Ruth Vomund took a different path to become one of Ventura County’s premier women’s distance runners.
A distinguished track and field career took her from days as a member of the St. Bonaventure High track and field team to the U.S. Olympic Trials women’s marathon starting line. Sixteen years apart.
In one of the rarest accomplishments by a Ventura County runner – male or female – Vomund placed 20th at the 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials, finishing with a personal-best time of 2 hours, 41 minutes and 30 seconds.
It would be only one of dozens of distance running achievements over her long and distinguished athletic career.
One of the first inductees into the St. Bonaventure athletic hall of fame, Vomund was a high jumper and sprinter for the Seraphs. In the first of two stints at Ventura College, Vomund made the program’s all-time high jump list by clearing 5 feet-2 inches.
In 1987, Vomund returned to VC as a distance runner, having run in numerous 10K road races and marathons. In helping VC win the Western State Conference cross country team title, Vomund later placed fourth individually at the state meet in a time that is still a school record for the Woodward Park course.
Vomund also met and married Ventura County Athletic Hall of Fame runner Gary Tuttle, a former two-time collegiate steeplechaser and a national record holder. With Tuttle as her personal coach, Vomund qualified for the Olympic Trials by meeting the time standard at the 1991 Portland Marathon.
Among her major accomplishments were titles at the 1989 Napa Valley, 1989 Medoc, France and 1999 Santa Clarita marathons. She placed fifth at the 1986 Ohme Hochi 30K in Japan, was a 13time winner of the Round Rarotonga 31K Road Race in the Cook Islands, 1994-2006, the 2004 and 2006 Oceania Masters Athletic Championships in the 5K and 8K races.
She has volunteered at hundreds of area charity road races over the years and the Ventura County Special Olympics track meet for 10 years. She assisted in the marathon at the 1999 World Special Olympics Games.
Vomund served on the board of the Team Inside Track running club for many years. She also worked at Inside Track for 10 years and still occasionally works at Mile 26 running company.