Kenda athlete Crystal Anthony delivered a commanding performance at the Rule of Three in Bentonville, Arkansas, winning the women’s race by 27 minutes after a day defined by endurance, technical skill, and decisive riding across 112 miles of mixed terrain.
The Rule of Three is one of the most demanding ultra-endurance events in the region, combining pavement, gravel roads, b-roads, and technical singletrack into a single long-format race. The 112-mile course tests not only fitness, but also equipment choice, bike handling, and the ability to manage effort over constantly changing terrain.
Anthony rose to the challenge from the start, staying with the lead group through the opening miles before the race began to separate on the larger climbs.
“I stayed with the lead group until mile 16 when we hit the bigger hills,” Anthony said.
From there, she settled into a strong rhythm with a smaller chase group before an unfortunate puncture briefly disrupted her momentum on a gravel section. Despite the setback, she quickly recovered and continued her push back toward the front.
Smart Recovery and Mid-Race Surge
After fixing the flat, Anthony rejoined the race just as the second woman in the field passed through a larger chase group. What followed was one of the defining moments of the day.
As the race transitioned into the most technical section—featuring b-roads and singletrack that favor bike handling and course knowledge—Anthony began to close the gap.
“I was able to claw back just as we hit the b-road and singletrack,” she said. “Knowing the trails so well helped.”
That course familiarity proved decisive. Anthony surged through the middle portion of the race, building a substantial gap and ultimately establishing an 8-minute lead through the technical block, effectively putting the race out of reach.
From there, she controlled the remainder of the event, riding solo for long stretches before linking up with a few groups in the closing miles and extending her advantage further.
Anthony crossed the line as the women’s winner by 27 minutes, delivering one of the most dominant performances of the weekend.
Tire Choice Delivers Speed and Control Across Mixed Terrain
For the Rule of Three, Anthony raced on Kenda Saber 2.05 SCT tires, a setup chosen for its balance of efficiency and grip across mixed surfaces.
While noting availability considerations with her preferred Rush SCT option, Anthony leaned on the Sabers for their versatility across the 112-mile course.
“The Sabers felt fast on the paved and hard-packed gravel sections, but also had plenty of grip for the steep, loose b-roads and singletrack,” she said.
Even with a puncture caused by a sharp object on the course, Anthony emphasized that the issue was unrelated to tire performance.
“I did end up puncturing on a gravel road, but it was a 2-inch staple nail, so not really the fault of the tires.”
The Sabers ultimately delivered a strong blend of speed and durability across one of the most varied courses on the calendar, reinforcing their capability for long-distance mixed-surface racing.
A Statement Win in Arkansas
Anthony’s performance at Rule of Three highlighted both her endurance strength and her ability to execute under pressure across a demanding 112-mile route. From early positioning to mid-race recovery and a decisive surge through technical terrain, she controlled the race when it mattered most.
The result adds another major win to her season and reinforces her status as one of the most consistent performers in long-distance off-road racing.
Congratulations to Crystal Anthony on a dominant victory at Rule of Three in Bentonville.
Crystal Anthony Wins Rule of Three as Kenda Athletes Deliver Strong Results in Bentonville
Kenda athletes Crystal Anthony and Sarah Arant delivered standout performances at the Rule of Three in Bentonville, Arkansas, with Anthony claiming a dominant victory and Arant securing a top-five finish in one of the most demanding mixed-surface endurance races of the season.
The Rule of Three is a 112-mile ultra-endurance event that blends pavement, gravel roads, b-roads, and technical singletrack into a continuously evolving test of fitness, durability, and bike handling. The course demands adaptability across every discipline of off-road riding, with terrain that shifts repeatedly over the duration of the race.
Crystal Anthony Delivers Commanding Solo Victory
Crystal Anthony controlled the women’s race with a composed and decisive performance, ultimately winning by 27 minutes after a day marked by smart pacing, strong recovery, and technical execution.
Anthony stayed with the lead group through the opening miles before the race split on the first major climbs around mile 16. From there, she settled into a strong rhythm in a reduced chase group before a mid-race puncture briefly disrupted her momentum on a gravel section.
Despite the setback, she quickly regrouped and began a determined chase back through the field.
“I stayed with the lead group until mile 16 when we hit the bigger hills,” Anthony said.
After rejoining the race, Anthony made her defining move during the most technical section of the course, where local knowledge and bike handling played a major role. As the route transitioned into b-roads and singletrack, she began to rebuild time on her rivals.
“I was able to claw back just as we hit the b-road and singletrack,” she said. “Knowing the trails so well helped.”
That familiarity translated into a decisive gap, with Anthony building an estimated 8-minute lead through the technical middle section before extending her advantage over the final third of the race. From there, she rode solo to the finish, managing effort across the final miles to secure a dominant win.
Tire Choice Balances Speed and Control Across 112 Miles
Anthony raced on Kenda Saber 2.05 SCT tires, selected for their versatility across the course’s wide range of surfaces.
“The Sabers felt fast on the paved and hard-packed gravel sections, but also had plenty of grip for the steep, loose b-roads and singletrack,” she said.
While she experienced a puncture on course, it was caused by a large sharp object and not related to tire performance.
“I did end up puncturing on a gravel road, but it was on a 2-inch staple nail so not really the fault of the tires.”
Overall, the Saber setup delivered a strong balance of efficiency and control across one of the most varied endurance courses of the season.
Sarah Arant Secures Strong Top-Five Finish
Kenda athlete Sarah Arant also delivered a solid performance in Bentonville, riding consistently across the 112-mile route to earn a 5th-place finish in the women’s field.
Arant’s ride added depth to Kenda’s presence at the front of the race, showcasing resilience across a course defined by constant terrain changes and long hours of sustained effort.
Her result rounds out a strong showing for Kenda athletes at one of the most demanding endurance events on the calendar.
Strong Team Performance on a Demanding Course
From Crystal Anthony’s dominant solo victory to Sarah Arant’s top-five finish, Kenda athletes demonstrated strength, durability, and tactical execution across the full spectrum of terrain at Rule of Three.
The varied 112-mile course highlighted the importance of tire choice and adaptability, with the Kenda Saber SCT platform delivering speed, grip, and confidence across pavement, gravel, and technical singletrack.
Congratulations to Crystal Anthony on her outstanding win and to Sarah Arant on a strong top-five performance in Bentonville.