When the Anchor Down Ultra kicked off at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 211 runners left the line, with different goals in mind. Some planned to run 6 hours, others 12 hours — and for the best endurance athletes, the goal was 24 hours, ideally hitting the 100 mile mark in that time.
According to Jason Paganelli, President & Race Director, of the True North Running Company that coordinates the event, it was a very successful year. “Usually we have 6 to 8 people hit the 100 mile mark; this year, 16 runners made it that far and beyond,” he said. “It was the best weather in the 11 years we’ve been doing this.”

The good weather played a role, in stark contrast to last year, when a tropical storm struck in the middle of the night, knocking many runners out of the race. That was not the case this year.

Benjamin Murray of Bristol was one that retired early last year after being struck by a falling branch in the wooded section of the 2.9 mile park loop that runners follow on repeat throughout the race. This year was different — Murray went 100.45 miles in 24 hours, earning himself a coveted belt buckle. A self-described “military brat” whose family moved to Bristol when he was in the 4th grade, Murray is a chef and food innovator who lives with wife Jessica Murray, daughter Iris, 9, and son Benjamin, 5.

“Ultras are different,” he said, reached after the weekend when he was somewhat recovered from the ordeal. Unlike marathoners, we aren’t as driven by times. Everyone is there for their own reasons.”

A longtime runner, Murray started really pushing the distance about 8 years ago. Since then, he has run 6 ultras.

“It’s about getting to the finish, not about time or a medal,” he said. “It’s as much mental as physical.”

Recovery can take a week or two and involve lots of time spent in the ocean and very slow walking. Murray has his eye on another ultra this fall, the Midstate Massive Ultra, that takes runners through 4 of the 6 New England states.

Steven da Silva was another Bristol runner, who opted for the 12 hour event, completing 39.2 miles total. He enters these events to challenge himself, admitting that sore legs and strange thoughts in the dark of night are part of the mental challenge of the endurance race.
“Thanks to Jason and the entire crew of volunteers that help make this a great race,” said DaSilva.

Anchor Down Ultra is organized and hosted by True North Running Company, based in Warren. “While I manage logistics for races professionally, this one is our “passion project” built by a crew of local runners who pour their hearts into it,” said Paganelli. “Our presenting sponsor is HOKA, but the race is truly a homegrown event. Besides Paganelli, of Warren, East Bay residents who help put it on include John Santillo of Portsmouth, Brian Beausoleil of Warren, Fernando Mendonca of Bristol, Michael Vallee of Bristol, and Justin Teixeira of Tiverton. “They take incredible pride in this event,” said Paganelli.

Other notable finishers included Christopher Cappellini of Lincoln, NH who ran 110.25 miles. This finish put him over 1,000 lifetime ADU miles, with 9 consecutive years over 100 miles. He also holds the men’s course record from 2016 at 129.85 miles. Kathy Jacques of Norton, Mass. was the 2025 Women’s Champion, with 107.8 miles. This set the new Women’s Course Record, beating her 2023 record of 105.35 miles. Jason Bigonia of Walpole, Maine was the 2025 Men’s Champion, with a total run of 122.5 miles.

With additional reporting by Ed. Gifford.