Cool thing to watch this weekend in ultrarunning

[reginaphalange72]

This weekend is the Western States 100 miler - arguably one of the most famous and difficult 100 milers in the world, and it also has the unique designation as the original 100 mile ultra.  It started back in 1973 when Western States was a 100 mile horse race, but Gordy Ainsleigh's horse couldn't complete it, so he ran the rest of it on foot.  He returned the following year and completed the race on foot (on purpose), and thus the sport of ultrarunning and 100 milers was born.

Well, Gordy is back at Western States this weekend to run it again (for the 23rd time) at age 71.  He's continued to race over the years and has maintained a very active race schedule, but this is a remarkable event and will be super exciting.

[labbie]

Oh wow- cool history, and a lifegoal of mine to be running around kicking butt at 71!
 
Do you know anything about Eastern States? The race I'm volunteering at today was long sold out, but they opened up 5 slots recently to accommodate folks that had registered for Eastern States and aren't able to run it. Wondering if there was some drama or conditions related that caused that.

eta: I just found on their FB page that Eastern States had to cancel because a key communications coordinator quit and they're unable to find a qualified person to take over in time to meet their contract with the PA parks dept and to ensure the race had the proper safety protocol in place. What a bummer for all involved.

[Mushe]

Merry Statesmas! It’s a big deal around here. Someone from a running group I’m in got pulled as the last person from the wait list...good thing he’s ready!

[Wines Not Whines]

A couple of people from my running group are running it. I don't know if there's a way to track them.

[Mushe]

Jun 23, 2018 10:44:15 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

A couple of people from my running group are running it. I don't know if there's a way to track them.

Awesome! I see the question is already answered, but I want to take DS up to the finish line tomorrow morning, in case there’s anyone you want an in person report on.

[Wines Not Whines]

Jun 23, 2018 13:58:02 GMT -5 Mushe said:

Jun 23, 2018 10:44:15 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

A couple of people from my running group are running it. I don't know if there's a way to track them.

Awesome! I see the question is already answered, but I want to take DS up to the finish line tomorrow morning, in case there’s anyone you want an in person report on.

I just checked my friend's tracking, and he finished this morning! He did great.

[Mushe]

Jun 24, 2018 7:48:44 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

Jun 23, 2018 13:58:02 GMT -5 Mushe said:

Awesome! I see the question is already answered, but I want to take DS up to the finish line tomorrow morning, in case there’s anyone you want an in person report on.

I just checked my friend's tracking, and he finished this morning! He did great.

Awesome, congrats to them! The two I know last checked in at 85. 😄

[G22]

We know the guy who won it! He was stationed with us in Montana and has become a big ultramarathoner since then.

[Mushe]

Jun 24, 2018 10:00:45 GMT -5 G22 said:

We know the guy who won it! He was stationed with us in Montana and has become a big ultramarathoner since then.

I’m so excited and happy that everything clicked this year! He and his crew have brought the mom out in so many of my moms running group friends the past few years, just being young. I love him mentioning that there should be a sign where he went off course two years ago, because someone did put one up, but WSER took it down! Lol

ETA I did a run/hike up Camelback Mountain when I was there for a conference, and it tickled me to run the same segments he owned on Strava. He is amazing!

[G22]

Jun 24, 2018 11:41:39 GMT -5 Mushe said:

Jun 24, 2018 10:00:45 GMT -5 G22 said:

We know the guy who won it! He was stationed with us in Montana and has become a big ultramarathoner since then.

I’m so excited and happy that everything clicked this year! He and his crew have brought the mom out in so many of my moms running group friends the past few years, just being young. I love him mentioning that there should be a sign where he went off course two years ago, because someone did put one up, but WSER took it down! Lol

ETA I did a run/hike up Camelback Mountain when I was there for a conference, and it tickled me to run the same segments he owned on Strava. He is amazing!

From what I remember of him, he was pretty cool back then too! I was really only acquaintances with him, my H knew him better since they worked together. We did alot of the same races and he was winning many of the local MT races back then it's been fun to watch his running career take off!

[cinco]

Jun 24, 2018 10:00:45 GMT -5 G22 said:

We know the guy who won it! He was stationed with us in Montana and has become a big ultramarathoner since then.

Awesome! I’ve seen him run before and it is crazy, especially on trails. His stride is insane.

[mrs.jacinthe]

I volunteered again at the Rucky Chucky river crossing and OMG, it was SO. FREAKING. HOT. Like, my car said 104 degrees when I parked. People were practically belly flopping into the river to cool off. You guys, it was farking miserable out there, so this was a fantastic showing on all counts, regardless of finish time. But Jim Walmsley (the winner - AND new course record holder) got to the river a full 45 minutes before the guy in second place. It was pretty amazing.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Jun 24, 2018 11:41:39 GMT -5 Mushe said:

Jun 24, 2018 10:00:45 GMT -5 G22 said:

We know the guy who won it! He was stationed with us in Montana and has become a big ultramarathoner since then.

I’m so excited and happy that everything clicked this year! He and his crew have brought the mom out in so many of my moms running group friends the past few years, just being young. I love him mentioning that there should be a sign where he went off course two years ago, because someone did put one up, but WSER took it down! Lol

ETA I did a run/hike up Camelback Mountain when I was there for a conference, and it tickled me to run the same segments he owned on Strava. He is amazing!

You should have heard the jokes at the river crossing.  Two years ago he let go of the rope and got swept downstream, resulting in having to be chased down to the rapids by the emergency raft.  There was a lot of "TWO HANDS, JIM!"  Poor guy, I don't know if he'll ever live it down.  Other runners were asking if he went for a swim again right up until the cutoff.  LOL

[Mushe]

Jun 24, 2018 16:03:09 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Jun 24, 2018 11:41:39 GMT -5 Mushe said:

I’m so excited and happy that everything clicked this year! He and his crew have brought the mom out in so many of my moms running group friends the past few years, just being young. I love him mentioning that there should be a sign where he went off course two years ago, because someone did put one up, but WSER took it down! Lol

ETA I did a run/hike up Camelback Mountain when I was there for a conference, and it tickled me to run the same segments he owned on Strava. He is amazing!

You should have heard the jokes at the river crossing.  Two years ago he let go of the rope and got swept downstream, resulting in having to be chased down to the rapids by the emergency raft.  There was a lot of "TWO HANDS, JIM!"  Poor guy, I don't know if he'll ever live it down.  Other runners were asking if he went for a swim again right up until the cutoff.  LOL

Hahaha! My friend Helen was there too, and she said the same thing! He seemed to run such a smart race, taking 3-5 minutes at aid stations, rather than rushing through without taking aid.

[Mushe]

Jun 24, 2018 13:49:27 GMT -5 G22 said:

Jun 24, 2018 11:41:39 GMT -5 Mushe said:

I’m so excited and happy that everything clicked this year! He and his crew have brought the mom out in so many of my moms running group friends the past few years, just being young. I love him mentioning that there should be a sign where he went off course two years ago, because someone did put one up, but WSER took it down! Lol

ETA I did a run/hike up Camelback Mountain when I was there for a conference, and it tickled me to run the same segments he owned on Strava. He is amazing!

From what I remember of him, he was pretty cool back then too! I was really only acquaintances with him, my H knew him better since they worked together. We did alot of the same races and he was winning many of the local MT races back then it's been fun to watch his running career take off!

Isn’t it such a cool feeling? I knew one of the two climbers from the record-breaking Yosemite climb of a few years ago, back when he was late teens and working at the climbing gym to get free climb time. He was close with my then boyfriend, a very talented amateur climber.