jeff Adams, 47, (2:09:47; 57.87%), Joe Silliman, 50, (2:17:11; 56.20%), Joe Halter, 44, (2:20:32; 52.09%), and Paul Noe, 66, (2:52:52; 51.98%). Like their women's squad, the victory clinched the Club Grand Prix title for the Checkers AC men. EJ Boyce, 44, finished second in the individual standings as he was less than 1% behind Bonarski, scoring 58.98% (2:04:07).

The last Niagara LDR championship event will be the Niagara Cross Country Championships on November 9 in Fairport.