Robbert Struyven has done most of his ultramarathon racing in Europe, but the postdoctoral researcher at Harvard Medical School has been gradually making his mark on the trails of New England.

Struyven kicked off his ultra career with a top-10 finish at the Longest Day Trail 50K in Belgium in 2022. He finished the Trail Godefroy Bouillon 50K a year later, followed by the Arctic Triple Lofoten Ultra-Trail 50-miler in Norway in 2024. Struyven earned his first US ultra finish in November 2024 when he completed 36 miles at The Hamsterwheel in New Hampshire.

Struyven put forth his finest ultramarathon performance yet when he toed the starting line of the third annual Free Spirit 50K on Saturday, May 17, in Leyden, Mass.

Struyven, 31, of Cambridge, Mass., fended off fellow Cambridge resident Christopher Parker, 43, for the win on a fast course on the dirt country roads of Massachusetts and southern Vermont. Despite the firm footing, the course tested runners with 4,200 feet of climbing while cruising through the countryside.

The day began with damp conditions and fog hovering over Leyden Town Hall, site of the race’s start and finish line, but it lifted within the first few miles. Struyven and Parker wasted no time building a cushion on the field. They ran comfortably ahead of the crowd for the rest of the way, but neither Struyven nor Parker could shake the other and take control. The outcome was still in question as they entered the final mile, but Struyven ultimately held on and earned the victory in 4:30:47. Parker was a close second in 4:34:44, earning his second runner-up finish at the event. Parker was also second place at the inaugural Free Spirit 50K in 2023, finishing that year in 4:20:00.

Sean Meissner rounded out the male podium. After starting off easy, Meissner great stronger as the race went on and picked his way through the pack. Ultimately, the 51-year-old from Perkinsville, Vt., finished a close third in 4:37:10. Chris Brandi, 42, of Milton, Mass., was fourth in 4:44:32.

In the female field, a familiar face ran at the front and earned the victory. Ashley Hensel-Browning set the female course record in 2024, winning in 4:43:53. She ran with confidence as the defending champion and was the female front-runner for most of the way. Though she battled some stomach issues mid-race, the 39-year-old from Weathersfield, Vt., overcame it and earned a second straight win in 4:49:08 while placing fifth overall. Maria Castro, 31, of East Longmeadow, Mass., was the next to finish in 4:49:08, while 36-year-old Sydney Howland of Boston, Mass., rounded out the female podium in 5:25:08 for eighth overall.

Other overall top 10 finishers included Wesley Brown, 38, of Temple, Texas (5:12:33); Bertram Johnson, 52, of Burlington, Vt. (5:23:02); and Wayne Ball, 50, of Feeding Hills, Mass. (5:32:07).

Twenty-two runners finished the race within 8 hours.

Ben Kimball of Ben Kimball Photography provided the photos that accompany this article. Click here to view a full gallery of Ben’s photos from the day.