Javelina 100 and 100k Race Info

Julie Urbanski August 29, 2018

Date

10/27/18

Avg Temps f.

83/57

Gain/Loss in ft

7900/7900

5000/5000

Furthest Aid

6.6 miles

Highest Elev.

2480ft

Start

100m – 6am

100k – 7am

Surface

Trail

Time Limit

100m – 30 hours

100k – 29 hours

Sunrise/set

6:41am/5:40pm

Longest Climb

800ft /~10.5 miles

Summary: A costumed trail run party in the desert over the weekend of Halloween, the Javelina Jundred 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. New for 2018 is the Jackass Night Trail, 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.

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

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.
Be prepared for very hot, exposed daytime running, and cold nighttime running once the sun goes down. Have layers on you after 3pm.
Aspects of the race to train for specifically: Heat, Desert Terrain, Going out too fast, Temperature Swings, Lighting
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
Gaiters are helpful in keeping small pebbles out of your shoes
For it 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)
Trekking poles are not allowed, but music is
There is no shade for runners and barely any for crew.
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
It’s not the most technical trail or the hilliest, but each ensuing loop will seem more so on tired legs and mind
Lube up with so much small dirt getting in places and causing chaffage
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
Sunscreen!!!
Use any ice water you can at aid stations to pour on yourself and cool down
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

Elevation

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

Course Map/Elevation profile

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.