Ruth Vomund took 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 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.
When she returned to VC in 1987, Vomund was engaged as a distance runner, having run in numerous 10K road races and a marathon.
Vomund had also fell in love with Ventura County Athletic Hall of Fame runner Gary Tuttle, a former two-time collegiate steeplechaser and a national record holder. She had finished 71st at the 1985 Boston Marathon.
In helping VC win the Western State Conference cross country team title, Vomund placed fourth individually.
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 and Medoc, France marathons. She placed fifth at the 1986 Ohme Hochi 30K in Japan, was a 13-time winner of the Round Rarotonga 31K Road Race from 1994-2006, the 2004 and 2006 Oceania Masters Athletic Championships in the 5K and 8K races. She has volunteered at dozens of area charity road races for 20 years, the Ventura County Special Olympics track meet for 10 years and assisted in the marathon at the 1999 World Special Olympics.
Vomund has served on the board of directors for the Team Inside Track running club for years.