Jed Smith Ultra Classic Marathon 2025: James Yee Owns the M70+ Field

• Solo champion: James Yee, 75, of Fair Oaks, CA, was the only finisher in the M70+ group — crossing in 8:43:40.
• Steady pace: Yee averaged 19:59 per mile across the full marathon distance.
• Consistent position: Yee held 17th among the men throughout every recorded checkpoint, never wavering from that spot.

James Yee had the M70+ field entirely to himself on a raw February morning in Sacramento — 51°F, light rain, and a 14 mph wind that made every mile feel a little longer. There was no one to chase and no one chasing him, but Yee went out and ran it anyway, which at 75 years old is the whole point.

He covered the course at a 19:59-per-mile average, finishing in 8:43:40. His position among the men's field held at 17th from the first checkpoint to the last — a picture of consistency across a long, wet day. On the Out & Back to Lap 1 segment, he posted the 17th-fastest split among the men, right in line with where he sat all morning.

There's no drama to manufacture here — Yee was the sole representative of his age group, and he got it done. That's worth something on its own.