Kenda athletes Crystal Anthony, Deanna Mayles, and Hannah Otto delivered a standout weekend at the Whiskey Off-Road in Prescott, Arizona, earning podium finishes and strong performances across both the Fat Tire Crit and the iconic 50-proof Backcountry Race.
Known as one of the most demanding and best-attended gravel and MTB weekends in the United States, Whiskey Off-Road combines high-intensity short track racing with long-distance backcountry endurance racing, drawing thousands of riders and fans to the streets and trails of Prescott.
Across both disciplines, Kenda athletes demonstrated speed, consistency, and technical confidence on fast, loose, and highly variable terrain.
Crystal Anthony Wins Fat Tire Crit and Delivers Strong Backcountry Ride
Crystal Anthony opened the weekend with a decisive performance in the Fat Tire Crit, a high-speed, 1-mile road circuit featuring a steep climb and fast, technical descent with tight cornering.
Racing on Kenda 4Titude 40mm tires, Anthony made the most of the event’s minimum tire width requirement, choosing a setup that balanced low weight with race-day grip.
“The 4Titudes were the perfect tire for the crit,” Anthony said. “Plenty of grip in the corners, and far lighter and faster than MTB tires. I was able to take a faster line through the final corner to get the win.”
On Sunday’s 50-proof Backcountry Race, featuring more than 46 miles and 6,000+ feet of climbing across a mix of gravel roads and loose, dry singletrack, Anthony continued her strong form on Kenda Rush XC 2.4 tires.
After extensive testing leading into the event, she committed to the Rush for its balance of speed and control.
The Rush tested faster both on singletrack and on the gravel climbs, especially the gravel climbs,” she said. “No flats or crashes, lots of PRs on the segments, and a really solid, predictable feel throughout the race.”
Anthony secured a 3rd-place finish in the Backcountry Race, rounding out a highly successful weekend.
Deanna Mayles Doubles Up with Podium Finishes
Deanna Mayles delivered one of her strongest Whiskey weekends to date, earning 2nd place in the Backcountry Race and 4th in the Fat Tire Crit, while consistently competing at the front of both fields.
Racing on Kenda Rush tires at 14–16 PSI, Mayles relied on a low-pressure setup to maximize traction and control on Prescott’s loose, rocky terrain.
“I ran the Kenda Rush at 14–16 psi and it felt fast and controlled for the conditions and my riding style,” Mayles said. “I had full confidence in the loose corners and it stayed super predictable bombing down Aspen Creek and Trail 260.”
Her setup proved especially effective on the race’s signature descents, where she recorded some of the fastest segment times of the day.
In the Crit, Mayles was aggressive from the start, spending time in the lead group alongside top contenders including Crystal Anthony and Hannah Otto before launching multiple attacks on the climb into town. She ultimately finished 4th after a hard-fought final lap.
In the Backcountry Race, she rode consistently in the lead group and secured a well-earned 2nd-place finish in a highly competitive field.
Hannah Otto Battles Through Misfortune After Strong Start
Hannah Otto showed strong early form in both events, positioning herself in the lead group during the Fat Tire Crit and once again in contention during the opening hours of the Backcountry Race.
In the Crit, Otto raced aggressively in a front group of three early on, helping animate the race before finishing on the podium in 3rd place after a fast and tactical effort.
Her Backcountry Race ended prematurely despite strong positioning and promising legs.
“I was feeling good and confident sitting in the lead group about an hour into the race,” Otto said. “Then a rock kicked up, hit my chain, mangled a link and caused the chain to get jammed in the cassette with each pedal stroke. Unfortunately, it was just a random, freak mechanical that made it impossible to finish.”
Despite the disappointment, Otto’s early-race performance reinforced her form heading into the rest of the season.
