Thursday, October 3, 2013

Just Racing: La Luz, Run On The Sly 50K, Big Bro Big Sis Half, Flagstaff 50K, and a few 14'ers

It's been a busy end of summer.  With Tahoe Rim Trail 100 Mile in the rearview it was nice to concentrate on some other fun trail events.



The start line setting for Aravaipa Running's second annual Flagstaff Endurance Runs (50 Mile and 50K):  Flagstaff's Buffalo Park.

A minute in and the chase group passes through Buffalo Park, the only flat terrain on the course.  The 50K weighed with a hefty 7,000' of gain, all run between 7,000' and 9,000'.  The course was a wonderful exploration of some of Flagstaff's most challenging trails.

California's Maggie Beach led from wire to wire in the 50 mile race.

Arizona's Catlow Shipek did the same for the men in the 50 mile race.

Flagstaff's Rob Krar used the first half of the 50K event as a UROC (Ultra Race of Champions) 100K primer.

Coming into the Elden Base aid station (mile 12+).

It was good to catch up with fellow adiUltra teammate Brian Tinder here.

We headed out to face the 2.5 mile, 2,000' climb up Mount Elden together.

Rounding Schultz Tank at mile 23.5.

Tinder puts on a show for the camera.

Running as fast as I can to try and catch the 50K winner Art Degraw

Art wins the 50K with me hot on his heels.

From my vantage point.

Done in 5:31:41.

Tinder rounds out the top three.

A good bro hug at the finish line.

With Emily Harrison, I'm still thinking about what would have been had I begun my finishing "kick" earlier.

High fives to local Claire Lears for her third place finish in the 50K.

The top three 50K guys: Tinder (to my right) and Art (to my left), all from Flagstaff.

The top three 50K ladies: Mel Branta (in the middle, from Scottsdale) wins, Emily Kagan (from NM) finishes second, and Claire rounds out the top three.

Constance Wannamaker, from Texas, finishes the 50K among the top ten women.

Flag's Curtis Moore finishes second in the 50 mile race amidst a downpour.

Like father like son:  adiUltra runner James Bonnett paces his father, Paul Bonnett, into the 50 mile finish.

Paul, Maggie, and Nick Coury (co-RD) share finish line congratulations.

Other Racing

Finishing strong at the 36th annual Flagstaff Big Brothers Big Sisters Half Marathon for the masters win!

A bucket list race:  The La Luz Trail Run in Albuquerque.  Nine miles and more than 4,000' of gain and pain.

A view from near the top of the Sandia Crest and finish of the race at 10,700'.

A solid second place finish at the Run On The Sly 50K near Pollock Pines, CA.

And finally some fun on a few Colorado 14'ers.  Here Zoroaster and I descend from Grays Peak (14,270') on our way over to Torreys Peak (14,267').  Photo by Scotty Jurek

The Three Amigos (Scott Jurek, Zoroaster and myself) on top of Torreys.

Your Moment of Zen


Without jinxing ourselves:  The Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Stagecoach Line 100 Mile Ultra & Relay is still on and is accepting registrations!  We have our fingers crossed that the "Shutdown" won't impact our's or any other events.

The Champion buckle!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Z is looking strong in that photo! Nice work with the fall races fine sir. When you want to get some quality nordic skiing cross training in, c'mon up to Lander! We've gotten snowfall a few times here already...