3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
The Trails
The Swag
The People
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
Bolinas Ridge Trail is always so tough, but you’re running in redwoods, so it can’t be that bad!
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
5am start, and not much warning! And the 15:30 cutoff makes things exciting!
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
Paced the early climbs well, unless you are going for top 20 or 25, then you can power the punchy climbs early. Otherwise the Cardiac 2 climb and Bolinas Ridge can chew you up.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
The Crux is Bolinas Ridge and the climb out of Randall…be mentally ready to grind!
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
Practice the up down up down up down of the Ridge, always tough for me!
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
Course marking is NOT overdone. Know generally where you are going!
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
Just about the prettiest
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
I would say so, but it is also a runner’s course…can be fast!
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Its all about the people, old school race for ultra runners by ultra runners
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Usually lots of tough locals, doesn’t draw the legends consistently anymore, but 350+ people is a big fun field
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
Sign up early! Sells out pretty fast. Rooms in Stinson and Bolinas are really hard to get and pretty pricey. Way better to stay out there than drive through Muir Woods for the 5am start!
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Roctane and Water for drinks, fruits and the usual plus GU Gels
Weather and typical race conditions
Sunny and warm my first two times, rained for 8 hours this time!
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
Leg sleeves to help ward off the poison oak? Sunscreen 🙂
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
Yeah, its awesome. You hit Muir Beach and Tennessee Valley a couple of times, and then Randall is great with 13 miles to go. Make a friend pace you in!
How’s the Swag?
Awesome. Great shirts usually, this year was a hoodie!
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
Really well organised race – with great volunteers, checkpoints and a mix of Hong Kong Trails.
Good international scene, with some top runners from around the world.
Ability to have support crew at most checkpoints.
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
Difficulty to access some of the checkpoints, finishes if you don’t know Hong Kong.
Award ceremony is rushed after the top 10 have arrived. Would be worth doing it the next day or something.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
Running on a mix of road, beaches, very technical trails & steps steps steps!!
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
Running during sunrise onto the beaches. Really enjoyed all the volunteers (HK scouts) – with many children cheering along.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
The race is won during the second half and its easy to overcook it in the first half. Circa. 2/3rds of the elevation is in the last 40km.
Don’t underestimate how hot and humid it can get, even during February.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
Pace the first half better, be patient and work on some of the technical parts of the trail. Don’t underestimate how hot it can get, even in February.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
Be familiar with climbing/going down steps. Hong Kong is a very tough surface to run on, so having good padded shoes will help. Also the weather is often a critical factor in Hong Kong.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
Amazing course, sceneries of beaches, the city and mountains. A must recommend.
Photo: Sportograf.com
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
It is definitely a tough course.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Very well organised. Been going for circa 15 years.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
I’d say a strong field for the first 50-100 runners. The Top 10 are usually professional runners.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
Hong Kong (in usual times) is a very accessible city, with many hotels and good infrastructure. English is also commonly spoken so its not an issue. The organisation really communicates well, so it shouldn’t be an issue.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Good aid stations. Water, Coca-Cola, sport drinks, banana’s oranges, nuts, noodles etc… Staff is also very helpful in refilling bottles and putting your nutrition in them for you.
Weather and typical race conditions
February is normally between 15 – 20 degrees. It can be humid as well. Quite hard to predict. Weather could easily be 26 degrees as well!!
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
Poles are helpful on the hills. Otherwise the usual gear.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
The first half is a bit difficult to access. The second half can be accessed via Taxi for most of the places.
How’s the Swag?
The team and volunteers are top class.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
Out of 5 Stars, I’d give it a solid 4.5 / 5. Recommend running it. Also available in 33KM, 50KM and Grand Slam (I.e., 33KM, 50KM and 100KM over 3 days).
What is missing is a good award ceremony the next day. They do it shortly after the top 10 have arrived…
Results: 4th Female, 8th Overall // Top Female Time Performance 6th
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
Landscape: There is beauty in simplicity. No big mountain vistas. No charging through hoodoos. Nothing but sage and sky.
Message: Run the Red is held on Wyoming Public Lands Day with the goal of raising awareness for protecting the Red Desert and wild lands everywhere.
Culture: This race is just so Wyoming. There is no other way to put it. Antelope bounded across the trail on multiple occasions. We meticulously opened and closed gates on private ranchland and ran through pastures with grazing cattle. Big sky and open country.
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
The 30-40mph headwinds that battered us for about 85% of the course were exhausting. At the same time, I was grateful for it as the sky was cloudless and the sun incredibility powerful. Kind of a toss-up as to whether the wind was a true drawback… though it definitely blew us back!
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
Nothing weird per say, but starting/ending the race in the historic Ghost Town of South Pass City was unique.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
By all accounts this race should have been brutal on me. I spent a great deal of time in the “pain cave” during a 100 miler a month prior to toeing the line of Run the Red Desert. After that race my husband and I began diligently making final preparations for our cross country move. A week before the race we spent 15 hours moving heavy things in and out of a moving truck and got 3 hours of sleep in 36 hours. The rest of the week continued with little and/or poor-quality sleep. This was due to us learning that there was a hold up and we couldn’t move into our house. A week of phone calls, emails, anxiety, and general chaos ensued. Therefore, I made the decision to not execute my final week of tapering. Instead, I ran without limitations because it helped me find some sense of normalcy in the turmoil and kept me sane. I was willing to sacrifice performance to have some moments of tranquility. For good measure, I hadn’t run in an open desert since March. Plus, my altitude training consisted of sleeping in an altitude tent and I had no idea if it would be effective for me. In short, my preparation was atrocious (would not recommend) and I was relying on fitness and grit to finish.
Only it turned out that finishing wouldn’t be enough for me this time. About 2 seconds after the race began, I decided to compete. I like to say that I run courses, I don’t race them. Historically my goal has always been to simply finish. I did, admittedly, toss around the idea of competing in the Run the Red Desert, but I’d let that idea go a month prior when I realized how rough the lead up weeks would be… or at least I thought I let it go.
During this race I was 100% invested in nothing else but the course in front of me and my performance. I think my focus was near perfect. After my heinous week, suddenly all I had to do was keep moving forward. It was so simple and I committed myself to making every step and thought I had count toward my forward progress. Never have I been so on top of my nutrition and hydration. Never have I been so hyper-aware of every muscle movement. Never have I paid such close attention to my place in the pack. Nothing bothered me. Not the blister on my toe, the blasting headwind or the miles of seeing nothing but sky and sage. The whole race was joy and relief. One step in front of the other. Nothing more and nothing less. So simple. This mindset led me to finish 4th female, 8th overall and to a 6th overall female top performance time.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
Wind is standard in the Red Desert. Be prepared to battle it! In general, it is a land of extremes during a very volatile time of year. Sun, wind, rain, snow and hail are all a possibility. In fact, all of these can happen in a single day! Temperature can swing from freezing in the early hours to toasty by midday. Bring layers. Finally, the sun at high altitude in open sage-land is incredibility powerful. Bring sunscreen and don’t forget to apply it when the temperature is in the 30s!
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
My circumstances leading up to this race were certainly not ideal. I would definitely taper and not move across the country next time around!
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
The race does not have a lot of vert (3,500-4,500ft depending on where you look). However, it is at altitude. Be ready to run between 7000-8000ft. I came from sea level, but my altitude tent seems to have worked. Flat-landers without this tool struggled. Also, some of the aid stations are rather far apart from one other. Be prepared with lots of food, water and happy thoughts during those stretches. Also note that the final 10 or so miles of the course are on (mostly) gradually ascending terrain that makes you feel like you’re going nowhere. No easy gliding downhill to the finish.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
I appreciate vast and empty desert landscapes with nothing but sky, sage, pronghorn and cattle. I loved this course and thought the simplicity was beautiful. If you’re looking from craggy mountain vistas or variety this course is likely not for you. You can see the Wind River Range in the distance and desert formations, but they are not the focal points the race.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
It is not a technically difficult course. The extreme environment and weather are the challenge.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
The event was very well organized and went off without a hitch (at least that I know about!).
Competition – Is there a strong field?
I don’t think there were any pro-athletes competing. However, fast times were put up for both men and women. I was definitely pushed to perform my best by the field.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
Historically this race has had years of selling out and years of having space for last minute sign up. It’s sort of anybody’s guess what registration will be like from year to year. It was a local race for me, but accommodations should be easy to come by in the nearby towns this time of year.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Standard food was available at all the aid stations. Later in the race hot options like quesadillas and burgers were also offered. Tailwind, water and enthusiastic encouragement were also on hand at all aid stations.
Weather and typical race conditions
Anything is possible in September in the Red Desert! Be prepared for all extremes as previously mentioned.
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
Wear shoes that will dry fast and don’t start the race in pants that can’t be rolled up. There are several deep and mucky water crossing in this race. The first is about ¼ mile in!
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
No crew or spectators are allowed on this course to protect the fragile landscape.
How’s the Swag?
Really nice technical shirt and cool wooden plaque with the course on it.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
10/10. I would recommend this course to anyone who loves running in high desert in extreme weather with nothing but sage and sky!
Dandelion Dilluvio-Scott is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about her or to work with her, check out her coach profile.
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
Challenging course, with a little of everything, including a really difficult final seven miles — 2800 ft climb and then a 800 ft descent to the finish
Well spaced, well stocked, and well executed aid stations (drop bag aid station you go through twice – mile 31 and 50, make for easier planning/packing)
Really scenic first half, some really nice views in parts of the second half
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
A bit much of forest roads on the route.
A long climb on a downhill mountain bike trail — built for bikes, not for ascending runners
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
Four races going on that day, starting line is at the Mt Ashland ski lodge.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
First part of the course along the PCT was really spectacular. Finisher’s mug and hat were pretty cool.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
Camping the night before can be loud, plan accordingly.
The race is at 6k-7k feet for many miles, be aware if you’re coming from sea level and might not be use to the altitude.
The pre race and post race food was a little meager in quantity.
The race shirt was a bit lame in design.
Don’t bother going the day before to get your t-shirt from the local running shop, unless you want to see downtown Ashland. The shop is nice, but not many items stocked, and nothing special for the race.
Eat breakfast Sunday at the Breadboard in Ashland – really tasty.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
Either camp further away from everyone else or stay in a motel/hotel/b&b. The number of 50k’ers there with a 7 AM start (vs 5 AM 100k start) were a bit loud.
Likely do some altitude exposure beforehand next time, or just plan on taking it slower in the higher up parts of the course.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
The temperature can really vary along the course – the lower section which runners go through around mile 36-44 can be quite a little warmer than the rest of the course. The top of Mt Ashland can be windy and colder, especially at dusk – I’m glad I had a light windbreaker I picked up in my drop-bag at mile 50.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
Very scenic, PCT and great views of low peaks and Mt Shasta in the distance.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
Over 10k feet gained and the same lost over the course. Footing is mostly not technical, but some really long and steady descents can wear you down. Climbing up Time Warp is as difficult as everyone says. I didn’t need much water starting up around 6 PM (took me 2:17), but for some, it can take 3 hours to get from the aid station to the finish – plan accordingly.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Extremely well organized. A little late with bib picks at 4 AM (weren’t available until 4:15 AM), but the race started exactly at 5 AM. The course was well marked and easy to follow.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Good variety in the field, many repeat runners.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
Paved road to the ski lodge, easy to get to. 15k, 50k and 50M the same day as well for spouses or friends. 100k doesn’t seem to fill up.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Standard stuff, including ice to use for cooling.
Weather and typical race conditions
July in Southern Oregon – 2022 was coolish at 85.
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
Wished I had trekking poles for the last climb. Glad I had ~40 oz of water/fluids for some of the sections.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
No.
How’s the Swag?
Sweet finisher’s mug.
T-shirt wasn’t special.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
7/10. You can probably find a 100k with less forest roads and better weather.
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
El Cruce is a 3 day stage race in the mountains in the Patagonia. It is promoted as a 100KM race though distance varies as the course is changed every year. My year was a little under 90K, with about 11K vertical feet of elevation gain over the 3 days.
The scenery and terrain is breathtaking. The terrain can be quite technical and very dramatically. We ran through high desert, forest, rivers, muddy soil, loose volcanic soil, and everything in between. Strong runners clocked in at about three hours per day whereas I was somewhere between 4 to 5. The racers vary dramatically. There were some people in their late 60s that pretty much hiked the whole thing.
At the end of the day you finish at a different campsite where you have a tent set up and your bag with clothes and so forth is waiting for you. There is great food at the campsite and masseuses and since it is on the lakefront you can go bathe in the lake and hang out. In the morning you pack up your bag and drop it off and it gets moved to the next campsite.
You just run with your hydration pack and nutrition. There were four different start dates each with about 1000 runners per wave. The vibe of the racers and the campsite and so forth was terrific. Everyone is just so happy to be out there and positive. It was very physically demanding but so beautiful and a wonderful experience.
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
You are camping for two nights so that poses its own set of physical challenges. Sleeping on a camping pad after a grueling day of running is hard. Try doing that two nights in a row. That part of the physical challenge made it more interesting to me but I can see how others might be turned off by it.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
On the second night they had a kind of Ibiza style beach party on the lake with a full bar and people were getting pretty into it. Argentinians know how to have fun.
There was a section where the pitch was so extreme they had a rope set up so you were basically rappelling down the side of the mountain.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
As this was my first trail race, I am just happy to have finished. I loved the camaraderie on the trail and the incredible range of terrain. It required a lot of focus and concentration throughout the entire race.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
I was not prepared for all the different types of terrain. For example, volcanic sand that Sink into your knees and end up with pebbles in your shoes. There was a bit of running on snow as well and crossing through rivers with wet shoes.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
The degree of pitch on some of the downhill was pretty severe and I should have done more hard vertical downhill training as that really did a number on my quads.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
It is breathtakingly beautiful
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
Yes, definitely.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
It was incredibly well organized. They’ve been running this race for about 20 years
Competition – Is there a strong field?
The elite runners which went on day one finished the race in six hours and 33 minutes. I ran in about 14 hours. The guys in my group all agreed that the winners are just as impressive as any two hour marathoner.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
Registration does fill up pretty quickly so sign up early. Getting there is a pain in the ass since you have to fly another two hours from Buenos Aires to Bariloche. So plan to make it a whole vacation.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
There were 2 aid and hydration stations on the course each day. Very well organized
Weather and typical race conditions
The weather converted dramatically. Day one was blue skies in the 70s and Day 3 was a rain deluge and lightning
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
I should’ve brought the little shoe condoms to keep rocks out of my shoes
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
Not really.
How’s the Swag?
Very good. We got a fleece, a long sleeve shirt, a race shirt and a shirt to wear around the camp
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
9!! I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to do it again
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
The course was beautiful!
The aid stations were awesome!
The course was challenging but still runnable.
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
I can’t think of anything, pretty much liked everything about this race. The only thing that kinda bummed me out was not getting a Western States qualifier. This race needed 100 finishers to do that, and only 76 finished.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
Not weird, but kind of funny to me was running around the finish area for the last 6-7 miles. You could see it down the hill a ways, but you also still have several miles to go before you actually get there. You can hear the excitement of the finish line for most of it. It was like calling the horses to the barn for me personally, but some others out on the course didn’t seem to enjoy it as much. Also funny, we all took the same selfie at the same waterfall.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
I paced it well from the start being cautious for quite a while since it was my first shot at the distance and I really wanted to finish. I felt like I trained and prepared well for what my scheduled allowed, and my legs were surprisingly strong all the way through the race. I was able to problem solve the few issues I had successfully (missed my crew at the 30 mile aid, and a pre-existing ankle issue), had to improvise nutrition a bit but was on point with it and kept my stomach in check for the most part. Mentally, I kept my mind in a positive space and grew more confident as the race went on. I was able to finish really strong and felt like the last 24 or so miles were the best part of the race for me.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
Get on your pace early on, and by that I mean know what that long ultra pace feels like because it will pay huge dividends at the end of the day. Practice being patient in your training, get your power hiking strong and know the course and the aid stations. Know your body and be prepared to improvise and problem solve because nothing ever goes totally as planned in these things. Have your mindset right and visualize prior to race day how you want your day to go. I didn’t feel great at the start, it took about 15-20 miles for me to get going, which was kind of worrisome, but once it started clicking I got more and more confident.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
For me personally, every time I felt like stopping I ran instead which made hiking seem like a break. I got really efficient at the aid stations, kept my body fueled, and I’m finally getting good at managing my stomach which has previously held me back performance wise. I also found I can push the downhills harder than I would’ve thought throughout the whole race. I changed some things up in training that also made a big difference for me, kind of went outside the box with that and it paid off.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
The first couple miles of this race are steep and slow, take your time. You also need be cognizant of the last climb coming out of the mile 51 aid station. It can be a butt kicker, especially at that point in the race. It’s fairly steep and it goes on for a long time. I’d say most of this race is runnable. Other things to watch out for would be the middle 17-18 miles, there’s only one aid station from mile 21 to mile 39 so make sure you’re topped off and fueled up going out of the mile 21 aid and the mile 30 aid. Also, make sure your crew knows how long it takes to get to the mile 30 aid station. I almost brought a back-up drop just in case I came in fast (which I did), but then decided not to since I figured my crew would be there ( they were not… ). Several crews mentioned it took a lot longer than they thought to get up there, GPS/phone signal not working great in that area either, so just be sure to know the way up.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
Oh man, this was one of the most beautiful courses I’ve ever done! Views all over the place from Mt. Hood Meadows to the ridges, and even the Forest Service roads. This race should grow in popularity on this factor alone.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
Yes, tough but not brutal. I thought it was a great challenge but didn’t feel like a sufferfest. It does not let up a whole lot though, you gotta work from start to finish on this one. 22 of 98 starters dropped.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Daybreak did a fantastic job! I feel like these folks keep getting better at each race. The aid stations were fantastic! They did a great job managing COVID precautions while providing excellent assistance to all the athletes, really engaging fun people at each station too. They certainly made the race more enjoyable. I’m always grateful to the aid station crews at every race, but I thought these were exceptionally done.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Yep. Quite a few fast people out there for a small field in the 100k. Local boys held it down hard.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
This race did not fill up, very easy to get into. It was only the second running of the 100k, but I think it will get bigger as it’s such a good race. The 50k race had a much bigger field.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
As mentioned, the aid stations were great. Standard fair though, COVID has certainly changed what we can expect at most races, but I think these guys did a fantastic job. The large field of the 50k went through a bunch of the food and water, so the 100k racers on their way back didn’t have a totally full spread, but it was plenty. A couple of us got some PB&J sandwiches without any PB&J… it was kinda funny.
Weather and typical race conditions
This is probably very subjective, but I thought it was perfect. It was warm in the morning, right around 70 degrees. It rained periodically, which made for a warmer very muggy afternoon. Overall, a cool PNW summer day. It was a great relief from the 90’s that were forecast. Pretty smokey though. Air quality was fine, but it hung pretty heavy throughout the day.
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
Nothing special, but you need your headlamp for the morning. It’s required gear if you’re leaving the mile 51 aid station after 5pm.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
Sort of… the start/finish area at the ski resort is very spectator friendly and you can get up to the Timberline aid station if you wanted. There were quite a few people at the Surveyor’s ridge station and Elk Meadows was a good place for family and friends too. My family had a good time out there, and my kids didn’t want to leave the playground after the race.
How’s the Swag?
Everyone got some nice socks, a beer glass, and a post race meal ticket. You could also purchase some other things form Territory Run Co., I got a really nice t-shirt.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
5 out of 5 stars for sure! I think both the 50k and 100k are cool races, the course is fantastic with tons of views and an excellent challenge. Most everyone I spoke with afterwards loved it.
Frank Fisher is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with Coach Frank, check out his coaching page.
Beaverhead 100k just might be the race for you if you’re looking for a beautiful, challenging race that also happens to be a lesser-known Western States qualifier.
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
Amazing views from the Continental Divide Trail (and seeing through hikers along the way)
Fun, challenging terrain (scree, talus)
Low key, old school race vibe
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
Air quality was not so good due to fires in ID and MT (but it was fine a few years ago when I did the 55k — just depends)
Aid stations were pretty basic and ran out of gels (as with any race, carry anything that you consider essential!). They also were not located quite where they were supposed to be (up to a mile off).
Due to fires in the area in the past couple of years, there are some stretches of trail that are burned out, but not for too long.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
They served Pepsi instead of Coke! What’s up with that?!
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
Being up on the CDT was amazing. There’s nothing like standing on a ridge with a sheer drop of hundreds of feet into MT on one side and a scree field dropping down into ID on the other. And I got an incredible feeling of accomplishment from stretching myself out of my comfort zone to do this race.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
This race is at 8,000-10,000′ altitude. If you live at sea level like me, work with your coach on training strategies to help deal with altitude. Better yet, do a training run/race at high altitude so you know how your body responds.
There’s only one spot for a drop bag, at about the half-way point (Lehmi Pass, where the 55k starts). Stock up on anything you need for the second half, which will take longer than the first half because the course is a lot more technical.
There are no pacers and only limited places for crew access. Best to be fairly self sufficient.
It’s cold at 4:00am in the mountains when the race starts. The shuttle dropped us off at 3:15, and I was glad I had a packable jacket with me.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
The best lesson I learned is anything is possible if I just keep moving forward — whether steep climbs, thin air, hot temps, smoky conditions, or scrambling up rocky peaks.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
The first half is gently rolling but the second half has some tough, technical sections including around 4 miles of loose rock (scree, talus). That’s followed by a steep downhill to Bohannon A/S, then the last 5-ish miles to the finish are the easiest (with a few water crossings here).
If heights freak you out, this might not be the best race for you. Besides being technical, the trail takes you along some ledges and steep drop offs.
Although there is no finish line cut-off, there are three internal cut-offs. The 2:30 pm cut-off at Cut Out A/S was the tightest (plus that aid station was almost a mile farther down the trail than I and others were expecting). But after making that cut-off, the others were no sweat and it was no problem finishing sub-19 to get the WSER qualifier.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
There are some pretty areas, but what I remember most are the rocky terrain, the views, and the exhilarating feeing of being up on the CDT.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
Yes, the factors that make it tough include high altitude, heat, possibly smoky air and technical terrain in the second half.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
I’d say it’s organized well enough, but it’s also a little old school in that there’s minimal hand-holding and they expect runners to be aware of what they’re getting into and prepared for the challenge. The RD posted some videos on Facebook when they were marking the course a few days prior to the race, which were helpful. Pre-race communications were good, not over-done.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Although it’s a WSER qualifier, it didn’t seem like the race attracted many folks from too far away.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
Beaverhead 100k is not a hard race to get into — the only requirement is to have run a 50k in the prior three years. Logistics require more planning. Salmon, ID is a small town and not near any major airports. The town has limited lodging options, and hotel rooms can be scarce. Book a room at the Stagecoach Inn as soon as you decide to do the race. Second best is the Super 8 across the street. Neither are fancy, but you’ll be glad you’re there when it’s time to hop on the 2:15 am shuttle bus, which picks up runners at the Stagecoach Inn parking lot. That’s also where the post-race shuttle drops you off.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Aid stations were pretty basic (tailwind, water, Pepsi, PBJ, chips, bananas, watermelon, M&Ms, other candies). Janke Lake had hot food. Bohannon had smoothies. Gels were scarce and I was glad I packed my own. There were ice buckets for dipping bandanas and hats. Later aid stations had ice to put in packs and bottles too.
Weather and typical race conditions
Expect intense sun, heat, and possibly smoky air. There also could be thunderstorms (not this year). There might be patches of snow on the course too (not much this year, but more when I did the 55k a few years ago).
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
Because the race starts at 4:00 am, a headlamp or flashlight is necessary. I kept it with me since I knew I’d be finishing after sunset. Someone faster might not need a light for the second half. But… be very sure about that before ditching your light in your Lehmi Pass drop bag. There are no later drop bags.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
No, there are only a limited number of places where crew can access the course.
How’s the Swag?
Nice sweatshirt and rabbit race shirt, plus a metal souvenir license plate thingy, a buff, some SNB, and a string bag.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
So hard to say… really depends on what you want out of a race! For me, this was a 4/5. One of the races that I’m most proud of for sure.
Team RunRun’s Javelina Jundred Race Reports are your go-to resource for preparing for the Javelina 100 mile/100 kilometer runs! Our runners share what worked for them about the race, what they think you should know about the course, and rate it, so you can decide if the Javelina is the right event for you!
Choosing a running event is a big decision. Often it comes down to what your body is ready for, what your mindset is pushing you to do, and what your personality will like. That’s why at Team RunRun, we ask our runners to contribute reports of each race, so that you can get a sense for what the event will be like before signing up. Once you commit to the race, the reports are also valuable to help you prepare with appropriate training and gear. Read on for a summary of the Javelina Jundred plus a compilation of all the runner reports we’ve received (so far).
WHAT IS THE JAVELINA JUNDRED?
The Javelina Jundred is an annual 100-mile trail run with a fun twist – you can choose to run in costume to celebrate Halloween! Find out more details about the race from the organizers here. As you’ll see, you can choose to run the full 100-mile trail or opt for the shorter 100 kilometer course.
WHERE IS THE JAVELINA JUNDRED?
The Javelina Jundred takes place in Arizona. You’ll run 100 miles of the Pemberton Trail in McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Check out the below race reports to find out what tips our runners have about the course.
IS THE JAVELINA JUNDRED COMPETITIVE?
The organizers bill the Javelina Jundred as a social run – but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get competitive! As you’ll see from the runner race reports below, the race attracts a lot of top athletes who make great times.
IS THE JAVELINA JUNDRED FUN?
The Javelina 100m/100k definitely rates as a fun race. In our Team RunRun race reports, we like to ask our runners what is weird or distinctive about a particular run. Many of them mention running in costume, the dance party at the end of the race, and the quirky awards. Keep in mind that the whole race is rated “R”, so you will have more fun without children!
WHAT KIND OF WEATHER SHOULD I EXPECT?
Arizona during the day in October is hot. If you read through the race reports from multiple years, you will see that it is generally in the 80s Fahrenheit (close to 30 degrees Celsius) and can get even hotter on the course, where there is little shade. It gets cold at night, so plan for layers!
IS THE JAVELINA JUNDRED WORTH RUNNING?
Take a survey of all our race reports – everyone loves this race! Even when Matt ran it with a sinus infection, he rated the race 5 out of 5 stars. Team RunRun says: sign up, have fun, and send us your race report when you are done!
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE JAVELINA JUNDRED?
The Javelina Jundred is an ultra marathon, so you should definitely be comfortable with running ultra distances before signing up. Since the course is primarily in the sun, gets hot, and features a few hills, you will want to plan for running in the heat and add elevation to your training. Plus, plan for desert terrain, temperature swings, dark-to-light running, and guard against going out too fast.
Also, you might want to take some time to plan your costume so you can be a part of the Halloween fun!
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THE JAVELINA JUNDRED COURSE?
The Javelina 100 mile and 100k are run on a ~20 mile rolling single track trail in McDowell Mountain Regional Park near Fountain Hills, AZ. It’s a well-supported, easy race to crew for, as it all takes place in the park, with one main crew access point. Very runnable trails make for faster times, but the exposed, desert heat along with chilly nights after sunset can make it very challenging. The Jackass Night Trail, added in 2018, gives you the option to run either 31k or 62k distances.
The 100k runners complete 3 loops while the 100m runners complete 5, and they are run “washing machine” style, meaning each is reversed. Each loop has a gentle 800 foot climb from the start/finish at Javelina Jeadquarters to the high point near the foothills of the McDowell Mountain range. The trail dips in and out of wash beds on the far side of the course and the footing is a mix of hard packed granite, rocks and sand. Total gain for each loop is ~1580 feet.
JAVELINA JUNDRED ELEVATION BREAKDOWN
Total gain/loss:
100m: 7900/7900
100k: 5000/5000
Total climbs:
100m: 5
100k: 3
Longest climb: 800ft over ~10.5 miles. Climb begins after you leave the Javelina Jeadquarters each time. Each loop gains about 1580 feet.
Steepest climb: N/A because you repeat the same climb over and over again each lap
Plan for where the aid stations are (and check out our race reports for what runners wish they had done differently at the aid stations):
Total aid stations:
100m: 19 (+start/finish)
100k: 11 (+start/finish)
Furthest distance apart: 6.6 miles
Locations: 4 aid stations per loop, miles 0.0 (Start), 4.0, 10.5, 15.7, 22.3, 26, 31.2, 37.7, 41.7, 45.7, 52.2, 57.2, 61.1, 64.8, 70, 76.5, 80.5, 84.5, 91, 96.2, 99.9 (Finish). Bold indicates crew access point at Javelina Jeadquarters. Aid stations for 100k are the same through mile 61.1.
What’s available: Gatorade (Lemon-Lime) and CarboPro, MetaSalt, fruit, sweet snacks, salty snacks, chips, pumpkin pie, soda, potatoes, bean burritos, PB&J, and soup. Additional meals of sub sandwiches, pizza and burgers will be served at Javelina Jeadquarters throughout the race.
JAVELINA JUNDRED CREW AND PACER INFO
Crew access Locations: One access point, Javelina Jeadquarters, (the Start/Finish), which is also miles 22.3, 41.7, 61.6, and 80.5
Crew instructions/directions: See crewing rules and guidelines in Participant’s’ Guide
Pacers
100m – Yes, after 3 loops (61.2 miles)
100k – Yes, after 2 looks (41.75 miles)
IS THE JAVELINA JUNDRED A RACE QUALIFIER?
The 100 mile run is a Western States qualifier
Both the Javelina 100m and 100k are 4 UTMB points each.
QUICK GLANCE – LESSONS LEARNED FROM OUR RUNNER RACE REPORTS
Here are some of the lessons learned from our runners at the Javelina Jundred:
Lessons about gear
You will need a headlamp at the start of the 100 miler, though you can get away with a small one given you’re around so many runners.
Gaiters are helpful in keeping small pebbles out of your shoes
Trekking poles are not allowed, but music is
Have a good ice bandana and possibly arm sleeves to stick ice in them
Have crew have a cooler with cold water and ice, and a towel to wrap around you each time, thus cooling down your core temperature each loop
Consider changing socks often, or at least have that option available
Lube up with so much small dirt getting in places and causing chaffage
Sunscreen!!!
Use any ice water you can at aid stations to pour on yourself and cool down
Lessons about the course
Be prepared for very hot, exposed daytime running, and cold nighttime running once the sun goes down. Have layers on you after 3pm.
Because the course is so runnable, it’s easy to go out fast, especially in cooler morning temps
Be sure to carry enough water between aid stations, especially the 6.5 mile stretch that you will run 6 times
Despite being a flatter, more runnable course, it still has a high DNF rate each year (at least 50%), largely because of the heat and going out too fast
3rd loop is likely the hottest one of the day (out of 5 loops)
There is no shade for runners and barely any for crew.
It’s not the most technical trail or the hilliest, but each ensuing loop will seem more so on tired legs and mind
There are lots of runners out on the course and it thins out over time, but be prepared for feeling like there are a lot of people in the event, especially with the washing machine style loops
If you’re a fast 100k runner, you’ll likely have lots of people to pass in the 100 miler as you catch them, as you start an hour after them
The heat of the day feels so much hotter than the temps say, simply because there is no shade anywhere
Pacers are helpful in this race to help break the monotony of running the same loop 3-5 times
HOW TO USE TEAM RUNRUN’S JAVELINA JUNDRED RACE REPORTS
Now that you know the basics, it is time to dive into real runner reviews! Click through on each race report to learn how different runners reacted to the course. We are all real people who run for fun, so whether this will be your first ultra or your tenth, we have some advice for you. Reach out if you have any questions!
In this Javelina Jundred runner review, Barbara R. shares her experience of the 2019 100 mile race. Read on for what she loved, what challenged her, and what she recommends for you! "This was my best executed race I've ever run! I went out super slow on lap 1 and did not get caught up in runners passing me or ... Read More
Javelina 100 Mile Finalist Stephanie G. shares her tips for how you can succeed at the race, too! Read on for what she loved and how she prepared for this memorable run. "I love knowing what the weather will likely be like, it takes so much of the stress out of planning. It’s hot, but it’s consistent. Beautiful desert trails ... Read More
In this Javelina 100k race report, runner Bala S. gives you an honest review of the annual Halloween run - including what made it fun, what gear to take, and what you should know about the course! "What’s the weirdest thing about this race? The costumes. The race is supposed to be this big costume party out in the desert, ... Read More
In this Javelina 100 Mile Race Report, runner Delaney H gives her honest review of the annual Halloween run in Fountain Hills, AZ. That includes tips for how to stay cool in the desert, gear she wished she had, and the low-down on rattlesnakes. "Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner: Ice ... Read More
In this Javelina Jundred first time race report, Stephen shares his experience running his first 100 mile event. Plus, he reviews the Javelina Jundred race so you know how to plan for your first experience with the 100 mile event! "Everything in the desert wants to hurt you. I saw some of the nastiest falls – from trips and falls ... Read More
In this Javelina Jundred Course Review, coach and Team RunRun co-founder Matt Urbanski breaks down everything you need to know about running the Javelina 100 mile race: "I put my head down and grinded this race out like a tough muther. I was not feeling tip-top coming in, I spent lap one clearing my sinuses and hacking up crap from ... Read More
In this Javelina 100k Course race report, runner Stephanie breaks down her experience of the 100 kilometer Javelina Jundred event, including what you should know about staying cool and making the most of aid stations. Learn more about the course below! "Lessons for others – For this race - ice, as mentioned. I had some in a ziploc in my ... Read More
Check out this race report to know what to expect from the Javelina Jundred - an annual Halloween ultra run in Arizona! "It was dark at the Jackass Junction station on the reverse loop 4. It was after that I became intimately familiar with the rocky downhill section. I did a complete faceplant that hit so hard that it blew ... Read More
Summary: This is Team RunRun Co-Founder Matt Urbanski’s Ultra Trail Australia 100k race report. He provides a description of the course, how to manage it, race highlights, and more!
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
The Trails – really unique course! It requires so many different skills as a runner.
The Competition – This race brings out the best in Australia (and normally internationals as well). I feel fortunate to have been on the starting line here!
The Event vibe – UTA puts on an awesome race! It’s a big event, lots of races, lots of runners, multi-day with races for 3 days – it’s just an awesome all around event and feels special to be there!
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
The most unique thing about this race is all the stairs! Seriously, stairs like I’ve never seen before! I was warned about them, I prepared for them, and they didn’t disappoint. Power packed way to get a bunch of vert in a short time. Add in the ladders around 22k and you have some seriously unique stuff in this race! (yes, real ladders you’re climbing down! They’re surrounded by netted ropes but they’re straight down!)
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
I ran hard all day! It’s a 100k event and I have been doing more 100 milers the past couple years. This distance is one I didn’t know as well, and while I may have gone a bit conservative early, I was full on most of the day and pushing hard. I was able to fuel well and to deal with muscle cramping issues, and I finished hard up the final steps. Feels funny to say this after a lifetime of racing, but I’m proud of how hard I pushed on this course.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
Know the course. Many people talked to me about how tough the climb up Nellie’s Glen was around the 50k mark. I did this section in a training run and I was ready for it. It wasn’t as bad as if I hadn’t known it was coming. Conversely, the section between 60k and 76k was way slower than I had anticipated – tons of steps and lots of twisting, winding trails with steep ups and downs. I was alone for much of this section and my avg pace plummeted here. It took its toll on my mojo and mood too! Had I been better prepared for the section, I would have probably done better. Practice with all your gear. The required gear list here is substantial – as much as UTMB or more. So practice with your kit, know where all your stuff is, and practice with the kit.
Stairs. I don’t usually train on stairs. There are a ton of them here, with all different varieties – metal stairs, stone steps, regularly spaced ones, randomly spaced ones, short ones, tall ones – this course has it all! Be ready and train for them! My quads, and eventually my calves were all cramping from the stair workload!
Run hard downhill from 78k to 90k. It’s a smooth grade, wide open dirt path – bomb this one! It’s mainly uphill after that to the finish, so you can use up your downhill muscles here!
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
I’ll go out harder. I gave up time in the first 30k and was behind the front guys by the same margin for the rest of the way in. Everyone seemingly takes off like a bullet from the start and I thought I was being the wise old guy by holding back a bit. Given the uniqueness of this course, I would go out harder next time. There is a 5k road section early, followed by steep stairs down, and then technical single track. You can catch your breath there – get out faster, Matt!
Practice more stairs! Muscularly, I got worked. And with the simple motor skill of downhill stairs, I could be much faster. I get passed once in the race after the 40k mark, and it was on the Giant Stairway after the 60k mark. The dude who passed me flew down the steps – amazing skill!
All smiles 45k in!
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
There is a lot to know about the UTA course so study up ahead of time! First 5k – out and back road section. It’s fast and feels like a road race. It’s uphill on the way out, and downhill on the way back.
You then hit the Furber Steps and go steeply down. After about 1k of stairs, you hit technical single track. Some really slow spots through here. Position yourself accordingly – be ahead if you’re fast on this stuff and be prepared to be pressured from the back if you’re slow on this stuff.
Next is the Golden Steps around 10/11k. Steep. Tough. You’ve been warned!
But once you get up the steps, it’s dirt, fire roads for a good stretch, maybe 10k or so. Rarely is the course flat, but here it was rolling and I got into a nice rhythm.
After 21k you go off trail and drop on some steep technical trail which ultimately leads you to the Tarros Ladders. Wow! And then it continues steeply down for awhile after that.
Eventually you get to run again on dirt roads and things open up for a bit to the second CP.
After CP2, you make your way up to Iron Pot Mountain out and back. They have traditional music going up there and some cheering from volunteers directing you. It’s a bit technical and slow through here – I got passed a good amount between the ladders and here. But after the steep downhill, things open up again and are cruising all the way until past CP3 when you start the climb up Nellies Glen somewhere around 50k. At this point it gets steep and rocky! A good km or more, this section is one to be mentally ready for!
Once you do the initial climb out, the trail stays rolling and twisty, not fast, all the way until you pop out onto road around 56k. You have a km or 2 until you reach CP4 at the Aquatic Center.
At the AQ, you go into a gym and see your crew/get aid, before heading back out onto the road for a brief bit. You then cut across some trails that take you through town and back toward the trails along the Cliffs.
The trails from here on to Queen Victoria Hospital (78k) are generally slow and challenging to find any sort of rhythm. Lots of steps, both up and down, twists and turns – you basically make your way along the edges of the cliff on a cool trail with great scenery. But for running, it’s not fast at all, so be ready for this. There is one big descent and climb to be prepped for too. After the big Echo Point lookout where you’ll see lots of tourists (this course runs through the Blue Mountains National Park), you go down the Giant Staircase – super steep, lots of metal stairs, really cool! And then shortly thereafter, you climb right back up some tough steps up to Leura. Woof!
By the time I got to 78k I was mentally worn down from the slow section. I had been alone for much of the past few hours, and the race had thinned out up front with all of us evenly spaced out. But seeing my family at CP5 was a good boost. I got an update on my placing – near the top 10.
From here, the course bombs down for much of the next 10k on smooth dirt fire roads. You can let it loose here and run hard! It’s fun! And it was so refreshing to run again and to open up my legs.
As you near the bottom, you get a couple climb and descents before you really begin the climb to the finish.
I ran right through the aid station at 91 b/c I hadn’t been taking much in at all on the descent, and then the work to get to the finish is on! Lots of climbing, much of it steep highlight the last 10k. You’re on fire roads for the first few kms, and then it goes to single track. At this point, maybe with 5-7k to go, the course isn’t as steep and it’s got some little downs too. I had run this a couple times in training and I was excited to be here. I was passing lots of 50k runners at this point and they were kind and all moved over for me, and were cheering me on. I thought it might suck to have to do so much passing at this point in the race, but I felt obligated to run fast since they were stopping for me and I think they all propelled me to a faster run through this part.
And then you hit the Furber steps for the final km! Straight up, steep steps, all the way to the finish! Insane! I was cramping, my form was goofy, and I was working! I put it all out there and was powering to the finish. As I came up the final few stairs to the brief bit of pavement to run it in, I yelled and cheered – I was pumped! So many people cheering us in after such a tough finish – awesome! Then a 100m sprint to home and it was finished! What a course!
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
Gorgeous! In the Blue Mountains. The cliffs and trails are spectacular. There are waterfalls and views throughout the course. There are scenic overlooks, and there are times where you’re deep in the bush too. Great course!
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
Yes! 14,000’+ of vert, and so much of it is compacted into short bursts of stairs. You also have to be able to run b/c there are plenty of fast and runnable sections too. Being a well rounded trail runner is a major advantage on this course.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Top notch! UTA/Ironman put on a great event. It’s well organized, and they put on a great experience.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Yes! The best in Australia were there.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
The race normally sells out. I had the good fortune of getting a late entry elite spot – thank you UTA! Katoomba is 1.5 hours out of Sydney, so logistics are pretty easy. You could take a train out there, but having a car makes things much easier.
There is plenty of lodging in Katoomba and in surrounding areas of Leura and closer to Sydney.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
We were able to have crew at 3 spots – CP3, CP4, and CP5. The other three main check points had the basics for ultra fare. I only took advantage of getting my bottles filled there, and then getting everything else I needed from my crew at 45k, 57k, and 78k. I fueled with Maurten gel, a few Spring Energy gels, Tailwind, Maurten drink mix, and water.
Logistically, it wasn’t crazy difficult for crew to access the CPs they were allowed at. Julie managed all this with a 2 and 5 year old in tow – she’s a rockstar!
Weather and typical race conditions
It’s fall in Australia. Weather can be cooler, and I imagine it could still be warm. We had a cool day, 40s and 50s, maybe in the 30s at the start. Overcast at times, sunny at times, with little spats of rain. It was cold at the start. I started at 6:20am and got there around 5:40. That time before the start was chilly! I put on my required gear until it was go time, but I would have been wiser to put on warmer clothes and then leave them in a drop bag at the start.
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
Practice with your gear! The required gear list is hefty. I never needed any of the required gear during the race, but it’s good to know I could take care of myself out there if something unforeseen happened.
They did two gear checks, along with a mandatory gear check before the race. At 45k, they did a random gear check – they asked to see my mobile phone. At the finish, I had to show them my thermal pants and my rain jacket.
I carried all my gear in a Salomon Adv Skin 8L pack. It all fit fine.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
Yes. There are the 3 CPs, the Start/Finish, and plenty of places along the course they could pop by for a cheer! Echo Point and along the Cliffs would be accessible, as well as at the Fairmont Resort. There were plenty of people cheering. At the same time, there were lots of quiet and solitary times on the trails too!
How’s the Swag?
Solid. The shirt was too big. I ordered a Small and it’s still too big. The buckle was cool. I liked that there is a finisher’s towel. They wrap it around you at the finish and it’s nice to have a new beach towel. For finishing 3rd in my age group, I got a cool gift pack. A UTA backpack with a nice reusable coffee cup, a beanie, a visor, and a couple stuffed cockatoo toys for my boys were all included.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
5 out of 5! I really enjoyed this race. From the build up to the race, to the pre-race, to execution and post-race, every step of the way was quality and well run. I’m thankful to have been in Australia during this unique time in the world and to have had the chance to race. Thank you for all the help and support everyone!
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
THE ORGANIZATION: Aravaipa has a reputation for being world-class…they are more than that. This was the most well-oiled event, from the expo to the DNF, that I’ve ever experienced. I couldn’t imagine being responsible for 1,000 runners in the desert, but they had it down. The crowded aid stations didn’t seem crowded. The volunteers knew what was up. The medics knew what was up. Everyone kept it moving and kept the runners happy and on their way.
THE PEOPLE: This wasn’t the “Arizona vs. the World” race that I thought it would be. I met a plethora of runners from all over the nation, which helped me feel better about being a tourist. All of us out-of-towners were in the hot desert hell together!
THE VIEWS: The views….and the views…and the views. The semi-green desert expanded for miiiiiiiiiles – what a beautiful sight.
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
ROCKS: sniper rocks, they come out of nowhere with the sole purpose of wrecking your life. I rolled my ankle on one at mile 5 and pushed through the pain another 40+ miles until the DNF. Ugh.
HARD PACK: The desert doesn’t afford the same forgiveness as the PNW cush. Every step was brutal on the entire body and the feet. Not sure how to prepare for this other than smashing more pavement, which I did quite a bit of leading up to the race. It’s just tough and different!
HEAT/EXPOSURE: I would estimate there was approximately 2% shade on the course until the sun went down. Full exposure, even without crazy hot temps, sucks. The temp got up to about 70-75*, and even hotter down in the canyons. That was plenty to suck the life out of this Seattle boy!
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
I kept my major muscle groups in check. I didn’t pound the downs (thank you, rolled ankle!) and kept myself in check the entire day. The heat ended up getting to me and I couldn’t eat or drink anything. Nausea and heat sickness set in and that was all she wrote.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
Prepare for the heat and exposure better. It will be a HUGE factor if the weather is right.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
Miles 31-46 are nothing like the first 31. Be ready!
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
Extreme beauty.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
Extremely different type of challenge than the PNW.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Extremely well run and organized. 100/10.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
VERY! So many crushers out there! The middle/back of the pack did NOT feel like the middle/back of the pack. This is a world-class event with world-class crushers. Not too many people out there biting off more than they know they can chew.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
A little pricey, but a great experience!
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
Sunscreen and SNB! Then do it all again!
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
Pretty accessible, all things considered!
How’s the Swag?
Got a drop bag and a 1/4 zip – pretty swaggy!
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
10/10 – highly recommended for an A-race. BE PREPARED!
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
The logistics were easy and low stress
Having an indoor (warm) area to hang out in afterwards
The first half of the course
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
Not the fault of the race – but driving to the race, Google maps led me down a road for 15 minutes that ended up dead-ending instead of going to the starting area. I think the road probably used to go through, but it doesn’t currently. I was really glad I had left early! Be careful when you follow the directions to the start area.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
Nothing really weird – except that somehow aid station volunteers filled my bottles up twice (in a row) with Tailwind when I asked for water, which I didn’t find out about until I was back out running. I haven’t used Tailwind so I was a little nervous about that, and it’s definitely not as good to pour on your head.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
I had a really strong first half where I felt in control and everything felt easy. The miles absolutely flew by and I couldn’t believe it when I was done with the first 50k.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
It gets warm out there! There’s a ton of trail that’s very fun and runnable, and there are a decent number of rocks (my toenails were more sore than any other part of my body in the days after).
The beginning gets quite backed up, with the trail narrowing to single track really quickly, followed by a creek crossing that can get a bit time consuming if you are behind a bunch of people. Keep that in mind when deciding where you want to start. It’s pretty hard to pass people the first 4 miles or so, but easy the rest of the race.
Loop 2 is the hardest section with what felt like the most climbing.
Though the heat sticks in my mind the most, the morning was surprisingly cold. I was in a Houdini, with the hood up, for the first 4 miles. I finished a little before 8pm and may have wanted a jacket if I had been out there much longer.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
The course is made up of three loops that all start/finish at Camp Cuyamaca. The first loop is 32 miles, so a nice mental boost when you’re done with half the race by the time you’re done with the first loop. The biggest factor for me was how warm it got as the day went on. There were also a couple of spots with slightly confusing course markings.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
Yes – desert-like, but with trees as well.
Difficulty – Is the Cuyamaca 100k a tough course?
I’d say it’s probably moderate.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
It was well run.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Medium – most runners were local from San Diego.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
It does sell out quickly so register early. You can camp at the start or there are Airbnbs nearby in Julian (and maybe other towns). Julian is about 30 minutes away.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Pretty standard fare, although seriously lacking in grapes! 🙂
Weather and typical race conditions
Sunny and warm! Low 80s maybe?
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?
Nothing special necessary.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
If they hang out at Camp Cuyamaca they could see you as you came in from each loop. I’m not sure how long it would have taken to drive to another aid station.
How’s the Cuyamaca 100k Swag?
A shirt, medal, reusable cup
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
I’d say 4 out of 5. It was a nice race – no big “wow” factor but well-organized and a good atmosphere. The majority of the runners seemed to know each other from a San Diego running group which created a friendly environment.
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
1. Course – This runs mostly along the Tahoe Rim Trail and you get to see straddle the Nevada/California ridge line. To the east you see flat, high desert plateau of Nevada, West is forests of California. It has vert but nothing brutal, just challenging over the course of the full 100K. Long downhills make it runnable in sections. Going through a pass at 9.7K feet was great.
2. Tahoe 200 weekend – Lots happening and running the opposite direction of the 200 milers you get a great sense of ultras, high fives, seeing pacers with runners on Day 2. Big aid stations etc.
3. Running into the early evening is great. Brings on the adventure of having headlamps etc.
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
I didn’t like having to drive to the finish to get a bus to the start so early. It’s a fairly new race and communications were a bit sparse.
Aid stations were spread out to make some far apart (15miles) while others were short (7 miles).
Drop bag strategy wasn’t tight. I finished at 7pm and they told me if I wanted my drop bag from mile 45, I’d need to wait until midnight even though that aid station closed. It’s on the small side so I get that they are short handed.
BATTERIES! I didn’t change my headlamp batteries and it cost me. I had to run the final 2 miles with my phone flashlight. DUH.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
Nothing weird.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
1. Nutrition. Since you share aid stations with the Tahoe 200, you can really afford to pack less, rely on the stations.
2. This was my first 100K, so I was still learning to run v race it. I just stayed steady, not pushing too hard but constant. I’m happy with 12th, and in retrospect, my pit stops cost me about 5 places but just not rushing. That’s okay, now I know.
3. Mental. Anything over a 50K for me is about Fitness, Nutrition and Mental all working in concert. The siege mentality if a real thing and just hanging in there. I didn’t use any headphones, music, etc for 13 hours. Just me, my mind and the trail. It was great.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
1. Aid station strategy. Figure out your plan and drop bags, especially if you are faster. You’ll possibly have to wait at the finish.
2. Miles 20-35 of the course were the long climbs, exposed in the sun. Bring a hat. There were streams and a lake so you should stop for the 60 sec, dunk your head in and keep going to cool down.
3. I stayed in South Lake and flew into Sacramento. Reno is closer for flights. I’d still stay in South Lake given the amenities and central nature to the course.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
1. Bring fresh batteries for the headlamp. 🙂
2. It was dusty/hot that day. I drank 7 Liters of water. Sipping constantly was key if you aren’t from a hotter climate.
3. Sun block. I didn’t use it and my shoulders paid the price.
4. Cold start but once the sun pops up, it gets hot quick. Once the sun goes behind the mountains, temps drop and it gets dark in the forest fast.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
The course is really 3 climbs in the first 35 miles. They are long, never super steep but the length makes it hard. The downhills are very runnable. Miles 40-53 were really nice, long, gradual downhills. The whole course is mostly singletrack.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
Yes. You see Alpine forest, ridgelines, lakes, streams.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
I’d give it a 3 of 5 on hard. I found White River 50m harder in vert.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
It’s run by Destination Trail and they know what they are doing BUT it’s a new course AND since the Tahoe 200 is going on at the same time and the premier event, you feel a bit like plan B for them.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Well…I didn’t win, so yes? Just kidding. The winner weren’t pros but were solid runners who beat the field by hour plus.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
I registered 2 weeks before on the deadline. South Lake Tahoe has a variety of hotels, Airbnb, etc so I had no problems. Flights to Reno are more expensive with less carriers but Sacramento is just as easy but 45min more to drive. South Lake also is a fully stocked mountain town geared towards winter and summer activity so lots of grocery, outdoor stores, Patagonia store, etc.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Standard stuff. Full gels, water, Tailwind, Oreos, fruit, PB&J, etc. Veggie options. Miles 35 onwards cooked items like quesadillas etc.
Weather and typical race conditions
Hot and dry CA summer. But the day after we ran, it snowed.
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?
Recommend good headlamp, running vest with enough to carry 1L, I had a 2L bladder. You can download the course via CalTopo for your watch.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
You cross two roads which make good ‘hi there’ points and all the aid stations had cars. The website tells you directions to each and their ‘rules’.
How’s the Swag?
Finisher medal is wooden so that is cool. T-shirt was fine (wearable logo & color). They sold more stuff at the end.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
I still give this a 4.5 of 5. The course is well marked, really nice. The atmosphere of a 200miler is great and all the volunteers were great. Lake Tahoe as a late summer vacation spot also is great and lets you do anything you want.
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
The course – scenic, challenging, and varied
A very friendly group of runners
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
Lightning! Not the fault of the race of course. But it was kind of scary. The weather for the last 2 hours was quite a spectacle of rain, wind, thunder and lightning. The memory will live on for a long time though!
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
I’d say compared to other races, it was the distance between aid stations. There were only four, and two times they were 18+ miles apart. Also running around an erupted volcano!
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
I feel like I paced well and ran my own race from the beginning. I accepted the low point that every race seems to have and believed it would only be temporary. I kept eating the whole day (although still got behind sometimes). I think the distance between aid stations actually helped me be more intentional about eating and drinking since I couldn’t put either of them off thinking I was almost to the next aid station.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
There’s a lot to know about this race, although nothing that the runners manual doesn’t tell you. But the distance between aid stations is no joke when it comes to hydration. I read all the warnings, but still didn’t take them quite seriously enough and ended up having to ration on a hot/exposed part of the course (and it wasn’t even a hot day). Luckily a stream appeared that saved me. It was white with silt, but still tasted so good. There was another one (clear this time) between aid station 3 and 4 which was also much appreciated.
I would recommend having poles (I used them the entire second half of the race) if you like them. High socks were really helpful. Lots of people chose to wear gaiters, but I actually never even stopped to dump my shoes. A guy I was running with had both his shoes and socks torn apart by the rocks and was very happy to have another pair in his drop bag at aid station 4. Take a jacket!
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
Preview the course! At least the Loowit part. I ran Loowit several weeks before the race (before even knowing I was doing the race), and I think that preview turned out to be immensely helpful. I had a vague idea where terrain changes were, what the water situation was like, and just how difficult the boulder fields were going to be.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
The boulder fields are probably the most unique part. Be prepared for them to really slow you down. It is also very exposed throughout the vast majority of the race which could make keeping cool difficult on a hot day (and keeping warm difficult on a cool day). I’ve run 100 miles in Arizona in 95 degree temps and I’d say this would be more challenging if it was above 75 degrees due to the lack of access to water and ice from aid stations.
The course markings are good for the most part, but kind of vary in their frequency. There was definitely a wrong turn that many people took (including me). The boulder field markings were hard to spot in the dark and rain. All that to say, make sure you have a track on your phone/watch.
The trail from aid 2 to aid 3 is the fastest trail of the entire day – all downhill and smooth. I wished I hadn’t eaten quite so much at aid station 2 when I discovered this. Full stomach on a downhill is not the most comfortable!
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
Super pretty
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
It’s difficult in that it takes a long time due to the terrain.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
It was well run.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
The main event is definitely the 200 mile race. The 100k doesn’t draw quite as much of a crowd.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
Logistics were pretty easy. You can camp the night before. I chose to stay in Woodland, which was about an hour drive in the morning.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
The first 3 aid stations were great with a lot of variety (usual stuff). I hesitate to say anything less than positive about any aid station because volunteers are amazing, but I was a little let down by the 4th/last aid station (which was too bad because it was after a long stretch). The focus was definitely on the 200 mile runners and cooking them more substantial food. It wasn’t a “race” atmosphere, but more of a “journey” vibe (the 200 milers are amazing btw!). I just had a hard time figuring out how to get any help and needed to use my own brain a little more than I was prepared to at that point in the race 🙂 A bystander nicely helped me close my drop bag when my hands wouldn’t have worked well enough to do it.
Weather and typical race conditions
I hope this year wasn’t typical! We did have great weather for the first 14 hours or so, but then rain, thunder, lighting and wind moved in. It was pretty crazy weather to be out on ridges and rock fields in. I just hoped to not get hit and kept moving forward trying to get to the end as fast as possible.
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?
Be prepared to carry a lot of water and food. High socks and poles were also helpful, as noted above.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
No – long drives (hours) between access points.
How’s the Swag?
Nice wooden finishers “medals”. Also a drawstring backpack and a reusable cup (I mean most cups are reusable, but this is one of those squishy ones for cupless races).
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
The Fat Dog re-route was I think my ideal course. A majority of it was sub-alpine and alpine with a couple brief dips into the low valley’s. This meant that there were amazing views during the daylight hours. It also meant that my profuse sweating had a purpose: actual evaporation.
So the three bests:
Sub-Alpine and High Alpine views, wild flowers, lush meadows, heather, and healthy green pines. Variety of terrain from buttery trail to cliff bands at nearly eight thousand English Imperial elevation.
The “Major Aid Stations” were mostly stocked with a raft of volunteers competing to be the best aid station ever. Polite and helpful with a ton of good cooks. There were also experienced runners working aid stations who spotted issues with those of us in the event and gave timely advice on eating and staying warm.
The people: runners, volunteers, family. We were all family by the end. Story telling on the trail was key to passing the hours.
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
Navigating broken granite scree and boulder field rife with cliffs at hour 23 on a mountain called “Frosty”. The biggest negative was the biggest positive. That mountain was amazing. As much as it pissed me off, its views and the accomplishment of conquering the hardest part of the course at the end of the race was incredibly, terribly satisfying.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
Canadians. Many of us commented (even the locals) that there was a “Stranger Things” vibe going on in Canada this weekend. And also: Manning Park’s various and numerous out-houses were weirdly short. Take every “American” wilderness toilet or pit toilet of forest service bathroom, chop off 1.5 feet to 2 feet and you have a Canadian toilet. It’s as if the country was originally populated by lawn gnomes. Plus there was a weird vibe in the air.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
I kept moving. I learned to let the bad feelings pass, because they do always pass. And I was grateful for the volunteers and friends I met along the way. I supported others and accepted the morale and encouragements of others. I got myself out of an amazingly warm aid station tent at 12am despite friends quitting around me and despite the strong pull of warm space heaters, great food and company and a party like atmosphere (Blackwall Peak Aid Station). Why run in the cold dark when you could hang with drunk Canadian runners?
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
Pro-tip: work on your food plan even after you think you got it dialed. Skip your last set of strides and figure out what foods you can stash in later aid station drops. Think of the foods you can get down when you’ve gotten the flu or were sick as shit. Make sure some of those are packed in addition to your normal running foods. Biggest add for me? Little rolls of MINT TUMS. These were given to me by a fellow runner. Ginger chews. New shoes, socks, Trail Toe’s goup at every aid station that had a drop. Change of clothes, backup rain gear. Backup running lights for your backup running lights. Redundant gear at every drop. You WILL forget something, so having several of everything was bomb. Check out Orange Mud 16×20 inches transparent plastic drop bags. You can see what you got without opening them. Kogalla RA running light. Buy a big 3amp power bank on Amazon. Run all night with a light brighter than your car’s headlights. Made the night so much more fun and bearable.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
I needed to pack a week early so I had time to double check what I packed. I forgot my secondary light source (headlamp). Dial in “real food” options for when the sweet stuff starts to suck.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
Both versions of the course (re-route and original Fat Dog routes) are harder than they appear on paper. For a flat-lander spending 80% of the race over 5k is no joke. Aid stations are further apart than many races time-wise. Add 20-30% to your normal water capacity. Unless you want to filter water you will run out (I did between every aid and I was carrying a 1.8L hydration pack plus two 20oz soft flasks. And this was an atypical “cool” year). Most of the course is very remote and help will not come quickly from off course. Don’t skimp on the required safety gear.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
If one of your “why’s” of running is a course full of good views, this event is for you.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
It’s a step up in elevation from Pacific Northwest runs. So again, it’s harder than it looks on paper. The course stays pretty high. It’s not Colorado but it’s much higher on average than Cascade Crest.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Fairly well oiled. Only one aid station was poorly stocked late in the race. (Frosty)
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Not sure. Don’t care.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
Manning Park lodge books up way ahead of time. Nearby camping is easy walking distance to Manning Park Lodge and finish line area. Fat Dog website has good suggestions for food and lodging.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Standard fare. As good or better than any of the more than dozen ultra’s I’ve done.
Weather and typical race conditions
Locals say typical weather is VERY hot. In a typical year head and a lot of exposure to sun and wind would add difficulty to course. There would typically always be several creeks and water sources avail to filter or treat.
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?
Trail Toe’s products. No blisters in 70 miles. No chafing.
Kogalla Ra as a waist light. Never run again without it.
If you are an Altra runner I’ve been loving the Timp 1.5.
Poles.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
Beyond friendly.
How’s the Swag?
Highest quality tech shirt I’ve ever gotten included in a race fee. Great finishing medal.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
Requiring a drive north or south on beautiful 395 along the Eastern Sierras, it is a beautiful place of extremes – desert, the high Sierras, weather and elevation. It is remote and beautiful with stunning views not far from the highest and lowest points in the lower 48. Add that Bishop Ultras is a smaller event and really low-key, with all proceeds benefiting Eastern Sierra SAR serving Mt. Whitney and surrounding areas, along with eastern Sierra youth outdoor opportunities for kids who have never seen the wilderness, and you feel good doing what you love by racing whichever distance you choose – 6k, 20 mile, 50k, 50 mile or 100k. And it ain’t easy. With a mile of gain from the start to the top of the first out-and-back, and 20+ miles at or above 8000 feet and a top out at 9500, sea level runners will find more than enough challenge.
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
I was there for the challenge after racing there last year, so I knew what to expect. The only disappointment was no chicken noodle soup at a higher altitude aid station after enjoying it last year. It was cold and I used hot soup as my carrot to push hard to that turn around. Kinda nit-picky, I know. And that’s it. I have no other complaints.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
My old friend number 7. I took 7th at Bishop 100k last year in a smaller field, and when I realized I had fought to follow last year’s number 5 guy to 7th place this year, I was able to hold the line despite watching 20 hungry racers pass me in pursuit on the final OAB, which was a thrill and a challenge. This was after a 7th place finish at Diablo 50k two weeks before. That’s just WEIRD.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
I was able to hold the line for a good finish through smart race day decisions and planning from prior experience, and I gave this race everything in order to not give up my position, through to the finish.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
Be ready for an adventure. Take nothing for granted. Take calculated risks, do your homework on the course – where does altitude top out? How long can my calves sustain a running descent? How hot is the desert? How much discomfort do I want to put up with to finish? This last question is especially relevant, as 100k runners are faced with a decision at mile 50 if not committed: a sharp left turn from tungsten aid will get you a couple more thousand feet of climb in the late afternoon heat as you make your way to a silly sticker at the turn around to prove you were there. Or, you can drop down to the 50 mile and jog to the finish. But where’s the fun in taking the easier road out?
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
That I am capable of more than I expect. When I realized my position in the last 12 miles and committed, I was able to push unrelentingly to a good finish.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
Starting at 4400 feet in elevation, you have to be prepared to deal with altitude whether you are acclimated or not. Some runners use Bishop as altitude training for other races like a training run. Bishop can be whatever you want.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
The desert is incredibly beautiful but the heat can wear you down . This race takes you up toward the snow and higher elevations, and the transition is subtle but noticeable. The contrast between the two is quite amazing. Snow capped peaks, streams and a lake or two, it is mostly exposed, but you are just surrounded by beauty.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
This is a tough course for above listed reasons. The weather this year was a bit extreme, so although we saw temps 20 degrees lower than last year, it was still about 90 on the way to the finish. Add that we had lightning, a drenching rain and hail, and I saw that some who did not plan for adverse conditions suffered. Mostly Jeep roads, there are multiple stream crossings, snow fields, and again altitude, all making the race an experience to remember.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Definitely professionally organized and volunteered. The folks at Edison aid, which we hit 3 times, braved lightning, rain, wind and hail to provide me what I needed to get through the higher elevation stuff. Everyone was awesome.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
The race was on hiatus for 3 years until RD Todd Vogel brought it back last year. This year provided a deeper field of about 50 100k athletes, which made it interesting and forced me to focus instead of taking my time to hang out at aid and talk with other runners. I expect next year to be a little more competitive still as the race again becomes more widely known.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
Time. Take the time to get there and experience Bishop Ultras, which again is a bit out of the way. There are hotels in town, and all amenities, with Bishop being a huge outdoor- focused place not far from Death Valley and MT Whitney. I chose to stay at Brown’s Mill Pond campground again, located only a couple hundred yards from the race start – an awesome way to set the stage for the adventure, and an easy walk from the finish. Brown’s is comfortable and reasonably quiet, with hot showers and shade and a snow-fed stream that bisects the campground to provide cooler temps and the sound of water. The place was full of runners, allowing me to get to know some extraordinary people, like #4 Luke from Colorado and #5 and first female Maia from Las Vegas. As for registration, the RD accepted late entries until Tuesday before the race, which makes it easier to scramble last minute if you need to race a narrow window or race last minute; I dropped Miwok this year due to injury and gladly instead registered for Bishop 100k again.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Everything I needed. No chicken noodle soup this time, but I will be sure to change that if I can.
Weather and typical race conditions
Last year, we had temps above 100 that really tested runners. This year we had heat at lower elevations, but also hail and lightning with high wind up top – not your typical June weather. But in higher altitudes, anything can happen – be prepared for any and all conditions.
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?
I did two things differently this year, including using my poles to help me up at higher elevations, which really improved my pace, and I studied the forecast and finally bought a water proof layer, which totally made a difference at the higher elevations.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
The start/finish at Mill Pond Recreation Area is easy, with everything you need including a lake for the kids to swim in if it is HOT. If you camp nearby, it is easy to enjoy seeing your racer start and finish, and the race actually starts and finishes running through the campground. If you want to drive on rough Jeep roads with water crossings, you can see your racer pretty much everywhere. For the diehard fans.
How’s the Swag?
Each year the RD offers a really well made, quality commemorative mug, which is really nice; I drink coffee each morning, so I appreciate a well made mug. A good shirt, and a fired and glazed ceramic medal – not a cheap, casted metal-medal, also make the swag more unique. This race fundraises for two non-profits though, so maybe your swag is a race fee tax write-off (I don’t even know if you can do that, check with your tax professional LOL). Or, maybe it’s the deep satisfaction of helping disadvantaged kids and working really, really hard to finish a really tough event that will test your experience and will power and give you a deep sense of personal satisfaction. Whatever it is, just take your pick – and I’ll see you there in 2020.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
I just give this thing 5 out of 5. If you love extremes and the thrill of a challenge, this race is for you.
Summary: Never Summer 100k is a challenging loop course, mountain race with extended periods of high alpine ridge running, two alpine peaks, and five alpine lakes, with much of its challenging terrain between 10,000-12,000 feet. Runners will run on a variety of terrain, from cross country, to jeep and logging roads, to alpine trail, and everything in between and often not very trail-like, leading runners across meadows and streams and likely seeing elk, moose and bighorn sheep. Come prepared for beautiful views but also trails that will challenge you to earn them!
Lessons Learned from Race Reports
Cell service is limited, so make sure you as a runner and spectators/crew know where to go, rules, etc. Print runner handbook pre-race for directions.
Cupless aid stations except for cups for soda but cups cannot be carried out of aid station
All runners must have the capacity to carry a *minimum* of 20 oz of water, whether in a bottle or a hydration pack
Crewing only allowed at aid stations, nowhere else along the course
Hiking poles are allowed
Watch for course markings at all times, especially turns, and know that the best looking trails aren’t always the course trails
Other users on the trail like day hikers and horses, so be courteous and share the trail
3rd climb up to Diamond Peak goes straight up on seemingly no trail – be ready for steep!
Section on the Yurt Trail is infamously slow, like 10 miles could take 4 hours because of the footing on loose talus
Out and back section between aid stations 39.4 and 43.9 – expect the trail to be crowded to share the singletrack and be ready for a mental low if you’re doing the climbing and being passed by happy runners descending
Have a plan for a headlamp if there’s a chance you’ll go beyond sunset (and there’s likely a very good chance!)
Practice hiking, as you’re likely to do a lot of it
Have warm clothes in a drop bag for running in the dark, as temps drop fast in Colorado once the sun goes down
Also have warm clothes for post-race
Expect to run hours slower than what you think you’d run a trail 100k in – many race reports indicate that the course was much more difficult than expected, not only because of the terrain, but also the climbs and the altitude
Elevation
Total gain/loss: 13,000/13,000
Ft/mile gain: 202
Total climbs: 7 major climbs of 2×2000-2500ft, 3×1200-1700ft, 2×750-1000
What’s available: Vfuel gel and sports drink, water and ice and an assortment of items depending on weather, what time of day, etc. including items like: Pretzels, potato chips, corn chips, fruit, cookies, M&M’s, gummy bears, soda, sandwich rolls, boiled potatoes, and later aid stations serving runners through the night will offer hot ramen, broth, and coffee/cocoa.
Crew Directions (starting on page 11). Be sure to read crew and pacer rules.
Pacers
Yes, pacers can start at Canadian (50.1) or Bockman Road (55.8). For runners over the age of 60, pacers can start at the Ruby Jewel aid station (29.4).
Race qualifiers
Western States 100 (must finish under 23 hours)
UTMB – Double check since UTMB rules keep changing!
Race: Never Summer 100K Runner: Bucky Love Race Date: 7/31/2021 Location: State Forest State Park, Gould CO. Results: 18 hours 42 mins Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5719248082 3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most? 1. I would say the scenery for this one, except the ... Read More
Race: Never Summer 100k Runner: Matt Urbanski Race Date: 07/27/2019 Location: Gould, CO Results: 3rd OA, 13:02:10 Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/2571413940 3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most? Scenery - I rarely pay too much attention to this aspect of racing and am more into ... Read More
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
The course was very pretty
Excellent aid stations, volunteers and RD
Looped course
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
It was about 2.5hrs from the airport but the actual race was great!
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
Nothing weird that I noticed, but this was my first 100k so I don’t have much to compare it to
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
With very little trail access in my area of Delaware or hills, I think I navigated and prepared for this race as best as I could. I was never hungry or dehydrated, no stomach issues etc. I paced myself and tried to stay as positive as I could even though it took me longer then I expected due to a nasty blister on my foot that needed attending to after the 2nd lap. I was by myself most of the time but never got discouraged and was determined to finish. My whole goal was to see if I could complete the mileage and within the cutoff time, and I did both so that’s a success in my book!
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
We flew into Indianapolis airport but it was about a 2.5hr drive away. There weren’t a ton of hotels nearby so we rented an Airbnb about 15 minutes away from the course and it was perfect! They have a FB page which was outstanding! Lots of support from the RD and other runners, especially for a newbie like me. They treated you like family. It’s a 20 mile looped course, plus an extra 2 mile section for the 100k runners. They had the option of 50 mile, 100k and 100 mile distances and it’s also a Western States qualifying course. Plenty of rolling hills and a mix of terrain. For those with hill experience it wouldn’t be bad at all; about 4,500ft elevation gain for the 100k according to my strava. There was plenty of space for crew members and pacers, and the volunteers were amazing! I wasn’t disappointed at all! The weather could vary – we started in the 30s, got into the low 50s during the day and back into the 30s at night. Luckily it didn’t rain during the race because I was told from previous runners that it gets very slippery! We had to be careful of frost on some of the bridges in the morning and a few mud puddles from rain the night before, but nothing major. Just be prepared for any type of weather!
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
This was the longest distance I’ve ever run so I learned a lot. It was the first time I’d gotten a blister but with the help of others, we got it fixed. I never ran in the woods at night during training so that was a shocker! My headlamp was good but I’d definitely invest in a brighter one for future races. Cell service was very spotty. The aid stations had a great variety, even gluten free and vegan options, but I had trained my gut to eat so luckily I didn’t have any issues.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
It’s a 20 mile looped course. They said 1,200 ft of elevation gain per loop (my strava and garmin calculated more). Mix of terrain but for most people it would be considered pretty non-technical I’d think. Very few paved sections, but a mix of single track and normal trail.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
I thought it was! There was a lake you ran around and the leaves were starting to turn colors. About the best you’re going to get from Indiana that time of year.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
It was slightly difficult for me due to where I live, but for anyone used to running trails regularly I don’t think it was that difficult.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Absolutely well-oiled machine!
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Not super strong but then again I’m a mid to back of the pack runner so I’m not positive
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
It was a pretty easy process. Hardest part was finding a decent place to stay but even that wasn’t too bad.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Excellent aid stations every 3-5.5 miles. Plenty of food options, the volunteers were great and very upbeat! Always cheering you on! One even helped me with my blister until I could get to my crew.
Weather and typical race conditions
30s-50s but could vary with it being in October. This is the first year they held it in the Fall vs Spring but it looks like it’ll be staying a Fall race
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?
Nothing in particular. It might’ve been different if there was rain. Normal gear and clothes for different types of weather
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
Other then seeing my family at the start/finish line where they set up, and volunteers at the aid stations, you really didn’t see anyone else
How’s the Swag?
Awesome! We got a nice lightweight jacket, a winter hat and some other little things in our bag. The jacket is very nice, though!
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
I highly recommend this race even though it’s kind of in the middle of nowhere! Already contemplating going back and trying to do the 100 miler next year. 5 stars from me!
Emily Morrison is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about her or to work with Coach Emily, check out her coaching page.
Summary: Taking place in the self-proclaimed, “Cowboy Capital of the US,” the Bandera 100k always brings a fast crowd because it’s a Western States Golden Ticket Race. The most often mentioned feature of the race is the plant life along the trail, which promises to bite, scratch, and sting. The terrain is varied, with few switchbacks and lots of short, steep, climbs and descents, along with rocks and plenty of runnable trails along the way. The 100k distance runs two 50k loops and there is a 50k and 25k race as well.
Lessons Learned from Race Reports
Cupless event so make sure you have your own cup/water bottle, but they will have cups for hot food
TX winter weather is incredibly unpredictable – bring several clothing options no matter what the forecast says leading up to it
In more years than not, race reports talk about it being cold, at least in the morning and evening
There is an out and back section early on, so be prepared to pass runners going the other way, particularly the faster folk out front, as this race draws fast runners
Climbs are short and steep, many with loose rocks, so have good shoes and be patient
You run through some deep trenches (3-4 feet), so a bit different compared to other trail races
The Enchanted Forest looks cool in pics, but it also looks difficult with the shadows that the leafless trees cast on the ground – be careful with footing, especially since there are lots of rocks
You can hear the finish line when you still have one more climb left, so be prepared for that and not discouraged with it happens (twice!)
Rocks, rocks, rocks. If you stop paying attention, you will likely clip a toe and fall!
TONS of intersections, so know the course, know what markings to look for, and pay attention and don’t just follow who is ahead of you.
Lots of sunshine and exposure on the course – wear a hat and sunglasses
First 5 miles and last 5 miles of each loop are some of the hardest sections due to climbing
Patience is huge with a two lap course – lots of people don’t leave anything for lap #2
The trails are still quite technical even though they are runnable, and the climbs are short, steep pop ups, but they wear you down
Consider wearing knee-high compression socks or long pants if it’s cold or because of the sotol cactus plants alongside the trail
That being said, the sotol is fairly hard to avoid, so embrace the pain!
You can go from super techy to suddenly very fast and flowy, so being able to transition gears is big.
Compared to 2016, the current course is about 1.8 miles longer with an extra 1500 feet of vert, so expect some slightly slower times.
Elevation
Total gain/loss: 6500,6500 (estimate based on several Strava activities)
Ft/mile gain: 104.8
Total climbs: N/A, the entire thing is rolling with gains anywhere from 50-350 feet at a time, but they feel relentless
Course Map/Elevation profile (Old elevation profile with new one still in the works, but still similar to the current course)
What’s available: In addition to typical aid station fare of salty and sweet foods, they offer Tailwind and Saltstick. See this page for more info on what’s typically available and special foods for hot/cold weather.
Access Locations: All aid stations, though parking is only available at the Lodge, which is the start/finish and halfway point. No vehicles at other aid stations; walk, bike or run there.
Race: Hoka Bandera Endurance Event 25k Runner: Coach Frank FisherRace Date: 01/08/2023 Location: Bandera, TX Results: 18th, 2:26:31 Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8360705673/overview 3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most? It's a super cool weekend with the 100k being a Golden Ticket race, so the ... Read More
Race: Hoka Bandera 100K Runner: Ricke Harris Race Date: 01/09/2021 Location: Bandera, TX Results: 15:17:15 Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/Lm0OWzDcedb 3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most? COURSE - The beautiful vistas and challenging terrain. Two loops with a lot of rocks and steep climbs ... Read More
Race: Bandera 100K Runner: Rick H Race Date: 01/11/2020 Location: Hill Country State Natural Area, Bandera, TX Results: 15:54:31 Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/3004736853 3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most? Challenging course. Beautiful landscape. Positive volunteers and well-supported. Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t ... Read More
Race: Bandera 100k Runner: Olin Berger Race Date: 01/05/2019 Location: Camp Eagle, Texas Results: 13 OA, 9:59:51 Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/2062630903 3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most? Set in beautiful hill country Great course markings and use of a small space for a ... Read More
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
They put on an amazing event for the entire week. They make everyone feel special, the event feels special, it’s such a cool thing to be part of.
It’s gorgeous! Seriously, the mountains here are just amazing!
The competition. There are so many good racers from all over the world, and not just in the marquee UTMB event. I love being part of events where the best people in the world show up.
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
I literally can’t think of anything I don’t like about the event.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
The required gear list is hefty. Thankfully, I didn’t need hardly any of the gear, but it’s a bit abnormal compared to most races I do to be forced to lug a bunch of stuff around the mountains with me. Not complaining, but it’s a unique aspect of the race. https://utmbmontblanc.com/en/page/143/Mandatoryequipment.html
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
I managed my race well. I only had one low point (the climb out of Trient). I stayed positive, focused, in the moment, and I enjoyed this race, while still working hard and putting forth my best effort. I’m proud of this because managing effort and keeping positive for this long on such a demanding course is no small feat!
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
So much climbing! (and descending!) Relentless. Be ready for the climbs, be good at powering up, and efficient going down.
Have your gear dialed in. It’s important to have all the equipment, but it was obvious that some people focused on being more streamlined than others. I think this is worth the time and money investment.
Respect the altitude. It’s not a super high up race, topping out just over 8000′, but if you’re not training at those elevations, they can impact your race. Combine that with all the steep climbing which can jack up your HR and your effort and you can easily be going out way too hard way too soon. Oh yeah, and there will be hundreds of people hurrying up that first climb, making you feel like you need to as well. Respect the course, and manage your effort well early on.
Fuel well. It’s not a fast 100k and people are out there for 20+ hours. Calorie burn can be high given the climbing. Eat.
Coming into Vallorcie – next stop, Chamonix!
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
Keep getting better at climbing. Damn those climbs get tiring. I used poles this year and wow what an impact it had! I felt stronger on the ups, and more stable and able to go faster on the downs. I have room to improve on all this and will have to if I will climb up the rankings, but with more work on it and using poles, it can be done.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
The race starts uphill immediately. It’s on road for maybe a couple miles, and then goes to single track. Decide where you want to be in the line. Know people go out hard. But also know that you can get really slowed down if you don’t go hard early. Tough decision; I think I made the right call to be conservative, but I did that first climb slower than I would have overall had I not been in the conga line.
The climb out of Trient is so freaking steep! When I scroll over the grade on this one, I see numbers in the 30-40% range and one mile of that segment on Strava shows a 1358′ gain for one mile! It is the only hill that really kicked my ass. The course was slightly different than it was two years ago so maybe it’ll be different next time around too, but that one was tough!
Keep your legs. There are runnable sections in the middle of the race. Put yourself in a position to be passing people and running well when the course permits.
There is a ton of downhill. Of course it’s fun to bomb downhill, just know that there is A LOT of it, so be cautious about blowing up your quads.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
Gorgeous. One of my favorite places to run in the world.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
I find climbing/descending to be tough. The course isn’t super technical relative to some races, but it’s trail and there are some slow sections. It’s a tough run!
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Amazing. Simple answer; they have this down!
Competition – Is there a strong field?
The best in the world.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
You have to collect points. You then enter a lottery (can be bypassed if your ITRA ranking is high enough).
Book lodging early b/c there are 10,000 runners coming to Chamonix for this week, along with their friends and family. The area is well equipped but probably good to book early, especially if you want to be in Chamonix near all the action.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Normal fare, I think. I rarely eat from aid stations. They’re well organized and a huge production at UTMB.
Inside the Champex Lac aid stationWeather and typical race conditions
It can be hot, cold, rain, snow. They make sure you have the gear for any of it. They will also make course changes last minute if there is reason to. Be flexible, be adaptable.
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?
Definitely. Check out the required gear list above. My poles (Black Diamond Carbon Distance Z) were my favorite piece of gear this year. I used the Hoka Speedgoats 2 and loved them for this race.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
Yep! For the aid stations, you are only allowed one specified crew person in the crew tent, so no setting up the picnic blankets and hanging out like we do in the States. But the tents are huge, the whole scene is well organized. My wife and 2.5 year old son have fun there!
How’s the Swag?
It was good this year. Nice t-shirt, a nice finisher’s vest.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
I love this race! I am already excited to go back someday! 5 out of 5 stars!
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
The atmosphere – wow, what a scene! Chamonix was packed for days and the whole thing felt like a giant running party (those are things, right?)
The course – beautiful even when surrounded by clouds. I would love to see the whole thing in the light.
Organization – a race that big needs to be organized, and they have everything down
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you Nothing
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race? Probably how big it is for a trail race!
Start corral at Courmayeur
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
I ate and drank really well during the whole race. This has been an issue in previous longer races, so I was very happy with this. I think intentionally eating more during training really helped.
I ended up positioning myself really well at the beginning of the race so that the part of the conga line I was in during the initial 6 mile/4500′ climb was moving at a great pace for me.
I held out long enough during a down period for my energy to come back around and had a great last 1/3rd of the race.
I steadily moved up in position throughout almost the entire race.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
I should have looked at where the aid stations were prior to the race. There were longer gaps between some of them than I had anticipated, and sometimes I’d assume I was coming up on one, and it would turn out to just be a checkpoint. I never ran out of anything, but it played some mental tricks on me!
Lots of steep climbing! But also, there is a lot of runnable trail. I was actually surprised at how much.
I didn’t really notice anywhere to change at aid stations, so be prepared to strip in the tent if you want to put on new clothes for the night.
No option for having drop bags at aid stations.
Don’t get too comfy in those nice warm aid stations!
Up the first climb
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
I can eat cheese during races! And I can eat a lot of it.
A lesson learned time and again – things rarely just keep getting worse. For quite a while during miles in the 30s I thought I was going to be relegated to a 2mph pace for the rest of the race. But, surprise! Things turned around and I felt pretty great for the last 20 or so miles.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race As mentioned, lots of climbing. Also lots of rocks. The last decent is also quite technical and I felt like I was going over a cliff at first! Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course? Yes! And likely even prettier on a day with better weather.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course? I’d say so.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants? They’ve done this a few times.
Competition – Is there a strong field? Not as strong as the main event, but impressive nonetheless
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen. You need to have enough points from other races to be entered in the lottery, and then be successful in the lottery. I found a place to stay just outside of town fairly easily, and while it wasn’t in the middle of all the fun, it was a great escape from the craziness in town.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when? I think they were standard for European aid stations. The usual coke, chips, oranges, bananas, broth. Many snack products that I didn’t recognize, and also a ton of meat, cheese and bread.
Coming into an aid station
Weather and typical race conditions It seems to vary a lot, even within the race. We had a very nice start and then wind and rain. The rain thankfully eventually stopped.
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy? There’s a list of required gear. It can seem kind of overwhelming, but in the end it’s not that much stuff, and I think I used all the required clothing except for gloves. I’d definitely recommend poles.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends? It didn’t seem like the easiest to navigate, but there were definitely lots of people everywhere!
How’s the Swag? Short sleeve tech shirt and this year a finisher vest – both nice.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it? All the stars. It was definitely a great experience!
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