Smyth repeats as XTerra Trail champ

Star power prevailed at Kualoa Ranch as Patrick Smyth defended his title and Kimber Mattox claimed her first crown at the Paul Mitchell Xterra Trail Running World Championship Sunday morning.

Smyth, who resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, completed the 21-kilometer half-marathon course in 1 hour, 16 minutes and 39 seconds. Although he faced an early challenge from Brett Hales, the current Xterra U.S. Trail Run Champion, Smyth established a sizable lead by the halfway point and finished more than three minutes ahead of Hales.

Mattox, who competed as an All-American steeplechaser at the University of Oregon, was the first female finisher and placed sixth overall with a mark of 1:32:34. She finished nearly three minutes ahead of Allie McLaughlin despite taking a nasty tumble on one of the tricky downhill stretches.

More than 1,500 runners participated in the event.