COOL — Dawn Infurna-Bean finally found an easier way to negotiate the endless trails that surround her in the foothills.

After a tremendous ultrarunning career that included three Western States Endurance Run finishes, the Coloma resident discovered mountain biking. After purchasing her first single-speed ride in January, Infurna-Bean blazed to the women’s title at the third annual Coolest 24-hour Race Against Cancer Sunday on the Olmstead Loop.

“I was out here just to ride for 24 hours,” Infurna-Bean said at the finish line. “I was surprised to place.”

Infurna-Bean finished last June’s Western States 100 in 23 hours, 9 minutes, 18 seconds. Beginning Saturday at noon, she circled the Coolest 24 loop 15 times, covering roughly 192 miles.

“I think my background in ultrarunning helped – I think I was able to manage myself pretty well,” she said. “I know from Western States that I’m a turtle. I like to go out slow and then come from behind.”

Decked out in a Victory Velo jersey, Infurna-Bean looked like she’d been riding for years. In fact, she only began riding this year. She quickly found a new passion after thriving for the last decade as an endurance runner.

“Biking is my main thing now,” she said. “It seems like every time after Western States, I need something different and with biking my training has actually been fun. It’s been a fun journey and I’ve met a lot of cool people.”

The men’s overall titlist, Dez Wilder, put on another impressive show. The 21-year-old who now lives in Nevada City finished 20 laps on his single-speed ride, beating out many talented riders with geared bikes.

Brian Sevall was the champion in the open solo division, finishing 19 laps.

“This year it was definitely dustier,” Wilder said between coughs. “It’s still a fast course, still real good competition. I felt like I was a little more in control this year. I was in control with what was going on with my body, whereas last year, it was just go out and see what happens.”

Wilder is now competing at a semi-pro level while working at Tour of Nevada City bike shop. His goal for the summer is to attain a pro ranking.

Auburn’s Victory Velo bike shop produced another winner in the four-person single speed division, tying for the overall four-person title. Doug Houston, Dan Tebbs, Steve Bowman and Chad Barth completed 23 laps for Victory Velo.

Auburn Bike Works’ four-man team took the pro/expert division crown, finishing 23 laps.

In the masters division, Matt Chastaine won the solo singlespeed title.

The Poly Grindhouse squad from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo won the college championship, finishing 24 laps. Seth Ellis and Dennis Baker finished 19 laps to claim the two-man 24-hour title. Matt Zanner was the champion in the 8-hour solo race, finishing six laps.

The Coolest 24, organized by Auburn’s Jim Northey, raised thousands of dollars for the Auburn Community Cancer Endowment Fund.

For more information and results of the race, visit www.globalbiorythmevents.com.