Michelle merlis
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Hey there, I’m Michelle Merlis, a mountain, ultra, and trail runner from The Berkshires.

 

Born and raised in the Catskill Mountains, with days spent hiking the many trails at Minnewaska State Park, the Mohonk Preserve, and Sam's Point, and nights spent toiling over the words of Henry David Thoreau, my life was staged to be one moved by the mountains.

After graduating from Purdue University in Indiana with a Master's degree in Agricultural Economics, I moved to Albany, NY where my passion for running and trail running was intensified by my involvement with a local running club, the Albany Running Exchange. I ran my first trail race in 2014 and my first ultra in 2016. Since then, I have run, raced, and embarked on adventure all over the US and the world, including representing Team USA in the 40K at the World Mountain & Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand in November 2022.

 

Notable Results

  • 5th Madeira Skyrace 45K, 2024, Madeira Island, Portugal

  • 10th Hochkoenigman Skyrace 35K, 2024, Maria Alm, Austria

  • Part of 2nd place Team USA at 2022 World Mountain & Trail Running Championships 40K, Chiang Mai, Thailand

  • 1st Female, 2023, 2022 & 2017 Escarpment Trail Run 30K, Haines Falls, NY

  • 5th Female, 2023, Grindstone 100K, Shenandoah Valley, VA

  • 1st Female & 2nd Overall, 2023 Naked Bavarian 20 Miler, Leesport, PA

  • 1st Female, 2022 Breakneck Point Trail Run 42K, Beacon, NY (Team USA 40K automatic bid for world championships)

  • 1st Female & 9th Overall, 2021 Breakneck Point Trail Run 21K, Beacon, NY (course & event record)

  • 1st Female & 5th Overall, 2020 Moreau Lake Trail Half Marathon, Wilton, NY

  • 1st Female & 7th Overall, 2019 The North Face ECSNY Half, Bear Mountain, NY

  • 10th USATF Open Female, 2019 USATF National Half Marathon Trail Championship, Scranton, PA

  • 1st Female & 5th Overall, 2019 The Rat Snake 18K (course record)

  • 1st Female, 2018 Superior Spring Trail Races 50K, Lutsen, MN

  • 1st Female, 2018 Vegan Power 50K, Pittsfield, MA

  • 1st Female & 3rd Overall, 2017 Birkie Trail Marathon, Hayward, WI

  • 1st Female & 4th Overall, 2017 Finger Lakes 50s 50K, Hector, NY

  • 3rd Female, 2016 USATF New England Mountain Circuit

Fastest Known Times

I welcome you to contact me by submitting the form below or emailing michellemerlis@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!