Davison Grad Melanie Peters to Run Western States 100 This Weekend

Davison High School grad Melanie Peters (nee Schultz) will be running the 2012 Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, starting tomorrow morning in Squaw Valley, California. This will be her first attempt at running 100 miles, but she has surprised many in her running career as she increases her distance.

As a high school runner, she was quite good but didn't make headlines. As a walk-on at Miami University in Florida, she became an excellent miler. In 2008, she won the Disney World marathon in 2:47:29, just missing the Olympic Trials qualifying standard.

Peters is new to ultramarathons, but has done quite well in limited action. She placed second overall at the Ice Age 50 miler in Wisconsin this spring with a time of 7 hours, 34 minutes. Quite impressive, considering that Ice Age is on a pretty rugged trail course.

I had the opportunity to run Western States in 2010, and was extremely happy just to finish the 100 mile run through the Sierra Nevada mountains. Peters has a chance to make a name for herself. Simply finishing Western States is a special accomplishment. Melanie Peters is a dark horse candidate to win this race. The White Lake, Michigan resident could surprise in her first 100 miler.

You can follow her progress at www.ws100.com She is racer #32. I know I'll be rooting for her.